As you read this, nearly 50,000 truck driving jobs are sitting empty at any given time.

This number is projected to increase this year and climb even higher in the forseeable future. It’s a staggering number attributed to basic economics – the demand for Class A CDL truck drivers is greater than the number of new truck drivers entering the trucking industry.

Carriers including Werner, Stevens Transport, TMC, and U.S. Xpress are addressing this shortage by offering higher pay, bigger benefit packages and additional bonus opportunities, but even those incentives still aren’t enough to find qualified CDL drivers to fill their needs.

Choosing where to get your CDL training is critical to landing your first truck driving job. It’s important the school you attend has an in-depth, hands-on training curriculum that prepares you for an exciting career in the trucking industry. So, the following information is designed to help you with your decision.

Step 1: Do Your Research

Pick up the CDL Manual from your local DMV and review sections 1, 2, 3, 5 & 6. You can also select your state’s link below to view its CDL Manual online.

• Alabama
• Florida
• Georgia
• Indiana
• Mississippi
• North Carolina/South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas

Step 2: Choose Your CDL School Wisely

As a Class A CDL training school, carriers rely on Truck Driver Institute to provide them with rookie drivers trained to meet their company’s highest beginner truck driving standards.

At Truck Driver Institute, we have trained over 150,000 men and women to get their Class A CDL licenses and provide them with ongoing job placement. We are one of the top ranked and most affordable truck driver training schools in the country and have a 95%+ job placement rate for our CDL graduates.

Step 3: What Happens Next

Call TDI’s main office 1 800-848-7364 and set up an appointment to meet with your local recruiter.

Please bring the following information to your appointment for completing your initial paperwork:

• Your state-issued driver’s license
• Complete details about your work history (going back 10 years if you have worked that long)
• Work references we can contact

TRUCK DRIVER INSTITUTE’S 3 WEEK CDL PROGRAM DETAILS

WEEK 1

• Orientation
• Drug Screen and DOT Physical Exam
• CDL Instruction – General Knowledge
• Sections 1, 2 & 3 of state CDL Manual
• CDL Preparation
• Section 5 Air Brakes
• Section 6 Combination Vehicles
• Take written CDL Test
• Log Books, hours and service requirements
• Trip Planning using a map
• Smith System
• Weight Scales and Staying Legal
• Cargo Claims
• Basic Mechanical Knowledge
• Written Permit Test (you must pass your permit test to move on to WEEK 2)

WEEK 2

• On-Range Driving (off-road)
• Pre-trip Inspection
• Backing Maneuvers, straight line and offset backing
• Beginning road driving with instructor (progresses from driving in low traffic, to light traffic, etc.)

WEEK 3

• Practice advanced driving skills on the driving range and on the highway
• Night driving
• CDL Driving Skills Test — Highway/Street Testing
• Graduation

Step 4: Start Your New Career

TDI partners with 40+ top carriers across the U.S. and during your first few days with us you’ll complete pre-hire job applications for employers you choose. Our CDL students typically get contacted while still in CDL training with post-graduation offers. So if you choose TDI as your CDL training school you can get your CDL license and the job you want in only 3 weeks.

We hope this has helped you get the information you need to enjoy an exciting career in the trucking industry.

To speak with someone at your local TDI campus call 800-848-7364 and we’ll hook you up!