South Bend, Indiana
GET YOUR CDL IN 3 WEEKS
CDL Training in South Bend, 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 driving is one of the fastest-growing industries in the country, and carriers are looking for qualified and confident drivers all over the nation. With 50 years of experience, TDI offers leading CDL license training that gives our drivers that edge that gets them behind the wheel in just 3 weeks. Our South Bend truck driving school is one of our oldest and most popular campuses in the country, and it serves drivers from all over the Midwest. We’ll prepare you to be the best and most well-trained driver out there, ready to serve the truck driving industry for years to come.
Are you ready to start a new career in a rapidly growing and rewarding industry? Read on to learn more about TDI’s truck driver training in South Bend that can prepare you for a great career.
24645 IN-23
South Bend, IN 46614
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 Journey with TDI
Truck Driver Institute’s South Bend truck driving school is well-known as one of the most respected trucking schools in Indiana. Serving the area for over 45 years, our 18+ acre facility is a spacious, modern training center designed to prepare students for the open road.
South Bend, Indiana is also a prime transportation spot, as the Midwest is a national transportation hub. CDL schools in Indiana and other areas of the Midwest are prime locations, as planes, trains, trucks, and other transport vehicles typically travel right through on their way to other destinations. This makes our South Bend location the perfect place to begin your journey and hone your skills. In our classes, you’ll have the time, space, and support to start your long-standing career in the truck driving industry.
Our 3-week training program is widely regarded as one of the most complete and comprehensive in the nation. That’s because we have decades and decades of experience in working with the country’s leading carrier companies to produce the best drivers in the industry today. We help place you with the best possible match for you and your employer, which means longer-lasting placements and happier drivers. If we don’t find you a match right after graduation, we’ll continue to help you do so until you’ve been matched. We’re dedicated to helping prepare you for a bright future.
3-WEEK TRAINING. Over 80% JOB PLACEMENT.
FILL OUT OUR FORM TO START THE JOURNEY TO BECOMING A TRUCK DRIVER AT ONE OF OUR 8 LOCATIONS.
Accelerate Your Future
The Best CDL School Indiana Has to Offer
Open yourself up to a world of employment opportunities with the kind of CDL training Indiana job-seekers shouldn’t miss out on. Our CDL training serves South Bend, Mishawaka, Elkhart, and many other communities, and features in-depth instructors who are well-versed and experienced in the field.
CDL training is a vital resource for any future truck driver and, luckily, the best options for CDL training are right here in Indiana at the Truck Driving Institute. Training is necessary for licensure, to be able to drive and handle different types of freight, and to gain required experience.
And while it can be daunting to make the decision to pursue formal training for your CDL license, the process is incredibly beneficial and a practical expense that keeps on giving. Advantages can include:
- More choice of what you would like to drive
- Getting rid of any limitations based on only obtaining one type of CDL
- More pay based on experience and licensure
- More access to other employers that TDI works with
If you’re still on the fence about getting your CDL training from TDI, take a look at some of the awesome advantages below that our premiere South Bend CDL license training school offers.
Benefits of CDL Training with TDI
While it is possible to tackle the CDL License exam on your own, efficient CDL training brings you up to speed in the way solo studying just can’t beat! Our CDL instructors will guide you every step of the way, while giving you the freedom to gain the experience necessary to become a well-rounded CDL truck driver. Here are some of the great aspects of attending TDI’s truck driving school near Mishawaka and Elkhart.
Preparation
With TDI, you can get the full preparation needed for your CDL license exam. Formal CDL training offers a certain level of readiness that is incomparable to self-study, and our instructors are always on hand to assist you. Know the TDI difference with the following exclusive offers:
- Hands-on training – Our trucking school provides exclusive, hands-on, behind-the-wheel training that you wouldn’t get on your own. Our students get to test drive the semi-trucks they’ll be handling in their career and get firsthand experience operating an 18-wheeler in real life. Other self-taught truck drivers don’t have this exclusive access and will just be starting when they take their CDL test. As a TDI student, however, you will have exclusive access and additional help when test-driving on a training course and on real roads. You’ll be the most experienced new truck driver out there!
- Experienced teachers – If there’s one thing to know about us, it’s that TDI teachers know their stuff. You’ll receive lessons taught by highly knowledgeable and accessible teachers, who love offering firsthand advice, an indispensable component of any education. Our instructors have all once been in your shoes and are there to help prevent any of the newbie mistakes they once made. They’ll be there to support you and your many questions at every turn.
- Bonus knowledge – Taking truck driver training in a formal setting offers invaluable experiences, while adhering to a success-proven curriculum. TDI takes the guesswork out of your education and adds in key insights from real trucking companies that will benefit you in the long run. You’ll receive all the theoretical, hypothetical, and real-world knowledge that will make you an experienced truck driver, including how to plan trip logs and best practices for large capacity loads. It’s this access to information outside of a textbook that makes a difference.
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 |
Connections
When looking into truck driving schools in South Bend, Indiana drivers soon realize the importance of an education from TDI instructors. While building a strong platform to teach drivers the needed information for the three-part CDL licensing exam, our school also guides drivers through the process and gives them time maneuvering a semi. The extensive experience of our instructors is an added value of the course, but so are the strong connections that form between the student and the teacher. Our teachers are the backbone of our program, and they’re committed to turning every student into a trucker.
Moreover, TDI facilitates a partnership between our students and our many affiliates. We make the connections that dictate the first steps in your career by linking you with job placement resources that bring on opportunities. You can enter into the truck driving world with the most confidence and TDI right behind you, backing every step you take in this profitable field.
Truck Driving, TDI, and the Future You
Truck driving has always been a recession-proof career regardless of the day, month, year, or decade. One of the critical indicators of a recession is when personal consumption expenditure increases for the national average. This means that the more people buy goods or treat themselves to something, the more likely a recession will be. But which industry benefits from more economic consumption and expenditure? The transportation and truck driving industry! The more money spent, the more goods transferred nationwide – meaning truck driving jobs will always be safe during a recession.
Want a Convenient Place for Your CDL Exam?
Truck Driver Institute offers outside CDL testing at this location for all students, regardless of their affiliation with TDI.
Looking for a Nearby Truck Driving School in South Bend? We Serve a Wide Area
Many of our students live out of area but still choose our Indiana truck driving schools because of the high-quality training they supply and our schools’ established partnerships with major carriers throughout the United States. Our South Bend location is within range of people living in diverse areas, including:
- Elkhart, Indiana
- Gary, Indiana
- Bristol, Indiana
- Merrillville, Indiana
- Mishawaka, Indiana
- Valparaiso, Indiana
- Goshen, Indiana
- Southern Michigan
- Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Lansing, Michigan
- Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Cassopolis, Michigan
- St. Joseph, Michigan
- Throughout the Midwest
Since you’re not required to be an Indiana resident to train for your CDL license here, out-of-state students are also welcome! That’s why we offer lodging for our out-of-town students.
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.A Quick Breakdown of Our 3-Week CDL License Training
Week 1
The first week involves the majority of your classroom time, and it’s centered around getting your CDL permit. The CDL permit is a necessary piece of documentation for your behind-the-wheel training later on.
In addition, this first week acts like a primer for all the required non-driving skills you need as a truck driver. Our students learn the ins-and-outs of trip planning, cargo claims, maintenance basics, writing driver’s logs, map inspection, weight scales, Smith systems, and more.
The first week of truck driving school is also when you’re introduced to our placement experts. Depending on your career goals, your regional preferences, and benefits you’re looking for, the placement expert works with you to craft a plan for employment after you get your CDL at TDI.
Week 2
The second week is when you get your behind-the-wheel training. Over the course of the second week, our students work closely with our driving instructors who have years and years of on-the-road experience.
The majority of your driving training takes place on our private, multiacre range. It’s separated from the main roads, and it’s a great place for new drivers to get comfortable behind the wheel before hitting the streets.
After some time on the private courses, our instructors take our students out for some low-traffic driving sessions during the day.
Week 3
The third and final week is where you apply everything you’ve learned in the classroom and on our private course. Our instructors walk you through high-traffic conditions, night driving, and other complex road situations until you’re comfortable and confident in the driver’s seat.
After that, all that’s left to do is take your final exam. This involves a mixture of highway driving and on-site drills. After you pass, you receive your professional CDL that certifies you to operate a full-sized 18-wheeler.
As you may have noticed, we begin the job placement process long before you even set foot in a truck. TDI is a results-driven school, and we do the best we can to make sure you’re paired with a new job after you’ve left our truck driving schools in Indiana. Some students are even selected before they graduate!
24645 IN-23
South Bend, IN 46614
United States (US)
Phone: 1-800-848-7364
Driving Directions
The South Bend campus is conveniently located on SR-23, just minutes from the South Bend bypass, making it easy to commute for your daily CDL training classes.
From South Bend, you will take IN-23 south and our facility is located at the first right after Armor Metalstamp, classified as a “restricted usage road” on Google Maps. Clear signs mark the entryway, and we have plenty of parking spaces for our students.
Our Hours
Monday through Friday – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday – Closed
FAQs
How is enrollment handled?
We have rolling weekly enrollment, so you won’t have to wait for the next class to start. Usually, you can call us on a Friday and be ready to roll on Monday for training!
Do you use simulators?
No. The only way to really learn how to handle a rig is by being behind the wheel – you just can’t get the same education on a simulator. We put you in the driver’s seat in a safe, multiacre driving range on your first day, with no virtual shortcuts.
Do you offer financial assistance?
Yes, there are numerous options available like GI Bill® and VA benefits, carrier-paid tuition, stent financing, and scholarships. You can get started with as little as $225 out of pocket.
Contact Our CDL School to Begin Truck Driving Training
Start preparing for your future with TDI’s help! Call us at 800-848-7364 or contact us through our quick and easy contact form. Once you reach out, we’ll get in touch with you as soon as we can.
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]