How long does cdl truck driver training take in Rhode Island?

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

Do CDL truck drivers need a license in Rhode Island?

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

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Rhode Island (2026)

Q: How much do CDL truck drivers earn in Rhode Island?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), CDL truck drivers in Rhode Island earned a median annual wage of approximately $60,190. Employment concentration in Rhode Island is roughly 0.55 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

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

Rhode Island currently employs approximately 3,620 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

Rhode Island heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers earn a median annual wage of $60,190 ($28.94/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 3,620 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 2.6% above the national median of $58,640 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $60,190 ($28.94/hr)
25th percentile: $50,330 per year
75th percentile: $64,250 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $75,120 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $45,600 per year
Workers employed in Rhode Island: 3,620
Versus national median: 2.6% above the U.S. median of $58,640
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.55 - this occupation is less concentrated in Rhode Island than the national average

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

Rhode Island employs about 3,620 CDL truck drivers earning a median $60,190 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 Rhode Island Department of Revenue - Division of Motor Vehicles.

Compare CDL Truck Driver Schools in Rhode Island

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	New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Massachusetts	62.3	Contact school for pricing	$61,966	74%	—	66 mi
2	New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Rhode Island	61.9	Contact school for pricing	$61,966	81%	—	6 mi
3	New England Tractor Trailer Training School of CT-Bridgeport	61.4	Contact school for pricing	$52,806	74%	—	100 mi
4	Polytech Adult Education	60.8	Contact school for pricing	$54,607	70%	—	286 mi
5	Schuylkill Technology Center	60.6	Contact school for pricing	$53,477	63%	—	259 mi
6	New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Connecticut	58.3	Contact school for pricing	$52,806	69%	—	54 mi
7	Dawn Career Institute LLC	52.4	Contact school for pricing	$32,884	82%	—	269 mi
8	All-State Career School	41.9	Contact school for pricing	$48,534	53%	—	242 mi
9	White Mountains Community College	41.1	$7,050 in-state / $15,300 out-of-state	$60,674	62%	—	188 mi
10	Fortis Institute-Forty Fort	36.5	$13,955	$39,004	71%	—	233 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.

Rhode Island employs approximately 3,620 CDL truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,190 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 Rhode Island, 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: Rhode Island Department of Revenue - Division of Motor Vehicles
Exam: state CDL skills test
Median wage (Rhode Island): $60,190 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Rhode Island

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

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

What do CDL truck drivers earn in Rhode Island? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Rhode Island is $60,190 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $45,600 and experienced professionals can earn $75,120 or more ¹.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island

CDL truck drivers in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island Department of Revenue - 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 Rhode Island Department of Revenue - Division of Motor Vehicles before you enroll.

CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in Rhode Island

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

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Providence-Warwick	7,030	$60,610	$60,270	$45,560	$74,970

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 Rhode Island? Rhode Island currently employs approximately 3,620 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 Rhode Island with an out-of-state license? Contact the Rhode Island Department of Revenue - Division of Motor Vehicles for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do CDL truck drivers earn in Rhode Island compared to the national average? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Rhode Island is $60,190, which is $2,750 above the national median of $57,440 according to BLS data ¹.

In Rhode Island

Best Trade Schools in Rhode Island (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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Rhode Island Department of Revenue - Division of Motor Vehicles - Licensing Information: https://dmv.ri.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)