You can attend school part time, such as nights and weekends. Takes longer to graduate, but the end result is the same. Check with the schools in your area about that. Training Provider Registry
Yes, your entry level driver training (ELDT) does not need to all be provided by the same entity. You can do the classroom online, many students do, then get the range and behind the wheel ELDT at the same time you are actually practicing with the truck. Even then, the range and BTW doesn't need to be provided by the same entity, although usually it is. Some CDL schools are beginning to incorporate the online into their regular program, so depending on which school you chose this may be an option for you to get all three parts from the same provider.
If you go to a “good” school they’ll probably have you come in for the classroom portion. It’s usually just a week or so of reading and videos. If you go to an average school, they’ll have you do it online then come in for 2 weeks of yard/driving. The schools that split the ELDT like that or allow you to take it anywhere else, from my experience, are usually CDL factories and you won’t get any drive time.
