Gear Up for Your CDL in Merrillville

Our Truck Driving School Near Merrillville, Indiana

24645 S.R. 23
South Bend, IN 46614
United States (US)
Phone: 1-800-848-7364

Our School Collaborates with The Leading Carriers. Meet Some of Our Carrier Partners:

Prepare for Your Truck Driving Career

Seeking for the most efficient CDL preparation near Merrillville, Indiana? Trucker Driver Institute is your go-to choice. We operate a convenient CDL facility near Merrillville, providing exceptional training to help you achieve your driving ambitions. For years, we have successfully trained Central Indiana residents and built strong relationships with the local trucking community. With over 45 years in the region, our school serves as the oldest and most popular campus in the country.
TDI features a state-of-the-art 19-acre training center and the most comprehensive array of professional truck driving courses near Merrillville. Our instruction is designed to meet your specific goals for earning your Class A CDL. Begin your CDL journey with TDI near Merrillville, today!

Accelerate Your Future

CDL Drivers Needed Nationwide!

The trucking industry is in high demand for skilled drivers, with over 30,000 open CDL positions across the country. Top employers in the trucking sector are actively seeking CDL drivers of various experience levels to fill these roles. In just three weeks, you can train for a well-paying trucking career with excellent benefits, meeting the industry’s ongoing needs.

Get Into a Recession-Proof Career

Truck drivers play a crucial role in keeping goods moving, regardless of the economic climate. The demand for truck drivers remains strong even during economic downturns. Starting a career in truck driving doesn’t require a college degree or extensive experience, making it accessible to individuals from all backgrounds. Don’t wait – begin your career as a truck driver today!

What Makes TDI The Best Merrillville CDL Training Option?

For CDL training, Merrillville, residents can trust TDI to deliver excellence. Since 1973, TDI has been providing top-quality truck driver training, helping students build and advance their careers while hiring the best instructors to guide them.
Here are three reasons why TDI is the ideal choice for a truck driving school near Merrillville, IN:

  1. Quick, Comprehensive CDL Training – Our CDL program near Merrillville is designed to be completed in just three weeks. Combining classroom instruction with hands-on driving experience, you’ll train in real trucks, not simulators. We prioritize safety, providing a large, private driving area for students to practice before hitting the highway. Our goal is to ensure you’re fully comfortable and experienced behind the wheel by the time you graduate.
  2. Affordable Training – We aim to provide the most beneficial grants, discounts, scholarships, GI Bill® programs, and financial assistance for truck driver training in Indiana. Depending on your circumstances, you could join TDI for as little as $225 out-of-pocket! In addition, many of our trucking company partners offer tuition support programs to help cover your remaining expenses.
  3. TDI’s Job Placement Success – TDI boasts an impressive 82% job placement rate, thanks to our dedicated career services team and strong partnerships with carriers and transportation companies nationwide. Many trucking companies trust us to supply them with well-trained, reliable drivers, and some students even receive job offers before graduating. Plus, your new employer might offer tuition reimbursement, allowing you to start your career and recoup your education costs simultaneously—a true win-win.

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 TDI Students Say

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.

Convenient Merrillville CDL Training Tailored To Your Needs

For Merrillville residents seeking CDL training, our South Bend campus is just a short drive away, offering an accessible commute.

TDI’s South Bend location is ideally positioned for various routes based on your starting point:

  • For a quick and direct route, you can take I-80/90 E (Indiana Toll Road). While it includes tolls, it might be the fastest way to reach the campus.
  • If you prefer to avoid tolls, take the US-20 E or IN-2 E for a scenic and toll-free drive to our South Bend campus.

Our hours are 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. At TDI, you’ll study in our South Bend classrooms and benefit from our expansive 18+ acre training facility for hands-on driving experience. We provide free parking for students, so you can easily drive over from Merrillville.

If you get hungry, there are numerous dining options nearby. Here are a few within a 10-minute drive:

  • Fatbird (Southern) – 103 W. Colfax Ave.
  • Nick’s Patio (Breakfast) – 1710 N Ironwood Dr.
  • Culver’s (Fast casual) – 5249 Edison Rd.
  • Arbys (Fast-food) – 3909 S. Bend Bypass
  • Chipotle Mexican (Mexican) – 5229 Edison Rd.
  • Buffalo Wild Wings (Sports bar) – 5259 Edison Rd.
  • Five Guys (Burgers) – 5220 Indiana Ave.
  • El Camino Real (Mexican) – 5329 N Main St.
  • And many others!

Not from the area? No problem!

TDI makes it easy for out-of-state and non-local students to settle into their training with convenient lodging options. With substantial financial aid available, our programs remain affordable no matter where you’re coming from.

Ready to accelerate your career? Contact TDI to kickstart your truck driving journey with our CDL training. Call (800) 848-7364 or reach out to us online.

Our Truck Driving School South Bend Location

24645 S.R. 23
South Bend, IN 46614
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.