Looking to shift gears into a better paying, more reliable career? Attend a CDL school Lancaster, SC drivers can easily access that will set you on the road to success. At our Richburg campus, you can earn your CDL in just 15 days and start driving toward real financial freedom.
We provide CDL training Lancaster and local Southern Carolina students have trusted for generations, fully preparing our graduates for life on the road. At TDI, we offer hands-on training using real commercial trucks—never simulators—taught by experienced instructors who care about your progress and safety.
Train in real vehicles, not simulations ✔
Complete your CDL in just 3 weeks ✔
Enjoy over 80% job placement with top carriers ✔
Get lifetime career support after graduation ✔
The path to a new career doesn’t have to take months. With TDI, you can move from application to graduation quickly and confidently—and with valuable job connections for a lifetime of success. If you’re looking for the best CDL training near Lancaster, Truck Driver Institute’s Richburg/Columbia campus is a convenient and practical place to start your CDL journey.
3425 Lancaster Highway
Richburg, SC 29729
United States (US)
Phone: 1-800-848-7364
Real Equipment. Real Results.
Just a short 20-minute drive from Lancaster, the TDI Richburg campus provides hands-on CDL training in a setting designed to prepare you for real-world driving.
Our facilities include:
✓ Lots for practicing backing up, turning, maneuvering, and parking big trucks
✓ Real 18-wheelers used throughout your CDL training
✓ Clean, modern classrooms focused on adult learners
✓ On-site CDL testing so you can get certified without delay, right where you trained
We don’t believe in shortcuts—and that includes how we train you. Everything here is built to help you succeed through our world-class CDL school Lancaster, SC drivers and truckers throughout the Carolinas have turned to for over 50 years.
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.
Your Path to a New Career Starts Here
Launch a Career You Can Count On
- Over 80% of graduates placed with reputable carriers
- Many students receive job offers before graduation
- Choose between regional, local, or over-the-road positions
- Enjoy continued job search support—even years down the road
Train With Confidence
- Manual and automatic trucks available for real-world prep
- Learn by doing: drive on practice ranges and local roads
- Get personalized instruction from professionals with years of experience
- Prepare for both the CDL test and the daily demands of the job
Smart, Affordable Training
- Start CDL training for just $225 down
- Use your GI Bill® benefits if eligible
- Apply for scholarships or financial assistance
- Some companies will reimburse your tuition after hire
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 |
What You’ll Learn in Your 15 Days at TDI
Days 1–5: Core Trucking Knowledge
- Learn how a commercial truck operates, inside and out
- Understand key safety checks with hands-on inspection practice
- Dive into DOT regulations, logbook use, and hours-of-service rules
Days 6-10: Driving and Maneuvering
- Begin daily driving on our private range under expert guidance
- Master backing up, shifting, turning, mirror use, and parking
- Build muscle memory with repeated practice in a controlled setting
Days 11-15: Real World Prep
- Transition to real roads and highways in live traffic
- Take mock tests to sharpen your exam readiness
- Meet with recruiters to explore job options and start your new career
From Lancaster to TDI in About 20 Minutes
It’s an easy drive from Lancaster to CDL training at TDI Richburg. We recommend this route to get you there efficiently:
- Start by heading northwest on S Main St, going toward E Meeting St
- Take a left onto SC-9 Business N/W Meeting St
- Take a slight right onto the ramp to Airport/Fort Lawn, then merge onto SC-9 N
- Turn right onto Lancaster Highway after about 13 miles to reach the campus
The drive should take around 20 minutes, give or take depending on exactly where you’re leaving in Lancaster.
Scenic and straightforward, this quick commute will help you mentally prepare for the hands-on truck driving skills you’ll be mastering at TDI. Consider carpooling with fellow students to make your commute more enjoyable and productive by building your professional network early.
Enhance Your Drive with Local Sights and Stops
Local Gems in and Around Lancaster:
- Walk or fish at Cane Creek State Park
- Tour history at the LancasterHistory Museum
- Catch a family flick at Jumpin Jax Fun Center or mini golf nearby
Things to Do Near TDI Richburg:
- Shop local goods at Richburg Farmers’ Market
- Tour murals and the restored train depot downtown
- Enjoy hearty café fare at Country Omelet
CDL Training That Fits Your Budget
Don’t let finances stand in the way of a stable, high-paying career. At TDI Richburg, we make it easier to afford taking the CDL training Lancaster, SC drivers endorse:
- Begin your journey with just $225 down
- Spread your costs out with flexible payment plans
- Take advantage of scholarship opportunities designed for qualifying students
- Access tuition reimbursement through employer partnerships
- Use your GI Bill® benefits if you’re a veteran
Many students looking for CDL training near them choose TDI for our affordable program, hands-on instruction, and high job placement rates.
Start Your CDL Journey Near Lancaster, SC Today
If you’re ready to make a change, TDI Richburg is ready to help. Our 3-week CDL program near Lancaster is designed to get you trained, licensed, and hired fast. A career in truck driving means better pay, more freedom, and the satisfaction of steady work. Don’t wait—call 1-800-848-7364 or use our contact form online now.
3425 Lancaster Highway
Richburg, SC 29729
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.