Training timelines vary by program, but most students complete their CDL training within a few weeks of dedicated instruction. Class A programs typically take longer than Class B due to the added complexity of combination vehicles. Contact our team for a detailed schedule and start date options that fit your availability.
No prior commercial driving or trucking experience is required. Our programs are structured to take complete beginners from zero to fully licensed and job-ready. All you need is a valid standard driver's license, a clean enough driving record, the ability to pass a DOT physical, and the drive to succeed. We take care of the rest.
Qualified graduates can receive 80–100% tuition reimbursement through our partnering carriers. Once you're hired and begin driving, the carrier sends a separate monthly check — typically between $100 and $250 — directly to your lender. This is paid on top of your regular paycheck, so your income is never reduced. Reimbursement amounts and eligibility vary by carrier and the program you choose.
Many of our students receive job offers from top national carriers while they're still in training — not after. Our unique "Pick Your Employer" model brings Driver Recruiters from companies like Werner, Covenant, and Stevens directly to our school to meet with you, compare packages, and extend offers. Our Career Services team also provides ongoing placement support for the lifetime of your driving career at no extra charge.
We offer Income Sharing Agreements (ISAs) and other flexible financing options so that your financial situation isn't a barrier to starting your CDL training. With an ISA, you begin training now and repay a portion of tuition only after you're employed and earning. This structure is designed with your success in mind — if you're not working, you're not paying. Contact our admissions team to find out if you qualify and which option best fits your situation.
All CDL applicants are required to pass a federally mandated five-stage drug screening before receiving their license. Once licensed, commercial drivers are subject to random drug testing at any point throughout their career. It is important to know that many carriers have also started implementing hair follicle-based drug tests, which have a significantly longer look-back window than standard urine-based DOT screens. We strongly encourage all prospective students to be honest with themselves about this requirement before enrolling.
A Class A CDL is required to operate combination vehicles — such as tractor-trailers and semi-trucks — with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) over 26,001 lbs. It is the most versatile license and typically commands the highest pay. A Class B CDL covers straight trucks, large buses, dump trucks, and delivery vehicles that don't tow a heavy trailer. Class B is a great starting point for local and regional driving careers. If you already hold a Class B, our upgrade program can move you to a Class A efficiently.
So-called "free" or company-sponsored CDL training programs are not truly free. They typically require you to sign a contract committing you to work for a specific carrier for 1–2 years, and they deduct training costs directly from your paycheck during that period. You have no employer choice, limited negotiating power, and can face heavy penalties for leaving early. CDL Mentors FL does not participate in this model because it is designed to benefit the carrier — not you. We believe you should choose your employer freely, based on what's best for your life and career.
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