How We Ranked CDL Schools in San Diego, California for 2026
San Diego students can compare United Truck Driving School's 160-hour, four-week program with Felipe's one-student driving sessions and evening or Saturday training windows. The two ranked cards use public school-run program sources as well as the exact federal training records.
San Diego Truck Driving School appears separately with its active Class A federal scope and a dated California regulatory record under the same school name. Its card stays outside the ranking because the score requires a public school-run Class A program source.
If you are starting at the permit stage, follow the steps to become a truck driver before choosing a San Diego start date. Review the complete Class A training pathway before comparing full programs with driving-only options.
2026 comparison
Ranked CDL schools in San Diego, California
Equal scores share a rank. Tied providers are ordered alphabetically.
Every ranked school has full Class A theory, range, and public-road registration at the listed location.
Rank
#1
Info score
100/100
San Diego, CA
United Truck Driving School
2425 Camino Del Rio S, Suite 250, San Diego, CA 92108The Hanley family operates United Truck & Car Driving School, Inc., with its main office and classroom at 2425 Camino Del Rio South in San Diego. This campus offers Class A, Class B with passenger training, and Class A with passenger training, while range and road sessions leave from the school's Santee yard. You can train on a manual or automatic Freightliner with a dry-van trailer. Plan for two addresses: classroom and driving sessions meet at different sites, and the Class A price includes three CDL test attempts plus flexible driving blocks when needed.
- Published price
- $7,595 total
- Hours / credits
- 160 hours
- Program length
- 4 weeks
- Schedule
- The school says classes start every 2 weeks.
Why 100/100: 100/100 reflects program-specific class a source (+20), published class a price (+25), published class a hours or credit load (+15), published class a duration (+15), published class a schedule (+15), and sourced funding route (+10).
See all six scoring factorsRank
#2
Info score
45/100
San Diego, CA
Felipe's Truck Driving School
7275 Siempre Viva Road, San Diego, CA 92154-7412The school's site identifies Felipe Mokay as founder, while FMCSA registers Felipe's Truck Driving School at 7275 Siempre Viva Road in San Diego. This location provides individual Class A instruction in manual or automatic trucks, then arranges the DMV test after you complete inspection, maneuver, and road practice. Tuesday sessions can run until midnight, and Saturday training is posted alongside weekday hours. That flexibility is useful if you work days. Confirm the street number first because the school's website uses 7221 Siempre Viva Road.
- Schedule
- Weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday evenings, 4 p.m. to midnight; and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Why 45/100: 45/100 reflects program-specific class a source (+20), published class a schedule (+15), and sourced funding route (+10).
See all six scoring factorsOutside the ranking
Other local CDL schools worth checking
These schools are outside the ranking because the exact training address does not meet both scoring gates: full Class A theory, range, and road registration plus a public program-specific school source. Their cards still include verified training scope, program details, operator context, and questions to confirm.
San Diego, CA
Full Class A ELDTFull Class A registry scopeSan Diego Truck Driving School
1700 Heritage Road, San Diego, CA 92154FMCSA's August 5, 2026 Training Provider Registry data carries an active San Diego Truck Driving School record at 1700 Heritage Road. That federal entry covers full in-person Class A, Class B, and passenger training, along with HazMat theory. California's November 2020 BPPE citation, based on a 2019 investigation, identified Delfino Ortiz as the owner at that time and directed the school to stop operating until it secured approval or an exemption after its approval expired in 2013. The state citation is historical and does not establish today's authorization. Before you enroll, check the current California record independently from the federal ELDT listing.
Why it is outside the ranking:This card is outside the ranking because a score requires a public, program-specific Class A source in addition to the active federal registration.
Before enrollment
How to Choose a CDL School in San Diego, California
If a job needs more than the base license, check the CDL endorsements and certifications that apply before enrolling. Use the San Diego school-to-license timeline to allow for steps beyond the advertised course calendar.
Ask about start cadence
A school that starts frequently may still have a wait for range or testing capacity. Confirm the date for your complete cohort, not only the next orientation.
Match endorsements to the TPR entry
General test preparation and federal ELDT endorsement registration are different facts. Use the exact registered-location entry when checking passenger or HazMat training.
Request a written total
Ask every provider for an itemized price before sharing payment information or committing to financing.
How Much Do Truck Drivers Make in California?
BLS estimated a $60,230 median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in California in May 2025. The state estimate covers wage-and-salary workers across experience levels and excludes self-employed workers. It is context for comparing a career path, not a school outcome or entry-level offer. Because this figure covers the state rather than one city, use the California truck driver salary entry as broad job-market context for San Diego, California.
Questions about CDL schools in San Diego, California
How were San Diego schools selected for this page?
Does a four-week schedule include the licensing process?
How should I request current San Diego tuition?
Official Sources for CDL Schools in San Diego, California
- FMCSA Training Provider Registry data, August 5, 2026
- California DMV driving-school records
- FMCSA guidance for selecting a training provider
Provider registration checked against FMCSA Training Provider Registry data dated 2026-08-05. Prices and schedules should be confirmed for the intended cohort.