Commercial driving remains one of the most direct, skills- based routes into a regulated, responsibility-driven career. The U.S. logistics system depends on drivers to move goods between manufacturers, warehouses, ports, and stores—and because trucks move most of the nation’s freight, nearly every sector relies on CDL drivers to help keep supply chains running.

Demand is also sustained by replacement needs. BLS projects about 237,600 job openings each year for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers over the decade, driven largely by retirements, turnover, and people leaving the occupation. Entry into the field typically requires a commercial driver’s license plus short-term postsecondary training, rather than a four-year degree.

This is why CDL-A and CDL-B pathways matter. CDL-A can support routes like local freight and delivery, regional driving, and dedicated route work, while CDL-B can support many local, route-based driving roles using larger straight trucks and related vehicles. By clearly explaining the difference between license levels, the safety expectations of the job, and the specific skills students practice throughout training, SCI can meet a real workforce need while helping students prepare to pursue meaningful, hands-on driving work built on consistency and safety.