Straight answers, no runaround.

You must be 18 to drive commercially within Georgia and 21 to drive across state lines or haul hazmat. Most students train toward interstate work, which requires being 21.

No commercial experience is required to enroll. You’ll need a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) before behind-the-wheel training, and Phase 1 of the curriculum prepares you to earn it.

A valid driver’s license, a DOT medical card, and eventually your CLP. A DOT drug screen and Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse registration are also required for commercial driving. See the Requirements page for the full checklist.

The curriculum follows the theory topics and behind-the-wheel instruction described in the FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training standard. On status: Georgia DDS school certification is in process. Until it is granted the Academy is not represented as a licensed CDL school. FMCSA Training Provider Registry listing is a separate federal registration — ask us where both stand before you enrol.

Real Class A equipment — a tractor and a 53-foot trailer — on a training range and the I-75 corridor. Students train in manual 10-speed trucks, giving them practical experience with equipment used throughout the trucking industry.

The weekend program meets Saturdays and Sundays for eight weekends. A weekday format of approximately three to four weeks costs the same, but has no scheduled dates yet. ELDT sets required theory and behind-the-wheel proficiency rather than a single national hour count, so training runs until you’re genuinely road-ready.

Class 1 runs October 18, 2026 – December 6, 2026 (sold out); Class 2 runs December 13, 2026 – January 31, 2027 (seats open); Class 3 runs February 2027 (seats open). A $500 deposit holds your seat, and it is refundable in full if certification is not granted.

Job-placement assistance is available to graduates. We help students connect with trucking companies and employment opportunities, but employment is not guaranteed.

We plan to offer prep for common endorsements such as Tanker, Doubles/Triples, and Hazmat. The final list will be confirmed soon.

Tuition is $3,795 for either format — the weekend program and the weekday program cost the same. A $500 deposit holds your seat, and it is refundable in full if certification is not granted.

The Financing page covers the routes drivers use — workforce grants (such as WIOA), VA education benefits, employer sponsorship and tuition reimbursement, and community-funded seats through Fund the School. Availability of specific programs is still being confirmed.

Payment arrangements are handled individually — ask us and we’ll walk you through what’s possible. The Financing page covers the routes drivers use: workforce grants, VA benefits, employer sponsorship, and community-funded seats.