No driving experience required | Paid training: $33.75/hour | Full benefits
Thinking about getting a CDL but worried about tuition costs, time away from work, or having no prior trucking experience? A 3-week CDL training program can help remove those barriers. This guide breaks down how the program works, who may qualify, what pay and home time typically look like, where training happens, and what to expect during the application process—so you can make an informed decision with realistic expectations.
💡 What Is 3-Week Paid CDL Training and How Does It Work?
This type of program is built for people who want to move into trucking without first paying a separate school bill. In Roehl Transport’s Get Your CDL training, participants complete a 3 week Class A CDL training program.
During those three weeks, lodging and most meals are provided. That matters because it reduces the upfront cost pressure that often keeps beginners from starting. After the CDL is earned, training does not simply stop. Drivers continue with on the job instruction as long haul truck drivers, which helps bridge the gap between passing the test and handling real freight safely.
The structure is closer to a structured training path than to a traditional classroom only path.
🎯 Do You Need Experience? Who This Program Is (and Is Not) For
Prior trucking experience is not required. That is one of the biggest reasons this program stands out for career changers, recent workforce entrants, and people leaving hourly jobs who want a faster path into commercial driving.
Still, not everyone will qualify. The minimum age is 21. Applicants must be able to read, write, and speak English and must have held a US or Canadian driver’s license for at least two years. A DOT physical and drug test are required, and a good personal driving record matters.
This program is a fit for people comfortable with safety rules, documentation, inspections, and extended time on the road. It is likely not a fit for someone needing a daily local route right away, since the role continues into long haul driving after training.
📊 Pay, Benefits, and Home Time: What You Actually Get
Pay is usually the first question, and the numbers here are concrete. Earnings range from $900 to $2,000 a week, with an average of $1,360 a week. The top 50 percent of drivers average $1,540 a week.
A useful reality check is that these earnings are based on actual Roehl drivers with at least one year of experience. That means a beginner should view them as a practical longer term benchmark, not necessarily an immediate first paycheck.
Home time follows a set pattern of 3 days at home after 11 to 14 days out. For some drivers, that schedule works well because it is predictable. For others, especially those seeking nightly home time, it may feel demanding. The tradeoff is clear and worth weighing before applying.
🏢 Where Training Happens and Who Can Apply by Location
Training is completed near terminals in Phoenix, Atlanta, Chicago, Appleton, and Marshfield. Hiring is primarily focused in states east of I 35, including places such as Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Additional hiring areas include the Phoenix metro area, Alabama, Arkansas, and near Lake City, Florida.
Roehl also maintains a broad terminal and drop yard network across the country, including locations in Georgia, Texas, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. For applicants, that wider footprint can be a sign of an established operation rather than a training setup with limited support.
The company has operated for more than 60 years and has trained drivers for more than 30 years, which may reassure applicants comparing newer programs.
📝 Step-by-Step: Typical Application Process and What to Expect After Training
🔹 Step 1: Check Basic Qualifications
The first step is checking the basics. Confirm age, license history, English ability, and driving record. Next comes the formal application and screening process, including the DOT physical and drug testing. Those selected typically move into the 3 week CDL training program.
🔹 Step 2: What to Expect During Training
During training, expect a mix of CDL preparation, safety habits, and practical truck operation. Core job responsibilities after licensing include transporting goods, completing pre trip and post trip inspections, maintaining delivery logs and documentation, and following traffic laws and regulations.
🔹 Step 3: After You Earn Your Class A CDL
After earning the Class A CDL, the next phase is continued on the job training as a long haul truck driver. For applicants who want a structured entry path, this is less about getting a license alone and more about moving into a driving role through a structured training process.