North Texas

CDL Training in Fort Worth, TX

Federal law requires ELDT before your first CDL. Get your FMCSA-registered certificate online - then bring it to any Fort Worth-area DPS office to apply for your Commercial Learner's Permit.

0.9M
Fort Worth–Arlington (DFW Metroplex West) metro
$65K
Entry CDL salary
Employers
6
Major CDL hirers
DPS Offices
3
Nearby locations

Local Market

Trucking in Fort Worth

Fort Worth is the logistics backbone of the DFW Metroplex. While Dallas handles white-collar distribution operations, Fort Worth holds the physical freight infrastructure: BNSF Railway's world headquarters, the Alliance Inland Port — where 50+ logistics companies and 27,000 acres of industrial real estate converge north of the city — and American Airlines' cargo operations. The Fort Worth CDL market is distinct from Dallas in that it skews toward OTR, intermodal, and heavy industrial freight rather than last-mile urban delivery, making it a better market for drivers interested in higher-mileage, higher-pay positions.

Key corridors
I-20I-30I-35WTX-121TX-114Loop 820US-287
Why CDL Demand Is High Here
  • 1Alliance Inland Port — one of the largest logistics campuses in the U.S.
  • 2BNSF intermodal drayage — rail-to-truck container moves
  • 3American Airlines cargo ground ops
  • 4Lockheed Martin aerospace heavy haul (specialized)
  • 5Fort Worth's industrial growth corridor along US-287 (to Amarillo)

Fort Worth CDL Salary Range (BLS + industry data)

$65,000
Entry-level
$89,000
Experienced

Who's Hiring in Fort Worth

Major CDL Employers

These are the companies actively hiring CDL Class A and B drivers in the Fort Worth–Arlington (DFW Metroplex West) area. An ELDT certificate from an FMCSA-registered provider is required before any of them can put you behind the wheel.

BNSF Railway (HQ: Fort Worth) — Intermodal

3PL / Logistics

BNSF is headquartered in Fort Worth and operates Alliance Intermodal, one of the largest inland rail freight hubs in North America. Intermodal drayage is a consistent Class A CDL demand driver.

Alliance Airport / AllianceTexas (Inland Port)

3PL / Logistics

A 27,000-acre master-planned industrial and logistics campus north of Fort Worth — home to American Airlines cargo, FedEx, Amazon, BNSF, and 50+ logistics tenants. Concentrated CDL demand.

American Airlines (AA Cargo Hub)

3PL / Logistics

American Airlines' world headquarters and cargo operations are in Fort Worth — ground-side freight logistics requires CDL Class A drivers for cargo movement.

Lockheed Martin (Fort Worth plant)

Manufacturing

F-35 production facility — specialized heavy transport for aerospace components is a niche CDL segment with premium wages.

FedEx Freight (North Texas Hub)

OTR Carrier

One of FedEx Freight's major regional hubs is in the Fort Worth area — both OTR and local delivery CDL positions available.

Pier 1 / Tuesday Morning (distribution legacy)

Distribution

Fort Worth has a legacy of retail distribution infrastructure — multiple DCs remain active serving the Southwest region.

Local Industry Organizations

  • - Fort Worth Chamber — Transportation & Logistics Committee
  • - Texas Trucking Association — North Texas chapter (shared with Dallas)
  • - BNSF Supplier Diversity program (for owner-operators)
  • - Teamsters Local 745 (freight — covers Fort Worth)

Honest Comparison

Fort Worth CDL Schools vs. Online ELDT

We researched the in-person CDL schools in the Fort Worth–Arlington (DFW Metroplex West)area. Here's what they charge - and what you're actually paying for. Then we'll show you ours.

SchoolTuitionDurationSchedule Flexibility
Tarrant County College (TCC) – CDL
TCC Northeast Campus, Hurst
$4,2007 weeks
Day cohort Mon–Fri — rigid schedule
Phoenix Truck Driving Institute (Fort Worth)
Fort Worth, TX
$6,0004 weeks
Intensive full-time — no evenings
In-Person School (average)
$5,100 average tuition
Full-time commitment required
Fixed cohort start dates
Miss a class = fall behind
CDL Trucking Academy - Online ELDT
Enroll for $1,500 - or $600 down
Study at your own pace, any device
No cohort schedule - start immediately
FMCSA-registered, accepted at Texas DPS
English and Spanish available
Behind-the-wheel? Our partners can help
Enroll Now →
Note on behind-the-wheel training: Our course covers the FMCSA theory/knowledge requirement (ELDT). The behind-the-wheel skills portion is a separate requirement completed with a certified range instructor. Through our partnerships, we can connect you with qualified local providers - in some cases, your employer covers this cost entirely. Ask us when you enroll.

Where to Go After Your ELDT

Texas DPS Offices Near Fort Worth

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.

Fort Worth — Circle Dr

1301 Circle Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76119
Mon–Fri 8am–5pm

Arlington (Fort Worth suburb)

4528 S Cooper St, Arlington, TX 76015
Mon–Fri 8am–5pm

Saginaw (North Fort Worth)

201 E McLeroy Blvd, Saginaw, TX 76179
Mon–Fri 8am–5pm

CDL Skills Testing

CDL skills testing in Fort Worth is available through DPS-approved Third-Party Testers in Arlington, Saginaw, and east Fort Worth industrial areas. Alliance Airport area has multiple approved test sites convenient for drivers in the north Metroplex.

Your path after ELDT

1
Complete ELDT online
2
Get DOT Medical Card
3
Visit DPS for CLP
4
Pass skills test
CDL issued

Fort Worth, TX · FMCSA-Registered

Start Your CDL Journey
in Fort Worth Today.

Complete your ELDT online, then walk into any Fort Worth-area DPS office with your certificate in hand. Our course is accepted statewide.

✓ English & Spanish✓ Study on any device✓ 30-Day money-back guarantee✓ Lifetime access

Fort Worth Industry Insights

2025 · Fort Worth

AllianceTexas Logistics Campus Adds 3M Sq Ft of Warehouse Space

More warehouse space means more Class A driver demand — Fort Worth's inland port is one of the best-kept secrets in Texas trucking.

2025 · Fort Worth

BNSF Intermodal Volume Surges — Drayage Driver Shortage Deepens

Rail freight growth creates a specific CDL opportunity: intermodal drayage. Here's what Fort Worth CDL holders need to know.