CDL Refresher Course in Arizona

Focused Behind-the-Wheel Training for Experienced Drivers

Not every driver needs a full CDL program. Some already have the license and the experience. What they need is focused, behind-the-wheel time to sharpen specific skills, meet an employer requirement, or get back up to standard after time away from the seat.

Southwest Truck Driver Training offers CDL refresher courses at both the Phoenix and Tucson campuses. These are shorter, customizable programs. These typically consist of 10, 40, or 80 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction. These courses are built around what the driver or employer actually needs, not a one-size-fits-all curriculum.

Who the CDL Refresher Course Is For

Southwest’s refresher programs serve two main groups: individual drivers and businesses.

Individual Drivers

Experienced commercial drivers who need to work on specific skills, meet a new employer’s standards, or return to driving after a time out of the driver’s seat use the refresher course to get back to a professional level of performance. No full program. No classroom repeat. Just the behind-the-wheel work that is needed.

Employers and Businesses

Companies that need drivers retrained after an incident, brought up to a new compliance standard, or prepared for a different type of vehicle send employees to Southwest for refresher training. The program is built around the company’s timeline and the driver’s specific gaps. If you are a company looking for customized solutions, reach out to us today!

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What the CDL Refresher Course Covers

The CDL refresher course is entirely behind-the-wheel. Instruction is hands-on, and the curriculum is shaped around each driver’s starting point and goals.

Skills addressed during refresher training may include:

• Pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections

Instructors assess each driver at the start and structure the time around what that driver actually needs to work on. The goal is a measurable improvement in performance, not a checkbox.

Program Lengths

CDL refresher programs at Southwest are primarily available in three formats depending on the scope of training required:

• 10-hour program: Targeted skill work for drivers who need a focused tune-up in one or two areas.
• 40-hour program: A broader review for drivers returning after time off the road or meeting specific employer requirements.
• 80-hour program: A comprehensive behind-the-wheel program for drivers who need significant retraining without repeating full CDL coursework.

The admissions team can help identify which program length fits the situation. Both individual drivers and employers are welcome to call with questions before enrolling.

Training on Late-Model Equipment

Refresher students train on the same late-model fleet used in Southwest’s Class A and Class B CDL programs. The trucks are well-maintained and custom-modified for training. Both automatic and manual transmissions are available.

Drivers train on equipment that reflects current industry standards — the same type of vehicles they will operate on the job.

CDL Refresher Training in Phoenix and Tucson

Southwest Truck Driver Training offers the CDL refresher course at both Arizona campuses.

Frequently Asked Questions About CDL Refresher Training