CDL Schools in Illinois (Top Programs Listed)

CDL Schools in Illinois

Illinois is a great place to start a truck driving career due to its location, in the Midwest.

The industry is flourishing regarding whether you live in a large city like Chicago or a more rural area of the state.

Before you start, you need to learn more about what this job entails.

Job prospects in Illinois

According to O*Net, truck driving jobs will grow by 13% from 2012 to 2022.

This means you will get a higher chance to get hired.

Of course, this also depends on the routes you are willing to take and the type of job you want.

Median salaries

Generally, Illinois offers higher wages compared to the rest of the country.

The median salary here is around $45,419 per year, while the top 10% of drivers make about $52,637 annually.

Annual Salary Range:
$40K
$45K
$52K
10%
50%
90%
Annual Salary by Location:
Location Avg. Annual Salary
Chicago $46,879
Aurora $46,464
Naperville $45,930
Joliet $45,552
Rockford $43,778
Springfield $40,819
Elgin $46,124
Peoria $42,717
Champaign $41,545
Waukegan $44,210

Regional Salary in Illinois

Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Bloomington, IL1,290$59,230$28.48$77,350$37,120
Carbondale-Marion, IL570$51,840$24.92$76,690$32,620
Champaign-Urbana, IL1,140$53,920$25.92$78,000$37,540
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI63,010$62,320$29.96$87,120$37,280
Danville, IL890$57,900$27.84$86,640$34,360
Decatur, IL790$57,170$27.49$77,530$35,610
Kankakee, IL780$50,420$24.24$81,700$27,040
Peoria, IL1,850$53,360$25.66$75,860$35,290
Rockford, IL1,930$59,540$28.63$90,370$37,720
Springfield, IL890$53,380$25.66$77,400$36,530
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers, OCC Code 53-3032, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

If you are a graduate, you can easily find employment with a bigger or smaller company.

Some of these include Vision Transportation, C.R. England, Cardinal Transport, and United Transport Service.

Getting certified

Just like any other state, Illinois has its own requirements for certification.

Before receiving your license, you need to enroll in a training program.

Many programs don’t last for long, but you do need to have at least 160 hours of training over a period of one month.

These hours include classroom education, driving lessons on-site and on the road.

School Name Address
Academia Truck Driving School 2249 W 47th Place, Chicago, IL 60609
Advantage Driver Training LLC. 200 McDonald Ave, Joliet, Illinois 60431, USA
Alamo Truck Driving School 5264 W 47th St, Chicago, IL 60638
ATS Truck Driving School 1205 Carl Ct Ste 111, Wauconda, IL 60084
Black Hawk College Truck Driving Certificate 1501 State Hwy 78, Kewanee, IL 61443
Blue Horizon Truck Driving School 6814 W. Archer, Chicago, IL 60638
Bulldog Driving School 7711 W Belmont, Elmwood Park, IL 60707
C.R. England 17201 State Street, South Holland, IL 60473
CDL Mega Driving School 3320-80 N. River Road, Franklin Park, IL 60131
CDL Training Service & Consulting – Corporate Office 3600 Nameoki Rd. Ste 200, Granite City, IL 62040
Chavez Truck Driving School 9016 47th St # E, Brookfield, IL 60513
College of DuPage Truck Driving School 301 S. Swift Road #6, Addison, IL 60101
Columbia Driving School 5028 S. Archer Ave., Chicago, IL 60632
Compass Truck Driving School 15W580 N Frontage Rd., Burr Ridge, IL 60527
Search Programs

Get information on programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

Sponsored Listings

After finishing your program, you can apply to get a certification.

Illinois also provides third-party certification through the Driver Services Department.

However, you can also get your license from your school or employer.

In order to get licensed, you also need to pass an exam.

The exam is split into 2 sections, from which part is theory and the other is practice-based.

The written exam covers driving laws and other information which you learned during your course.

In the practical exam, you will have to prove your driving skills, have your vehicle checked and show you can drive safely on the road.

Finding employment

As a truck driver, it is important to have a network.

The most important organization in Illinois is the Illinois Trucking Association, which will assist you in becoming a skillful trucker.

Furthermore, this association also provides training and safety programs.

You should also consider attending industry events.

These will help you connect with people, learn more about the changes taking place in the industry, as well as find job opportunities.

The events in this state are regional meetings, safety council meetings, and legislative meetings.

Conclusion

Becoming a truck driver can be challenging but also provide you with many opportunities.

Once you develop your skill set by attending a program, you will be able to start a successful career in the industry.

USA CDL Schools by State


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