How long does cdl truck driver training take in New Mexico?

Most people become a CDL Truck Driver in New Mexico 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 New Mexico (2026)

Q: How much do CDL truck drivers earn in New Mexico?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), CDL truck drivers in New Mexico earned a median annual wage of approximately $50,500.

Q: Do CDL truck drivers need a license in New Mexico?

Yes. New Mexico requires state-level licensing or registration for CDL truck drivers, administered by the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department - Motor Vehicle Division. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

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

New Mexico currently employs approximately 11,820 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

New Mexico employs about 11,820 CDL truck drivers earning a median $50,500 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 New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department - Motor Vehicle Division.

Compare CDL Truck Driver Schools in New Mexico

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.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition (published, per year)	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Amarillo College	67.4	$2,136 in-state / $4,704 out-of-state	$50,015	32%	Yes*	222 mi
2	HDS Truck Driving Institute	67.4	Contact school for pricing	$46,065	83%	—	337 mi
3	Seward County Community College	61.3	$4,032 in-state / $5,408 out-of-state	$53,375	50%	Yes*	326 mi
4	Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Campus	54.6	$2,256 in-state / $5,616 out-of-state	$54,827	32%	Yes*	89 mi
5	Pima Community College	53.7	$2,442 in-state / $7,758 out-of-state	$50,345	28%	Yes*	341 mi
6	San Juan College	53.0	$1,928 in-state / $5,412 out-of-state	$46,786	37%	Yes*	227 mi
7	Eastern Arizona College	52.8	$2,352 in-state / $9,552 out-of-state	$41,991	42%	Yes*	259 mi
8	Western Technical College	49.2	Contact school for pricing	Not reported	72%	—	171 mi
9	Navajo Technical University	43.0	$4,346	Not reported	12%	Yes*	175 mi
10	University of New Mexico-Taos Campus	41.4	$2,136 in-state / $5,136 out-of-state	$59,818	30%	—	146 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.

New Mexico employs approximately 11,820 CDL truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $50,500 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 New Mexico, 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: New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department - Motor Vehicle Division
Exam: state CDL skills test
Median wage (New Mexico): $50,500 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in New Mexico

How to become a CDL Truck Driver in New Mexico? Complete FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Apply through New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department - Motor Vehicle Division.

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 New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department - Motor Vehicle Division.

Do I need a license in New Mexico? Yes. New Mexico credentials this role through New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department - Motor Vehicle Division ³. See the licensing section below.

What do CDL truck drivers earn in New Mexico? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in New Mexico is $50,500 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,540 and experienced professionals can earn $65,990 or more ¹.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in New Mexico

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 New Mexico

CDL truck drivers in New Mexico 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 New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department - Motor Vehicle Division 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 New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department - Motor Vehicle Division before you enroll.

CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in New Mexico

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

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Albuquerque	4,210	$55,840	$55,220	$40,040	$71,560
Farmington	960	$51,070	$52,370	$37,700	$63,800
Las Cruces	810	$48,400	$50,060	$37,770	$63,790
Santa Fe	200	$51,120	$54,180	$40,840	$65,700

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 New Mexico? New Mexico currently employs approximately 11,820 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 New Mexico with an out-of-state license? Contact the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department - Motor Vehicle Division for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do CDL truck drivers earn in New Mexico compared to the national average? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in New Mexico is $50,500, which is $6,940 below the national median of $57,440 according to BLS data ¹.

In New Mexico

Best Trade Schools in New Mexico (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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department - Motor Vehicle Division - Licensing Information: http://www.tax.newmexico.gov/About-Us/Pages/Home.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎

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)