Do you need a GED to get a CDL license from a community college?

Sometimes, holding a GED or high school degree is not required to earn a CDL license or certificate from a local community college, but most states require you to pass a Reading Test at at least the 8th-grade level to enroll in this education and training.

At most community colleges, however, holding a GED or high school diploma is preferred. Usually, students applying to a CDL course need to have a valid driver’s license at the time they register for the course, be at least 21, meet DOT (Department of Transportation) physical requirements, and, as said earlier, be able to read English appropriately.

CDL training programs provide all sorts of information about what driver license testing is all about, as well as hands-on training for earning a CDL (commercial driver’s license), Class A or B. These courses additionally provide lots of information regarding federal requirements for your state’s CDL licensing operations.

In the U.S., the trucking industry is a major employer with almost 10 million persons employed in a trucking-related field. Over 80 percent of all U.S. cities are receiving their goods and supplies exclusively through transportation by trucks.

There is an enormous driver shortage across the nation and often, a premium is awarded to quality student drivers that come fresh out of college.

Many community colleges have job placement programs with a number of nationally or locally operating trucking companies so graduates can be sure of a rewarding and well-paying job after or even during their training. Before you can take the test for your CDL permit at a local DMV site, however, your personal data must be submitted to the DMV database.