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Some people are better drivers than others, and if you’ve been told how good of a driver you are, you might consider starting a career as a commercial driver in Alabama.
Article Table of Contents
Before Getting Licensed
To start such a career you need to first know how to drive a truck, but there are a few other requirements you need to meet before that.
For instance, being over a certain age and passing a medical are the most common requirements.
Usually, the age requirement is:
- Minimum 18 to drive within the state
- Minimum 21 to drive outside of the state
You might also have to pass a background check if you’re going to work with Hazardous Materials (HazMat), for which you’ll need a separate endorsement.
Getting Licensed
For this purpose, you need to attend a school that issues commercial driving licenses, and you can check the list below for an institution near you.
Some of these schools even offer the possibility of getting a scholarship, for those who can’t afford to pay the tuition.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Affordable Truck Driver Training LLC | 170 Franklin Smith Road, Moulton, AL 35650 |
| Alabama Benz Driving Academy | 4300 Birmingham Highway, Montgomery, AL 36108 |
| American Truck Driver Academy Inc | 5018 US Hwy 80 W, Opelika, AL 36804 |
| Bevill State Community College Truck Driving School | 117 Main St., Sumiton, AL 35148 |
| Bishop State Community College | 925 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36605 |
| Calhoun Community College Decatur Campus | PO Box 2216, Decatur, AL 35609 |
| Central Alabama Community College | 1675 Cherokee Rd, Alexander City, AL 35011 |
| Central Alabama Community College | 34091 US Hwy 280, Childersburg, AL 35044 |
| Central Alabama Community College | 1009 South Street East, Talladega, AL 35160 |
| ESD School, LLC | 2119 8th Avenue North, Bessemer, AL 35020 |
| ESD School, LLC | 116 Ipsco Street Northwest, Decatur, AL 35603 |
| H Councill Trenholm State Technical College | P.O. Box 10048, Montgomery, AL 36108 |
| LBW Community College MacArthur Campus | 1708 North Main St, Opp, AL 36467 |
| Marshall Technical School | 12312 US Hwy 431, Guntersville, AL 35976 |
| Premier Driving Academy – Theodore, AL | 7601 Theodore Dawes Rd, Theodore, AL 36582 |
| Reid State Technical College | PO Box 588, Evergreen, AL 36401 |
| Shelton State Community College | 9500 Old Greensboro Rd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 |
| Southern Union Community College Opelika Campus | 1701 LaFayette Pkwy, Opelika, AL 36801 |
| Trenholm State Technical College | 1225 Air Base Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36108 |
| Truck Driver Institute | 4939 US Hwy 78 W, Oxford, AL 36203 |
| Wallace State Community College-Hanceville | 801 Main St NW, Hanceville, AL 35077 |
Be aware that there are quite a few types of programs, and some of them teach diesel technology for the ASE certification.
Additionally, each program has a different duration but all of them are designed to help you pass the exam without which you can’t get the license.
The license exam is made of 2 parts, written and practical, as shown below.
Written exam subjects:
- General knowledge
- Combination vehicles
- Air Brakes
The practical exam is formed of:
- A pre-trip inspection test
- The basic control skills test
- On-road test, usually at a state testing location
It’s possible for some of the schools to allow the testing to take place at their location as soon as the program ends.
License Categories
Class A:
- For a combination of vehicles with a gross weight of over 26,001 pounds
- Can tow vehicles of over 10,000 pounds
- Covers vehicles from Class B, C, and D
Class B:
- For a single vehicle of over 26,001 pounds
- For any vehicle towing another one under 10,000 pounds
- Covers vehicles from Class C and D
Class C:
- For vehicles designed to carry at least 16 passengers (including the driver) OR
- For vehicles designed to transport Hazardous Materials
- These vehicles don’t meet the Class A or B criteria
- Covers vehicles from Class D too.
Employment Opportunities
Truck drivers are still in high demand and O*Net foresees an increase in demand of:
- 20% for truck drivers
- 13% for diesel mechanics
Income
Commercial drivers in Alabama earn on average about $41,439 per year, while those in the top 10% earn about $48,025 per year.
The median salary in the United States for these drivers is $44,225 while those in the top 10% make around $51,254 per year.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Birmingham | $41,872 |
| Montgomery | $39,661 |
| Mobile | $40,938 |
| Huntsville | $41,837 |
| Tuscaloosa | $41,463 |
| Dothan | $39,130 |
| Decatur | $40,558 |
| Auburn | $39,646 |
| Madison | $41,837 |
| Florence | $38,138 |
Regional Salary in Alabama
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL | 710 | $46,650 | $22.43 | $71,280 | $29,930 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | 950 | $48,690 | $23.41 | $74,090 | $30,260 |
| Birmingham-Hoover, AL | 9,270 | $51,950 | $24.98 | $75,890 | $34,280 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | 1,000 | $46,180 | $22.2 | $65,490 | $31,340 |
| Decatur, AL | 1,410 | $51,120 | $24.58 | $67,490 | $35,310 |
| Dothan, AL | 1,580 | $51,980 | $24.99 | $76,810 | $29,730 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | 810 | $43,550 | $20.94 | $63,760 | $27,840 |
| Gadsden, AL | 540 | $46,080 | $22.15 | $64,810 | $29,960 |
| Huntsville, AL | 2,230 | $49,700 | $23.9 | $73,300 | $32,160 |
| Mobile, AL | 3,750 | $49,600 | $23.85 | $72,390 | $32,090 |
| Montgomery, AL | 2,400 | $50,860 | $24.45 | $77,370 | $32,510 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 1,460 | $50,310 | $24.19 | $76,100 | $30,390 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Conclusion
The work environment for both CDL or diesel technology certificate owners is the same.
These professionals are sought by both local and national trucking companies.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Truck Driver
CDL Schools by State