Best Schools in Denver, CO

100% FMCSA-approved online HazMat course that meets US DOT, TSA, PHMSA, and FMCSA curriculum standards and automatically reports completion to the Colorado DMV.

Knight CDL Academy, with locations in Phoenix, Arizona, and Indianapolis, Indiana, provides Class A CDL training. The academy is committed to helping students establish successful driving careers through experienced instructors, small class sizes, and advanced audio/visual technology. Training includes classroom sessions, range training, and hands-on highway driving. The academy also offers military scholarships for qualifying U.S. Military Veterans. Knight CDL Academy aims to provide the foundation for a rewarding career in trucking.

United States Truck Driving School offers a variety of CDL training programs designed to help individuals launch a career in the trucking industry. These programs range from basic CDL skills test preparation and CDL refresher courses to more extensive career programs. The school prides itself on individualized CDL training, maintaining a low student-to-instructor ratio. In the classroom, there is one instructor for every 21 students, while laboratory and range training have a 6:1 student-to-instructor ratio. Street training involves one instructor with one student driver and two student observers. The school offers Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) with both self-guided and instructor-led online options. They also provide Class A and Class B Behind The Wheel (BTW) training with flexible full-time or part-time options. The Troops Into Transportation program assists military personnel in transitioning to truck driving careers, accepting Military Education Benefits like the GI Bill. With multiple campus locations, including Denver and Colorado Springs, United States Truck Driving School provides accessible training environments for aspiring truck drivers. The Denver location is in Wheat Ridge, near I-70, while the Colorado Springs campus is in Fountain, close to I-25. These campuses offer ideal learning environments with hands-on training to help students quickly develop the necessary driving skills. Graduates receive career advice and opportunities to connect with core carriers, often graduating with pre-hire agreements. The school also offers lifetime career assistance to its alumni.

CrossPurpose is a non-profit organization located in Denver, CO, dedicated to abolishing economic, spiritual, and relational poverty through career and community development. They offer a tuition-free, six-month career and community development program for unemployed and underemployed adults. The program combines personal support, soft skills development, career training, and job placement to address holistic issues that hold individuals back from escaping poverty. CrossPurpose aims to provide training, support, and connections to a network of other nonprofit partners to support participants in their journey out of poverty. CrossPurpose offers training and certification in in-demand industries such as trades (electrical, HVAC), allied healthcare, culinary services, administrative services, and transportation, including CDL training. Participants, referred to as Leaders, engage in key activities focused on forming strong connections, including career coaching, mock interviews, and resume workshops. The organization also focuses on helping participants gain access to mentors and professional networks. CrossPurpose builds participants' social capital through relationships with community volunteers, called Allies, who provide mentorship. The organization fosters these relationships through weekly family dinners and gatherings. CrossPurpose has a strong community presence and a reputation for reliability. They have a tuition-free program that provides career development and placement for adults.

C1 Truck Driver Training is a national CDL school chain with confirmed campuses in Indianapolis IN, Fort Worth TX, Springfield MO, and Fort Wayne IN. This location has not been independently verified as an active C1 campus and may be a service-area listing or data error. Prospective students should confirm availability directly at c1training.com before enrolling. C1 programs typically run 4 weeks, cover Class A and Class B CDL, and cost $4,000–$6,000 with financial aid and VA/GI Bill options available.

DrivePoint CDL Academy, located in the Denver Metro area, offers professional CDL training and testing for both individuals and employers. As a family-owned and Colorado-proud business, they focus on real-world readiness, safety, and confidence behind the wheel. DrivePoint is a third-party testing facility certified by the State of Colorado and is FMCSA approved and listed in the Training Provider Registry (TPR). DrivePoint provides training for Class A, Class B, and Class C CDL licenses, as well as endorsements such as Passenger, School Bus, and HAZMAT. They also offer non-CDL driver training and vehicle certification. The academy's paved training lot offers a clean and safe environment for CDL practice and skills testing. DrivePoint emphasizes safety, compliance, and real-world readiness, equipping drivers with the knowledge, confidence, and professionalism needed for success in the transportation industry. They also offer advanced options such as mountain driving instruction and tailored corporate training packages.

160 Driving Academy serving Denver is located at 6025 Parkway Drive, Unit 105 in Commerce City, CO — about 10 miles northeast of downtown Denver with easy access to I-270 and the regional freight corridor. Part of the 140+ location national network founded in 2012, this campus delivers the four-week, 160-hour Class A CDL program. The program runs 40 hours of classroom instruction and 120 hours of behind-the-wheel training. Classes stay small at a four-to-one student-to-instructor ratio, and all curriculum satisfies FMCSA Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements. Students train on real local and interstate routes around the Denver metro. Tuition runs $4,000–$7,000. Employer reimbursement programs and payment plans reduce the financial barrier — many graduates recoup their full tuition through carrier contracts. The school's job placement program connects students with carriers operating in the Colorado/Mountain West region and beyond, with starting salaries averaging $55,000+. Commerce City's industrial location puts the school in the heart of Denver's logistics activity, meaning students train where trucks actually run. Graduates exit with a Class A CDL and direct access to the Rocky Mountain freight market.

True Safety, a minority and woman-owned business, specializes in safety consultation, inspections, and training, with a commitment to building relationships with clients. They offer services such as 24/7 on-site safety consultants, job site safety plans, hazard analyses, SDS documents, and injury investigation. True Safety also provides safety training of all kinds, promising to beat any price to comply with regulations. They offer CDL training and testing programs in multiple counties in Colorado. True Safety emphasizes real-world scenarios in their training.

Offers Hazardous Materials Training Courses.

Compliance Solutions provides Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) training since 1995, focusing on hazard recognition, risk assessment, and safety protocols. They aim to equip employees with the tools to identify and mitigate workplace dangers, ensuring they come home safely. They offer online, instructor-led, and on-site training. Customer service is a priority, with a US-based team available to assist with questions and training needs.

Excel Driver Services, operating for over 15 years, specializes in strategic safety solutions tailored to each student's needs. With backgrounds in transportation, law enforcement, and the military, they customize training to meet specific requirements. Excel uses Behavior-Based Safety methods, addressing driver attitude and complacency to reduce vehicle incidents. They offer simulation-based learning paths with task-loading activities to develop perceptual skills for hazard recognition and vehicle handling techniques. Excel Driver Services offers CDL training in San Antonio, Colorado Springs, and Denver, with programs designed to be affordable in both time and cost, allowing students to graduate in as little as two weeks. The training covers all FMCSA and ELDT requirements, including CDL permit preparation and on-site CDL testing. Students receive in-depth behind-the-wheel training, vehicle inspection practice, mountain driving, ELD and logbook usage, ensuring confidence on the road. Excel Driver Services aims to equip drivers with the knowledge, skills, and certifications needed to drive safely and professionally. Excel Driver Services also provides specialized learning paths to address the driver shortage, training over 110,000 drivers. They utilize simulation technology, offering virtual scenarios to provide drivers with the tools to become proficient in required skills. These simulators offer an immersive environment with realistic visual projection and simulated motion. Excel Driver Services focuses on the future of transportation and safety, leading the next generation of drivers. Excel Driver Services is a certified driving school offering classes for teens, seniors, and those with less-than-perfect records. They offer permit and driving tests and monthly defensive driving classes.

160 Driving Academy serving Denver, Colorado operates out of Commerce City at 6025 Parkway Dr, Unit 105, Commerce City, CO 80022. The school is part of the national 160 Driving Academy network and delivers the standard four-week, 160-hour CDL-A training program that combines classroom instruction with extensive behind-the-wheel driving on local and interstate roads. The Denver-area campus offers Class A CDL training, Hazmat certification, ELDT courses, and CDL refresher programs. Students benefit from a 1:4 instructor-to-student ratio and can access multiple financial aid pathways including WIOA grants, employer-sponsored tuition through major carriers, and the Edly income-share agreement for post-employment repayment. Reviews highlight the school's supportive instructors who are praised for their calm demeanor and ability to make complex concepts accessible. The campus is also noted for having driving simulators available for manual transmission training practice. Students generally report a positive and confidence-building learning environment. The Denver location is consistently recommended among Colorado CDL schools. The school operates Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm and is closed on weekends. It is FMCSA-registered and ELDT-compliant as part of the national 160 Driving Academy network. Graduates target trucking careers with average annual earnings of $55,990.

SAGE Truck Driving Schools, founded in 1989, has grown into one of the largest truck driver training providers in the nation. With over 20 locations nationwide, SAGE offers comprehensive Class A and B CDL training programs designed to equip students with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to become entry-level commercial drivers. SAGE's programs are based on the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) standards set by the FMCSA. They emphasize hands-on learning with one-on-one, behind-the-wheel instruction, ensuring students develop skills quickly and safely. SAGE also provides job placement assistance, helping graduates connect with local, regional, and national employers.