Bakersfield · Kern County, CA
Start a $70,000+* career.
Get your CDL in Bakersfield.
Trade the time clock for the open road. Earn your Class A, B, or C Commercial Driver's License in as little as four weeks with the school Kern County trusts: Kern Trucking School.
Why a CDL
The fastest path to a real American paycheck.
A CDL turns weeks of training into decades of earning power. No college debt. No layoffs in slow seasons. Just steady, well-paid work in an industry that can't run without drivers.
$70K+ starting pay
Local Kern County routes commonly start $55K–$70K. Experienced drivers earn six figures.
4-week program
Get road-ready in about a month with Kern Trucking School's accelerated Class A track.
ELDT compliant
Federally-required Entry-Level Driver Training built into the curriculum.
Local jobs waiting
Ag, oilfield, retail freight, and regional carriers actively hiring across Kern County.
How it works
From sign-up to CDL in about 4 weeks.
A clear, no-surprises path — straight from the admissions team at Kern Trucking School.
Get your permit
Pass the DMV written test and DOT medical exam. Kern Trucking School helps you study and prep paperwork.
Hit the yard
Pre-trip inspection, backing, and coupling — practiced on real Class A rigs in Bakersfield.
Drive on the road
Behind-the-wheel hours on Kern County highways under a licensed instructor.
Pass your CDL exam
Test in your training truck. Walk out a licensed driver — typically in about 4 weeks.
License classes
Class A, B, or C — pick your path.
Class A
Combination vehicles over 26,001 lbs — tractor-trailers, tankers, flatbeds. The most opportunity and the highest pay.
Compare classes →Class B
Heavy straight trucks: dump trucks, box trucks, buses. Great for local routes that get you home every night.
Compare classes →Class C
Passenger vans (16+) and small hazmat vehicles. A specialty license for specific roles.
Compare classes →Driver pay
What CDL drivers really earn in Bakersfield.
Wages in Kern County have climbed fast. With driver shortages across ag, oilfield, and freight, employers are paying real money for licensed Class A drivers — and offering benefits, bonuses, and home time most jobs don't.
- Entry-level local Class A$55,000 – $70,000
- Regional / dedicated routes$70,000 – $90,000
- Oilfield & hazmat-endorsed$85,000 – $110,000+
- Owner-operator (gross)$150,000 – $250,000+
Pay ranges shown are typical Kern County, CA compensation based on industry reporting and local employer postings — not a guarantee of employment or earnings. Actual pay depends on experience, endorsements, hours, employer, route, and market conditions. National median for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is $54,320/year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS).
The school we recommend
Get trained where Kern County hires from.
Kern County's Trusted Choice
We recommend Kern Trucking School
For drivers in Bakersfield and across Kern County, Kern Trucking School is the straight-line path from where you are today to a steady, high-paying career behind the wheel.
- ELDT-compliant theory + behind-the-wheel training
- Class A program in as little as 4 weeks
- DMV-approved curriculum based right here in Bakersfield
- Job-placement assistance with Kern County carriers
- Financing, WIOA, and VA benefit options available
Next cohort filling fast
Start your CDL journey this month.
Classes start regularly — talk to an admissions advisor today.
Real trucks. Real instructors.
Hands-on training on the same trucks you'll drive on the job.
Serving all of Kern County
Training drivers from every town in Kern County.
Whether you're in downtown Bakersfield or driving in from Delano, Taft, or Tehachapi, Kern Trucking School is built around the local industries hiring you.
Drivers like you
From paycheck-to-paycheck to a real career.
“Went from packing fruit at $18/hr to running regional freight at over $1,400 a week. Best decision I made for my family.”
“I was out of the oilfield and unsure what was next. Four weeks at Kern Trucking School and I had my CDL — and three job offers.”
“I'm a veteran and used my benefits. The instructors actually cared. Driving local now and home with my kids every night.”
Career change
Trade your time clock for a steering wheel.
You don't need a degree. You don't need years of training. A few weeks of focused work at Kern Trucking School and you can walk into a $70,000-plus career that doesn't disappear in the next layoff cycle.
Common questions
Quick answers from our admissions team.
How long does it take to get a CDL in Bakersfield?
Most full-time students earn their Class A CDL through Kern Trucking School in about 4 weeks. Part-time schedules take longer but let you keep working while you train.
How much does CDL training cost in Bakersfield?
CDL training in Bakersfield typically ranges from $4,000 to $7,500. Kern Trucking School offers financing, and WIOA and VA benefits are accepted for those who qualify.
How much do CDL drivers make in Kern County?
Entry-level Class A drivers in the Bakersfield area commonly start at $55,000–$70,000. Experienced drivers earn $80,000–$110,000+, especially in oilfield, agriculture, and regional freight.
Do I need a high school diploma to get a CDL?
No. California does not require a high school diploma or GED to earn a CDL, although some employers prefer it.
Next class starts soon
Your CDL is closer than you think.
Four weeks from today, you could be a licensed CDL driver earning real money in Kern County. Talk to admissions at Kern Trucking School and find out how.
Serving Bakersfield, Delano, Shafter, Wasco, McFarland, Arvin, Lamont, Taft, Tehachapi & Oildale.