How long does cdl truck driver training take in Idaho?

Most people become a CDL Truck Driver in Idaho through FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Idaho (2026)

Q: How much do CDL truck drivers earn in Idaho?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), CDL truck drivers in Idaho earned a median annual wage of approximately $58,770. Employment concentration in Idaho is about 1.40 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: Do CDL truck drivers need a license in Idaho?

Yes. Idaho requires state-level licensing or registration for CDL truck drivers, administered by the Idaho Transportation Department - Division of Motor Vehicles. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

Q: What is the job outlook for CDL truck drivers in Idaho?

Idaho currently employs approximately 15,920 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.0% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Idaho heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers earn a median annual wage of $58,770 ($28.26/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 15,920 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 0.2% above the national median of $58,640 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $58,770 ($28.26/hr)
25th percentile: $48,150 per year
75th percentile: $64,260 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $77,120 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $43,360 per year
Workers employed in Idaho: 15,920
Versus national median: 0.2% above the U.S. median of $58,640
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.40 - this occupation is more concentrated in Idaho than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Idaho employs about 15,920 CDL truck drivers earning a median $58,770 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a CDL Truck Driver here means completing FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years, then applying through Idaho Transportation Department - Division of Motor Vehicles.

Key Facts

Median wage (Idaho): $58,770/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in Idaho: 15,920 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 1.40x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 4.0% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
Licensing/credentialing body: Idaho Transportation Department - Division of Motor Vehicles (Source: State licensing agency, 2025)

Compare CDL Truck Driver Schools in Idaho

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Bridgerland Technical College	73.8	Contact school for pricing	$42,070	Not reported	Yes*	228 mi
2	Walla Walla Community College	70.4	Contact school for pricing	$56,719	43%	Yes*	214 mi
3	Spokane Community College	68.4	Contact school for pricing	$52,567	35%	Yes*	265 mi
4	Big Bend Community College	66.7	Contact school for pricing	$48,868	39%	Yes*	295 mi
5	Perry Technical Institute	65.3	Contact school for pricing	$63,923	78%	—	324 mi
6	Columbia Basin College	61.3	$6,555 - $18,261	$67,608	30%	—	254 mi
7	Mountainland Technical College	59.3	Contact school for pricing	$39,284	81%	—	305 mi
8	Tooele Technical College	55.2	Contact school for pricing	$51,524	75%	—	289 mi
9	Salt Lake Community College	51.6	Contact school for pricing	$55,279	29%	Yes*	288 mi
10	Davis Technical College	47.9	Contact school for pricing	$47,706	Not reported	—	267 mi

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Idaho employs approximately 15,920 CDL truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,770 ¹. The state’s concentration of cdl truck driver jobs is 1.40x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, cdl truck driver employment is projected to grow 4.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 237,600 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a CDL Truck Driver in Idaho, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: ELDT from a Training Provider Registry school (find programs)
Typical timeline: FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years
Licensing authority: Idaho Transportation Department - Division of Motor Vehicles
Exam: state CDL skills test
Median wage (Idaho): $58,770 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Idaho

How to become a CDL Truck Driver in Idaho? Complete FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Apply through Idaho Transportation Department - Division of Motor Vehicles.

How long does it take? Most people finish FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Confirm current hour totals with the program and Idaho Transportation Department - Division of Motor Vehicles.

Do I need a license in Idaho? Yes. Idaho credentials this role through Idaho Transportation Department - Division of Motor Vehicles ³. See the licensing section below.

What do CDL truck drivers earn in Idaho? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Idaho is $58,770 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $43,360 and experienced professionals can earn $77,120 or more ¹.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Idaho

Meet age, record, and medical rules. Interstate CDL driving is generally 21 and up; many states allow intrastate CDL at 18. Pass a DOT medical exam from an NRCME examiner.
Complete FMCSA ELDT. Take Entry-Level Driver Training from a school on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
Get a CLP and pass the skills test. Earn a commercial learner’s permit, practice, then pass the skills test at the state driver-license office.
Receive the CDL and endorsements. The state issues the CDL. Add endorsements the job needs. Confirm current rules with the state DMV, not a parent transportation agency homepage.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

CDL Truck Driver License Requirements in Idaho

CDL truck drivers in Idaho complete FMCSA ELDT, pass a DOT medical exam, and earn a state-issued CDL. This is a weeks-long path, not a multi-year apprenticeship. See Idaho Transportation Department - Division of Motor Vehicles ³.

Typical path

Meet age, record, and DOT medical rules.
Complete ELDT on the Training Provider Registry.
Get a CLP and pass the skills test.
Receive the CDL and needed endorsements from the state DMV.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Idaho Transportation Department - Division of Motor Vehicles before you enroll.

CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in Idaho

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Wages by Metro Area in Idaho

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers wages in Idaho vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Boise City	6,380	$60,330	$62,040	$46,780	$92,930
Idaho Falls	1,650	$59,010	$60,770	$43,900	$76,990
Twin Falls	1,550	$57,330	$56,270	$39,570	$76,420
Coeur d'Alene	810	$60,370	$60,260	$45,240	$74,220
Logan	760	$57,450	$56,480	$43,620	$74,150
Pocatello	470	$56,370	$55,940	$44,110	$70,550
Lewiston	390	$58,830	$59,000	$44,030	$76,770

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for CDL truck drivers in Idaho? Idaho currently employs approximately 15,920 CDL truck drivers ¹. Nationally, cdl truck driver employment is projected to grow 4.0% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a cdl truck driver in Idaho with an out-of-state license? Contact the Idaho Transportation Department - Division of Motor Vehicles for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Idaho? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Idaho.

How much do CDL truck drivers earn in Idaho compared to the national average? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Idaho is $58,770, which is $1,330 above the national median of $57,440 according to BLS data ¹.

In Idaho

Best Trade Schools in Idaho (2026)

Top local programs

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Idaho Transportation Department - Division of Motor Vehicles - Licensing Information: http://itd.idaho.gov/itddmv/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)