Class B CDL Training in Arizona
Local Work. Home Every Night. Real Training to Get You There.
A Class B CDL opens the door to steady, local driving careers throughout Arizona. Straight truck delivery, transit operations, municipal fleets, school buses, and utility vehicles all require this license. For drivers who want consistent hours and a predictable schedule close to home, a Class B CDL is often the right starting point.
Southwest Truck Driver Training has prepared Arizona drivers for the Class B CDL since 1999. Both the Phoenix and Tucson campuses offer Class B programs that meet all federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements. Students train on a late-model fleet, work directly with experienced instructors, and test on campus when they are ready.
What Is a Class B CDL?
A Class B CDL authorizes drivers to operate any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more. It also covers vehicles designed to tow a trailer with a
In practice, Class B vehicles include:
- Straight trucks
- City buses
- Transit vehicles
- School buses
- Dump trucks
- Specialty utility vehicles
Most Class B positions are local routes, which means drivers are home at the end of each shift.
What the Class B CDL Program Covers
Southwest Truck Driver Training’s Class B CDL program meets all federal ELDT requirements. The curriculum covers both theory and hands-on skills.
Classroom Instruction Covers:
- Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) systems and vehicle controls
- Pre-trip and post-trip inspection procedures
- Safe driving practices in road, weather, and traffic conditions
- Air brake systems and air brake endorsement preparation
- Driving laws and regulations for Class B vehicles in Arizona
- Non-driving responsibilities including cargo securing and logbook basics
Behind-the-Wheel Training Covers:
- Vehicle startup, shutdown, and controls
- Pre-trip inspections on the actual vehicle used for testing
- Basic vehicle control: straight-line backing, offset backing, and alley dock maneuvers
- City driving and intersection navigation
- Highway travel, speed management, and following distance
- Driving in variable conditions
Air brakes training is included in the Class B CDL program. Students leave with their airbrakes endorsement, which is required for most Class B positions.
Class B CDL Training Schedules
Southwest Truck Driver Training offers three schedule options at both the Phoenix and Tucson campuses. Students can choose the option that fits their current work or family situation.
Available Training Schedules
Phoenix & Tucson — day, evening, and weekend options
Mon–Fri, 6:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Students who can commit to full-time weekday classes.
Mon–Fri, 5:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m.
Students with day jobs or personal daytime obligations
Sat–Sun, 6:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Students with weekday jobs or obligations
Students with scheduling questions are encouraged to reach out to the admissions team. The team works with prospective students to find the schedule that fits their situation.
What Makes Southwest’s Class B Program Different
Class B Students Training in the Same Classroom as Class A
At most CDL schools, Class B training is a separate, shorter program with a reduced curriculum. At Southwest, Class B students attend the same theory instruction as Class A students. That means the same FMCSA-required topics, the same depth of coverage, and the same instructors who bring real commercial driving experience into every session.
The result is a Class B graduate who understands the full scope of commercial vehicle operation, not just the minimum required to pass a test. That foundation matters on the job, and employers notice that.
More Hours Behind the Wheel Than Most Class B Programs
Southwest’s Class B students complete the same number of behind-the-wheel training hours as Class A students. Many CDL schools cut range time for Class B programs to reduce cost and calendar time. Southwest does not. Students train on straight trucks and buses on the same range, with the same instructor-to-student ratio, for the same number of hours.
The only difference is the vehicle. Class B students do not train on combination vehicles. Every other element of the range experience is the same. More seat time builds the kind of confidence that shows up on test day and holds up on the job.
On-Campus Testing and Lifetime Career Services Assistance
Both campuses are state-certified CDL skills exam testing locations. Students test on the same range where they trained, with no separate appointment at an outside facility. Southwest also registered graduates with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s commercial driver clearinghouse as part of the graduation process.
Every graduate has access to lifetime job placement assistance. That support does not expire at graduation. Whether a driver is looking for their first local position or making a career change years later, Southwest’s career services team is still in their corner.
Expand Your Class B CDL with Endorsements
A Class B CDL is the foundation. Adding endorsements after graduation expands what a driver can operate and often increases earning potential.
Southwest Truck Driver Training offers endorsement training at both campuses for the three most in-demand additions for Class B drivers:
- Air Brakes
- Passenger (P) Endorsement
- School Bus (S) Endorsement
Careers with a Class B CDL
A Class B CDL qualifies drivers for a wide range of local driving careers. Most positions keep drivers home every night, making this license a strong choice for drivers who want stability and predictable hours.
| Career Type | Typical Roles | Home Time |
| Local Delivery | Box truck, straight truck, beverage delivery | Daily |
| Transit / Bus | City transit, charter, shuttle operations | Daily |
| Municipal & Utility | Sanitation, utility vehicles, city fleets | Daily |
| School Bus | K-12 routes (requires S endorsement) | Daily |
| Specialty Vehicles | Dump trucks, concrete mixers, fuel trucks | Daily to regional |
Local Class B positions in Arizona offer starting wages that vary by role and employer. Drivers who add endorsements such as Passenger or School Bus can qualify for a broader range of positions and, in many cases, higher pay. Southwest’s career services team helps graduates identify positions that align with their goals.
Class B CDL Training at Our Phoenix and Tucson Campuses
Southwest Truck Driver Training operates Class B CDL programs at two Arizona campuses.
Call Us
(833) 464-0768Visit Us
1230 W. Glenn St.,Tucson, AZ 85705
Call Us
(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 B CDL Training
What is a Class B CDL?
A Class B CDL authorizes drivers to operate single commercial vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, including straight trucks, buses, and dump trucks.
How long does it take to get a Class B CDL in Arizona?
Southwest’s Class B program takes approximately four weeks on the day schedule, six weeks in the evenings, or eight weeks on weekends. All three options cover the same required curriculum and hours.
Do I need prior experience to enroll in Class B CDL training?
No. A valid driver’s license and the willingness to do the work are the only starting requirements. Southwest’s instructors take students from no commercial experience to job-ready.
Does the Class B Program include air brakes training?
Yes. Air brakes training is built into the Class B curriculum at Southwest. Students are prepared to earn their air brakes endorsement upon completing the program.
Can I add endorsements to a Class B CDL?
Yes. Southwest offers Passenger, School Bus, and HazMat endorsement training at both campuses. Both our Class A and Class B students can add endorsements to their CDL.
Where do I take my Class B CDL Skills Test?
Southwest students take their test at both of our sites. Both the Phoenix and Tucson campuses are state-certified CDL skills exam testing locations.
What careers are available with a Class B CDL in Arizona?
A Class B CDL qualifies drivers for local delivery, city transit, school bus (with endorsement), municipal fleets, and utility vehicle operations. Most positions are home daily and with consistent schedules.
Does Southwest Truck Driver Training help Class B graduates find jobs?
Yes. Every graduate has access to Southwest’s lifetime career services assistance. The team connects graduates with local and regional employers, and that support is available any time, not just at graduation.