Truck Driving School Benefits for Veterans

Use Your Military Benefits for CDL Training in Louisiana

A CDL is one of the more direct paths from military service to a steady paycheck. No four-year degree, no long civilian job search, just several weeks of training and a license that carriers across the country are actively hiring for. Diesel Driving Academy runs Class A CDL training at three Louisiana campuses, and veterans, active-duty service members, reservists, and eligible family members can use military education benefits to pay for it.

Students come from bases across the region, including Barksdale Air Force Base, Fort Johnson, and Camp Beauregard. Some enroll while still on active duty. Others start after separation, sometimes years after. DDA’s admissions team has walked hundreds of veterans through the GI Bill paperwork and can explain what to expect before a student ever sets foot on campus.

Time in the military does not always translate cleanly to a civilian resume, but it does translate to trucking. Discipline, working odd hours, staying calm when a schedule falls apart. Veterans with recent military driving experience may also qualify for the FMCSA Military Skills Test Waiver Program, which can shorten the path to a CDL.

Benefit Programs DDA Accepts

DDA’s job placement team works with local and national carriers that hire CDL graduates directly out of training. Veterans and their families can put the following programs toward the cost of that training:

Program	Who Qualifies	What It Covers
Chapter 30 – Montgomery GI Bill® (MGIB)	Veterans and active-duty service members enrolled in MGIB	Monthly payments toward tuition and other training expenses
Chapter 31 – Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E)	Veterans with a service-connected disability	Tuition, books, and supplies for CDL training
Chapter 33 – Post-9/11 GI Bill ®	Veterans who served on active duty after September 10, 2001	Payment toward CDL tuition. Coverage depends on length of service, from 50% at 90 days to 100% at 36 months
Chapter 35 – Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA)	Dependents and survivors of veterans who died in service or became permanently disabled	Financial assistance for CDL training and related costs
Chapter 1606 – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)	Members of the Reserve or National Guard	Monthly education payments toward CDL training costs
DoD Tuition Assistance (TA)	Active-duty service members	Payment toward a portion of CDL tuition costs
MyCAA (Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts)	Eligible military spouses	Up to $4,000 toward CDL training costs

Pay for CDL Training Beyond VA Benefits

VA benefits do not have to cover the full cost on their own. DDA’s financial aid page lists other funding options, including Federal Grants and loans, and these can be combined with VA benefits to cover tuition, books, and supplies.

How Do I Get Started?

Talk to a DDA admissions rep about military benefits at Shreveport, Baton Rouge, or Monroe. One conversation can cover GI Bill® paperwork, program length, and payment options. Call us today or request information online to schedule a time.

More Resources for Veterans

Frequently Asked Questions

Does DDA only train veterans?

No. DDA trains veterans, active-duty service members, and civilians at its Louisiana campuses.

Can veterans use the GI Bill® for CDL training in Louisiana?

Yes. DDA accepts GI Bill® benefits at its Shreveport, Baton Rouge, and Monroe campuses.

Does the Post-9/11 GI Bill® cover the full cost of CDL training?

Not always. Coverage depends on length of service, ranging from 50% at 90 days to 100% at 36 months.

Can military spouses use MyCAA to pay for CDL training at DDA?

Yes. MyCAA provides up to $4,000 toward CDL training costs for eligible spouses.

Is DDA approved to accept VA education benefits at all three campuses?

Yes. DDA is VA-approved at its Shreveport, Baton Rouge, and Monroe campuses.

Does DDA guarantee a job after graduation?

No. DDA’s job placement team connects graduates with carriers that are actively hiring, but placement itself is not guaranteed.

Can veterans with driving experience get their CDL faster?

Possibly. Veterans with recent military driving experience may qualify for the FMCSA Military Skills Test Waiver Program, which can shorten the path to a CDL.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website.