How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in North Carolina (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

North Carolina employs about 62,400 CDL truck drivers earning a median $51,530 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 NC Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles - Driver Services/Commercial Drivers License Dept..

Compare CDL Truck Driver Schools in North Carolina

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.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
164.4$2,756 - $11,230$48,14432%Yes*80 mi
261.2Contact school for pricing$42,57379%—180 mi
351.6Contact school for pricing$44,53344%Yes*37 mi
451.5Contact school for pricing$53,08437%Yes*145 mi
550.6Contact school for pricing$58,783Not reportedYes*175 mi
635.7Contact school for pricing$34,39366%—139 mi
735.2Contact school for pricing$36,01729%—53 mi
831.5Contact school for pricing$34,39368%—55 mi
928.0Contact school for pricing$34,39366%—71 mi
1026.7Contact school for pricing$34,39351%—192 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.

North Carolina employs approximately 62,400 CDL truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $51,530 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 North Carolina, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in North Carolina

How to become a CDL Truck Driver in North Carolina? Complete FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Apply through NC Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles - Driver Services/Commercial Drivers License Dept..

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 NC Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles - Driver Services/Commercial Drivers License Dept..

Do I need a license in North Carolina? Yes. North Carolina credentials this role through NC Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles - Driver Services/Commercial Drivers License Dept. 3. See the licensing section below.

What do CDL truck drivers earn in North Carolina? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in North Carolina is $51,530 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,400 and experienced professionals can earn $76,360 or more 1.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in North Carolina

  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 North Carolina

CDL truck drivers in North Carolina 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 NC Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles - Driver Services/Commercial Drivers License Dept. 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 NC Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles - Driver Services/Commercial Drivers License Dept. before you enroll.

CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina

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

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia18,700$56,120$58,020$44,240$77,490
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk7,460$50,460$53,660$38,180$71,930
Raleigh-Cary7,210$52,110$55,110$40,030$73,810
Greensboro-High Point6,480$58,480$59,960$40,350$80,560
Winston-Salem3,480$51,320$55,290$38,300$75,850
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton3,050$57,460$59,600$40,640$78,410
Durham-Chapel Hill2,130$53,280$56,200$41,810$78,990
Asheville2,040$51,750$55,180$40,770$72,250
Wilmington1,840$48,850$51,690$37,210$71,480
Fayetteville1,400$49,980$52,040$39,380$65,380
Burlington1,020$56,290$61,270$39,870$94,000
Rocky Mount840$48,090$56,250$38,660$84,510
Greenville500$48,980$52,300$36,540$72,250
Goldsboro400$47,140$49,850$37,350$72,210
Jacksonville360$45,640$45,710$35,150$58,760
Pinehurst-Southern Pines220$48,860$54,390$38,600$74,640

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 North Carolina? North Carolina currently employs approximately 62,400 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 North Carolina with an out-of-state license? Contact the NC Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles - Driver Services/Commercial Drivers License Dept. for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do CDL truck drivers earn in North Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in North Carolina is $51,530, which is $5,910 below the national median of $57,440 according to BLS data 1.

In North Carolina

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. NC Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles - Driver Services/Commercial Drivers License Dept. - Licensing Information: https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/driver-licenses/commercial/Pages/default.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎

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)