HDS Truck Driving Institute

What HDS Truck Driving Institute does

HDS Truck Driving Institute is a privately held, for-profit vocational trade school founded in 1991 and headquartered in Tucson, Arizona. The company provides commercial driver's license (CDL) training programs serving career changers, job seekers, military veterans, and working adults seeking entry into the professional trucking industry. HDS operates two Arizona campuses — its Tucson flagship at 6251 S. Wilmot Road and a secondary location in Yuma approved for VA benefits — and reports 1-10 employees with no disclosed institutional investors or parent company.

The product portfolio comprises a standard CDL Training Program (Class A and Class B), an accelerated four-week Class B CDL program, a higher-end Professional Truck Driver Training Program that adds diesel maintenance training, all four CDL endorsements (Hazmat, Tankers, Doubles/Triples, Passenger), additional behind-the-wheel time, and a paid externship, plus hourly testing and refresher courses. The core training method combines classroom instruction, yard/skill practice on a dedicated range, and supervised on-road driving. A distinctive operational feature is a live Swift Transportation terminal on the Tucson campus, claimed as unique among accredited Tucson CDL schools, providing students with real exposure to driver-manager workflows and active trucking operations. The school holds ACCSC national accreditation, an Arizona DOT MVD license, CVTA membership, BBB accreditation, and 2026 Military Friendly School Silver and Military Spouse Friendly designations.

Revenue is generated primarily through one-time tuition payments, typically $3,500-$7,500 per program depending on length and inclusions, with the Professional Program above the standard range. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via phone, email, website forms, and in-person open houses, supplemented by career fairs and military/VA channels. Many employer partners reimburse up to 100% of tuition, and HDS is approved to accept GI Bill benefits across multiple chapters. Marketing spans a content-rich website and blog, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, alongside events including Trade School Socials, Ladies' Brunch & Learn, and open houses.

Name

HDS Truck Driving Institute

Legal name

HDS Truck Driving Institute

Website

https://hdstruckdrivinginstitute.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

HDS Truck Driving Institute is a privately held, for-profit vocational trade school founded in 1991 in Tucson, Arizona, operating CDL Class A and B training programs, a premium Professional Truck Driver Program, and testing/refresher courses from Tucson and Yuma campuses, serving career changers, military veterans, and working adults seeking entry into professional trucking.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Driver Training

NAICS

Automobile Driving Schools (611692), Technical and Trade Schools (61151)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial Driving & Heavy Transport (CDL) (EDAOANAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Driver Staffing, Training & Compliance (CDL, Background Checks) (EDAEADAE)

Keywords

• CDL training
• Commercial driver education
• Truck driver training
• CDL license preparation
• Vocational truck driving

Headquarters

HQ city

Tucson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. CDL Training Tuition: Primary revenue from tuition fees for CDL training programs including Class A and Class B CDL training, Professional Truck Driver Program, and endorsement training. Programs can be completed in as little as 4 weeks with financial aid available for qualifying students.
2. Testing and Refresher Courses: Revenue from hourly training, refresher courses, and road testing services that can be tailored to individual needs.
3. Employer Partnerships and Reimbursement: Many trucking companies reimburse up to 100% of tuition costs for students who qualify. Some employers pre-hire students during training, creating pathway for tuition reimbursement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

HDS Truck Driving Institute provides professional commercial driver license (CDL) training programs combining classroom instruction, yard/skill practice on a dedicated training range, and on-the-road driving with instructor supervision for Class A and Class B licenses. The school offers accelerated programs completable in as little as four weeks, endorsement training (Hazmat, Tankers, Doubles/Triples, Passenger), a paid externship with partner carriers, testing and refresher courses, and job placement assistance. Financial aid, federal grants, GI Bill benefits, workforce grants, scholarships, and employer tuition reimbursement up to 100% are available to qualifying students.

Product overview

HDS Truck Driving Institute offers a portfolio of CDL training programs designed to prepare students for careers as professional truck drivers. The core offerings include the CDL Training Program (Class A & B License) for standard commercial driver's license preparation, the accelerated CDL Driver Training Program (Class B License) that can be completed in 4 weeks, and the comprehensive Professional Truck Driver Training Program which serves as an advanced offering. The Professional Program differentiates itself by including diesel maintenance training, four CDL endorsements (Hazmat, Tankers, Doubles/Triples, and Passenger), additional truck practice time, and a paid externship. Supporting offerings include Testing and Refresher Courses for flexible hourly training and skill refreshers. The institution also provides financial aid assistance and job placement support as ancillary services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CDL Training Program (Class A & B License) Comprehensive commercial driver license training program combining classroom instruction, yard/skill practice on the training range, and on-the-road driving experience with instructor supervision, designed to prepare students to pass the CDL permit test and obtain a Class A or Class B commercial driver's license. Open to individuals seeking entry into the truck driving profession; tuition is in the $3,500-$7,500 range with financial aid available.
• CDL Driver Training Program (Class B License) Accelerated 4-week CDL training program focused on the Class B commercial driver's license, teaching students to pass the CDL permit test through classroom instruction, range lessons, and hands-on road training, and including the passenger endorsement. Designed for individuals seeking the fastest path to a CDL credential.
• Professional Truck Driver Training Program Advanced, comprehensive CDL training program positioned as earning a "master's degree in trucking" that includes classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction, diesel maintenance training, all four CDL endorsements (Hazmat, Tankers, Doubles/Triples, Passenger), additional truck time, and a paid externship with partner carriers. FAFSA eligible and aimed at students seeking maximum readiness for professional driving careers.
• Testing and Refresher Courses Flexible, hourly training services including refresher courses and road testing tailored to individual student needs. Available to current students, graduates needing skill refreshers, and individuals seeking specific testing services rather than full enrollment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students can graduate in as little as 4 weeks
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SwiftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwift is the only trucking company with a live terminal on HDS campus. Students observe real driver-manager communications, watch trucks come and go, and meet active truckers. This partnership enriches learning by providing first-hand exposure to life on the open road and industry operations.
• Buchanan Hauling & Rigging, Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTrucking carrier that attends HDS open house events to discuss career opportunities, share advice on pursuing successful trucking careers, and connect with prospective drivers during recruitment events.
• Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA)coreOthersHDS is a proud member of CVTA in good standing, meeting nationally recognized standards for professional CDL training. Membership provides industry credibility and access to best practices in commercial driver training.
• Arizona@WORKminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArizona workforce development agency formerly called Pima County ONESTOP Center. Provides grant funding for qualifying CDL training students through workforce assistance programs.
• U.S. Department of Veterans AffairscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVA approves HDS for GI Bill benefits including Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30), Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31), and Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance (Chapter 35). Federal school code: 03445300.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCgWk-VdTrSuhVltvU-rCU7A/videos?view_as=subscriber
• Facebookfacebook.com/hdstruckdrivinginstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/hds-truck-driving-institute
• Instagraminstagram.com/hdstruckdrivinginstitute
• TikToktiktok.com/@hdstruckdrivinginstitute
• Xx.com/drivinghds

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HDS Truck Driving Institute