How to Become A CDL Truck Driver in Virginia
Virginia employs approximately 48,750 cdl truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $56,860 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 Virginia, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Virginia
How to become a cdl truck driver in Virginia? Virginia requires credentials such as Commercial Drivers License (CDL), Commercial Drivers License (CDL), Tow Truck Driver Registration. The licensing authority is the Department of Motor Vehicles 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Virginia? Yes. Virginia has licensing or registration requirements for cdl truck drivers. The Department of Motor Vehicles oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do cdl truck drivers earn in Virginia? The median annual wage for cdl truck drivers in Virginia is $56,860 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,180 and experienced professionals can earn $77,040 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of Motor Vehicles
- Median wage (Virginia): $56,860 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
CDL Truck Driver License Requirements in Virginia
The Department of Motor Vehicles oversees cdl truck driver licensing in Virginia 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Commercial Drivers License (CDL) | A commercial driver’s license (CDL) allows you to operate commercial vehicles such as semi-trucks, cargo vans and buses. |
| Commercial Drivers License (CDL) | Commercial Drivers Licenses are issued by state departments but are similar from state to state, since the minimum requirements of the licenses and endorsements are set centrally. |
| Tow Truck Driver Registration | On and after January 1, 2013, no tow truck driver shall drive any tow truck without being registered with the Department, except that this requirement shall not apply to any holder of a tow truck driv… |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers wages in Virginia vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) |
Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 20,430 | $59,820 | $62,330 | $44,870 | $82,540 |
| Richmond | 11,760 | $58,190 | $60,130 | $37,190 | $94,450 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 7,460 | $50,460 | $53,660 | $38,180 | $71,930 |
| Roanoke | 2,760 | $56,430 | $58,040 | $37,700 | $97,050 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 1,880 | $54,700 | $53,580 | $39,060 | $69,580 |
| Winchester | 1,460 | $57,460 | $58,640 | $39,160 | $76,840 |
| Lynchburg | 1,410 | $55,020 | $55,150 | $37,720 | $71,690 |
| Harrisonburg | 1,290 | $58,660 | $57,520 | $44,150 | $71,920 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft | 1,140 | $57,200 | $57,030 | $39,060 | $73,400 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford | 920 | $53,980 | $57,110 | $37,910 | $76,040 |
| Charlottesville | 630 | $54,970 | $54,080 | $38,540 | $66,180 |
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 .
Top Metros for Cdl truck drivers in Virginia
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cdl truck driver employment within Virginia according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond | 11,760 | $58,190 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 7,460 | $50,460 |
| Roanoke | 2,760 | $56,430 |
| Winchester | 1,460 | $57,460 |
| Lynchburg | 1,410 | $55,020 |
Explore cdl truck driver programs in Richmond, Virginia Beach, and Roanoke.
Explore More Trades in Virginia
- Electrician in Virginia
- Plumber in Virginia
- HVAC Technician in Virginia
- Welder in Virginia
- Carpenter in Virginia
- Solar Installation Technician in Virginia
- Auto Mechanic in Virginia
- CNC Machinist in Virginia
- Certified Nursing Assistant in Virginia
- Medical Assistant in Virginia
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cdl truck drivers in Virginia? Virginia currently employs approximately 48,750 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 Virginia with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Virginia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Virginia.
How much do cdl truck drivers earn in Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cdl truck drivers in Virginia is $56,860, which is $580 below the national median of $57,440 according to BLS data 1.
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
-
Department of Motor Vehicles - Licensing Information: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/drivers/#applyingcdl.asp ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
-
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.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) |