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

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Illinois employs about 84,200 CDL truck drivers earning a median $60,320 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 Illinois Secretary of State Department of Driver Services - Commercial Driver Training Section.

Compare CDL Truck Driver Schools in Illinois

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
159.1$5,340 in-state / $12,900 out-of-state$54,20949%Yes*65 mi
258.3$4,200 in-state / $16,385 out-of-state$48,98942%Yes*22 mi
357.3$3,744 in-state / $10,464 out-of-state$52,16348%Yes*96 mi
456.1$6,090 in-state / $13,500 out-of-state$35,36842%Yes*68 mi
556.0$4,956 in-state / $7,199 out-of-state$54,14251%Yes*124 mi
654.8$4,936 in-state / $7,360 out-of-state$48,83445%Yes*95 mi
753.4$4,680 in-state / $17,070 out-of-state$51,78560%Yes*78 mi
850.2$3,252 in-state / $9,516 out-of-state$54,22041%—77 mi
950.0$4,800 in-state / $12,150 out-of-state$55,05849%Yes*36 mi
1045.7$4,590 in-state / $15,150 out-of-state$45,17421%Yes*85 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.

Illinois employs approximately 84,200 CDL truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,320 1. 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 Illinois, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

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

How to become a CDL Truck Driver in Illinois? Complete FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Apply through Illinois Secretary of State Department of Driver Services - Commercial Driver Training Section.

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 Illinois Secretary of State Department of Driver Services - Commercial Driver Training Section.

Do I need a license in Illinois? Yes. Illinois credentials this role through Illinois Secretary of State Department of Driver Services - Commercial Driver Training Section 3. See the licensing section below.

What do CDL truck drivers earn in Illinois? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Illinois is $60,320 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,710 and experienced professionals can earn $86,300 or more 1.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Illinois

  1. 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.
  2. Complete FMCSA ELDT. Take Entry-Level Driver Training from a school on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
  3. 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.
  4. 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 Illinois

CDL truck drivers in Illinois 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 Illinois Secretary of State Department of Driver Services - Commercial Driver Training Section 3.

Typical path

  1. Meet age, record, and DOT medical rules.

  2. Complete ELDT on the Training Provider Registry.

  3. Get a CLP and pass the skills test.

  4. Receive the CDL and needed endorsements from the state DMV.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Illinois Secretary of State Department of Driver Services - Commercial Driver Training Section before you enroll.

CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in Illinois

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

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin62,210$62,300$65,170$41,300$88,230
St. Louis18,270$58,240$59,810$40,540$79,300
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island3,070$58,280$58,920$40,620$74,500
Peoria1,760$49,610$55,020$39,610$77,520
Rockford1,690$59,900$62,440$38,660$88,590
Bloomington1,070$54,610$57,410$35,290$79,450
Decatur990$59,100$62,550$34,910$97,090
Champaign-Urbana840$56,270$57,590$38,130$80,560
Kankakee760$46,750$50,830$33,770$76,780
Springfield750$50,350$55,790$40,150$79,810
Cape Girardeau730$50,200$55,150$36,900$77,050
Paducah660$50,520$55,050$38,990$74,490

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 Illinois? Illinois currently employs approximately 84,200 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 Illinois with an out-of-state license? Contact the Illinois Secretary of State Department of Driver Services - Commercial Driver Training Section for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do CDL truck drivers earn in Illinois compared to the national average? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Illinois is $60,320, which is $2,880 above the national median of $57,440 according to BLS data 1.

In Illinois

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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Illinois Secretary of State Department of Driver Services - Commercial Driver Training Section - Licensing Information: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

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

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)