CDL training stands for Commercial Drivers License training, which is a specialized instructional program or course designed to prepare a student to obtain a commercial drivers license (CDL) . A CDL is required in the United States to operate large and heavy vehicles, including trucks, buses, and trailers, or a vehicle of any size that transports hazardous materials or more than 15 passengers.

CDL training programs vary by state, but most require a combination of classroom instruction and on-the-road training. The educational prerequisites also vary by state, with some states requiring up to 160 hours of classroom and on-the-road training. The overall purpose of these training schools is to help truckers-to-be pass the CDL knowledge and skills tests as well as advanced driving techniques such as skid avoidance and recovery and other emergency actions for situations such as a breakaway trailer and hydroplaning.

During CDL training, students are taught the necessary knowledge and skills to pass a series of tests to obtain their CDL. The CDL exam is comprised of three parts: vehicle inspection, backing skills, and road test. Once a student passes the exam and obtains their CDL, they are eligible for hire by trucking companies as a company employee.

CDL training programs have three basic types of approval categories: licensed, certified, or accredited. Licensed schools have been reviewed by a state agency and have met the states minimum school requirements. Certified schools have been reviewed and approved by a third-party organization, while accredited schools have been reviewed and approved by a national or regional accrediting agency.

There are a number of licensed CDL training schools around the United States, and many trucking companies operate their own schools as well. Roadmaster Drivers School is an example of a truck driving school that provides hands-on CDL training so students may obtain real-world truck driving skills as they get ready to enter the truck driving industry.