Starting from scratch, trying to research..

I'm at a community college, and in a three month course, only four days is spent getting ready for the written test. Once we have our permits, all of the remaining time will be spend on pre-trip, backing and road training. We'll also get two chances at the driving test; any more after that, we have to pay for.

 

If the school don't give you road time its not worth going to you'll play hell trying to figure out how to drive truck shift gears back pre trip any of it more road time in school the better and I would guss 400 to 500 wk gross starting out 1800 to 2300 miles a week once you go solo 32 to 36 cent mile you can do the math and 70 hrs in 8 days is not hard to burn up even going off duty wile at shippers and recevers which your not suppost to do I conserve every hour I can and ill hit my 70 in 6 days I've been doing this on and off for 20 years and no a few tricks about logging if you can stay with you current field any way that's what I would do

 

Getting your CDL is not like getting your standard license. There are three parts to the test, two of which include actual driving.
The first part...written, is pretty easy. Most people can skim thru that and get their permit fairly easily. A little studying and you're set.
But that's the easiest part.
You will be required to do a pretrip inspection for the tester,
You will be required to demonstrate yard skills such as backing, docking, and more.
You will then...and if you've passed the first two, be required to do a road test.
All this needs to be done with a tractor and trailer, so it's not something you'll run down to budget and rent for a day.
Once you past the tests and get your license, you will pick a company that will train you to drive. Virtually all companies require the 160 rooms of classroom/driving experience to hire you, just for insurance purposes.
So if you're serious about getting into this, figure on school.