Tennessee Truck Driving School (Chattanooga Area)

Our CDL training Chattanooga TN program has contributed to the local community and truck driving industry for over fifty years. Students can launch into an in-demand, recession-proof career by dedicating just three weeks. Here, we will provide all the details you might need before beginning our CDL training Chattanooga TN program. Beyond the curriculum and hands-on training, you’ll also explore the vibrant area, which serves as the perfect backdrop to our top of the line truck driver training program.

Partner With the Best. A Few of Our Carrier Partners:

Kickstart Your Driving Career at Our Chattanooga Truck Driving School

Truck Driver Institute has significantly impacted the Chattanooga community for over 50 years, offering pathways to sustainable and in-demand careers in the transportation field. Commit just three weeks to us, and we’ll set you on the path to an exhilarating truck driving career.

Located in Chattanooga, our truck driving school is designed for immersive, hands-on learning. Our expansive campus boasts over 20 acres of training facilities, equipped with modern classrooms, the latest technological aids, and a diverse selection of training vehicles. Here, you’ll find ample space and expert guidance for mastering the skills needed to navigate large vehicles confidently.

Upon completion of our Chattanooga-based program, you will be fully prepared for the Class A CDL license exam. With on-site Class A CDL License testing available at our certified Tennessee truck driving school, you’ll transition smoothly from student to professional driver, ready to hit the open road.

3-WEEK TRAINING. Over 80% JOB PLACEMENT.

FILL OUT OUR FORM TO START THE JOURNEY TO BECOMING A TRUCK DRIVER AT ONE OF OUR 10 LOCATIONS.

Accelerate Your Future

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Opt for Our CDL Training Chattanooga TN Program

At the heart of our Chattanooga truck driving school is a deep understanding of students’ drive for impactful education. Recognized as a certified institution in Tennessee, our school is distinguished for incorporating the most advanced mechanical technologies and providing state-of-the-art, thorough training programs. Completing our course, students emerge with exceptional driving capabilities and a comprehensive understanding of vehicle and cargo management, distinguishing them as proficient drivers in the industry.

Our nearby CDL training program is backed by a passionate team committed to fostering your development as a driver. This unwavering commitment to high-quality training and student achievement is what positions our Chattanooga truck driving school as the premier choice for those aspiring to excel in the truck driving profession.

Why Choose TDI’s Chattanooga Truck Driving School?

In Chattanooga, our truck driving school understands students’ aspirations for quality education. Our certified program offers state-of-the-art mechanical equipment and personalized instruction through training programs. Our CDL training is trusted throughout Tennessee for its relevance and dedication to excellence. Supported by a team of dedicated professionals, we are committed to nurturing your skills, ensuring you reach your highest potential.

Investing Wisely with Truck Driving School in Chattanooga

Addressing the often sensitive subject of finances head-on, TDI in Chattanooga is founded on a principle of value. Our program, drawing on nearly half a century of industry commitment and expertise, is designed to ensure your educational investment is effective and efficient. Recognizing the significance of our teaching staff and learning materials, we strive daily to deliver unparalleled value, keeping our training relevant and comprehensive.

Our rigorous selection process ensures we focus on candidates as dedicated to their future careers as we are committed to their training. This alignment with our partners’ expectations highlights the mutual understanding of what it takes to succeed in trucking.

Choosing a career in trucking with TDI promises a solid starting income and represents a significant step towards long-term professional success. Our curriculum, rich in practical and theoretical knowledge, ensures you’re fully equipped for the CDL exam and beyond, setting a foundation for a rewarding career.

TDI vs. Vocational School

TDI Vocational School
ELDT training X
Ongoing job placement X
Comprehensive 3-week program X
Hands-on training (no simulators) X
On-site training and testing X
Established since 1973 X
80% job placement with the carrier of your choice X
Freedom to choose your employer X
Contract requirements with carriers X
Lower pay right out of graduation X
Simulator training X

Off the Clock in Chattanooga

After classroom and field training sessions, it’s crucial to find time to relax. Chattanooga, like Nashville, boasts its unique attractions, including an array of dining options, live music spots, and cultural venues. Post-training, there’s no better way to connect with peers and soak in the local scene than exploring downtown Chattanooga.

The city offers a perfect blend of relaxation and entertainment options for unwinding. Chattanooga’s nightlife is vibrant, featuring numerous venues that host live music regularly, including on weekdays. The city’s scenic views from several rooftop bars provide an ideal backdrop for memorable evenings.

Fostering Lifelong Bonds at a Truck Driving School Near You

With a job placement success rate surpassing 80%, TDI stands out for its supportive and knowledgeable staff. Tailoring lessons to fit each student’s unique learning style, our instructors, all former truck drivers, utilize the latest curriculum and most effective teaching strategies to ensure a comprehensive understanding of industry requirements. This blend of hands-on experience and seasoned insight sets our Chattanooga team apart, guiding students from initial curriculum engagement to successful CDL exams and into their professional lives.

The bonds formed at TDI extend well beyond graduation. Our experienced and knowledgeable educators play a pivotal role in our student’s successes, instilling confidence and preparing them to excel in the trucking industry. Once we place a student with one of our carriers, we continue to support them and their career. Plus, if you aren’t happy with your position, we’ll help you secure one that fits your needs – more on that below!

CDL Training Chattanooga TN Career Placement and Support Services

Career support is a cornerstone of the TDI experience. Our commitment to student success is evident in our comprehensive hiring services available to all graduates. With partnerships spanning nearly 30 leading carriers, we ensure TDI alums are highly sought after and equipped with the skills and confidence to thrive. Graduates leave our program ready to face the industry with assurance, supported by our ongoing commitment to assist with career transitions and align with companies that match their evolving goals and regional preferences.

Our modern facilities, up-to-date training materials, and robust hiring services underscore why more aspiring drivers choose our Chattanooga truck driving school over others. TDI not only launches careers but also nurtures lasting professional relationships.

Entering Our Chattanooga CDL Training Program

Embark on your journey at our Chattanooga truck driving school with minimal experience, and within just three weeks of dedicated, immersive training, you’ll emerge as a skilled professional.

Our instructors, seasoned with countless miles of real-world driving experience, are central to our curriculum’s continual refinement. They ensure that the training provided is always current and aligned with the highest industry standards. The Truck Driver Institute in Chattanooga is committed to offering an up-to-date, best practices-based education.

Jon and Tammy Walker

Tennessee truck driving schoolTruck Driver Institute was the best choice for us. TDI allowed us to explore all carriers opportunities. The instructors were top notch, caring supportive and patient. We would recommend TDI to anyone interested in a career in the trucking industry.

Specializing in Class A CDL Training

While our Chattanooga campus focuses primarily on Class A CDL training, we want to ensure you understand the difference between CDL licenses.

Class A CDL

This universal commercial drivers license enables operation of the heaviest trucks, including those towing trailers with a GVWR exceeding 10,000 pounds, essential for the standard 18-wheeler. It’s our recommendation for new drivers aiming for versatility in their driving careers, permitting the operation of vehicles covered under Class B and C licenses as well. This license is crucial for those intending to transport large loads across state lines.

Class B CDL

This license is tailored for drivers of vehicles with a GVWR under 10,000 pounds, including buses and trucks. It suits those looking towards regional driving opportunities, as it’s typically limited to in-state travel.

Class C CDL

Appropriate for operating lighter vehicles not covered by Class A or B, including passenger vans and vehicles designed to transport hazardous materials, with the necessary endorsements. This license tends to suit drivers with specific job requirements outside of long-haul trucking.

For those uncertain about which CDL suits their career aspirations or for more information on our offerings at TDI Chattanooga, we’re here to guide you through your options and set you on the road to success in the trucking industry.

Our Comprehensive CDL Training Chattanooga TN Program

From the moment you enter our Chattanooga truck driving school, we’re committed to your success. We’ll guide you through every step, from initial learning to securing employment post-graduation. Our goal is to ensure you receive top-tier instruction and the confidence to start your new career.

Week 1: Classroom Learning

The journey begins with mastering the foundational knowledge of truck driving, covering essential topics like trip planning, logbook maintenance, map reading, Smith systems, legal requirements for weight scales, cargo claims, and basic mechanical skills. This initial phase concludes with you taking the written CDL permit test, showcasing your new understanding.

Week 2: Practical Driving Experience

With your permit in hand, you’ll move on to hands-on training. Under expert supervision, you’ll learn to maneuver a full-sized 18-wheeler across our dedicated driving range, practicing essential skills such as straight-line and offset backing and conducting thorough pre-trip inspections for vehicle safety. The week progresses from controlled exercises to real-world driving in low-traffic conditions, preparing you for the challenges ahead.

Week 3: Advanced Driving Techniques & Certification 

The final week is where your skills are refined. You cover advanced driving techniques on both the range and open road, with a special focus on nighttime driving to ensure you’re ready for any situation. This culminates in the CDL Driving Skills Test conducted on-site. Passing this test marks your successful completion of the program and the beginning of your professional driving career.

Our Chattanooga CDL program is meticulously designed to cover all aspects of truck driving, ensuring that you leave not just with a CDL but with the confidence and competence to excel in the ever-growing industry.

You Graduated, Now What?

Achieving your CDL from TDI places you in high demand among premier transportation companies, promising a successful career with comprehensive benefits. Our solid partnerships with distinguished carriers offer unique advantages to our alums:

  • Werner Enterprises appreciates the caliber of our training, providing up to $6,000 in tuition reimbursement for our graduates.
  • Dot Transportation, acclaimed by Forbes Magazine as a prominent private entity, prides itself on superior employee satisfaction and exceptionally low turnover rates.
  • Schneider National actively recruits TDI graduates, offering up to $7,000 in tuition reimbursement for joining their team within a year of finishing our program.
  • Stevens Transport commits to covering all monthly loan payments for TDI graduates who join their team, guaranteeing total loan payoff after a two-year tenure.
  • TMC Transportation implements a performance-driven compensation model, enabling new drivers to achieve up to $60,000 in their first year.
  • Cypress Truck Lines provides consistent, nationwide freight assignments while ensuring each driver feels individually valued.
  • U.S. Xpress Enterprises supports our graduates financially from the start, offering $200 monthly for tuition aid plus an extra $500 towards loan payments every six months.
  • KLLM Transport dedicates itself to custom career paths through in-depth initial training and choosing specializations.
  • TransAm Trucking offers a robust tuition reimbursement plan, contributing $125 monthly up to a $6,000 total.
  • H.O. Wolding boosts salary prospects within the first year and reduces health insurance premiums after two years of employment.

Completing your training at TDI not only secures your professional license but also opens doors to a wealth of job prospects with industry leaders who value the excellence of our educational program.

Living Outside Chattanooga?

Many students choose our highly regarded TDI CDL training school, even though they live beyond the Chattanooga area. This decision is driven by the superior quality of our educational offerings and our robust partnerships with top carriers nationwide.

Important Information

Truck Driver Institute, Inc. is authorized for operation as a postsecondary educational institution by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. In order to view detailed job placement and graduation information on programs offered by Truck Driver Institute, Inc. please visit www.tn.gov/thec/ and click on the Authorized Institutions Data button.

Credits earned at Truck Driver Institute, Inc. may not transfer to another educational institution. Credits earned at another educational institution may not be accepted by Truck Driver Institute, Inc.

You should obtain confirmation that Truck Driver Institute, Inc. will accept any credits you have earned at another educational institution before you execute an enrollment contract or agreement.

You should also contact any educational institution that you may want to transfer credits earned at Truck Driver Institute, Inc. to determine if such institutions will accept credits earned at Truck Driver Institute, Inc. prior to executing an enrollment contract or agreement.

The ability to transfer credits from Truck Driver Institute, Inc. to another educational institution may be very limited. Your credits may not transfer and you may have to repeat courses previously taken at Truck Driver Institute, Inc. if you enroll in another educational institution.

You should never assume that credits will transfer to or from any educational institution. It is highly recommended and you are advised to make certain that you know the transfer of credit policy of Truck Driver Institute, Inc. and of any other educational institutions you may in the future want to transfer credits earned at Truck Driver Institute, Inc. before you execute an enrollment contract or agreement.

Tuition for attendance at the Murfreesboro area campus is $6,995. If you have any questions about tuition or the transfer of credits, please reach out to us to clear up any confusion.

Our Christiana, TN Truck Driving School Location

6201 Epps Mill Road
Christiana, TN 37037
United States (US)
Phone: 1-800-848-7364

CALL US TODAY AT 800-848-7364

You can also contact us by filling out this quick and easy contact form. Once submitted we will be in contact with you as soon as we can.

*For Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Ch 33) students and VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch 31) students, our tuition policy complies with 38 USC 3679(e) which means Post 9/11 and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment students will not be charged or otherwise penalized due to a delay in VA tuition and fee payments.  For eligibility consideration, a Post 9/11 GI Bill® student must submit a VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and a Vocational Rehabilitation Student must provide a VAF 28-1905 form. Students must provide school with a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) prior to beginning class, but not later than the first day of training. A print screen of Statement of Benefits page will be accepted in lieu of COE and verification of benefits will be required.  Please see 38 USC 3679(e) for complete details. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill
Public Notice of Title VI Program Rights

The Truck Driver Institute, Inc. gives public notice of its’ policy to uphold and assure full compliance with the non-discrimination requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related Nondiscrimination authorities. Title VI and related Nondiscrimination authorities stipulate that no person in the United States of America shall on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, income level or Limited English Proficiency be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Any person who desires more information regarding Truck Driver Institute Inc.’s Title VI Program can contact its Title VI Coordinator – Mark Carey — at the address noted below. Any person who believes they have, individually or as a member of any specific class of persons, been subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, income level or Limited English Proficiency has the right to file a formal complaint. Any such complaint must be in writing and submitted within 180 days following the date of the alleged occurrence to: Title VI Program Coordinator Mark Carey / Truck Driver Institute Inc. PO Box 1599 Murfreesboro TN 37133 615-895-2070