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

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Utah employs about 25,060 CDL truck drivers earning a median $60,620 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 Utah Department of Public Safety - Driver License Services.

Compare CDL Truck Driver Schools in Utah

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
173.8Contact school for pricing$42,070Not reportedYes*75 mi
273.4Contact school for pricing$40,19394%—215 mi
360.3Contact school for pricing$51,958Not reportedYes*383 mi
459.7Contact school for pricing$64,65289%—110 mi
559.3Contact school for pricing$39,28481%—19 mi
658.7Contact school for pricing$46,06480%—261 mi
755.2Contact school for pricing$51,52475%—19 mi
853.0Contact school for pricing$46,786Not reportedYes*340 mi
951.6Contact school for pricing$55,27929%Yes*3 mi
1047.9Contact school for pricing$47,706Not reported—25 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.

Utah employs approximately 25,060 CDL truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,620 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 Utah, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

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

How to become a CDL Truck Driver in Utah? Complete FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Apply through Utah Department of Public Safety - Driver License Services.

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 Utah Department of Public Safety - Driver License Services.

Do I need a license in Utah? Yes. Utah credentials this role through Utah Department of Public Safety - Driver License Services 3. See the licensing section below.

What do CDL truck drivers earn in Utah? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Utah is $60,620 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $44,320 and experienced professionals can earn $76,360 or more 1.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Utah

  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 Utah

CDL truck drivers in Utah 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 Utah Department of Public Safety - Driver License Services 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 Utah Department of Public Safety - Driver License Services before you enroll.

CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in Utah

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

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Salt Lake City-Murray12,340$62,310$62,500$45,840$76,910
Ogden4,260$59,940$60,720$35,920$79,310
Provo-Orem-Lehi2,300$59,820$59,120$45,120$72,540
St. George1,330$58,810$57,960$46,720$72,060
Logan760$57,450$56,480$43,620$74,150

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 Utah? Utah currently employs approximately 25,060 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 Utah with an out-of-state license? Contact the Utah Department of Public Safety - Driver License Services for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do CDL truck drivers earn in Utah compared to the national average? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Utah is $60,620, which is $3,180 above the national median of $57,440 according to BLS data 1.

In Utah

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. Utah Department of Public Safety - Driver License Services - Licensing Information: http://publicsafety.utah.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)