CDL Instructor Jobs
CDL Instructor jobs are open across trucking carriers, community colleges, and private driving schools, at every level from entry-level instructors to senior trainers and program directors, with specializations in Class A road training, pre-trip inspection instruction, and behind-the-wheel skills testing. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 102+ CDL Instructor jobs
Description
Iowa Western Community College seeks a skilled and enthusiastic individual to join our team as a part-time CDL Instructor in the Clarinda, Iowa area. Under minimal supervision, the instructor supports student learning through classroom instruction and hands-on training to prepare students for state-issued Class A and Class B Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL).
This is an as-needed, enrollment-dependent position. Teaching assignments are scheduled when students are enrolled, and hours will vary based on enrollment and program needs. Regular weekly hours are not guaranteed.
The successful candidate will have strong knowledge of Class A and Class B CDL requirements, safe commercial vehicle operation, and related driving skills. Previous teaching or training experience is desirable.
Job Duties
- Advocate for Continuous Improvement: Empower and support others in identifying opportunities to improve processes, instruction, and student outcomes.
- Collaborate with Mutual Accountability: Work together to achieve shared goals while taking ownership of responsibilities and actions.
- Champion Service: Anticipate student and colleague needs while fostering a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive learning environment.
- Lead Through Positive Influence: Demonstrate professionalism, initiative, and respect, regardless of title or role.
Qualifications
- High School Diploma.
- Maintain a clean driving record.
- Have a valid Class A CDL license.
- Have at least two years of driving and over-the-road (OTR) experience.
- Ability to provide CDL and/or bus driver instruction using college-approved syllabi, assessments, and grading practices.
- Ability to evaluate and document student performance using IWCC’s learning management system.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills to support collaboration with students, staff, and faculty.
- Ability to demonstrate pre-trip inspections and proper backing, turning, shifting, and safe driving techniques.
- Working knowledge of diesel truck operation, diesel engines, air brake systems, vehicle components, and inspection procedures.
- Knowledge of current Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, industry standards, and program training requirements, with a commitment to staying current.
- Ability to deliver effective classroom, in-cab, and driving range instruction, including supervising students during skills practice and road training.
- Ability to adapt instructional methods to meet the needs of students with varying backgrounds, experience levels, and learning needs.
- Ability to model safe practices and maintain a professional appearance, positive attitude, and respectful behavior.
- Availability to teach on an as-needed basis, with assignments and hours dependent on student enrollment and program needs.
- Ability to pass a background check, have a valid U.S driver's license and good driving record
- Ability to pass a pre-employment DOT screening
Physical Demands
- The employee frequently is required to sit for extended periods of time and use hands to operate computer keyboard, telephone and basic office equipment
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear
- Ability to drive company owned semi/school bus or personal vehicle.
Description
Iowa Western Community College seeks a skilled and enthusiastic individual to join our team as a part-time CDL Instructor in the Clarinda, Iowa area. Under minimal supervision, the instructor supports student learning through classroom instruction and hands-on training to prepare students for state-issued Class A and Class B Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL).
This is an as-needed, enrollment-dependent position. Teaching assignments are scheduled when students are enrolled, and hours will vary based on enrollment and program needs. Regular weekly hours are not guaranteed.
The successful candidate will have strong knowledge of Class A and Class B CDL requirements, safe commercial vehicle operation, and related driving skills. Previous teaching or training experience is desirable.
Job Duties
- Advocate for Continuous Improvement: Empower and support others in identifying opportunities to improve processes, instruction, and student outcomes.
- Collaborate with Mutual Accountability: Work together to achieve shared goals while taking ownership of responsibilities and actions.
- Champion Service: Anticipate student and colleague needs while fostering a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive learning environment.
- Lead Through Positive Influence: Demonstrate professionalism, initiative, and respect, regardless of title or role.
Qualifications
- High School Diploma.
- Maintain a clean driving record.
- Have a valid Class A CDL license.
- Have at least two years of driving and over-the-road (OTR) experience.
- Ability to provide CDL and/or bus driver instruction using college-approved syllabi, assessments, and grading practices.
- Ability to evaluate and document student performance using IWCC’s learning management system.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills to support collaboration with students, staff, and faculty.
- Ability to demonstrate pre-trip inspections and proper backing, turning, shifting, and safe driving techniques.
- Working knowledge of diesel truck operation, diesel engines, air brake systems, vehicle components, and inspection procedures.
- Knowledge of current Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, industry standards, and program training requirements, with a commitment to staying current.
- Ability to deliver effective classroom, in-cab, and driving range instruction, including supervising students during skills practice and road training.
- Ability to adapt instructional methods to meet the needs of students with varying backgrounds, experience levels, and learning needs.
- Ability to model safe practices and maintain a professional appearance, positive attitude, and respectful behavior.
- Availability to teach on an as-needed basis, with assignments and hours dependent on student enrollment and program needs.
- Ability to pass a background check, have a valid U.S driver's license and good driving record
- Ability to pass a pre-employment DOT screening
Physical Demands
- The employee frequently is required to sit for extended periods of time and use hands to operate computer keyboard, telephone and basic office equipment
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear
- Ability to drive company owned semi/school bus or personal vehicle.
CDL Instructor Jobs by Experience Level
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Find CDL Instructor JobsCDL Instructor Job Market
Who's Hiring
- 160 Driving Academy23
- Schneider8
- Driving Academy5
- Swift Transportation3
- Roadmaster Drivers School3
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Food & Beverage
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in CDL instructor jobs.
- Valid Class A or Class B CDL with a clean driving record
- State-issued CDL instructor or driver education instructor certification
- Minimum years of commercial driving experience, typically three to five
- Experience teaching pre-trip inspection, air brakes, and backing maneuvers
- Ability to administer skills tests and maintain student performance records
- Familiarity with FMCSA regulations and DOT hours-of-service rules
Tips for Your CDL Instructor Job Search
List your CDL endorsements on your resume
Employers scan for specific endorsements like Hazmat, Tanker, and Doubles/Triples before they read anything else. Put your active CDL class and all endorsements in a dedicated credentials line near the top, not buried in a summary paragraph.
Highlight your state instructor certification
Many states require a separate instructor license or certification beyond holding a CDL. Name the exact credential and issuing state on your resume so hiring managers don't have to guess whether you're already cleared to train in their jurisdiction.
Target openings by training format
CDL instructor roles split between classroom-only, behind-the-wheel, and combo positions. Filter your search by format so you're not applying to range-driving roles when your experience is primarily pre-trip and air brakes instruction, or vice versa.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists cdl instructor openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare a skills demonstration for interviews
Many CDL instructor interviews include a live teach-back or mock pre-trip walkthrough. Practice narrating each inspection step out loud the way you'd deliver it to a student, since employers evaluate your instructional clarity, not just your technical knowledge.
Negotiate schedule before accepting an offer
CDL instructor schedules vary widely, with some roles starting before dawn for early range sessions and others running weekend cohorts. Confirm the weekly hours, split between classroom and behind-the-wheel time, and any mandatory Saturday or Sunday shifts before you accept.
CDL Instructor Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most cdl instructors?
160 Driving Academy, Schneider, and Driving Academy are hiring the most cdl instructors right now, with openings concentrated in Pennsylvania, Texas, and New Jersey, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand tends to be highest at large carrier-affiliated schools and community college CDL programs.
How many cdl instructor jobs are remote?
About 4% of cdl instructor openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, since most of the role requires in-person range and road time with students. The sub-areas most likely to allow remote work are curriculum development, classroom theory instruction delivered via video platform, and compliance documentation roles at multi-location training companies.
How do you become a cdl instructor?
Start by holding a valid CDL with a clean record and accumulating commercial driving experience. Then apply for your state's CDL instructor or driver training instructor certification, which typically involves a written exam, background check, and proof of driving history. Once certified, you can apply to carrier training programs, truck driving schools, or community colleges that run CDL programs.
Can you get a cdl instructor job with little experience?
Some entry-level cdl instructor roles are open to candidates who hold a valid CDL and have completed a recognized instructor training course, even without prior teaching experience. Focusing on community college programs and smaller regional driving schools gives you the best opening, since larger carrier-sponsored programs usually require several years of verifiable commercial driving history before they consider instructor candidates.
What does the cdl instructor interview process look like?
Most CDL instructor interviews start with a phone screen to verify your credentials and availability, followed by an in-person or video interview with the training director. Many employers then ask you to deliver a short teach-back, such as walking through a pre-trip inspection or explaining air brake operation, to assess how clearly you communicate technical content to new drivers.
Where can I find and apply to cdl instructor jobs?
You can find and apply to cdl instructor jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your credentials and experience level, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
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