CDL training at Diesel Driving Academy (DDA) takes 8 weeks. Students train 4 hours a day, Monday through Friday, in one Class A CDL program offered at every DDA campus.
Training is only one part of the path to a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Students also need a DOT medical card before class starts, a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) during training, and a passing score on the CDL skills test after training. This guide explains how the 8-week program works, what federal rules require, and what can change the total timeline.
How Long is CDL Training at Diesel Driving Academy?
DDA’s Class A CDL training program lasts 8 weeks. It is the only program the school offers to new students at all of its Louisiana locations: Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Monroe. No prior trucking experience is needed to start.
Daily Schedule and Time Slots
Classes meet 4 hours a day, Monday through Friday. Students choose one of two time slots:
- 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
That works out to about 20 hours a week. Over 8 weeks, that adds up to roughly 160 hours of training. Both time slots leave part of the day open, so some students keep a job while they train.
What the 8 Weeks Cover
Training follows a set order:
- Classroom training: Lessons on safety rules, hours of service, vehicle systems, and inspections.
- Yard (range) training: Practice backing, coupling, and vehicle control on a private training range.
- On-the-road driving: Driving a tractor-trailer on public roads with an instructor.
Each phase builds on the one before it. The program covers Class A training only. It does not include endorsements, such as hazmat or tanker. Students who want to know what each phase feels like can read about the DDA student experience.
Getting a Commercial Learner’s Permit During Training
DDA helps students get their CLP. A CLP lets a student drive a truck on public roads as long as a licensed CDL holder rides along. To earn a Class A permit, students pass written knowledge tests. These include the general knowledge and combination vehicles tests, plus the air brakes test for trucks with air brakes.
The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) follows the federal rule that states that a CLP holder cannot take the skills test in the first 14 days after the permit is issued. When the permit is issued early in training, the 14-day wait ends well before the program does. The full list of state steps is on DDA’s how to get a CDL in Louisiana page.
Why CDL Training Lengths Vary
Since 2022, FMCSA has required Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) for anyone getting a Class A CDL for the first time. The training must come from a provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, and it must be finished before the skills test.
ELDT has two parts:
- Theory training: Classroom lessons on required topics. Students must score at least 80 percent overall on the theory assessment.
- Behind-the-wheel training: Hands-on driving on a range and on public roads. The instructor must see that each student can do every required skill.
FMCSA’s ELDT rule sets no minimum number of hours for either part. Training is based on skill, not time. This is why program lengths differ from school to school. Some states add their own hour rules on top of the federal standard. DDA’s program is ELDT-compliant and FMCSA-registered.
What Happens After the 8 Weeks
After students finish the program, DDA helps them schedule the CDL skills test with an off-site, third-party tester. Test dates depend on tester availability, so the wait can vary. If a student doesn’t pass one of the parts of the CDL test, they will have to take it again.
Most new drivers then go through carrier hiring and orientation before driving on their own. DDA’s guide on what happens after CDL training covers these steps in detail. Graduates also get help from DDA’s job placement team. Students with questions about start dates or time slots can contact DDA’s admissions team.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a Louisiana commercial learner’s permit valid?
A Louisiana CLP is issued for up to 180 days and can be extended for another 180 days, at no charge, if more training time is needed.
How long does a DOT medical card last?
A DOT medical card lasts up to 24 months. A medical examiner can issue a card for a shorter time based on a driver’s health, and drivers with insulin-treated diabetes are limited to 12 months.
Does adding an endorsement make CDL training take longer?
Yes. Endorsements are not part of DDA’s 8-week program, so each one means more study and a separate knowledge test, and the hazmat endorsement also requires a TSA background check.
Can an experienced driver skip the behind-the-wheel part of ELDT?
No. Federal ELDT rules do not allow students to test out of behind-the-wheel training, so every first-time Class A applicant must show each skill to a registered instructor.
Can ELDT theory training be done online?
Yes. FMCSA accepts theory training taught online, in a classroom, or as a mix of both, but DDA teaches it in the classroom.
How soon does the state see that a student finished training?
Federal rules say training providers must report each student’s completion to the FMCSA Training Provider Registry by midnight of the second business day after training ends. The state checks the registry before it allows the student to take the skills test.
Is Class B CDL training shorter than Class A training?
Yes, Class B training is generally shorter because it covers single trucks rather than tractor-trailers. DDA offers Class A CDL training only.