Truck Driving Schools in Mississippi with Student Reviews

We Show You Where the Best Truck Driving Schools in Mississippi are Located

We show you how to choose the best truck driving schools in Mississippi with our comprehensive list of truck driving schools in Mississippi. On this page you will also find a list of truck driving schools in Mississippi that have been rated and reviewed by the students themselves using a 5 star rating system. Feel free to bookmark this page for future reference by pressing Ctrl-D on your keyboard. 

Northwest Mississippi Community College
5197 W.E. Ross Pkwy
Southaven, MS 38671

Northwest Mississippi Community College
8750 Deerfield Drive
Olive Branch, MS 38654

Pearl River Community College
906 Sullivan Drive
Hattiesburg, MS 39401

SEC Training Centers
2246 Flowood Drive
Flowood, MS 39232

Southwest Mississippi Community College
1156 College Drive
Summit, MS 39666

Truck Driver Institute
341 E. Franklin Street
Tupelo, MS 38802

Truck Driver Institute
20214 Hwy 49
Saucier, MS 39574

Truck Driving Schools in Mississippi: The Magnolia State’s Best-Kept CDL Career Secret

Mississippi ranks last among U.S. states in median household income — yet the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the Magnolia State employs CDL truck drivers at 1.64 times the national average concentration, making it one of the most favorable CDL job markets in the entire country. With more than 25,000 active truck driving jobs, a logistics sector generating over $7 billion in annual economic output, and 306 million tons of freight moving through the state each year, Mississippi’s quiet dominance in freight movement is genuinely surprising to most people who haven’t looked at the numbers. If you are searching for truck driving schools in Mississippi, this guide covers every major accredited program in the state — what each one costs, what it actually teaches, how to access free or paid training, and what your salary potential looks like across every major freight sector in the Magnolia State.

Why Mississippi Is a Strong State for Professional Truck Drivers

Mississippi’s freight economy is larger and more strategically important than most people outside the industry realize. The state operates within a day’s drive of 55 percent of all major U.S. business and population centers, enabling trucks leaving Mississippi to reach 75 percent of the entire national market within 24 hours. Nearly 4,000 logistics-related businesses call Mississippi home, and the state ranks among the top 10 nationally in the combined strength of warehousing, freight trucking, and inland waterway shipping. Amazon, Walmart, and Kellogg’s have all built major distribution operations in Mississippi specifically because of its central Gulf Coast positioning and low operating costs.

Poultry, Timber, and Port Freight: Mississippi’s Unique Freight Economy

Mississippi’s freight demand is driven by an unusually diverse mix of agricultural, industrial, and port-related cargo that gives CDL drivers steady, multi-sector work throughout the entire year. The state accounts for roughly 72 percent of all U.S. farm-raised catfish production, concentrated in the Mississippi Delta region, which generates consistent year-round reefer demand as live catfish and processed product move to processors and distributors across the Southeast. Mississippi is also consistently among the top five poultry-producing states nationally, with large integrated broiler operations creating high-volume live-haul and reefer freight from producers in central and southern Mississippi to processing plants and export terminals.

The eastern Mississippi timber belt, running along the Alabama state line through counties like Jones, Forrest, Wayne, and Lamar, generates substantial demand for flatbed drivers hauling logs, lumber, and pulpwood to paper mills and sawmills. In January 2024, Mississippi finalized two landmark economic development projects — an Amazon Web Services data center and a $12 billion joint EV battery manufacturing venture involving Accelera by Cummins, PACCAR, and Daimler Trucks & Buses — representing a combined 3,000 new jobs and a major new source of ongoing freight demand as manufacturing supply chains ramp up. A 2023 joint venture between Whitestone Transportation of Moselle and Cold-Link Logistics broke ground on a $64 million cold-storage hub near Ellisville in Jones County, specifically designed to serve the state’s food processors and distributors with integrated warehousing and transportation.

The Port of Gulfport and the Port of Pascagoula handle containerized cargo, breakbulk freight, and project shipments on the Gulf Coast, while 16 public ports along the Mississippi River system move agricultural exports including soybeans, cotton, and grain. Mississippi exported $13.7 billion in goods in 2024, up dramatically from $10.2 billion in 2020, with mineral fuels, machinery, and vehicles among the top export categories. In northern Mississippi, DeSoto County cities Southaven, Olive Branch, and Horn Lake sit directly south of Memphis — the nation’s largest inland distribution hub — giving CDL drivers in that region access to some of the highest freight volumes and best pay in the entire Southeast.

Strategic Location and Logistics Infrastructure

Mississippi is threaded by nine interstates and 14 federal highways, anchored by the critical I-55 north-south corridor connecting New Orleans to Memphis through the heart of the state, the I-20 east-west corridor linking Jackson to Dallas and Atlanta, and the I-10 coastal route connecting Gulfport to Florida and Texas. CSX, Norfolk Southern, and Kansas City Southern rail lines serve the state, and 800 miles of navigable waterways provide alternative freight lanes. The state’s logistics sector is supported by nearly 4,000 logistics-related businesses and generates over $7 billion in annual gross regional product (GRP), making it one of the most logistics-intensive economies in the Deep South relative to population size.

Cost of Living in Mississippi for Truck Drivers and Their Families

Mississippi consistently ranks as the most affordable state in the U.S., with an overall cost of living index of 87.3 as of Q1 2025, meaning life in Mississippi costs approximately 13 percent less than the national average across all categories. Housing is the most dramatic difference — Mississippi housing costs run roughly 28 percent below the national average. For a single person renting, the average one-bedroom apartment in Mississippi runs approximately $987 per month as of mid-2025, compared to the national average of $1,639. A single person can expect to spend roughly $420 per month on food and groceries, $412 to $584 per month on utilities (electricity, water, gas, and internet), and approximately $300 to $400 per month on transportation including vehicle insurance and gasoline — which averages around $2.69 per gallon in Mississippi. Total monthly expenses for a single person living independently in Mississippi typically fall in the range of $2,500 to $3,200.

For a couple sharing a one- or two-bedroom apartment, combined housing costs average $987 to $1,140 per month. Groceries for two run approximately $840 per month, utilities average $450 to $500 per month, and shared transportation adds roughly $350 to $400 per month — bringing a couple’s typical combined monthly budget to approximately $3,700 to $4,200. For a family of four, a three-bedroom rental averages around $1,356 per month, with groceries for a family running approximately $1,341 per month, utilities around $584 per month, and transportation costs of $1,100 or more per month including health insurance. Most families of four in Mississippi can realistically plan for total monthly expenses in the range of $5,300 to $6,200 — a figure that a fully licensed CDL Class A driver earning Mississippi’s median wage of $50,700 per year can comfortably manage.

For homebuyers, Mississippi’s median home value sits around $150,000 to $162,000 — compared to a national median of approximately $300,000 — which translates to an estimated monthly mortgage payment in the range of $850 to $1,050 at prevailing interest rates for a single-family home. Property taxes are relatively low at an effective rate of approximately 0.70 percent on owner-occupied housing value. Mississippi’s flat individual income tax rate of 4.4 percent is also lower than many competing states, meaning CDL drivers keep more of what they earn.

An Overview of CDL Training Schools in Mississippi

Mississippi has approximately 30 active CDL training programs and school locations operating statewide, ranging from community college workforce divisions with multi-campus reach to private career schools and carrier-sponsored academies. The majority of programs are hosted by Mississippi’s community college system, which gives the state unusually broad geographic distribution — a driver living in rural Warren County, Pontotoc County, or George County is rarely more than a county away from an accredited CDL program. All programs offering Class A or Class B CDL training to first-time CDL applicants must be registered on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry (TPR), and all must comply with the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations that took effect on February 7, 2022.

Trucking Schools in Mississippi: Community Colleges and Public Institutions

Mississippi’s community college system delivers the state’s most geographically accessible trucking schools in Mississippi. Several programs deserve specific attention for their unique program structures and funding models.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) operates one of the most uniquely funded CDL programs in the entire nation. Through a RESTORE Act grant — federal funding originally designated for Gulf Coast economic recovery following the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill — MGCCC’s Gulf Coast Work Ready Commercial Truck Driving Program is offered at absolutely no cost to eligible Mississippi residents at its West Harrison County Center, Perkinston Campus, and George County Center locations. The program awards a certificate of completion following a minimum of 12 semester hours (320 clock hours) of instruction. Eligible students must be Mississippi residents and must also complete a Work-Ready credential covering employability skills alongside their CDL training. Some costs for criminal background checks, instructional materials, and external exam fees may apply. This RESTORE Act-funded program is the only free CDL program in the United States tied directly to post-offshore oil spill Gulf Coast recovery legislation — a fact that makes MGCCC’s program genuinely unique among all CDL programs nationwide.

Holmes Community College offers its Professional Truck Driving Training Program at five locations across the state — Yazoo City, Goodman, Ridgeland, Kosciusko, and Grenada — with new cohorts launching every eight weeks. Classes run Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the duration of the program, which runs six to eight weeks depending on the student’s learning pace. Holmes CC offers a free CDL permit prep class before each cohort begins, helping applicants pass the Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) knowledge test before the program starts — at absolutely no charge, regardless of whether the applicant ultimately enrolls. Students enrolled in the program may be eligible for federal grants and scholarships. Holmes CC also specifically allows small class sizes, a feature that distinguishes it from some larger carrier-sponsored programs and gives students more hands-on time per truck.

Southwest Mississippi Community College (SMCC) structures its program differently from any other CDL school in the state by splitting the curriculum into two distinct, separately enrollable phases. The first phase — Intro to Trucking — is a classroom-based course (no behind-the-wheel driving required) that teaches pre-trip inspections, ELDT classroom content, and CDL permit preparation. It runs in both day and evening formats at its Summit and Woodville locations. Students pay just a $250 registration fee to enter the Intro to Trucking phase; if they then choose to continue to the Behind-the-Wheel phase, that $250 is credited toward the full CDL program cost. The DOT physical and DOT drug screen are included in the $250 registration fee. This two-phase structure makes Southwest Mississippi CC the most beginner-friendly and lowest-barrier CDL entry point in the state, ideal for career-changers who want to explore the profession before fully committing.

Northeast Mississippi Community College (NEMCC) in Booneville offers a six-week Class A CDL program and connects graduates directly to a network of regional trucking companies offering employment. East Mississippi Community College (EMCC) at its Mayhew/Golden Triangle campus offers a workforce CDL program and requires applicants to have a valid driver’s license, pass a DOT physical and drug screen at least 30 days prior to the class start date, and obtain their CLP before the behind-the-wheel portion begins.

CDL Training Schools in Mississippi: Private Career Schools and Accelerated Programs

For students who need a faster path to a CDL and prefer the structure of a private career school, several strong private CDL training schools in Mississippi deliver accelerated programs with additional job placement and financial aid support.

Delta Technical College (DTC) operates two Mississippi campuses — Horn Lake (near Memphis) and Ridgeland (near Jackson) — with a satellite CDL range at 100 Beasley Road in Jackson for the Ridgeland cohort. DTC offers two CDL pathways: a 16-day CDL Training Course designed for students seeking the fastest possible entry to the profession, and a 20-week Professional Truck Driving Program with a more comprehensive curriculum that is eligible for federal financial aid (Title IV) for qualifying students. DTC is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), licensed by the Mississippi Commission on Proprietary Schools and College Registration (Certificate No. C-624), and is a member of the Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA). Day and evening class schedules are available at both campuses. DTC’s Financial Aid team works one-on-one with students to identify grants, scholarships, and tuition reimbursement options from employer-sponsored programs. Over 30,000 DTC graduates have entered skilled trades careers through the school since its founding in 1995.

Mississippi Truck Driving School (MTDS), based in Hickory Flat in northern Mississippi, offers a 20-day Class A CDL program combining classroom instruction with range and public road training. MTDS is registered with the FMCSA as an ELDT-compliant training provider. MTDS is also certified by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety for third-party CDL skills testing, which means qualifying students can take their CDL skills test on-site at the school rather than scheduling through a DPS testing office. The school offers financial aid, scholarships, and loans to help students cover tuition, and provides job placement assistance to all graduates.

KLLM Driving Academy operates a carrier-sponsored program serving Mississippi and Louisiana residents seeking a Class A CDL. The KLLM program runs 22 days for students without a permit (18 days for permit holders) and results in a Class A CDL, after which graduates enter a 240-hour mentored trainer phase with a certified KLLM trainer while earning weekly pay. Students who drive for KLLM for one year have their full tuition covered through the KLLM Tuition Scholarship — making it a true $0-upfront program for committed applicants. Training location for KLLM students may be at a company terminal rather than a local Mississippi facility, so students should confirm training location before enrolling.

CDL Schools in Mississippi Certified for Third-Party Testing

Several CDL schools in Mississippi hold third-party testing certification from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, which means their certified examiners can administer the official CDL skills test on-site. This eliminates the need to schedule a separate DPS test appointment and can accelerate the overall licensing timeline. Schools with this certification include Truck Driver Institute (TDI) in Tupelo and Mississippi Truck Driving School (MTDS). TDI’s Tupelo facility sits on 10+ acres and has been serving the region for over 16 years; it additionally holds third-party testing certifications in Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee — making it one of the most broadly certified private CDL schools in the Deep South region. For a complete list of all FMCSA-registered CDL training providers in Mississippi, use the official FMCSA Training Provider Registry.

What You Will Learn at Truck Driving Schools in Mississippi

All CDL programs registered on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry must deliver instruction across the five mandatory curriculum areas defined by the FMCSA’s Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations. These five areas cover the complete knowledge and skill set required to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle and pass both the knowledge exam administered by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and the CDL skills test. Mississippi programs add state-specific context throughout — for example, instruction on navigating Mississippi’s nine interstates and major freight corridors, understanding Mississippi’s intrastate CDL requirements (minimum age 18 for a Class A CDL), and awareness of the state’s agricultural vehicle exemptions for farm operations within 150 miles.

Classroom and Theory Instruction

The five FMCSA ELDT theory curriculum areas covered at Mississippi CDL schools are:

• Basic Operations — Vehicle systems, controls, shifting and backing techniques, coupling and uncoupling, pre-trip and post-trip inspection procedures, and cargo securement. Mississippi instructors often incorporate specific instruction on backing in tight Delta-region grain elevator docks and rural loading facilities.
• Safe Operating Procedures — Space management, speed management, hazard recognition, emergency maneuvers, and adverse driving conditions. In Mississippi, this includes navigating the Gulf Coast during hurricane season and managing sudden flooding on low-elevation Gulf Coast routes.
• Advanced Operating Practices — Skid recovery, mountain driving, night driving, and fatigue management. FMCSA Hours of Service (HOS) regulations are covered in full detail, including electronic logging device (ELD) requirements that apply to all drivers operating in interstate commerce.
• Vehicle Systems and Reporting — Engine systems, air brakes, fuel systems, cooling and electrical systems, and how to complete required DVIR (Driver Vehicle Inspection Report) documentation. Students learn the air brake system in depth, a required element for any driver operating a vehicle equipped with air brakes.
• Non-Driving Activities — DOT regulations, drug and alcohol testing requirements, licensing and medical certification requirements, trip planning, and cargo documentation including bills of lading and hazardous materials shipping papers.

The classroom phase at Mississippi CDL schools is directly structured around preparing students to pass the Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) knowledge examination, which requires passing three separate written tests through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety: General Knowledge, Air Brakes, and Combination Vehicles. Delta Technical College prepares its CDL students to sit for the CLP permit exam during the very first week of class, using the Mississippi Professional Driver’s Manual as the primary classroom reference alongside the school’s own training materials. Mississippi Delta Community College’s Capps Center offers a dedicated three-week CDL permit prep course that systematically covers all three exam areas before any behind-the-wheel driving begins, with students taking all three parts at their local DMV office upon completing the prep sequence. Holmes Community College also offers a free CLP written exam prep class to all applicants before each new cohort begins, giving students the opportunity to arrive on their first driving day already holding their permit rather than waiting for it.

The number of classroom hours — and how they are distributed across a program — varies meaningfully between school types, and understanding the breakdown helps prospective students set realistic expectations. Delta Technical College’s 16-day CDL Training Course allocates 40 of its 180 total program clock hours to classroom instruction, with the entire first week devoted to Mississippi state CDL knowledge, driving safety, air brakes, combination vehicles, log books, trip planning, and public and employee relations before students move to the range and road. Mississippi Truck Driving School’s 20-day program dedicates 50 of its total program hours to in-class instruction covering maintaining driver logs, reading maps, trip planning, pre-trip safety inspections, and driving technique fundamentals before the remaining 130 hours of hands-on over-the-road training begin. Students who enroll in DTC’s more comprehensive 20-week Professional Truck Driving Program — which totals 600 clock hours — spend the entire first four weeks in classroom work covering CDL permit preparation, endorsement knowledge for doubles/triples and tanker vehicles, vehicle inspection procedures, and hazardous materials training before any behind-the-wheel time is scheduled.

One of the most consistently valuable aspects of classroom instruction at Mississippi CDL schools is the professional driving experience that instructors bring directly into the curriculum alongside the formal ELDT content. Mississippi Truck Driving School addresses this explicitly on its website, noting that “not everything about truck driving can be learned from textbooks and videos” and that its instructors deliver advice and personal anecdotes drawn from real careers behind the wheel — a dimension of learning that no manual alone can replicate. Delta Technical College similarly emphasizes that all of its CDL program instructors carry “professional experience in the transportation industry,” meaning that topics like driver-dispatcher communication, practical hours of service compliance, managing log book documentation on actual routes, and understanding carrier operating agreements are taught by people who have applied these skills in working commercial driving careers. This instructor-led, real-world context is what bridges the gap between knowing the regulations on paper and being genuinely prepared for the first day on the job — a standard that Holmes Community College, Delta Technical College, and Mississippi Truck Driving School all reinforce by tightly integrating classroom content with the hands-on range and road phases that follow.

Complete Your FMCSA ELDT Theory Training Online From Home

If you prefer to complete the theory portion of your CDL training schools in Mississippi requirements from home before starting behind-the-wheel training, an FMCSA-approved online ELDT theory course is available. This is a legitimate, federally recognized option for satisfying the classroom requirement — and it can be started immediately, regardless of where you live in Mississippi. Mississippi CDL students can complete the entire FMCSA ELDT Class A theory curriculum online — from any computer at home, at a completely self-directed pace — before beginning in-person behind-the-wheel training.

For students who want the flexibility of completing theory on evenings or weekends — particularly those in rural Mississippi communities far from a CDL school — online ELDT theory completion followed by focused in-person BTW training is a fully compliant and practical pathway. The FMCSA records completion electronically, and the Mississippi BMV verifies ELDT status before authorizing CDL skills test scheduling. Click here to access the complete FMCSA Class A ELDT Theory Course and begin studying online today.

While preparing for your Mississippi CDL knowledge tests, our Free CDL Practice Tests cover every section of the Mississippi BMV CDL written exam. The Complete Mississippi CDL Practice Test Study Package and the Complete Mississippi CDL Cheat Sheet Study Package provide targeted preparation that maximizes your first-attempt pass rate at the Mississippi BMV.

Required Classroom Hours in Mississippi

There is no federally mandated minimum number of classroom hours for CDL training under the FMCSA’s ELDT regulations — instruction is proficiency-based rather than hour-based. Mississippi does not impose a state-specific minimum classroom hour requirement either. In practice, classroom theory instruction at Mississippi CDL programs typically ranges from 30 to 80 hours depending on the program type, with community college programs tending toward the higher end given their longer overall formats. Private accelerated programs like DTC’s 16-day course compress the classroom component while maintaining FMCSA compliance. Every program must cover all five ELDT curriculum areas to completion before a student may advance to skills testing.

Behind-the-Wheel Training at Mississippi CDL Schools

Behind-the-wheel (BTW) training at Mississippi CDL schools progresses through two defined phases: range/controlled environment training and public road training. Range training covers the specific maneuvers tested on the CDL skills exam — straight-line backing, alley dock, offset backing, coupling and uncoupling — on a closed course with cones and boundaries. Public road training places students in real traffic on Mississippi’s highways and city streets, covering lane changes, merge maneuvers, bridge and overpass clearances, weigh station procedures, and navigating the specific driving conditions students will face on Mississippi’s freight corridors. Programs with third-party testing certification (such as TDI Tupelo and MTDS) can conduct the official CDL skills test on their own range, which typically includes the same marked course students have been training on throughout the program.

The following skills are covered during the behind-the-wheel phase at Mississippi CDL schools:

• Comprehensive pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspection — Students inspect a full-size commercial vehicle from front to rear, identifying defects and completing the documentation required by DOT regulations before every drive.
• Coupling and uncoupling the tractor from the trailer — Students learn to connect and disconnect the fifth wheel, airlines, and electrical connections safely and in the correct sequence.
• Straight-line backing — Students back the trailer along a straight lane marked by cones, developing the fundamental feel for trailer movement before advancing to offset maneuvers.
• Offset alley dock backing — Students back the trailer into a bay offset to the left or right of their starting position, the maneuver most commonly cited by students as the most technically demanding in CDL training.
• 45-degree alley dock — Students execute a controlled back into a designated space approached at an angle, replicating conditions found at distribution docks and loading facilities across Mississippi.
• Parallel parking maneuver — Students position the trailer within a defined space alongside a simulated curb, a skill tested on the CDL skills exam.
• Shifting techniques — Students practice upshifting and downshifting through the full gear range of the training vehicle, including proper float shifting, rpm management, and skip-shifting where applicable.
• Turning maneuvers at intersections — Students execute right and left turns at intersections with limited clearance, managing the trailer’s off-tracking (the path the rear trailer tires take relative to the tractor during a turn).
• Merging and lane changes — Students practice merging onto and exiting from highways, executing controlled lane changes while managing the vehicle’s large blind spots on both sides.
• Space management and following distance — Students maintain proper following distance and manage the space cushion around a fully loaded combination vehicle at highway speed.
• Loading, unloading, and cargo securement awareness — Students learn cargo securement principles and how to confirm a load is properly secured before departure, as taught at programs including Holmes Community College.
• Driver log and record keeping — Students practice completing required driver logs and vehicle inspection reports, preparing them for the administrative side of professional driving from their first day on the job.

Range training is conducted on a closed, off-road course specifically designed to let students practice CDL skills-test maneuvers without the hazards of live traffic. Students begin range work by developing a feel for the tractor-trailer’s length, swing, and turning radius at slow speed before attempting any reverse maneuvers — an approach used at both community college programs and private schools statewide. Backing exercises are introduced progressively, starting with straight-line backing between cones and building toward the offset alley dock and 45-degree approach maneuvers as confidence grows. Delta Technical College describes its on-range environment as a “safe, off-road” space where students practice “maneuvers like backing and turning” under continuous instructor supervision. At TDI’s Tupelo campus, the more than 10-acre training grounds give students ample room to work through every required maneuver repeatedly, with the on-site testing course available once proficiency is established. Mississippi Truck Driving School additionally uses a state-of-the-art driving simulator before students advance to the live range, using simulator sessions to build muscle memory, shift timing, and initial confidence so students arrive at the physical truck better prepared and more comfortable from the very first session.

Public road training is where students carry everything they have built on the range into real traffic conditions on Mississippi highways and city streets. Programs typically advance students to public roads after they demonstrate adequate basic vehicle control on the closed course. On Mississippi’s roads, students work through turning maneuvers at intersections with limited clearance, practice merging onto active highways including the high-traffic I-55 and I-20 corridors near program locations in Jackson, Ridgeland, and Horn Lake, and execute controlled lane changes while managing wide blind spots at posted speed limits. CRW Truck Driver Training, which serves Mississippi students through its partner network, specifically identifies turning, merging, space management, and safety techniques as the core competencies of its road training phase. Holmes Community College’s program formally includes “road driving exercises” covering the operation of diesel-powered vehicles, DOT rules and regulations, shifting techniques, and pre- and post-trip inspections as part of its structured behind-the-wheel curriculum. Delta Technical College describes its road phase as covering “real-world driving situations on roads and highways.” Students also gain experience navigating bridge clearances — a practical skill in Mississippi where some rural road overpasses present tighter height clearances — and learn weigh station entry procedures and proper log documentation for each trip segment completed during training.

The type of transmission a student trains and tests on has a direct, permanent effect on their CDL. When a driver takes the CDL skills test in a vehicle with an automatic transmission, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety places a “No Manual Transmission” restriction (federal Code E) on the CDL — limiting that driver to automatic-equipped commercial trucks only for the life of that license unless they retest in a manual vehicle. While the majority of new commercial trucks delivered to large fleets today come equipped with automated manual transmissions (AMTs) or fully automatic gearboxes, a meaningful segment of the commercial fleet — particularly in specialized sectors like owner-operator operations, tanker hauling, and some flatbed carriers — still runs 10-speed manual transmissions. Mississippi Truck Driving School (MTDS) takes a clear position on this: the school trains exclusively on 10-speed manual transmissions, stating on its website that students graduate “without a CDL restriction” and are “qualified to drive any commercial truck.” MTDS also uses a driving simulator specifically to help students build shift timing and muscle memory before they sit behind the wheel of a live manual transmission truck for the first time. Truck Driver Institute (TDI) at its Tupelo campus takes a both-and approach, teaching both automatic and manual driving so students develop proficiency on either type of equipment — noting that “having all possible skills will prepare you for any upcoming situation.” Students evaluating Mississippi CDL programs should ask each school directly whether training vehicles are manual, automatic, or both, since the answer determines whether a Code E restriction will appear on their CDL — a detail that can limit job eligibility with certain carriers and affect long-term career options.

Required Behind-the-Wheel Hours in Mississippi

Like classroom hours, there is no federal minimum number of behind-the-wheel hours required under the FMCSA ELDT regulations — competency is the standard, not clock time. Mississippi does not impose a separate state minimum for BTW hours. In practice, Mississippi CDL programs typically provide between 30 and 120 hours of total driving time including both range and public road phases, with community college programs generally providing more total driving time given their longer course lengths. Carrier-sponsored programs like KLLM supplement the initial CDL training with an additional 240-hour mentored driving phase with a certified trainer after the CDL is issued — providing significantly more real-world experience before solo driving begins.

Average CDL Program Length in Mississippi

CDL program length in Mississippi varies significantly by program type. Private career schools and carrier-sponsored programs tend to be the fastest, typically ranging from 16 to 22 days for accelerated Class A CDL programs — DTC’s 16-day course and KLLM’s 22-day course both represent the fast end of this range. Community college programs are generally structured over 6 to 8 weeks of Monday-through-Friday instruction, giving students more total driving hours and more time to develop confidence before the skills test. MGCCC’s standard commercial truck driving certificate requires a minimum of 320 clock hours, which at a full-time schedule corresponds to approximately 8 weeks. The 20-week Professional Truck Driving Program at DTC represents the comprehensive end of the spectrum, providing the most extensive preparation including additional road time, industry knowledge, and career readiness content. MS CDL training schools that offer part-time or evening schedules (such as Southwest Mississippi CC’s night classes) may take 10 to 14 weeks for working adults completing the program around existing job commitments.

Cost of Attending CDL Training Schools in Mississippi

Tuition costs for CDL training in Mississippi vary widely across program types. Community college programs, particularly those backed by grant funding, represent the most affordable options in the state. The MGCCC Gulf Coast Work Ready CDL program is entirely free for eligible coastal residents. Holmes CC and Southwest Mississippi CC’s programs are among the most affordable non-grant options, with programs typically accessible for several hundred to a few thousand dollars. Private career schools like TDI’s Tupelo program and Delta Technical College fall in the mid-to-upper range for standalone CDL programs nationally, typically in the $4,000 to $8,000 range for a full Class A CDL program, though financial aid, scholarships, and tuition reimbursement can substantially reduce out-of-pocket costs. Carrier-sponsored programs like KLLM are $0 upfront, with tuition repaid through driving for the sponsoring company. Across all program types in Mississippi, students can expect program-specific tuition costs in a range of approximately $0 to $8,000 for Class A CDL training.

In addition to tuition, students should budget for state licensing fees. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety charges the following CDL-related fees:

• Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP): $16 (valid for 6 months)
• CDL Application Fee: $29
• CDL License Fee: $55 (valid for 5 years)
• Each Endorsement: $5 (HazMat endorsement also requires a TSA background check, approximately $86)

The total state CDL fee for a basic Class A CDL without endorsements is $100 ($16 + $29 + $55). Students must also budget separately for a DOT physical examination (typically $80 to $125 from a certified medical examiner) and a DOT drug screen (typically $40 to $60). Many programs include these costs within their tuition, but students should confirm with each school.

Financial Assistance Options: Mississippi CDL students have access to several financial aid pathways. Pell Grants and other federal Title IV aid are available to students enrolled in eligible programs at accredited institutions — Delta Technical College’s 20-week Professional Truck Driving Program qualifies. The Mississippi Trucking Association Foundation (MTAF) has operated a scholarship program for more than 35 years, awarding scholarships through eight named endowments including the Mike McLarty Endowment, the John Fayard Jr. Endowment, the H. Dean Cotten Endowment, the G. Larry Kerr Endowment, the R. Gene Holmes Endowment, the Vernon G. & Nancy Sawyer Endowment, the John D. Stomps Endowment, and the W. Todd Bates Endowment. Nearly 500 scholarships totaling significant sums have been awarded since the program’s founding; eligibility is generally open to students with ties to Mississippi’s trucking industry. WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) funding may also be available through Mississippi’s workforce development areas for qualifying workers seeking career retraining. Employer tuition reimbursement programs — offered by many of the major carriers operating in Mississippi — allow drivers to have training costs reimbursed after a commitment period of service.

Student-to-Instructor Ratio at Mississippi CDL Schools

Student-to-instructor ratio is one of the most important factors in the quality of behind-the-wheel training at any CDL school. Programs with lower ratios give each student more time in the driver’s seat and more personalized feedback during range exercises. At Mississippi community college CDL programs, class sizes are typically small — Holmes CC and East Central CC are specifically noted for their small class sizes in the Mississippi CDL training landscape. The FMCSA ELDT regulations require that BTW training be individualized, meaning each student must receive direct, hands-on training with an instructor rather than simply observing others. At private schools, TDI’s Tupelo program and MTDS both provide individualized instruction as part of their certified program structure. For carrier-sponsored programs like KLLM, the post-CDL trainer phase involves a 1-to-1 mentored relationship between the new driver and a certified trainer for the entire 240-hour road training phase — the most intensive student-to-instructor ratio available in any Mississippi CDL pathway.

Instructor Requirements at Mississippi CDL Schools

Under the FMCSA’s ELDT instructor requirements (49 CFR Part 380, Subpart F), all instructors who deliver behind-the-wheel training at a registered CDL training provider must hold a valid commercial driver’s license with the appropriate class and endorsements for the vehicles they are teaching on. They must also have at least two years of driving experience in the class and type of vehicle they are instructing on, or have completed an instructor training program that demonstrates equivalent competency. Theory instructors who teach only classroom content must demonstrate knowledge of the subject matter but are not required to hold a CDL. Mississippi CDL schools — whether community colleges or private career institutions — must document their instructors’ credentials as part of FMCSA TPR registration and compliance.

Accreditation of Mississippi CDL Schools

CDL programs at Mississippi’s community colleges operate under the oversight of the Mississippi Community College Board (MCCB), which sets statewide standards for workforce and career-technical education programs. Private career schools offering CDL training in Mississippi must be licensed by the Mississippi Commission on Proprietary Schools and College Registration. Delta Technical College holds national accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and is approved by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in federally funded financial aid programs. TDI holds accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges as well. As noted above, all CDL training providers of any type that train first-time CDL applicants are required to be listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry — this federal registration requirement applies regardless of state-level licensing or accreditation status. MS truck driving schools that are both state-licensed and FMCSA-registered offer students the strongest assurance of program quality and credential legitimacy.

Job Placement at Mississippi CDL Schools

Job placement assistance is offered by most Mississippi CDL programs and takes several forms depending on the school type. Delta Technical College provides job placement assistance to all qualified graduates and has established relationships with regional and national carriers who actively recruit from DTC’s Mississippi campuses. TDI’s Tupelo program similarly connects graduates to hiring carriers, and TDI’s multi-state testing certification makes its graduates attractive to carriers operating across the Southeast. Northeast Mississippi Community College specifically notes connecting its graduates to a network of regional trucking companies. KLLM Driving Academy’s entire program model is built around immediate employment with KLLM upon CDL issuance, eliminating the job search entirely. Mississippi Truck Driving School offers job placement support to all graduates as part of its program. Students at community college programs should ask specifically about employer partnerships and career fairs, as many Mississippi community colleges coordinate with local workforce development agencies to connect CDL graduates with area employers. Mississippi truck driver training at accredited programs typically includes at minimum a career services consultation and introduction to regional carrier contacts.

Paid CDL Training in Mississippi

Paid CDL training is one of the most important options for Mississippi residents who want to earn a Class A CDL without taking on tuition debt. Several national and regional carriers recruit actively in Mississippi and offer paid training to qualified applicants. Key facts about paid CDL training in Mississippi:

• Cost to student: $0 upfront; tuition is repaid through driving, not cash
• Training location: May be at a company terminal (not always local to Mississippi); confirm location before signing
• Commitment period: Typically 1 year or 100,000 miles of driving for the sponsor company
• Starting pay: Entry-level pay during the contract period; wages typically improve significantly after commitment is fulfilled
• Weekly pay during paid CDL training: Most programs pay about $500 to $900 per week, depending on whether the student is in classroom training, behind-the-wheel training, or the post-CDL trainer phase
• Pros: No tuition debt; immediate employment; mentored driving during early career stage
• Cons: Loss of employer choice during commitment period; early departure may trigger repayment clauses

For Mississippi residents evaluating their options, MS paid CDL training through a carrier sponsor is most practical for those with flexibility in where their initial training takes place and who are prepared to commit to OTR or regional driving for the required contract period. If local Mississippi training and local employment are priorities, community college programs combined with local carrier hiring are typically the better fit. The best outcome for many Mississippi CDL students involves completing theory training first (online or in class), then evaluating both paid carrier programs and community college training side by side before committing.

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Truck Driving Job Statistics in Mississippi

According to BLS OEWS data, Mississippi employs approximately 25,490 heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers — a workforce that represents a location quotient of 1.64, meaning the state employs CDL drivers at 64 percent above the national average concentration per capita. This figure is not surprising when viewed against Mississippi’s freight infrastructure: 9 interstates, 306 million tons of freight moving through the state annually, a $7+ billion logistics sector, and major freight-generating industries in agriculture, timber, manufacturing, and port operations. The state’s median annual wage for CDL drivers is $50,700 according to BLS May 2024 OEWS state data, with entry-level wages starting around $33,670 and the upper tier of experienced drivers earning $75,000 and above. Proportional estimates based on the national BLS projection of 237,600 annual truck driver job openings suggest approximately 2,700 annual openings for CDL drivers in Mississippi each year from 2024 through 2034, driven by both industry growth and the ongoing need to replace retiring drivers. Trucker training in Mississippi leads directly to one of the state’s most in-demand and durable occupations.

Job Outlook for Truck Drivers in Mississippi

The national BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects 4 percent employment growth for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers from 2024 to 2034 — consistent with average occupational growth — with approximately 237,600 job openings nationally per year. Mississippi’s outlook mirrors and in several ways exceeds the national trend. The state’s ongoing industrial development — particularly the new EV battery manufacturing campus, expanding cold-storage infrastructure, and growing Port of Gulfport container volume — will drive freight demand in ways that add new CDL job opportunities beyond simple replacement hiring. Mississippi’s low cost of living and below-median CDL wages create favorable conditions for owner-operators and experienced drivers willing to commit to the market: lower operating costs on a per-mile basis compared to high-cost states mean owner-operators keep more net revenue. The Mississippi Development Authority’s active recruitment of logistics, manufacturing, and distribution operations to the state further strengthens the long-term employment outlook for trained CDL drivers.

Types of Truck Driving Jobs Available in Mississippi

Truck driver training in Mississippi prepares graduates for a wide range of CDL job types, from multi-week OTR hauls along the I-55 and I-10 corridors to local delivery work within a single county. The diversity of Mississippi’s freight economy means that drivers can find specializations in almost any freight type — refrigerated agricultural product, dry van general freight, flatbed timber and industrial loads, tanker fuel and chemical, and intermodal port freight.

Long-Haul and Interstate Truck Driving Jobs in Mississippi

Long-haul and OTR (over-the-road) drivers based in Mississippi typically run the I-55 corridor between New Orleans and Chicago, the I-20 corridor between Dallas and Atlanta, or the I-10 Gulf Coast corridor to Florida and Texas. Mississippi’s central location makes it a natural hub for multi-state loop routes. Long-haul drivers in Mississippi typically earn between $48,000 and $70,000 annually at entry to mid-experience levels, with experienced OTR drivers at major carriers often exceeding this range through mileage pay, bonuses, and per diem programs. Long-haul work in Mississippi involves frequent loads of agricultural products outbound and manufactured goods or consumer products inbound.

Regional Truck Driving Jobs in Mississippi

Regional drivers operating within a multi-state southeastern footprint — typically covering Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Georgia — can maintain more consistent home time while earning $50,000 to $65,000 annually. The Memphis distribution cluster in northern Mississippi is particularly active for regional work, with DeSoto County serving as a staging point for loads moving across the mid-South. Regional reefer runs connecting Mississippi’s poultry processing plants and catfish processors to grocery distribution centers across the Southeast represent a substantial and consistent segment of regional driving work in the state.

Intrastate Truck Driving Jobs in Mississippi

Intrastate drivers operating exclusively within Mississippi’s borders serve the state’s agricultural, timber, and manufacturing sectors. Live-haul poultry drivers moving broiler chickens from contract farms to processing plants operate almost entirely within Mississippi’s intrastate system. Timber haulers moving logs from harvest sites to mills along the eastern Mississippi timber belt are another major intrastate segment. MS truck driver training graduates who choose intrastate work can often find home-daily or home-nightly schedules. Intrastate pay in Mississippi typically ranges from $42,000 to $58,000 annually depending on freight type, equipment, and hours worked.

Local Truck Driving Jobs in Mississippi

Local CDL jobs in Mississippi include distribution center delivery work, building materials delivery, food service delivery, and municipal or utility service driving. Major distribution centers operated by Amazon, Walmart, and other retailers in the Jackson, Gulfport, and Tupelo areas hire CDL drivers for local routes. Local drivers in Mississippi earn between $38,000 and $52,000 annually on average, with the trade-off being consistent home time every night and a predictable daily schedule. Building and construction materials hauling — particularly in the post-hurricane rebuild and ongoing infrastructure investment cycle along the Gulf Coast — generates steady local driving work.

Specialized Truck Driving Jobs in Mississippi

Specialized CDL positions in Mississippi offer the highest per-mile rates and annual earnings. The state’s fuel refinery and chemical plant operations in the Gulf Coast region generate strong demand for HazMat and Tanker-endorsed drivers, who can earn a 15 to 35 percent premium over standard dry van pay — typically $55,000 to $85,000 or more annually for experienced tanker/HazMat operators. Flatbed drivers transporting oversized industrial equipment, steel, and lumber through the timber belt command flatbed premiums of 10 to 20 percent above comparable van rates. Port freight work at Gulfport and Pascagoula — including intermodal container moves and heavy-lift project cargo — requires Class A drivers with specific terminal and port experience and commands above-average local rates. Mississippi CDL schools that offer endorsement preparation for HazMat and Tanker certifications add measurable value for students planning careers in these higher-paying specializations. Paid CDL training in MS through carrier programs is also available for many of these specialized roles.

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Conclusion

Mississippi is one of America’s most underrated CDL career markets — a state where the density of freight-generating industries, the low cost of living, and the above-national-average concentration of CDL employment combine to create a genuinely favorable environment for drivers at every stage of their career. From the completely free RESTORE Act-funded program at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College to the accelerated 16-day program at Delta Technical College, from TDI’s 10-acre third-party testing facility in Tupelo to Holmes CC’s free CLP prep classes across five campus locations, Mississippi offers more variety in CDL training pathways than most prospective students realize. The state’s unique freight economy — built on catfish, poultry, timber, Gulf Coast ports, and a rapidly expanding manufacturing base — creates durable, year-round CDL employment that is not dependent on any single industry.

CDL training in Mississippi is accessible at multiple price points, including at zero cost through grant-funded community college programs and through paid carrier training programs that put students on the payroll from day one. Whether you are a career-changer looking for a path to stable six-figure income as an experienced owner-operator, a recent graduate seeking immediate employment without college debt, or a rural Mississippian in the Delta or the timber belt looking for a profession that travels with you, earning a CDL in Mississippi is one of the most direct, time-efficient paths to a sustainable career available in the Magnolia State today. With approximately 2,700 annual CDL job openings projected through 2034 and a state that ranks 1.64 times the national average for CDL employment concentration, the opportunity is real — and Mississippi truck driver training programs are ready to get you there.

Explore the full directory of Truck Driving Schools in Mississippi on this page, review the Mississippi CDL License Requirements, or browse current Truck Driving Jobs in Mississippi. If you want to greatly increase your chances of passing the CDL Knowledge Exam administered by the DMV, then be sure to get the Complete Mississippi CDL Practice Test Study Package or the Complete Mississippi CDL Cheat Sheet Study Package!

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