From the Gridiron to the Highway: Our Story

Founded by an NFL veteran and education entrepreneur, Class Eight CDL Training combines championship-level discipline with innovative teaching methods to create California’s premier CDL training experience.
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Our Mission

To transform motivated individuals into skilled, safety-conscious professional drivers through championship-level training, personalized support, and unwavering commitment to student success.

two semi trucks on coastal highway

Our Core Values

  • Excellence in Everything Like championship athletes, we believe that excellence isn’t an accident—it’s the result of preparation, practice, and refusing to accept anything less than your best.
  • Student-First Approach Every decision we make starts with one question: “What’s best for our students?” Your success is our success, and we’re invested in your long-term career achievement.
  • Safety Above All Professional driving is about more than moving freight—it’s about protecting lives. We instill safety-first thinking in everything we teach.
  • Real-World Preparation Our training doesn’t just prepare you to pass a test; it prepares you to succeed as a professional driver from day one on the job.
  • Continuous Improvement We constantly evolve our programs based on industry changes, student feedback, and employment market demands.
  • Community Impact We’re proud to graduate drivers who keep California moving while building better futures for themselves and their families.
CDL Instructor

Where Champions Are Made

The story of Class Eight CDL Training began in an unlikely place—not in a corporate boardroom or traditional classroom, but on the practice fields of professional football and in the cab of a big rig truck.

Christian’s Journey: From NFL to the Open Road

After years of competing at the highest level as a Seattle Seahawks player, Christian discovered that the discipline, teamwork, and relentless pursuit of excellence that defined his football career translated perfectly to another arena: professional trucking. When his playing days ended, Christian didn’t just want a new career—he wanted a calling that would challenge him and make a difference.

“Football taught me that success comes from preparation, practice, and never giving up,” Christian reflects. “When I decided to get my CDL, I brought that same championship mindset to trucking school. But I also saw an opportunity to do things better.”

Jody’s Vision: Education That Transforms Lives

Meanwhile, Jody had built a successful career as an entrepreneur with a passion for education and workforce development. Having launched multiple training programs across different industries, Jody understood the power of quality education to transform not just careers, but entire families and communities.

“I’ve always believed that the right training program can change someone’s life,” says Jody. “But I was looking for an industry where that impact could be immediate and meaningful—where graduates could quickly achieve financial independence and career satisfaction.”

two semi trucks on a coastal highway

The Meeting That Changed Everything

When Christian and Jody met during Christian’s CDL training, they immediately recognized a shared vision: the trucking industry needed a training school that combined world-class instruction with the support and motivation that helps students not just pass tests, but build lasting careers.

“We saw students with incredible potential who weren’t getting the attention and quality training they deserved,” recalls Jody. “Christian’s athletic background brought a unique perspective on coaching and motivation, while my education experience provided the framework for creating truly effective curriculum.”

The Class Eight Promise

Together, they founded Class Eight CDL Training with a simple but powerful mission: to be the absolute best CDL training school in California by treating every student like a future champion.

Ready To Join The Class Eight Family?

Whether you’re looking for a complete career change, advancement in your current driving career, or the opportunity to start your own business, Class Eight CDL Training provides the foundation, support, and connections you need to succeed.

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