Louisiana Trucking Schools and Programs
You can find an array of truck driving careers in Louisiana. Regardless of the industry you want to work and the hours you want to keep, you will find opportunities to take advantage of throughout the state.
In Louisiana, there are several steps to complete to receive a Commercial Driver’s License, and a fairly short time period in which to complete the process. Once the process is begun, it must be completed at the same Driver’s License office, with the exception of the actual driving tests.
The prospective CDL recipient must complete their medical fitness examination and have a DPSMV 2219 form filled out prior to applying. This form must be presented along with proof of Social Security number, valid photo driver’s license, liability insurance proof on their personal vehicle and a completed Supplemental Application Form. A $15 cash-only fee must be paid at the time of application.
All applicants are required to take a General Knowledge Test. Additional tests are required for air brakes, Class A combination vehicles, tankers, doubles/triples, hazardous materials or passenger transport.
Once the applicant passes the written tests, they’ll receive a CDL Instructional Permit which is valid for 60 days. The permit can be extended if the driver needs more practice time with a licensed CDL driver. The written test results expire in six months. If the driver fails to complete the licensing process within six months, the test results are voided and he or she must start over.
The driving portions of the process are completed at a Third Party Tester site. There are dozens of testing sites scattered all over the state. The applicant will be administered a three-part skills test that consists of pre-trip inspection, on-road driving and basic controls. Test results are sealed in an envelope which is then presented to the Driver License office. If the envelope is tampered with, the CDL office will decline to issue the license.
The Third Party testing is $60 if administered in a vehicle provided by you. Some centers have rental vehicles available for an additional fee. The license itself costs $41, or $51 if issued in Orleans Parish. Endorsements are $5 each. A motorcycle endorsement is $8. The Parish also charges a fee which can be no more than $3.
In Louisiana, a CDL is valid for four years. Louisiana doesn’t offer a grace period after expiration and considers driving without a valid license to be a serious crime.
There are 3 types of CDL certifications in Louisiana.
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- Louisiana Class A CDL: For truck drivers operating vehicles with a combined GVWR of more than 26,001 pounds.
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- Louisiana Class B CDL: For truck drivers operating a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more.
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- Louisiana Class C CDL: For operators driving vehicles that don’t meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers. This certification also includes permissions for operating vehicles that transport hazardous materials.
Coastal Truck Driving School
2419 I 49 Service Rd. South
Sunset, LA 70584
Coastal College Truck Driver Training
P. O. Box 210
Calhoun, LA 71225
Coastal College Truck Driver Training
42014 Yokum Rd.
Hammond, LA 70403
Coastal Truck Driving School
7516 Coliseum Blvd.
Alexandria, LA 71303
Diesel Driving Academy
3523 Greenwood Rd.
Shreveport, LA 71109
Diesel Driving Academy
8067 Airline Hwy.
Baton Rouge LA 70815
Lake Charles TDI
P. O. Box 7212
Lake Charles, LA 70606
Lake Charles Driver Institute
3501 5th Ave.
Lake Charles, LA 70605
Louisiana Tech truck Driver Training
P. O. Box 1120
Bastrop, LA 71221
Louisiana Tech Truck Driver Training
609 Vocational Pky West
Monroe, LA 71292
LTC-Acadian Campus Trk. Driver Training
1933 W. Hutchinson
Crowley, LA 70526
Thomas Truck Driving School
259 Dixie Rd.
Franklin, LA 70538
