Best institutions to study Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to drive trucks and buses, delivery vehicles, for-hire vehicles and other commercial vehicles, or to instruct commerical vehicle operators.
232 U.S. institutions graduated 17,965 Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 49.0205, a specialization of Ground Transportation (CIP 49.02), and leads most directly to the Light Truck Drivers occupation (BLS SOC 53-3033).
About Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to drive trucks and buses, delivery vehicles, for-hire vehicles and other commercial vehicles, or to instruct commerical vehicle operators. Includes instruction in operating gas, diesel, or electrically-powered vehicles; loading and unloading cargo or passengers; reporting delays or accidents on the road; verifying load against shipping papers; arranging transportation for personnel; and keeping records of receipts and fares.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor program prepares individuals to operate various commercial vehicles, including trucks and buses. This program is ideal for those seeking a career in transportation, whether as a driver or an instructor for future commercial vehicle operators. Students will gain essential technical knowledge and skills required for the industry.
Core coursework includes operating gas, diesel, or electrically-powered vehicles, loading and unloading cargo, and maintaining vehicle safety. Students will also learn to report delays, verify loads against shipping papers, and keep accurate records.
Credentials awarded
What Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year9,341 graduates / yr · 126 institutions52%
- Award of less than 12 weeks8,254 graduates / yr · 118 institutions46%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years340 graduates / yr · 5 institutions1.9%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years30 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
Graduates over time
Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 17,112 |
| 2013 | 17,303 |
| 2014 | 18,151 |
| 2015 | 20,193 |
| 2016 | 19,151 |
| 2017 | 18,374 |
| 2018 | 16,657 |
| 2019 | 17,020 |
| 2020 | 15,102 |
| 2021 | 16,544 |
| 2022 | 20,171 |
| 2023 | 22,902 |
| 2024 | 21,399 |
| 2025 | 17,965 |
Top 50 institutions for Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Advanced Career Institute Visalia, CAPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 952 | 81% | — | $38,651 |
| 2 | New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Rhode Island Pawtucket, RIPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeks | 626 | 81% | $16,684 | $51,761 |
| 3 | New England Tractor Trailer Training School of CT - Bridgeport Bridgeport, CTPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeks | 483 | 74% | $17,654 | $43,172 |
| 4 | Delta Technical College - Mississippi Horn Lake, MSPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeks | 475 | 71% | $18,202 | $36,234 |
| 5 | New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Connecticut Somers, CTPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 430 | 69% | $16,773 | $43,172 |
| 6 | New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Massachusetts North Andover, MAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 396 | 74% | $16,860 | $51,761 |
| 7 | M T Training Center Desoto, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeks | 343 | 83% | $11,290 | $28,532 |
| 8 | HDS Truck Driving Institute Tucson, AZPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 324 | 83% | — | $36,576 |
| 9 | Western Technical College El Paso, TXPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 319 | 72% | — | — |
| 10 | Diesel Driving Academy - Baton Rouge Baton Rouge, LAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeks | 313 | 75% | $17,581 | $35,588 |
| 11 | All - State Career School Essington, PAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 306 | 53% | $21,443 | $43,092 |
| 12 | Diesel Driving Academy - Shreveport Shreveport, LAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeks | 264 | 73% | $17,713 | $38,978 |
| 13 | Wayne County Community College District Detroit, MIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 248 | 22% | — | — |
| 14 | All - State Career - Baltimore Baltimore, MDPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 241 | 60% | $21,068 | $43,160 |
| 15 | Ohio Business College - Dayton - Driving Academy Trotwood, OHPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 220 | 84% | $4,063 | — |
| 16 | Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Valdosta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 216 | 50% | — | $45,696 |
| 17 | Hinds Community College Raymond, MSPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 190 | 43% | — | $32,532 |
| 18 | Lincoln Land Community College Springfield, ILPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 187 | 48% | — | $49,142 |
| 19 | Savannah Technical College Savannah, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 183 | 42% | — | $35,969 |
| 20 | All - State Career School - Pittsburgh West Mifflin, PAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 183 | 75% | $14,661 | $43,160 |
| 21 | Bridgerland Technical College Logan, UTPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 171 | 75% | — | — |
| 22 | Uintah Basin Technical College Roosevelt, UTPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 168 | 86% | — | — |
| 23 | Southern Regional Technical College Thomasville, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 156 | 31% | — | $34,746 |
| 24 | Bevill State Community College Jasper, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 155 | 38% | — | $47,167 |
| 25 | Dixie Technical College Saint George, UTPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 154 | 77% | — | — |
| 26 | Butler Technology and Career Development Schools Monroe, OHPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 151 | 76% | — | — |
| 27 | Sheridan Technical College Hollywood, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeks | 147 | 69% | — | — |
| 28 | West Georgia Technical College Waco, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 143 | 35% | — | $43,072 |
| 29 | Oconee Fall Line Technical College Sandersville, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 143 | 65% | — | $33,226 |
| 30 | Hamrick School Medina, OHPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 140 | 86% | $6,855 | $47,287 |
| 31 | Hutchinson Community College Hutchinson, KSPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 135 | 53% | — | — |
| 32 | Miller - Motte College - Chattanooga Chattanooga, TNPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 134 | 60% | $26,425 | $46,909 |
| 33 | Bishop State Community College Mobile, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 132 | 36% | — | $35,619 |
| 34 | South Georgia Technical College Americus, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 127 | 61% | — | $42,551 |
| 35 | Mid - EastCTC - Adult Education Zanesville, OHPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 122 | 72% | — | $37,227 |
| 36 | Southern Crescent Technical College Griffin, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 119 | 58% | — | $37,668 |
| 37 | Amarillo College Amarillo, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 116 | 32% | — | — |
| 38 | Salt Lake Community College Salt Lake City, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 115 | 29% | — | — |
| 39 | Midwest Technical Institute - Missouri Springfield, MOPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 114 | 80% | $25,424 | $36,234 |
| 40 | Illinois Central College East Peoria, ILPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 111 | 49% | — | — |
| 41 | Ashland Community and Technical College Ashland, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 111 | 51% | — | — |
| 42 | Hopkinsville Community College Hopkinsville, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 111 | 45% | — | — |
| 43 | Jefferson Community and Technical College Louisville, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 107 | 35% | — | — |
| 44 | Advanced Technology Institute Virginia Beach, VAPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 107 | 79% | $19,848 | $40,332 |
| 45 | Arkansas State University - Newport Newport, ARPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 107 | 46% | — | $45,980 |
| 46 | Illinois Valley Community College Oglesby, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 106 | 42% | — | — |
| 47 | New Castle School of Trades New Castle, PAPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 106 | 76% | $7,553 | $41,747 |
| 48 | Miller - Motte College - STVT - Arlington Arlington, TXPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 106 | 84% | $24,000 | $46,909 |
| 49 | Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 105 | 37% | — | $34,562 |
| 50 | North American Trade Schools Baltimore, MDPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 105 | 69% | $12,895 | $43,827 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Ground Transportation field (CIP 49.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 41 states
Where Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor graduates come from. Each state links to all Ground Transportation programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 53-3033, Light Truck Drivers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as light truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, or bus drivers. The job outlook is favorable, with a projected growth rate of 7.3% and approximately 120,200 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is $44,140, typically requiring a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 49.0205
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Light Truck Driversprimary SOC 53-3033 | $44,860 | +7.3% Faster than average | ~120,200 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers SOC 53-3032 | $58,640 | +4.0% About as fast as average | ~237,600 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Bus Drivers, School SOC 53-3051 | $47,920 | +0.2% Little or no change | ~61,000 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs SOC 53-3053 | $37,290 | +6.7% Faster than average | ~36,300 | No formal educational credential |
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity SOC 53-3052 | $59,050 | +4.3% About as fast as average | ~20,900 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1194 | $63,820 | +0.7% Little or no change | ~8,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Obey traffic laws and follow established traffic and transportation procedures.
- Report any mechanical problems encountered with vehicles.
- Verify the contents of inventory loads against shipping papers.
- Inspect and maintain vehicle supplies and equipment, such as gas, oil, water, tires, lights, or brakes, to ensure that vehicles are in proper working condition.
- Read maps and follow written or verbal geographic directions.
- Load and unload trucks, vans, or automobiles.
Tools and technology used
Other Ground Transportation specializations
The 6 other 6-digit CIP codes under Ground Transportation (CIP 49.02).
- Construction/CIP 49.0202
Heavy Equipment/ Earthmoving Equipment Operation 1,010 graduates / yr50 institutions - Forklift Operation/CIP 49.0209
Operator partial data318 graduates / yr3 institutions - Ground TransportationCIP 49.0299partial data109 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Railroad and Railway TransportationCIP 49.0208limited data87 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 2 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Mobil Crane Operator/
Operation49.0206 - Flagging and Traffic Control49.0207
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What types of vehicles will I learn to drive?+
You will learn to drive trucks, buses, delivery vehicles, and other commercial vehicles.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, active listening, critical thinking, and vehicle maintenance.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 7.3% and 120,200 annual openings.
What credentials can I earn?+
You can earn awards ranging from less than 12 weeks to up to 2 academic years.
What is the CIP code for Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor?+
Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor is CIP 49.0205 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Ground Transportation (CIP 49.02). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to drive trucks and buses, delivery vehicles, for-hire vehicles and other commercial vehicles, or to instruct commerical vehicle operators. Includes instruction in operating gas, diesel, or electrically-powered vehicles; loading and unloading cargo or passengers; reporting delays or accidents on the road; verifying load against shipping papers; arranging transportation for personnel; and keeping records of receipts and fares.
How many institutions offer Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor programs?+
232 U.S. institutions reported Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 41 states, awarding 17,965 credentials in the year. That is 92.2% of all Ground Transportation graduates.
How much do Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Light Truck Drivers occupation, which Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor most directly leads to, pays a median of $44,860 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Ground Transportation field report median earnings of $42,551 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. This specialization accounts for nearly all Ground Transportation graduates, so its figures match the Ground Transportation program page.
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