Your search for a CDL school in Virginia Beach can include local truck driving schools and public college programs in Hampton Roads. Compare Class A and Class B training, then check permit requirements, driving practice, total tuition and test arrangements.
College certificate exampleTCC: 15 weeks, 16 credits
Minimum driving age18 for intrastate; 21 for interstate CDL
Training before testingUnless exempt, first-time Class A/B applicants need theory and behind-the-wheel ELDT before skills testing
CDL training schools around Virginia Beach
These providers list a Hampton Roads classroom or training site, including truck driving programs and Class B options. Prices shown are published figures; ask each school for its full written quote and the current driving-yard address.
14 local programs listed
School
Program
Credential
Length
Schedule
Cost
Virginia Beach City Public SchoolsVirginia Beach, VA
Employer route: hired drivers and substitutes are paid for training. Apply for a school bus driving position.
The spring 2027 packet places classes at 7000 College Drive, Suffolk; registration is at the Portsmouth campus. Selective admission includes a DOT physical and drug/alcohol screening.
The truck driving certificate combines 70 percent practical training with 30 percent classroom instruction and includes hazardous materials endorsement theory.
Virginia DMV lists minimum ages of 18 for an intrastate CDL and 21 for an interstate CDL. Review DMV's application requirements for identity, residency, driving eligibility and medical self-certification before paying a school.
2
Pass the permit knowledge exams
For a Virginia commercial learner's permit, pass the general knowledge exam and any other knowledge exams required for the vehicle. A CLP permits practice only with someone licensed for the same type of vehicle.
3
Choose a registered training provider
FMCSA's ELDT rule applies to first-time Class A/B applicants, Class B-to-A upgrades and first-time passenger, school bus or hazardous materials endorsements. Search the Training Provider Registry for the training type and local location you need.
4
Complete training and permit time
First-time Class A/B applicants need theory and behind-the-wheel training before the road skills exam, under Virginia's ELDT rules. DMV's CDL application page also lists a minimum 14-day CLP holding period.
5
Pass the three-part skills test
The Virginia CDL skills test covers vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control and on-road driving. You must test in the type of vehicle you want to drive; arrange the test vehicle with your school and complete DMV's license-issuance steps.
Truck driving employment and wages near Virginia Beach
For May 2025, the BLS OEWS table for Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC lists 7,460 heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers (53-3032). Their median wage was $24.26 per hour or $50,460 per year. This is a metro-wide estimate for that occupation, so it does not describe every job you could pursue with a CDL, such as school bus driving.
When you review an offer, ask how the carrier calculates pay, which hours count as paid time and how often you would be home. Compare those terms with the training cost and any tuition repayment agreement. The BLS median gives you a local reference, rather than a promised wage after training.
Published CDL tuition and funding options
Camp Community College publishes Class A tuition of $5,400 and a Class B price of $4,500. Eligible students pay $1,800 or $1,500 through its Workforce Credential Grant pricing. Ask which permit, medical, drug-screen and testing fees you must pay separately.
Camp describes income-based FANTIC/G3 assistance; eligibility and available funds determine your award. For WIOA support, ask Virginia Career Works Hampton Roads about an approved provider and a funding decision. CDS lists carrier sponsorship and VA benefits. Review any work commitment or repayment terms. The VA includes truck driving among non-college training options; confirm your program's benefit approval. VBCPS pays hired drivers and substitutes during its bus driver training.
Yes, Virginia DMV lists 18 as the minimum age for an intrastate CDL and 21 for an interstate CDL. That age rule is one part of the application process. You must also meet the applicable testing, identification, medical and driver-training requirements. Ask a school which course and vehicle class fit the driving you plan to do.
How long does local CDL training take?
CDS in Chesapeake lists four weeks for Class A and three weeks for Class B. 160 Driving Academy's Norfolk location lists four to five weeks, while TCC publishes a 15-week certificate. These are school course lengths. Ask when your skills test can be scheduled and how absences or retests affect completion.
Do I need a CDL permit before I start classes?
The requirement depends on the course. Virginia Peninsula says you must have your Class A permit before registering for its CDL course. TCC's spring 2027 packet says you may obtain the learner's permit before or during its program. Confirm the rule for your chosen start date before paying a deposit.
Can I complete Class A CDL training entirely online?
First-time Class A applicants must complete both theory and behind-the-wheel training before the skills test, according to Virginia DMV. Online theory alone cannot meet that requirement. FMCSA also advises checking whether a driving school will accept theory from another provider. Virginia requires both portions at the same school when that licensed school also provides CDL skills examinations.
Can military driving experience replace the CDL road test?
Virginia's Troops to Trucks program offers a road-skills-test waiver for qualifying military drivers. Listed conditions include at least two years of military heavy truck or bus experience, a safe driving record and active service or release within the past 12 months. Required forms and command certification also apply. Ask DMV to review your eligibility before booking a full course.
Is there free or employer-funded CDL training?
Virginia Beach City Public Schools pays hired bus drivers and substitutes for classroom and behind-the-wheel training toward a CDL. That route requires applying for a driving job. CDS also lists carrier sponsorship, while Virginia Career Works Hampton Roads describes training funding for eligible clients. Ask for written terms covering employment, repayment and any remaining fees.