Class A CDL Training in Arizona
The Most Versatile Commercial License. Trained the Right Way.
A Class A CDL is the highest-level commercial driver’s license available. It qualifies drivers to operate combination vehicles, haul freight, and pursue the widest range of driving careers in the industry. For most people entering trucking, it is the right place to start.
Southwest Truck Driver Training has been preparing Arizona drivers for the Class A CDL since 1999. The program covers everything required to pass the knowledge and skills exams and, more importantly, to perform the job well on day one.
What the Class A CDL Program Covers
Southwest Truck Driver Training’s Class A CDL program meets all federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements. The curriculum is built around what drivers actually need to know, not just what appears on the exam.
Knowledge and theory instruction covers:
- Basic and advanced commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operation
- Vehicle systems, maintenance, and malfunction identification
- Roadside inspection procedures
- Driving laws for over-the-road (OTR) hauling at the state and federal levels
- Safe driving practices across road, weather, and traffic conditions
- Non-driving activities, including cargo loading, unloading, and logbook management
- Trip planning strategies
Behind-the-wheel training covers:
- Pre-trip and post-trip inspections
- Basic vehicle control, including backing and parking
- City driving, interstate travel, and visual searching
- Speed management, space management, and progressive shifting
- Driving in variable conditions
The program totals 160 hours: 80 hours of classroom instruction and 80 hours of hands-on skills training.
Class A CDL Training Schedules
Southwest Truck Driver Training offers three schedule options. Students can graduate in as few as four weeks, depending on the schedule they choose.
Available Training Schedules
Phoenix & Tucson — day, evening, and weekend options
Week 1: Mon–Fri, 6:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Weeks 2–4: Mon–Thu, 6:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Weeks 1, 2, 4 & 5: Mon–Fri, 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Weeks 3 & 6: Mon–Thu, 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Weeks 1–8: Saturday & Sunday, 6:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Students who have scheduling questions or concerns are encouraged to reach out. The admissions team works with prospective students to find the option that fits their situation.
What Makes Southwest’s Class A Program Different
Experienced Instructors, Direct Attention
Southwest’s instructors have trained thousands of Arizona drivers over 25 years. That kind of experience builds a process that works. In the classroom, students train alongside a full group of motivated peers. On the range, the ratio tightens — each student works directly with an instructor who knows their progress, their weak spots, and what it takes to get them road-ready.
A Fleet Built for Training
Southwest Truck Driver Training provides the experience of learning in industry-standard, late-model trucks. This allows students to get behind the wheel of trucks that are just like what they’ll be driving once they earn their CDL. Every truck in the fleet is custom-modified for training: a small group of students can observe from a designated seating area at the rear of the cab, belted in with a table for notes, while the student driver and instructor work in front. This setup gives every student a clear view of what is happening during each training session, not just when they are behind the wheel.
Both automatic and manual transmission trucks are available. Many schools offer only one option. Southwest offers both because the industry uses both.
On-Campus CDL Skills Testing
Both the Phoenix and Tucson campuses are state-certified CDL skills exam testing locations. Students do not need to schedule a separate appointment at an outside facility. When they are ready to test, they test on the same range where they trained. That familiarity matters during a high-stakes exam.
Southwest also registers graduates in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s commercial driver clearinghouse as part of the process, so the transition from student to employed driver is as smooth as possible.
Lifetime Career Services
Every graduate of Southwest Truck Driver Training has access to lifetime career services. This support is not limited to the weeks following graduation. It is available any time a graduate needs help, including career transitions years down the road. Southwest’s carrier relationships span local, regional, and national employers, including partners like Werner and Schneider. Those connections go to work for graduates from the moment they complete the program.
Careers with a Class A CDL
A Class A CDL opens the door to the broadest range of driving careers available. Graduates can pursue positions across four main categories:
Over-the-Road (OTR)
Long-haul routes across the continental United States, sometimes into Canada. Drivers are typically away from home for two to four weeks at a time. OTR positions offer some of the highest pay available to entry-level drivers.
Regional
Routes that cover a defined portion of the country. Drivers are home more frequently than OTR, often every one to two weeks. Pay and benefits are competitive with OTR.
Dedicated
Drivers run the same route repeatedly for one customer or contract. Home time is more predictable, often weekly. These positions are in demand among experienced drivers, and Southwest’s carrier connections include options for qualifying graduates.
Local
Drivers are home every night. Local positions often include loading and unloading responsibilities. A Class A CDL qualifies drivers for a wide range of local work depending on freight type and vehicle.
Adding endorsements after graduation can expand career options and increase earning potential. Southwest Truck Driver Training offers HazMat, Passenger, and School Bus endorsement training at both campuses.
Class A CDL Training at Our Phoenix and Tucson Campuses
Southwest Truck Driver Training operates Class A CDL programs at two Arizona campuses.
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(833) 464-0768Visit Us
1230 W. Glenn St.,Tucson, AZ 85705
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(833) 464-0743Visit Us
2323 S. 51st Ave.,Phoenix, AZ 85043
Both campuses are state-certified skills exam testing sites. Both offer day, evening, and weekend schedules. Both operate on the same standards that Gary P. Williams built the school around in 1999.
Frequently Asked Questions About Class A CDL Training
What is a Class A CDL, and what can I drive with one?
A Class A CDL is the highest classification of commercial driver’s license. It authorizes the operation of combination vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more. In practical terms, this covers tractor-trailers, tanker trucks, flatbeds, livestock carriers, and most freight vehicles on the road. It is the most versatile CDL available and qualifies holders for the broadest range of driving jobs in the industry.
How long does it take to get a Class A CDL in Arizona?
Southwest Truck Driver Training’s Class A CDL program can be completed in four weeks on the day schedule, six weeks on the evening schedule, or eight weeks on the weekend schedule. All three options cover the same 160-hour curriculum. The schedule a student chooses determines the timeline, not the depth of training.
Do I need prior trucking experience to enroll?
No prior trucking or commercial driving experience is required. The Class A CDL program is designed to take students from no experience to job-ready. Students need a valid driver’s license, meet the basic eligibility requirements for a commercial learner’s permit in Arizona, and be prepared to put in the work. The instructors handle the rest.
What are the requirements to get a Class A CDL in Arizona?
To earn a Class A CDL in Arizona, applicants must be at least 18 years old for intrastate driving or 21 for interstate (OTR) driving. They must hold a valid Arizona driver’s license, pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical to obtain a medical certificate, pass the commercial learner’s permit (CLP) knowledge exam, and pass the CDL skills test, which includes a pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and an on-road driving evaluation. Southwest Truck Driver Training prepares students for all of these requirements within the program.
Can I train on both automatic and manual transmission trucks?
Yes. Southwest Truck Driver Training offers training on both automatic and manual transmission commercial vehicles. Many CDL schools limit students to one transmission type. Southwest provides both options because employers use both, and students benefit from understanding each.
Do I need to go somewhere else for my CDL skills exam?
No. Both the Phoenix and Tucson campuses are state-certified CDL skills exam testing locations. Students schedule and complete their skills exam on the same range where they trained. There is no need to travel to a separate testing facility.
Does Southwest Truck Driver Training help graduates find jobs?
Yes. All graduates have access to Southwest’s lifetime job placement assistance program. The job placement team connects graduates directly with recruiters at local, regional, and national carriers. This support is available at graduation and any time a graduate needs it later in their career. Southwest is an independent school with no carrier affiliation, which means graduates choose where they want to work.
What does a Class A CDL driver earn in Arizona?
Class A CDL drivers in Phoenix, Arizona, can earn up to in their first year, according to ZipRecruiter, driving over-the-road. Local drivers, who often make an hourly wage, can make anywhere from $25-$28 an hour starting. Earning potential increases with endorsements, experience, and the type of driving position. Many of Southwest’s carrier partners also offer signing bonuses, safety bonuses, and tuition reimbursement as part of their hiring packages.
What is ELDT, and does Southwest Truck Driver Training meet those requirements?
Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) is a federal training standard established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). It requires that first-time CDL applicants complete a prescribed curriculum from a registered training provider before taking their skills exam. Southwest Truck Driver Training is a registered ELDT provider and meets all federal requirements. Students who complete the Class A CDL program at Southwest are eligible to sit for the CDL skills exam.