Crossville Drivers: Take a Straight Shot to a New Career
If you’re hunting for CDL training near Crossville, TN, the Truck Driver Institute Nashville campus in Christiana gives you a clear, three-week path from the classroom to the cab. Our ELDT-aligned program mixes practical instruction with serious seat time so you’re ready for test day—and day one on the job.
Wondering which roles new drivers land first? Start with this helpful read from our blog: The 6 Best Truck Driving Jobs for New Drivers. It pairs perfectly with our hands-on range work and real-road driving to help you plan your next move.
Seats fill up quickly so consider registering as soon as possible. Call 1-800-848-7364 or contact us online to get started!
6201 Epps Mill Road
Christiana, TN 37037
United States (US)
Phone: 1-800-848-7364
Campus Features
✔ ELDT-compliant curriculum taught by veteran instructors
✔ Real tractors and trailers—hands-on from day one
✔ Dedicated range for backing, shifting, and tight-space maneuvers
✔ Focused three-week format with smart test prep
✔ Job placement support with respected regional and national carriers
✔ Guidance on financing options and military benefits
✔ Supportive coaching with plenty of wheel time
Partner With the Best. A Few of Our Carrier Partners:





TDI is registered as and compliant with the FMCSA's Entry Level Driver Training requirements. TDI is certified by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) for third-party testing. TDI is certified by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) for third-party testing. TDI is certified by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety for third-party testing. TDI is certified by the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security (TDOS) for third-party testing.
Why choose TDI for your CDL training near Crossville?
Students from the Cumberland Plateau pick TDI because the schedule is fast, the practice is real, and the teaching is practical. You’ll learn the skills carriers value—safe operation, situational awareness, and professional road habits—without wasting weeks.
What you’ll get here:
- Three-week training that moves from fundamentals to road readiness
- Coaches with decades of driving and teaching experience
- Career services and introductions to trusted carriers
- Clear guidance on tuition help, including options for veterans
Explore everything included at the Nashville (Christiana) campus, and review national outlook data at the BLS page for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers.
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

TDI vs. Vocational School
| TDI | Vocational School | |
|---|---|---|
| ELDT training | ✓ | |
| Ongoing job placement | ✓ | |
| Comprehensive 3-week program | ✓ | |
| Hands-on training (no simulators) | ✓ | |
| On-site training and testing | ✓ | |
| Established since 1973 | ✓ | |
| 80% job placement with thecarrier of your choice | ✓ | |
| Freedom to choose your employer | ✓ | |
| Contract requirements with carriers | X | |
| Lower pay right out of graduation | X | |
| Simulator training | X |
Getting to TDI from Crossville, TN
Plan for roughly 1 hr 45 min–2 hrs depending on traffic. Take I-40, then connect to I-840 West toward Murfreesboro. Merge onto I-24 East and use Exit 89 toward Buchanan Road. Continue to 6201 Epps Mill Road, Christiana, TN 37037. It’s a mostly-interstate route with simple local turns near our campus.
Your 3-Week Path to a CDL on the Cumberland Plateau
Week 1: Building Foundations
- Safety rules you’ll actually use: We don’t waste time getting down to the real rules of the road you need to succeed, such as HOS basics, weight limits, and what scale houses look for.
- Read the truck, not just the book: Gain hands-on knowledge of your truck to keep all systems running smoothly, including air system checks, brake tests, electrical, and cooling. We’ll show you what’s “normal” on the dash and under the hood, as well as what to watch out for.
- Pre-trip inspections that become routine: At TDI, we teach a top-to-bottom route with quick memory cues so nothing gets skipped in your pre-trip inspections, even once you’re on your own.
- Get your CLD permit without the headache: Some schools expect you to show up with a CDL permit already. We make sure you’re prepared with short lessons, drill cards, and timed quizzes so test day feels familiar.
Week 2: Developing Skills
- A systematic approach to backing up: We take the guesswork out of backing up your truck, teaching sight-side and blind-side setups, small steering moves, and when to reset instead of fighting it.
- Shifts that stick: Our expert instructors show you how to find the rev window, clean downshifts before turns, and make confident hill starts.
- Hold the lane: Nail down your mirror rhythm and trailer tracking, all while keeping tires off paint and curbs.
- Route variety: You’ll gain a wide range of relevant experiences during our training, including downtown grids, industrial parks, and farm-to-market roads to widen your feel for space.
- Highway reps: Our comprehensive highway training includes on-ramp timing, pacing with traffic, and dealing with wind, rain, and spray.
- Range work that transfers: Get used to serpentine cones, tight-dock setups, and coupling/airline checks on the same tractors you’ll road test in.
Week 3: Road Readiness
- Advanced freeway practice: With the basics under your belt, we take it to the freeway to practice smooth merges, clean passes, and speed control on long grades.
- Parking & dock confidence: Learn everything you need to know about parking and docking, from truck-stop back-ins to 45°/90° approaches and tidy pull-ups.
- Full CDL exam sequence: We take you through pre-trip → backing → road, scored like the real thing. Our instructors provide quick fixes between laps until you’re ready to ace your CDL exam.
- Hiring runway: We make sure you’re ready to hit the road, not just through your training but also through our job placement services. Meet recruiters, compare lanes, pay, and home time, then lock in an orientation date so you’re ready to roll on graduation day.
Make the Most of Middle Tennessee Between Classes
Enjoy nearby, family-friendly spots like Cumberland Mountain State Park, live shows at the Cumberland County Playhouse, or waterfalls and trails at Fall Creek Falls State Park.
Ready to roll? Call 1-800-848-7364 or apply online to grab your seat in the next class.
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










Truck 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.