What is a CDL?

What is a CDL license?

A Commercial Driver’s Licence (CDL) is required to operate certain commercial motor vehicles.

How to Obtain a CDL?

It’s highly recommended that you obtain and read the Driving Commercial Vehicles (Canada) or CDL Guide (USA) before attempting the knowledge test.

In both Canada and the USA, if you are not quite ready to get your Class 1/Class A licence, you can get your Class 3/Class B licence and then upgrade with fewer hours of training.

However, the combined hours of training between obtaining the Class 3/Class B and Class 1/Class A upgrade will total the Class 1/Class A requirements.

How much is CDL training?

The cost of CDL training will vary depending on if you get professional driver training or work privately with a qualified supervisor.

In Canada, Valley Driving School in Canada offers professional driver training programs:

• Class 3 Automatic: $1,099

• Class 3 Standard: $1,499

• Class 1 Upgrade: $1,199

• Class 1 Automatic: $1,899

• Class 1 Basic: $2,499 (designed for students that have a qualified supervisor outside of the program)

• Class 1 Complete $3,699

In the USA, the costs for programs are approximately:

• Class A: $6,995

• Class B: $1,750

Prices may vary depending on the chosen institution. Prices also do not include licensing fees.

CDL Age Requirements

Canada

Class 3 licence requires drivers to be 18 years or older with a valid driver’s licence.

Class 1 licence requires drivers to be 19 years or older.

USA

Class B licence requires drivers to be 18 years or older with a valid driver’s licence.

Class A license requires drivers to be 21 years or older.