TransTech’s Gastonia campus sits just off I-85 in Gaston County, about 25 miles west of Charlotte. The campus serves students from across the area including Belmont, Mount Holly, Kings Mountain, Cherryville, and Cramerton.
Our Class A CDL program takes students through classroom instruction covering topics like air brakes, logbooks, and trip planning, then into range work on pre-trip inspection and backing maneuvers, and finally behind-the-wheel training on public roads. The program is ELDT-compliant and can be completed in four weeks. No prior experience needed. Students complete their CDL skills test on-site at the Gastonia campus.
Class B CDL training is available at the Gastonia campus for students pursuing jobs in straight truck, dump truck, delivery, construction, or waste and recycling vehicles. This location also offers Class B training with a Passenger endorsement for students pursuing careers in bus driving. Gaston County’s active industrial and construction sectors make Class B a strong option for local opportunities.
The full-time program wraps up in four weeks and kicks off every Monday. Classes run Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm.
Ten weeks, weekends only. Built for working adults who need to keep their current income while training. Class schedule is Saturday–Sunday, 7am–5pm.
Gastonia sits at the crossroads of I-85 and I-74, putting it squarely in one of the most active freight corridors between Charlotte and Atlanta. The Gaston County submarket has seen significant industrial investment in recent years, including manufacturing operations, warehouse and distribution expansion, and a growing presence of national logistics companies drawn by the corridor’s reach. Daimler Truck North America operates a components and logistics facility in Gastonia, and the area has continued to attract freight-intensive employers across automotive, consumer goods, and construction supply chains.
With more than 50 trucking companies operating freight service in Gaston County and direct I-85 access connecting drivers to Charlotte, Atlanta, and points beyond, the job market here is active. National carriers including Schneider National, TMC Transportation, Stevens Transport, and Werner Enterprises hire from the region. TransTech’s job placement program connects graduates with carriers across local, regional, and OTR routes.
Entry-level CDL drivers in the Gastonia area typically earn:
$50,000 – $70,000 per year
Based on data from Indeed, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter for the Gastonia and greater Charlotte metro market. Gastonia ranks among the higher-paying markets in North Carolina for truck drivers given its industrial density and proximity to Charlotte freight operations. Regional and OTR drivers commonly earn $70,000–$90,000, with experienced drivers or those in specialized roles reaching $90,000 or more.
Classes start every Monday. Fill out the form and our admissions team will be in touch.
View Next Gastonia Class StartGastonia offers both Class A and Class B CDL training, including Class B with a Passenger endorsement for those pursuing bus driving careers. Both programs are ELDT compliant and approved by the State of North Carolina.
Students must be at least 18 years old (21 for interstate commerce or hazardous materials), hold a valid North Carolina driver’s license, have an acceptable driving record, and pass a DOT physical and drug screen. Your license cannot be suspended, disqualified, or revoked, and you cannot hold more than one driver’s license. View full details of North Carolina CDL Requirements here.
The full-time Class A and Class B programs can both be completed in four weeks. The weekend schedule runs ten weeks to accommodate students who are currently employed.
None required. Students earn their Commercial Learner’s Permit during the first week of training and build from there.
The local market supports a range of opportunities, from local delivery and construction hauling to regional and OTR freight. The density of industrial operations along the I-85 corridor means drivers have options close to home or can tap into Charlotte-area freight networks just up the road. TransTech’s job placement assistance helps graduates get connected with hiring carriers.
The campus draws students from across Gaston County and neighboring communities including Belmont, Mount Holly, Cramerton, Kings Mountain, Cherryville, and parts of Cleveland and Lincoln counties. Easy I-85 access makes it a convenient option for anyone between Charlotte and the Foothills.