CDL Training School Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Looking for a rewarding career on the open road? Driving Academy in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, offers comprehensive Class A and Class B commercial driver’s license (CDL) training. Our courses are taught by experienced, certified instructors, preparing you for this high-demand field. Learn how our CDL training school can kickstart your journey to Get on the Road to Freedom!
Want A CDL?
Meet Driving Academy in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Getting people on the Road to Freedom is what we do best!
- Guaranteed CDL Training Courses
- Open 7 Days Per Week
- Nights & Weekend Training
- Start with Just $500 Down
- Free Lifetime Job Placement
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Why Choose Driving Academy in Baton Rouge, Louisiana?
A career in commercial truck driving offers a strong job outlook, fantastic flexibility, and the independence many desire. Our CDL training in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, provides future drivers with all the essential skills. The program is thorough, encompassing 100 hours of both classroom instruction and practical, hands-on training, ensuring you’ll be fully prepared to ace both the written and road tests.
We understand the demands of a busy schedule, which is why we offer flexible class options seven days a week. This makes it simple to fit your training around existing family and work commitments. Furthermore, we make quality education accessible with payment plans that can start for as little as a $500 down payment. Graduates also benefit from lifetime job placement assistance, eliminating the stress of job hunting.
Our convenient location is easy to find. We’re on Oak Villa Boulevard, just a block from Choctaw and two blocks from where you’ll do your practice driving. We’re also only a few minutes from main roads like Airline Highway and Florida Boulevard, making it simple for everyone to get here.
Louisiana
School Hours*
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday and Thursday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Sunday: Closed/By appointment only
*Extended training times available upon request.
CDL Training Programs in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Driving Academy’s program in Baton Rouge offers programs for three CDL license classifications, including:
- Class A: This is the most popular license. It allows you to drive vehicles over 26,000 pounds with trailers over 10,000 pounds.
- Class B: This is the license for box trucks and delivery trucks. It allows you to drive commercial vehicles over 26,000 pounds with trailers under 10,000 pounds.
- Class B+P: This is a passenger-endorsed license. You can operate any Class B vehicle that can transport 16 or more passengers, such as school, city, or tour buses.
Whichever program you choose, you’ll receive opportunities to gain practical experience. Our experienced instructors combine classroom learning, hands-on practice in our 2-acre training yard, and state-of-the-art simulators, so you develop the skills you need for safe and successful driving
Training Courses in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Our Baton Rouge location offers varying levels of training within each CDL licensing class, including:
This comprehensive training includes:
- Guaranteed CDL training courses: This option provides students with over 100 hours of training and classroom instruction, and multiple chances to pass the CDL tests.
- Classroom courses: These courses prepare students for the CDL permit written test.
- Yard and road training: This training prepares students for their CDL road test.
- Experienced instructors: They offer full and knowledgeable support.
- Vehicle rentals: Students get to practice with one of our vehicles and get unlimited road test attempts.
Our comprehensive courses in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, transform beginners into skilled operators. You’ll get expert instruction through both classroom learning and extensive behind-the-wheel training. These programs are specifically designed to ensure you pass both your written permit test and the CDL road test with confidence.
If you’ve already got your CDL permit, our specialized half-courses are perfect for you! We skip the classroom and dive straight into what matters: hands-on yard training to get you ready for the road test.
During this focused training, you’ll master:
Vehicle inspection
Essential driving skills
Precise parking maneuvers
Effective on-road driving techniques
About Our CDL Training School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Our story begins with the founder of Driving Academy, Jonathan. His goal was to provide quality CDL training programs to his area, so students could work toward a flexible and rewarding career. His collaboration with a team of associates became Driving Academy. This one location spread across the United States, quickly adding multiple locations.
Our CDL school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana is the 12th location. Our experienced staff is excited to help students in Louisiana and beyond learn the skills they need to earn their CDL.
Our Instructors in Baton Rouge, LA
Ready to hit the road? In Baton Rouge, LA, Jodi Ruiz, Joyce couch McLeary and Ron Menville, JR lead the CDL training programs at Driving Academy Baton Rouge. Our instructors bring years of diverse experience and deep knowledge, making sure you get the top-tier guidance you need to earn your CDL and achieve your Road to Freedom.
Jodi Ruiz- School Director
Jodi Ruiz is an Owner and the School Director at The Driving Academy in Baton Rouge, bringing years of experience in logistics, leadership, and workforce development. As the owner of a top-performing Amazon Delivery Company, she led large teams of commercial drivers, upheld top safety standards, and improved operational performance. With a strong background in driver training and team leadership, Jodi is dedicated to helping students gain the skills and confidence they need for a safe, successful, and rewarding career in commercial trucking. Passionate about customer service and community impact, she believes quality driver training uplifts families and strengthens the industry — making The Driving Academy a trusted resource for students and employers alike. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her three boys, cheering them on at countless baseball games and attending their many extracurricular activities. She’s also passionate about fitness and never misses a workout — it keeps her energized and ready to tackle each day with enthusiasm.
Joyce Couch McLeary, Ed.D.- Owner
Joyce is an accomplished educator, career strategist, and logistics leader with a doctorate in Career Assessment and Development. She has taught at the university level, directed a vocational assessment lab serving individuals of all abilities, and coached professionals for over 20 years through her private Life Coaching practice.
Since 2019, Joyce has led high-performing Amazon delivery teams—hiring, training, and managing over 75 staff and a fleet of up to 75 vans with a focus on safety, service, and team excellence. As co-owner of the Driving Academy, she now empowers others to earn their CDL licenses and achieve their dream of being on the Road to Freedom.
Ron Menville, Jr.- Owner
Ron Menville, Jr. brings over four decades of leadership, entrepreneurship, and transportation industry expertise to the CDL Driving Academy of Louisiana. As the founder of Excelsior Package Delivery, an Amazon Delivery Service Partner employing over 70 team members and operating 35 routes daily, Ron has developed a deep understanding of logistics, compliance, safety, and workforce development.
His diverse background spans marine transportation, oil & gas, renewable energy, and strategic business development. From building Romen Marine from a single tugboat to a fleet of 20 vessels, to spearheading mergers and acquisitions for Chemetec and Braid Logistics, Ron has consistently demonstrated his ability to build, grow, and lead complex operations.
Ron’s CDL school was founded with a mission: to provide high-quality, real-world training that helps drivers succeed in today’s competitive transportation market. Leveraging his own experience in managing safety, risk mitigation, DOT compliance, and employee training at scale, he ensures every student receives top-tier instruction and support.
A lifelong entrepreneur and LSU alumnus, Ron remains passionate about creating job opportunities and contributing to the growth of the logistics and transportation industry.
James Molinari-CDL Instructor, Veteran Truck Driver, Mentor.
With over a decade of experience as a professional CDL truck driver, James Molinari has navigated the road in nearly every capacity — from over-the-road to regional, dedicated, and local routes. His career includes working for major carriers as well as running his own operation as an independent owner-operator under his own authority, handling more than 75% of his own truck maintenance thanks to his strong mechanical skills.
Before entering the trucking industry, James dedicated over 10 years to coaching baseball, from youth leagues up to NCAA Division I programs. This background instilled in him a strong ability to communicate, teach, and mentor — skills he now applies daily as a CDL instructor.
James is committed to ensuring every Driving Academy student graduates with the skills, confidence, and professionalism to succeed in the industry. Beyond graduation, he serves as a lifelong resource and mentor for drivers as they grow in their careers.
Start Your CDL Training in Baton Rouge, Louisiana!
If you’re eager to start your journey toward a Commercial Driver’s License, enroll at Driving Academy in Baton Rouge, LA. Our cutting-edge CDL training facility boasts advanced simulators that mimic diverse weather and traffic scenarios, giving you a realistic training experience. We blend thorough classroom instruction with practical, hands-on training in our expansive practice yard and on nearby roads, all designed to prepare you fully for your CDL road test.
Contact us today to learn more and get on the road to freedom!
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Frequently Asked Questions
You must be at least 18 years old with a VALID Drivers License. You must be 21 or older if you want to travel outside of your home state for work.
You must get a DOT physical completed at a DOT Certified Doctor. Please call your school location for more information.
No you do not! We have many types of CDL courses available at Driving Academy. We have CDL half courses available for people who already have their permit. This course will get you ready to pass the CDL road test.
You ONLY need 3 things in order to get your CDL.
- Valid Drivers License
- Be healthy enough to pass a DOT physical
- Have a Social Security Number
The CDL road test can only be done in English. This means you will have to understand verbal directions in English to take the test. However, the written tests can be done in Spanish or English. Driving Academy has instructors that can speak Spanish and help you get ready for the CDL road test!
Yes, as long as your driver’s license is still valid you can get a CDL. When you sign up with our CDL school, we will even help you find a job with our lifetime Job Placement Program!
Yes, you can do a CDL road test in a truck that features an automatic transmission! However, you will have an automatic restriction on your CDL license if you do.
Driving Academy offers BOTH types of transmission options. Our students pick whether they want a truck with an automatic or manual transmission.
