CDL Training in Dallas, TX
Federal law requires ELDT before your first CDL. Get your FMCSA-registered certificate online - then bring it to any Dallas-area DPS office to apply for your Commercial Learner's Permit.
Local Market
Trucking in Dallas
Dallas sits at the geographic center of NAFTA's overland trade corridor and is the second-largest inland distribution market in the United States. I-35 alone — the NAFTA superhighway — moves an estimated $200 billion in goods annually through the DFW area. The result: Dallas consistently ranks among the top three tightest CDL driver markets in the country, with entry-level positions often offering sign-on bonuses and the industry's largest retailers all maintaining regional distribution centers within 30 miles of downtown.
- 1I-35 NAFTA corridor — cross-border freight from Laredo passes through Dallas
- 2DFW Airport cargo — ground logistics demand grows with air cargo volume
- 3Major distribution DCs for Amazon, Walmart, Target, Home Depot in the suburbs
- 4Healthcare supply chain — Baylor, UT Southwestern medical logistics
- 5E-commerce last-mile expansion — multiple new 3PL facilities opening annually
Dallas CDL Salary Range (BLS + industry data)
Who's Hiring in Dallas
Major CDL Employers
These are the companies actively hiring CDL Class A and B drivers in the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex area. An ELDT certificate from an FMCSA-registered provider is required before any of them can put you behind the wheel.
DFW International Airport (cargo ops)
3PL / LogisticsOne of the busiest air cargo facilities in the US — ground-side CDL Class A and B drivers move freight around the clock between airport facilities and regional DCs.
XPO Logistics (Dallas hub)
OTR CarrierOne of the largest LTL networks in the country, with a major Dallas break-bulk terminal — steady regional and OTR lanes.
Amazon (DFW Fulfillment Network)
3PL / LogisticsSix Dallas-area fulfillment centers including the massive DAL3 in Coppell — they sponsor CDL training programs and hire entry-level drivers.
McKesson Corporation (HQ: Dallas)
DistributionNation's largest pharmaceutical distributor is headquartered in Dallas — pharmaceutical CDL positions require clean record and DOT compliance.
CEVA Logistics (DFW)
3PL / LogisticsGlobal 3PL with large Dallas footprint serving the aerospace and automotive sectors.
Sysco (Dallas distribution)
DistributionFood service distribution requiring local and regional CDL routes — typically Class B with option to upgrade to A.
Local Industry Organizations
- - Texas Trucking Association (TTA) — North Texas chapter
- - Dallas Regional Chamber — Transportation & Logistics Committee
- - Teamsters Local 745 (freight)
- - North Texas Intermodal Association
Honest Comparison
Dallas CDL Schools vs. Online ELDT
We researched the in-person CDL schools in the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplexarea. Here's what they charge - and what you're actually paying for. Then we'll show you ours.
| School | Tuition | Duration | Schedule Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
Tarrant County College (TCC) – CDL Northeast Campus, Hurst, TX | $4,200 | 7 weeks | Day session only — conflicts with most full-time jobs |
Phoenix Truck Driving School – Dallas Irving, TX | $5,800 | 4 weeks | Mandatory 40-hr/week attendance |
Southwest CDL School Grand Prairie, TX | $5,400 | 5 weeks | Monday start cohorts only |
Where to Go After Your ELDT
Texas DPS Offices Near Dallas
Once you complete your ELDT and get your DOT Medical Card, you'll visit one of these Texas DPS offices to apply for your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP). Bring your ELDT certificate, medical examiner's certificate, and your Texas ID.
Dallas — North Central
Dallas — Garland
Dallas — Irving (DFW Corridor)
Dallas — Mesquite
CDL Skills Testing
CDL skills tests in the Dallas area are available through multiple Texas DPS-approved Third-Party Testers in Irving, Grand Prairie, Garland, and Mesquite. After completing your ELDT and obtaining your CLP, we'll guide you to the nearest approved tester.
Your path after ELDT
Dallas, TX · FMCSA-Registered
Start Your CDL Journey
in Dallas Today.
Complete your ELDT online, then walk into any Dallas-area DPS office with your certificate in hand. Our course is accepted statewide.
Dallas Industry Insights
Dallas Named Top U.S. City for Trucking Jobs
What the rankings mean for anyone considering their CDL right now — and how ELDT online makes the timing right.
I-35 Expansion to Add 24 New Lane-Miles Through Dallas
More highway means more freight, which means more drivers. Dallas CDL holders are about to see more options.