If you want to become a professional truck driver in Mississippi, finding a job won’t be an issue given the high demand for CDL drivers across the U.S. There are, however, certain requirements you need to meet, such as completing the mandatory truck driving training mandated by the federal government. In this article, we go over the requirements to get your CDL in Mississippi, as well as factors to consider when selecting the right truck driving school for you.
Contents
CDL Requirements in Mississippi
To get a CDL in Mississippi you must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 yrs. old to drive a commercial vehicle within the state of Mississippi (interstate)
- Be at least 21 yrs. old to drive a truck across the country (intrastate) and to transport hazardous materials
- Have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record
- Read and write English
Classes of CDL
If you meet the requirements to drive a commercial vehicle, then you need to determine which commercial driver’s license to get. The Class A CDL is recommended for you to be in a position to earn the most as a truck driver, to give you the best job opportunities, as well to give you the ability to operate most commercial vehicles. Below outlines the different classes of CDL and the types of vehicles you can drive.
| Class A | Driver can operate any combination vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more whichever is greater, inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) whichever is greater. | Vehicles:
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| Class B | Driver can operate any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more without a trailer. You can also operate any vehicle towing a trailer that doesn’t exceed 10,000 pounds. | Vehicles:
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| Class C | Driver can operate any single vehicle or a combination of vehicles not meeting the Class A or Class B definition, that is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver), or is transporting hazardous material. | Vehicles:
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Steps to Get a CDL in Mississippi
Once you determine which commercial license you need, then the following steps are required to obtaining your CDL.
| Steps to Get a CDL | |
 | 1. Pass the knowledge / written test |
 | 2. Get Commercial License Permit (CLP) - you will be issued a CLP when you pass the written test. |
 | 3. Complete the mandatory Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) |
 | 4. Pass the skills test: pre-trip inspection + on-road driving |
 | 5. Get your CDL - you will be issued a CDL when you successfully meet above requirements. |
How to Select the Best Truck Driving School in Mississippi?
Starting a truck driving job is a good thing as it is one of the most in-demand careers today. This decision necessitates enrolling in a CDL driving school that is registered with the FMCSA.
It’s crucial to select CDL training that meets your criteria and isn’t too expensive. Before selecting a truck driving school in Mississippi, consider factors such as:
- Cost of training
- Financial assistance
- Quality of instructors
- Job placement
- Quality of overall program
CDL Tuition Cost
The cost of CDL training in Mississippi ranges from $0 (see example below) to $6,000+. When you call a truck driving school to find out whether you can afford training, think about financing and scholarships, as well as how other students pay for their sessions. It’s important to understand the distinctions between the various colleges before you make a choice based just on pricing.
Examples of CDL Tuitions in Mississippi:
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC)
- CDL Tuition:
- Class A: $0 – Receipt of a RESTORE Act grant allows MGCCC to administer a Gulf Coast Work Ready Program aimed to train coastal residents in high-demand industry sectors along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
- Length: 12 semester hours (360 clock hours)
- Location: Gulfport, MS
Mississippi Truck Driving School (MTDS)
- CDL Tuition:
- Class A: $4,995
- Class B: $3,995
- Length: 20 days
- Location: Hickory Flat, MS
Northeast Mississippi Community College (NEMCC)
- CDL Tuition:
- Class A: $1,825 (Mississippi residents); $3,465 (out-of-state residents)
- Length: 8 weeks
- Location: Booneville, MS
CDL Financial Aid
Additionally, you may be eligible for grants and scholarships to help pay for your program. Grants, scholarships, and other forms of financial help may be utilized to pay for truck driving school via the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid. A broad variety of federal and state scholarships and prizes may be available to you based on certain requirements.
Instructors’ Quality
When it comes to learning how to drive a truck and living on the road, experience is essential. The more practical knowledge you possess, the better. Personnel qualities have an important role in the quality of a CDL instructor. They should also have a great time teaching and seeing their pupils become excellent truck drivers. It’s not enough to just show up at work for the sake of being paid. Talk to a couple of the faculty members and students when you’re there for a visit. Find out whether the instructors are passionate about what they do and if it shows in their work. They must also be patient and compassionate with their pupils.
Practical Truck Driving Training
You’ll probably spend a lot of time in class. This is an excellent way to study for your CDL test and learn how to operate a tractor-trailer. Driving and engaging with the vehicle outdoors in the yard is the best way to learn about them. The expense of keeping vehicles in good working order is high. School yard time is often limited in order to keep students from wasting too much of their time out there. As a student at a low-cost truck driving school, it is important to know how much yard training you may skip.
All-Inclusive Program
If you’re looking into a program, be sure it’s complete and includes both classroom and range training. When we do anything, we learn more than when we just sit in a classroom. Take a taxi ride and see the sights. Also, call the school and find out what the program covers, the length, and other vital requirements that are expected for the cost of the program. The only way to learn about something is to really do it.
School Location
Many people who wish to become truck drivers choose one truck driving school over another because of the 20-mile commute difference. There is no use in traveling an additional 20 miles to receive better CDL training if you will be driving all over both day and night. Exactly what is going on here? Please don’t stress about this while making your school selection. It will not hurt to drive a few extra miles if the training is worth it.
Which CDL Training Facility is The Best Option?
Truck driving schools in Mississippi are plenty, but not all of them provide the same training. You’ll have a lot to do with your financial situation. If you’re on a budget, it makes sense to enroll in a school that offers the best value. When looking for a truck driving school, keep these additional considerations in mind.
Do Extensive Research
To make an educated choice on the program to enroll in, you must do extensive research. You should consider how well a school is known by its previous pupils while evaluating different truck driving schools. Consider the cost of participating in the course. The amount of time it takes to learn is also crucial.
Conclusion
A truck driving school is the first step to acquiring a career in the sector. The choice to go to a CDL school is an important one, and it might be a bit nerve-wracking to think about. You may be able to make a better decision if you consider the following factors.
List of Trucking Schools in Mississippi
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