Indianapolis, Indiana
GET YOUR CDL IN 3 WEEKS
CDL Training in Indianapolis, Indiana
Indiana’s most trusted CDL school since 1973. Hands-on instruction and 80%+ job placement with carriers you choose.
On-site CDL testing
GI Bill® accepted
Est. 1973 – 50 years
80%+
Job Placement Rate
3 Weeks
Intensive program
50 Years
Training America’s truckers
Get Started Today
Truck Driver Institute is a hands-on truck driving school near Indianapolis, with our campus just south of the city in Whiteland, Indiana. Our CDL training prepares you for both Class A and Class B commercial driver’s license certification in about three weeks, and new classes start every week. From your first day of truck driver training to your CDL skills test, you will learn on real trucks with instructors who have driven the routes you are about to run, not on a simulator. It is CDL license training built to get you licensed, hired, and earning quickly.
Drivers searching for the best CDL schools in the Indianapolis area choose TDI for one reason: We train you to drive, not just to pass a test. Our CDL school blends classroom instruction with range and road time, and as a trucking school that places more than 80% of graduates, we focus on the skills carriers actually want.
3542 East 500 North
Whiteland, IN 46184
United States (US)
Phone: 1-800-848-7364
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.
Start Your Career Today at CDL Training Schools near Indianapolis
For more than 50 years, we’ve been developing strong partnerships with carriers and honing our training material. In 2004, we opened our doors in central Indiana, bridging the gap between the area’s thriving transportation industry and career seekers.
We’re excited to announce that our truck driving school in Indianapolis has relocated to an 18-acre training facility featuring larger classrooms and modern technology. We are now equipped to certify a greater number of students than ever before.
While many careers are oversaturated, Indiana’s transportation industry is actively seeking drivers. As the state with the shortest distance to the U.S. population’s median center, Indiana is the natural headquarters for the transportation industry.
3-WEEK TRAINING. Over 80% JOB PLACEMENT.
FILL OUT OUR FORM TO START THE JOURNEY TO BECOMING A TRUCK DRIVER AT ONE OF OUR 9 LOCATIONS.
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Why TDI Is the Best CDL Training Indiana Has to Offer
Do you want the best Indiana truck driving school? Learn why you should choose Truck Driver Institute.
Indiana’s thriving transportation economy:
- The state boasts over 100,000 transportation jobs
- Indiana is the #1 producer of truck trailers
- It has the most pass-through highways
- Indiana is home to FedEx’s second-largest air hub worldwide
Just 15 days after you arrive at our truck driving school in Indiana, you’ll graduate our program qualified for a new and in-demand career in Indiana’s booming transportation industry.
On your first day at TDI, you are paired with a staff member who is there to ensure that you graduate with a job opportunity wherever you want to be. If you want to be a local or regional driver, we are partners with many carriers all over the country. We are proud to say that we are one of the few trucking companies left that is not masquerading as a carrier’s hiring service. We are dedicated to all our students and graduates. Our hiring services are free to all of our graduate students, and if after being a local driver you decide you want to be a regional driver, come back and see us and we’ll find the best fit for you!
We make sure our classes are affordable, as, unlike other CDL training Indiana offerings, we don’t require thousands of dollars out of pocket. At TDI, we offer assistance to veterans with GI benefits. To learn more about costs, visit our CDL breakdown.
While training at the Indiana training facility, you learn both the technical and operational aspects of driving a semi-truck. Some of the technical information you learn includes maintaining driver logs, reading maps, trip planning, and conducting a pre-trip safety inspection of your vehicle.
The hands-on portion of our training program, done on our new 18 acres of land, puts you behind the wheel of a full-sized 18-wheeler while you learn shifting techniques, turning maneuvers, and safely backing up the vehicle. You also learn automatic as well as manual truck driving. Once your training is complete you can take the test for your Indianapolis Class A CDL license right on-site!
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 |
Reasons Why You Should Become a Truck Driver in Indianapolis, Indiana
There are many reasons why individuals from Indiana feel like there are more truck drivers around than in many other states. Indiana, in general, and the city of Indianapolis especially, has a few unique draws for those interested in becoming truck drivers in the near future.
Be Part of a Midwest Hub
Because of its location, Indianapolis is a centralized hub for the Midwest and all the trucking companies going in and out of this area of the country. Several interstates converge in this area, including I-65, I-64, and I-74, and there are a little over a thousand trucking companies with bases in Indiana.
Favorable Driving Conditions Year-round
Indiana is all about location, location, location. Because of where it is in the United States, Indiana can be counted on to have fairly mild weather year-round. While the winters can occasionally be harsh, six-inch or greater snowfalls only occur once a year, which is much lower than many of its northeastern counterparts.
Similarly, the summers are not subject to the same extreme heat the American South deals with. Compared to other states in the Midwest, these combined factors make Indiana a favorable area to drive in, with easier road conditions for new and experienced drivers.
Higher Payment Than Other States
As of 2023, Indiana was ranked one of the best places to be a truck driver – in fact, it is considered the third-best state in the entire country to work in the transportation industry! This is because the average annual salary is around $67,000, with the highest 10% earning closer to $100,000 a year.
Plenty of jobs are available to those interested in becoming a truck driver, with an estimated just under 10,000 vacancies.
An In-Demand Career
This leads us to our next point – that truck driving is an in-demand career across the United States, including in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Due to a combination of forces, including an aging workforce and a dramatic increase in trucking needs, truck driving has become one of the most in-demand jobs across the country.
At TDI, more than half of our graduates have jobs waiting for them on graduation day with renowned companies. The need for more truck drivers has become more reflected in the pay and benefits available to drivers.
Job Stability
Naturally, it is necessary to have a certain amount of job stability no matter where you live. Knowing you can consistently support your family and enjoy everyday luxuries greatly benefits being a truck driver in Indiana.
Living anywhere in Indiana is lower than the nation’s average cost of living, including Indianapolis. A family of four in Indy can expect an average living cost of just under $50,000. As a truck driver in Indiana, the average starting wage is enough to support a family. For many, this is an essential draw to becoming a truck driver in Indianapolis, Indiana.
CDL Training Indiana: Class A, B and C Licenses Overview
While we focus more on the Class A CDL here at TDI, here is a breakdown for each license and what types of vehicles they allow you to operate:
Class A CDL
The Class A CDL is the most advanced CDL you can obtain. That’s because it allows you to drive everything up to a truck capable of towing a trailer with a GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) of 10,000 pounds and over. The standard 18-wheeler requires a Class A commercial driver’s license.
Note that a Class A CDL allows you to drive everything up to a full-sized semi-truck. That means you’re cleared to drive every vehicle that Class B and C drivers can operate. That’s why we recommend that new drivers go for the Class A license even if they’re not interested in long-haul trucking with a full-sized truck. Also, a Class A CDL is required to drive over state lines with large cargo. If you think you might be interested in driving all over the country this is the license for you.
Class B CDL
The Class B CDL allows you to drive a vehicle which can carry less than 10,000 pounds GVWR and has a single-axle trailer. This means Class B drivers can drive all kinds of busses, box trucks, delivery trucks, dump trucks, tilt beds, tour busses, passenger vans, and more!
It’s worth mentioning that the Class B CDL is restricted to the state in which it was issued, meaning you can’t drive between states to work long-haul jobs. On the other hand, it’s perfect for professionals who are seeking regional driving careers.
Class C CDL
The Class C CDL permits you to drive vehicles with GVWRs of less than 26,001 pounds, vehicles towing other vehicles that weigh less than 10,000 pounds, and vehicles that transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver.
The Class C CDL allows you to drive tank trucks, small trucks towing a trailer, passenger vans, and hazmat vehicles, provided you obtain the proper training and endorsements to do so. Class C CDLs are the least versatile commercial driving licenses you can receive. That’s why they may be more prevalent among people who have a particular need for a CDL, such as a job requirement that does not focus on driving.
If you’re not sure what license is best for you, reach out to us, as we want to make sure you reach the best CDL training Indianapolis can give you. Or feel free to browse our blog.
Want a convenient place to take your CDL exam?
Truck Driver Institute offers outside CDL testing at this location for all students, regardless of their affiliation with TDI.
Three Weeks to Reroute Your Life
Not only is Indiana the ideal location for a career in truck driving, Truck Driver Institute offers an unparalleled CDL training and certification program. Our Truck Driving School in Indianapolis blends classroom and behind-the-wheel training. In 15 days, you’ll graduate from TDI with the skills, knowledge, and experience desired by major transportation companies. Each week of our program prepares you for your CDL license. Think of each phase as a pit stop to certification!
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.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.Start Your Career Today at our Truck Driving School near Indianapolis
Week 1
In your first week of our program, you’ll prepare for your written CDL permit test. Not only is the CDL permit required for you to begin your hands-on-training, the knowledge you gain in the classroom is integral to your future career.
A CDL certification is a professional license, earning you a credible profession. It requires specialized knowledge and skills, and it is elevated far above a personal vehicle drivers’ license.
Our instructors are both engaging teachers and industry leaders. They adapt Truck Driver Institute’s proven material to your learning style. By the end of week one, you’ll be well-versed in:
- Cargo claims
- Trip planning
- The legal requirements for weight scales
- Maintaining your driver’s log
- Basic mechanics
- Smith systems
- Map inspection
As you begin your coursework, you’ll meet with one of our placement experts to discuss your career goals. Together, you’ll form a list of carriers that meet your regional preferences, offer your desired growth opportunities, and provide the benefits you need. As you advance in our program, you’ll continue meeting with your advisor. Because of our emphasis on career placement, many of our students have received competitive job offers prior to their graduation date. Knowing your career is waiting helps you stay motivated throughout the program.
Truck Driver Institute provides on-site testing for your CDL permit at the end of your first week. With your permit in one hand and the keys to a full-sized 18-wheeler in the other, you’ll move into the next phase of your career training.
Week 2
Now that you possess the professional knowledge required to join our industry, it’s time to apply what you’ve learned. Each of our instructors has logged thousands of miles as drivers. They use their real-world experience to teach you how to operate large and complex machinery.
Your safety both during and after graduating our program is our greatest priority. During week two of Truck Driver Institute’s CDL training program, we instruct you in how to complete standard pre-trip inspections.
Our truck driving school in Indianapolis eases you into your hands-on training by starting you on our private, off-road driving range. This safe, multi-acre environment is the perfect place to learn how to back up a full-sized 18-wheeler.
In the final days of your second week, you’ll take the skills you learned on our driving range to the road. Our instructors introduce you to this new driving environment through low-traffic, day-driving sessions.
Week 3
In the final week of your training, you’ll focus on advanced skill-building. We guide you through high-traffic and night-driving environments. You’ll return to the driving range to practice the intricacies of maneuvering a large vehicle in complex scenarios. By the end of week three, you’ll leave TDI’s truck driving school in Indiana with the commercial driving industry’s highest difficulty skill sets.
The only thing left to accomplish before starting your career is taking your CDL Driving Skills Test for Highway/Street Testing. We offer testing on-site at the conclusion of your program. After you pass your exam, you’ll be a certified professional equipped to operate large and complex machinery.
Meet the Instructors at Our Indianapolis Truck Driving School
Every instructor at our Whiteland campus has spent real years behind the wheel, and that experience shows in how they teach. Students regularly call out the team for the patience and hands-on knowledge they bring to class. From your first range session to your final skills test, you learn from people who have run the routes you are training for.
“I wish I could give more than 5 stars. This place really cares about you, and all the instructors and recruiters and the lady in the front office are a very professional group of people. Instructor Eric needs a raise – full of knowledge that I’ll use for my career. If you’re wanting your CDL and knowledge, definitely look them up.”
— Austin Banks
“Really learned a lot going through this school! I’m glad I came, and I would recommend anyone that needs to get their CDL to do it through this school! Instructors were awesome!”
— Dalton Hinen
“The facility is great. All of the instructors are knowledgeable, and all have experience with driving. I would highly recommend TDI to anyone who wants to get their CDL.”
— Ben Dickey
Find Our Indiana CDL Training Location
Our Indiana location is conveniently located right off of I-65, just south of Greenwood Municipal Airport, making it easy to commute to your daily CDL training classes.
Truck Driver Institute – Whiteland, IN Campus
3542 East 500 North, Whiteland, IN 46184
1-800-848-7364
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m
Directions to Our Whiteland Campus
From downtown Indianapolis, take I-65 South to Exit 95 (Whiteland). At the bottom of the ramp, turn onto E 500 N / Whiteland Rd and follow it to 3542 E 500 N. The campus is on the left, about 25 minutes (roughly 18 miles) from downtown. On-site parking is available, including wheelchair-accessible spaces.
Don’t Live in the Indianapolis Area?
Many of our students live out of the area but still choose our Indiana truck driving school because of our high-quality training and established partnerships with major carriers throughout the United States. Our Indiana truck driving school serves surrounding cities including Anderson, Lafayette, Terre Haute, Carmel, and Bloomington.
Since you are not required to be an Indiana resident to train for your CDL license here, out-of-state students are also welcome! We pride ourselves on giving the best CDL training Indiana has to give, and we are excited to have you join us!
Post-Graduate Life: No Pit Stops
Because career planning is an integral part of Truck Driver Institute’s comprehensive training program, we get your career on the road without post-graduate delays. On average, new truck drivers start their career earning between $700 and $1000 per week.
Our truck driving school’s career placement rate is over 80%. We achieve this high success rate through close partnerships with over 20 major carriers. The emphasis is on partnerships because we are the largest commercial driving school east of the Rockies that operates independently from any carrier. There are two major benefits to becoming certified at our independent training center:
- You aren’t locked into working for a specific company after you graduate.
- TDI’s program meets the highest industry standards rather than a particular carrier’s preferences, making you a nationally desirable job candidate.
TDI’s truck driving school in Indianapolis is committed to your ongoing success and advancement within the industry. Our free hiring services come with a lifetime guarantee for all of our graduates. If your career goals or desired location shifts, we’re happy to help you find a position that meets your evolving needs. It’s always a pleasure reconnecting with our graduates and watching their careers advance overtime.
Partners of Our Indiana Truck Driving School
As a TDI graduate, you are sought after by major carrier companies who standardly provide drivers with dental and medical insurance, as well as a 401K retirement plan. A range of additional benefits are provided by each carrier.
Here are a few of TDI’s frequent partners, and the benefits they offer our drivers.
- Werner Enterprises provides up to $6,000 in tuition reimbursement.
- Dot Transportation was endorsed as one of America’s Largest Private Companies by Forbes Magazine. Dot Transportation’s low driver turnover rates can be attributed to high employee loyalty and satisfaction.
- Schneider National offers tuition reimbursement up to $7,000 to encourage TDI’s students to sign with them within 12 months of their graduation.
- Stevens Transport pays 100% of your monthly loan note if you sign with them. Additionally, they will pay the entirety of your loan if you remain with them for two years.
- TMC Transportation rewards hard work, not years of experience through their performance-based pay program. This gives newly certified drivers the opportunity to earn up to $60,000 during their first year at TMC Transportation.
- Cypress Truck Lines blends the best aspects of large and small carriers by offering year-round freight opportunities to 48 states, while also valuing each driver as an integral member of their team.
- U.S. Xpress Enterprises has provided all of Truck Driver Institute’s graduates with $200 monthly tuition assistance. For every six months you remain at their company, U.S. Xpress puts $500 toward your loans.
- KLLM Transport employees have the opportunity to build on their CDL license and enter a specialized field within the transportation industry. You’ll begin by completing their KLLM orientation to learn their practices, and then you’ll be upgraded and assigned to a truck. At this point, you will select a specialization: Lease Purchase Operator, Over the Road Driver, or Regional Driver.
- TransAm Trucking is an attractive option for TDI graduates due to their tuition reimbursement program which provides up to $6000 in $125 monthly installments.
- H.O. Wolding employees have have access to three pay growth opportunities within your first year as a commercial driver. After two years with them, you are rewarded with a reduced health care insurance benefit premium.
Paying for CDL Training in Indianapolis
You do not need thousands of dollars up front to train at our Indianapolis campus. Students here use self-paid scholarships to lower tuition, apply GI Bill® benefits when they are eligible, and even earn carrier tuition reimbursement after graduation. Many of our carrier partners pay $150 to $250 a month toward your tuition or student loans once you are hired. See our full breakdown of truck driving school costs for the details.
Indianapolis CDL Training FAQs
How long does CDL training take in Indianapolis?
Our program runs three weeks—15 days of classroom and behind-the-wheel training—and new classes start every week at the Whiteland campus.
Where is your Indianapolis truck driving school located?
Our campus is at 3542 E 500 N in Whiteland, Indiana, right off I-65 at Exit 95, about 25 minutes south of downtown Indianapolis.
Do I take my CDL test on-site?
Yes. Indiana does not allow third-party testers, so your CDL test is administered on-site at our Whiteland campus by a separate testing company. You train and test in the same place.
How much does CDL training cost near Indianapolis?
Most students start with little out of pocket. Self-paid scholarships, GI Bill® benefits, and carrier tuition reimbursement all lower the cost. Our truck driving school cost breakdown covers the full picture.
Do you offer job placement after graduation?
Yes. TDI places more than 80% of graduates and offers one-on-one assistance with job placement before and after graduation.
3542 East 500 North
Whiteland, IN 46184
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 of Florida, 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, or disability, 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 of Florida, Inc.’s Title VI Program can contact its Title VI Program 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, or disability, 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 of Florida, Inc.
PO Box 1599
Murfreesboro TN 37133
615-895-2070
[email protected]
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, or disability, 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 Program 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, or disability, 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
[email protected]