Best Schools in Raleigh, NC

160 Driving Academy Raleigh operates out of 1330 Fifth Avenue, Suite 200, Garner, NC 27529, just south of Raleigh in the Research Triangle region. The location serves one of the fastest-growing metro areas on the East Coast, with strong demand from logistics and distribution operations tied to the Triangle's booming tech, pharmaceutical, and e-commerce sectors. The program is 160 hours across four weeks — one week of classroom instruction covering CDL exam preparation and federal regulations, followed by three weeks of behind-the-wheel training in tractor-trailers on local and interstate roads. The Raleigh campus maintains a 1:4 instructor-to-student ratio, ensuring each student gets individualized attention throughout the course. The program leads to a Class A CDL and includes free ELDT online training. Hazmat certification is available as an endorsement. Tuition runs $4,000–$6,000, and the majority of students receive full tuition reimbursement from their future employer. WIOA grants can cover 100% of tuition for qualifying applicants, and additional financing is available through Climb Credit, Edly income share agreements, and Liberty Career Finance. The school also works with FreeWorld, a nonprofit that provides tuition support for justice-involved individuals. 160 Driving Academy is FMCSA-compliant and achieves a 95% graduation rate system-wide. Graduates are connected to the 160 Truckers Network, which helps place them with carrier partners before they even finish the program. Average starting salaries for graduates run around $55,990 per year. The 160 Driver Score compliance tracking tool helps new drivers build credibility with top carriers from the start. The Raleigh-Garner location is well-positioned for drivers pursuing regional routes along the I-40 and I-95 corridors, or OTR lanes running up and down the East Coast. The school's emphasis on pairing students with the right carrier — not just any carrier — is a consistent theme in graduate feedback.

Drivers Of The Future Driving School, located in North Hills, Raleigh, is dedicated to empowering the next generation of safe and skilled drivers. They offer a future-focused curriculum, emphasizing defensive driving techniques to inspire confidence in both teen and adult learners. The school's mission is to fully prepare students for their NCDMV permit and licensing exams, as well as for a lifetime of safe driving. They provide a comprehensive and transformative experience that goes beyond just passing a test, building essential skills for a lifetime of safe driving.

PEAKWAY DRIVING SCHOOL, located in Apex, NC, provides comprehensive driver education. They offer a Drivers Ed program for teens aged 14 1/2 to 17, which fulfills all North Carolina DMV requirements, including 30 hours of classroom sessions and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training. They also offer driving improvement lessons for permit and licensed drivers seeking to enhance their skills. The school aims to create a supportive environment where students can build confidence and competence behind the wheel. Instructors incorporate stories and fun activities into lessons to make learning engaging while emphasizing the importance of safe driving.

Cary Driving Academy is a standard passenger vehicle driver education school located at 1003 High House Rd, Suite 203, Cary, NC 27513. The academy serves the Triangle area of North Carolina and offers driver training exclusively for standard Class C (passenger car) licenses — it does not offer any CDL (commercial driver license) programs. The school is owned and operated by Melodie Bagg, a Cedarville University alumna with a degree in psychology and education and over 20 years of experience in training and coaching. It is licensed by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles, insured, and bonded. Teen programs (ages 14.5–18) cost $750 for 30 hours of classroom plus 6 hours behind-the-wheel, or $600 for behind-the-wheel only. Adult lessons run $200 per 90-minute session. Road test services are also offered at $100. Note: This entity was flagged as a possible CDL school due to its location in the Cary/Raleigh area, but it is definitively a standard driver education school with no commercial driver license offerings. It should be categorized accordingly or removed from CDL school listings.

Safety Driving School NC, located in Raleigh, NC, has been providing driver education in Raleigh, Cary, and surrounding Wake County for over 10 years. They offer comprehensive driver education courses for both teenagers and adults. Their mission is to help students pass the North Carolina DMV driving test while instilling safe driving practices. They offer both teen driver's education and adult in-car driving lessons. The school prides itself on delivering top-tier driver education tailored to individual needs with flexible scheduling and experienced instructors. For teenage drivers, Safety Driving NC provides 30 hours of classroom training and six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, fully endorsed by the Division of Motor Vehicles. Adult lessons are personalized to meet specific needs, whether learning to drive for the first time or needing a refresher. The instructors are patient and understanding, aiming to make students comfortable and confident behind the wheel. Safety Driving School NC is committed to offering high-quality driver education at affordable rates. They aim to produce graduates with the safest driving records. The school's location is convenient for students in Southwest Raleigh. With professional and experienced instructors, Safety Driving School NC delivers high-quality driver education. They are committed to helping students pass the NC Driving Test and understand the importance of safe driving.

Carolina Trucking Academy is a well-established CDL school located at 3720 S. Wilmington Street in Raleigh, NC, with over 16 years of North Carolina DMV standing. The academy offers Class A and Class B CDL training, CDL refresher courses, Hazmat endorsement preparation, Passenger endorsement training, and third-party CDL skills testing — making it a full-service CDL training and testing center. The weekday program runs four weeks (Monday–Thursday, 7am–6pm), while a weekend option covers 16 Saturdays at the same hours. All programs meet the minimum 160-hour FMCSA requirement. Tuition includes books, supplies, the DOT physical, and drug screening. The school accepts VA and GI Bill benefits and is eligible for workforce funding through WIA, VR via NCWorks, and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Carolina Trucking Academy partners with more than 20 trucking carriers including Covenant Transport, Werner Enterprises, and US Xpress. Career counselors actively connect students with carrier openings before class starts and continue support after graduation. First-year driver average income is approximately $45,000 plus safety bonuses. The school can be reached at (919) 329-0632 or (919) 575-0018, and by email at truckingraleigh@gmail.com. It is a distinct and separate school from Carolina CDL Training Center, which is located in Candler, NC.

Jordan Driving School, Inc., established in 1991 by Lorraine Jordan, provides driver education to public, private, charter, and homeschooled students aged 14.5 to 18. The school was founded to maintain integrity and professionalism in driver education. Jordan Driving School is one of the largest and most successful driving schools in North Carolina. They contract with school systems throughout North Carolina, including Wake County Schools and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Jordan Driving School Charlotte is the exclusive contract provider of publicly-funded driver education for the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System. The school's main emphasis is placed on public and private school students but is fully certified for all aspects of commercial driver license instruction. Classes run for ten days and include 30 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel lessons. Students must bring a copy of their birth certificate to the first day of class. Behind-the-wheel instructors schedule lessons and meet students at a school or public location, and students must arrange their own transportation to and from these lessons. Jordan Driving School has two locations, one in Garner and one in Charlotte.

Fuller Driving School, located in Raleigh, North Carolina, provides comprehensive driver education with a focus on building confidence and safety. Sylvester Fuller, the owner, has over 30 years of experience as a Driver's Ed teacher in the Wake & Nash County Public School System and has successfully trained over 5,000 students. The school offers both online classroom instruction and hands-on behind-the-wheel training, serving teens and adults, including those needing refresher courses. Fuller Driving School is known for Mr. Fuller's patient, knowledgeable approach and flexible scheduling with convenient pick-up/drop-off services. The school prepares students to pass permit and driving exams on their first attempt. They teach essential skills to be safe and drive defensively, sharing insights from police officers and State Troopers on common mistakes. The school aims to reduce anxiety and improve learning by individualizing classes. They equip students with the skills to navigate challenging situations like bad weather and drunk drivers. Fuller Driving School is highly regarded for its commitment to quality education and creating confident and safe drivers. Fuller Driving School emphasizes accident-free learning and provides personalized attention, comprehensive coverage, and a blend of personable and professional instruction. They offer teen driver education, adult refresher lessons, behind-the-wheel training, permit and license test prep, and online driver education.

Miller-Motte College is a system of private for-profit technical colleges located throughout the southeastern United States. With campuses in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Tennessee, Miller-Motte offers a variety of career pathway programs, degrees, and certificates in vocational and trades-based education. The college provides both on-campus and online programs in fields like healthcare, business, technology, skilled trades and education. Miller-Motte aims to provide career-focused training to prepare students for entry-level positions.

TransTech appears to be a CDL training school with multiple locations, including Winston-Salem and Newton, NC. They offer Class A CDL training programs with certified instructors, modern facilities, and small class sizes. The curriculum is designed to be current, incorporating insights from top carriers. TransTech also provides locations for third-party Class A CDL tests. They aim to provide a supportive learning environment, with instructors who are hands-on and help students through difficult times.

Lorac Academy, located in Greensboro, North Carolina, offers Class A and Class B CDL training programs designed to prepare individuals for a career in the high-demand trucking industry. The academy's experienced instructors provide a balance of hands-on road and range learning with classroom instruction. Lorac Academy aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to become safe, professional, and skilled commercial drivers. They also offer assistance with job placement and provide room and board for students during training. Lorac Academy's CDL training programs are designed to be completed in a few weeks, with both full-time and part-time options available. The academy is a third-party tester, allowing students to train and test in one location. Lorac Academy also partners with Triad Goodwill to offer CDL training programs, with potential scholarship and discounted fee opportunities for qualifying students. With a focus on student success, Lorac Academy strives to provide a supportive learning environment where instructors care and take the time to ensure students are fully prepared for the road. The academy's goal is to help students transition smoothly into their new careers as truck drivers, providing them with the confidence to handle real-world situations. Lorac Academy welcomes individuals from various locations in North Carolina, including Durham, Winston-Salem, Smithfield, Asheboro, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Burlington.

Carolina CDL Training Center is a driving school headquartered at 2379 Smokey Park Hwy in Candler, NC (near Asheville). Research found only a single campus — in Candler, NC — with no confirmed Raleigh location. This Raleigh entity appears to be an unconfirmed duplicate or data error; the school does not appear to operate a campus in Raleigh. The confirmed Candler campus offers Class A and Class B CDL training in 160-hour programs. Class A tuition is $4,000 for automatic or $4,500 for manual transmission training. The school also offers CDL skills testing services and prepares students for pre-trip inspection, backing maneuvers, and the road test. Weekend class schedules are available. Financing is available through CREDEE and tuition assistance programs exist for eligible students. The school can be reached at (888) 878-9986 or by email at cdl@carolinacdltc.com. Training covers commercial motor vehicle laws, logbooks, sliding tandems, chaining procedures, and reefer trailer operation. Note: This Raleigh entity should be flagged as unconfirmed. The actual school operates out of Candler NC (Buncombe County), not Raleigh. The Charlotte entity for this same school name is similarly unconfirmed.

Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) is a public community college based in Sanford, NC, serving Chatham, Harnett, and Lee counties. Its Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) program is an 8-week, 280-hour course preparing students for the Class A CDL. Tuition is $1,307 and includes DOT physical plus DOT drug and alcohol screening. Students must be at least 18 (intrastate) or 21 (interstate) and able to read, write, and speak English. The program boasts a 100% job placement rate, with local company recruiters attending closing ceremonies. The lead instructor is Junious Surles (jsurles@cccc.edu, 919-718-7072). The main campus is at 1105 Kelly Drive, Sanford, NC 27330.

Driving Academy is a CDL training provider with multiple locations across the United States. They aim to help individuals launch successful careers in the trucking industry by providing comprehensive CDL training programs. Driving Academy emphasizes hands-on experience with modern equipment and simulators, instruction from licensed and knowledgeable truck drivers, and job placement assistance to help graduates land their first trucking job. They offer flexible scheduling with weekday, weekend, and evening classes available. Student testimonials highlight the school's effectiveness in preparing them for the CDL exam and setting them up for success in the trucking industry.

Ed2go, a part of Cengage Learning, is a leading provider of online training and education solutions for adult education, career training, and corporate training markets. They partner with over 2,100 colleges, universities, and community organizations, having served nearly 2 million students. Ed2go offers a wide range of online courses and career training programs designed to help students achieve personal enrichment and professional goals. They also provide solutions for educational institutions looking to start or expand their online education programs. Ed2go's programs cover various fields, including arts and design, business, computer applications, health and fitness, and more. These courses are designed to be accessible and engaging, with instructors providing support via email. Students also have access to student advisors who can assist with setting educational goals and securing employment. While ed2go offers flexibility and a wide range of subjects, some users have reported issues such as limited interaction with instructors and a lack of depth in some courses. Some reviews also mention that similar information can be found online for free. Prospective students should carefully consider their learning goals and compare ed2go's offerings with other online learning platforms before enrolling.