South Central Texas

CDL Training in San Antonio, TX

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

1.4M
San Antonio–New Braunfels MSA metro
$60K
Entry CDL salary
Employers
6
Major CDL hirers
DPS Offices
3
Nearby locations

Local Market

Trucking in San Antonio

San Antonio's CDL market is anchored by two massive institutions: Toyota's Tundra and Tacoma plant, which feeds one of the busiest automotive supply chains in the South, and H-E-B, the privately held Texas grocery giant that outperformed every national chain competitor during COVID-19 supply disruptions — because they run their own trucks. Between Toyota's JIT parts logistics, H-E-B's fleet operations, Joint Base San Antonio's defense contractor needs, and Port San Antonio's aerospace cargo movement, San Antonio offers a rare diversity of CDL opportunities across multiple industries.

Key corridors
I-10I-35I-37Loop 410Loop 1604US-90
Why CDL Demand Is High Here
  • 1Toyota TMMTX — just-in-time parts inbound, finished Tundra/Tacoma outbound
  • 2H-E-B fleet — thousands of store deliveries weekly, famously loyal to SA-area drivers
  • 3JBSA defense contracts — military equipment and supply chain
  • 4Medical Center logistics — largest medical complex in South Texas
  • 5Tourism/convention center supply chain — 30M+ annual visitors create distribution demand

San Antonio CDL Salary Range (BLS + industry data)

$60,000
Entry-level
$80,000
Experienced

Who's Hiring in San Antonio

Major CDL Employers

These are the companies actively hiring CDL Class A and B drivers in the San Antonio–New Braunfels MSA area. An ELDT certificate from an FMCSA-registered provider is required before any of them can put you behind the wheel.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas (TMMTX)

Manufacturing

Toyota's Tundra and Tacoma plant on the south side produces 200,000+ trucks annually — inbound parts logistics and finished vehicle transport require significant CDL capacity.

H-E-B (HQ + Distribution Centers)

Distribution

H-E-B's headquarters and primary distribution operations are in San Antonio — they are consistently one of the top 5 CDL employers in South Texas and known for strong benefits.

Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA)

Defense / Military

Three combined military installations make JBSA the largest concentration of military training in the world — defense logistics contractors provide steady CDL employment.

Port San Antonio (former Kelly AFB)

3PL / Logistics

A 1,900-acre aerospace and logistics campus — Boeing, StandardAero, and others operate here, creating specialized freight and equipment transport demand.

Amazon (SAT Fulfillment Network)

3PL / Logistics

Amazon operates two major fulfillment centers in San Antonio — CDL Class A and B drivers recruited throughout the year.

Ryder System / Penske Logistics (regional)

3PL / Logistics

Third-party logistics operators serve Toyota and H-E-B supply chains — both hire Class A drivers with new CDLs.

Local Industry Organizations

  • - Texas Trucking Association — San Antonio chapter
  • - San Antonio Hispanic Chamber — Logistics division
  • - Teamsters Local 657 (SA freight)
  • - Toyota Preferred Carrier Program (for experienced OTR carriers)

Honest Comparison

San Antonio CDL Schools vs. Online ELDT

We researched the in-person CDL schools in the San Antonio–New Braunfels MSAarea. Here's what they charge - and what you're actually paying for. Then we'll show you ours.

SchoolTuitionDurationSchedule Flexibility
Alamo Colleges – San Antonio CDL Program
St. Philip's College, San Antonio
$4,1008 weeks
Fixed cohort, 7am–3pm Mon–Fri — no flexibility
San Antonio Truck Driving School
South San Antonio
$5,5004 weeks intensive
Full-time only — quit your current job first
Alamo Truck Driving (private)
Leon Valley, San Antonio
$4,8006 weeks
Morning cohort only
In-Person School (average)
$4,800 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 San Antonio

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.

San Antonio — East Commerce

3201 E Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78220
Mon–Fri 8am–5pm

San Antonio — Culebra (Northwest)

9315 Culebra Rd, San Antonio, TX 78251
Mon–Fri 8am–5pm

San Antonio — San Pedro (North)

6719 San Pedro Ave, San Antonio, TX 78216
Mon–Fri 8am–5pm

CDL Skills Testing

CDL skills testing in San Antonio is available through multiple DPS-approved testers on the south, north, and west sides of the city. After completing your ELDT certificate and CLP, testing turnaround is typically 1–2 weeks in the SA metro.

Your path after ELDT

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

San Antonio, TX · FMCSA-Registered

Start Your CDL Journey
in San Antonio Today.

Complete your ELDT online, then walk into any San Antonio-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

San Antonio Industry Insights

2025 · San Antonio

H-E-B Expands Distribution Footprint, Hiring 500+ Drivers

Why H-E-B is one of the best CDL employers in Texas — and how to get your ELDT completed before the hiring window closes.

2025 · San Antonio

Toyota San Antonio Begins Next-Gen Tundra Production Ramp

New model production means more logistics volume — what Toyota's San Antonio hiring cycle means for local CDL holders.