The following column was originally published in the Laredo Morning Times Business Journal. Laredo College participates each month and everyone is encouraged to pick up a copy of the Laredo Morning Times to catch the story first.
Column by: Cira Esteves de Hernandez, Workforce Development Coordinator
The Port of Laredo holds the distinction of being the nation’s number one inland port and top international trade hub. That scale makes Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders essential to cross-border logistics. With more than 14,000 trucks crossing the border daily, the demand for skilled, licensed drivers remains consistently high. CDL drivers play a vital role in sustaining supply chains and supporting public transportation as well as the safe transport of hazardous materials – each critical to keeping the economy moving.
Leveraging its strategic location, Laredo College’s Continuing Education Department provides Class A and Class B Commercial Driver’s License training through its Transportation Training Center. The program equips students with the skills and certifications needed to enter the high-demand transportation industry. Many graduates find employment shortly after licensure, frequently with local or regional carriers. Additionally, the program offers various scholarships, including the Texas Trucking Association (TXTA) Foundation Award.
To begin their journey, students can select from two CDL programs: a six-week, full-time Class A Professional Truck Driver program (200 hours) or a three-week, full-time Class B Professional Bus Driver program (120 hours). The Class A course includes Hazardous Materials (H) theory so graduates can pursue the endorsement after obtaining their CDL; the Class B course includes preparation for the Passenger (P) endorsement. Both programs meet Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements, preparing students for successful careers in commercial transportation.
Students enrolled in the Class A CDL program receive comprehensive instruction that meets FMCSA ELDT theory and skills requirements/standards. The curriculum covers preparation for the Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) knowledge test, ELDT theory modules, and training on advanced driving simulators. This is followed by Behind-the-Wheel (BTW) range and public-road training. In Texas, applicants must also pass the state-specific Commercial Rules ("Special Requirements") knowledge test, as outlined in the Texas Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver Handbook.
Following the same ELDT-compliant pathway as Class A, the Class B program condenses CLP preparation, theory, simulator practice, and BTW range/road into a shorter 120-hour format tailored to bus operations. It emphasizes passenger operations and urban driving fundamentals and includes Passenger (P) endorsement preparation; additional endorsements are optional.
Endorsement preparation is available—for example, Hazardous Materials (H), Tank Vehicle (N), and Double/Triple Trailers (T)—expanding graduates’ employment options.
Students begin with an advising session and initial interview to confirm eligibility. During the permit prep and theory phase, students complete their Department of Transportation physical and drug screening and are scheduled for their knowledge exam. They then progress to simulator training followed by hands-on vehicle instruction. Skills testing is scheduled the week after training completion. Students are tested in three areas: pre-trip inspection, basic control skills, and a road test.
With the college’s state-of-the-art truck‑driving simulators, CDL training and testing pad, workforce partnerships for job placement and highly trained instructors, Laredo College offers everything needed for a strong start in a CDL career. This is supported by the Transportation Training Center, a specialized initiative within the Continuing Education Department that centralizes CDL training, compliance and workforce development.
The Transportation Training Center is central to student success, providing a one-stop hub for CDL instruction, compliance, and workforce development. Students receive classroom and simulator-based training that meets all FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training standards, combined with behind-the-wheel practice on a range and road. Certified instructors guide learners through every step of the process, from permit preparation to advanced driving skills. With DPS-authorized Third Party Skills Testing now available on campus, students can complete training and take their CLP knowledge and CDL skills exams in one convenient location; license issuance is handled by DPS.
At Laredo College, we’re not just preparing students to pass exams, we’re helping them build lasting careers. Because every learner is different, our CDL training is tailored to individuals’ needs, laying a strong foundation for confidence, skill development, and long-term opportunity.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Texas employed approximately 203,040 heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in 2020, with projected growth to 248,370 by 2030 – a 22% increase. Nationally, there are about 2,211,300 CDL drivers, with projected growth to 2,313,400 by 2033, reflecting a 5% increase. Most CDL drivers require a high school diploma and annual earnings commonly range between $50,000 and $70,000 annually depending on experience, endorsements and region.
Laredo College is in a premier position not only to offer this program but to ensure that every graduate is highly trained, qualified and fully prepared for a successful career in commercial truck driving.
For more information about the program and how to get started, email TTC-CDL@laredo.edu or call (956) 794-4996.