TDI Truck Driver Institute

Founded in 1973 by U.S. Army Veteran Thomas Gast, Truck Driver Institute (TDI) is an adult vocational school that trains individuals and couples to get their Commercial Driver License (CDL). Truck Driver Institute offers CDL classes at 11 convenient locations across the country to make it easy for you to enroll in a truck driving school, no matter where you are located.

With 11 campuses serving 8 states, you’re always able to find a local CDL training school close by. Each of their truck driving school locations offers a spacious, modern center staffed with professional, seasoned instructors. TDI’s experienced team members are committed to providing excellent truck driver training.

Since 1973, Truck Driver Institute has offered professional CDL training and the best truck driving schools in the industry. Their schools have a reputation for graduating safe CDL drivers, and many employers recruit directly from them for that reason.

Earning Potential

Earning potential is a major consideration for commercial truck drivers. In the first year of a CDL driver job the average driver will make approximately $40,000. Many trucking drivers also get bonuses for safety records, distances traveled, and more.

Class A CDL Training Course Objectives

After graduation from this course, the student will be:

• Qualified to secure an entry level tractor trailer job with your Class A CDL.
• Aware of safety procedures & laws applicable to the professional driver.
• Skillful in safe driving techniques.
• Knowledgeable in map reading, log book rules and regulations, cargo documentation, dispatch procedures, emergency responsibilities and regulations of transportation agencies.

CDL Training Course Information

Their trucking schools operate as full-time courses that run Monday-Friday 7:00am – 5:30pm for 3 weeks, with 4 additional evening hours of training in week three.

• Course includes classroom, range driving, and on the road training.
• Full time Student Services Department.
• Cost includes DOT physical, drug screen and all books and supplies.

The TDI Program

• Their 15-day intensive class was developed and is updated regularly by seasoned, professional, truck drivers who have millions of miles logged in trucking industry.
• As a TDI student, you’ll go through classroom instruction, hands-on training within the safety of a large, off-road driving range, and on-the-road driving instruction in modern training vehicles.
• From the first day of class, TDI provides you with employment and job placement assistance. They also negotiate with your future employer to obtain carrier-paid tuition reimbursement when we can, which covers the cost of your training.
• Get job placement assistance with 20+ top carriers who hire TDI graduates over those from other truck driver CDL training schools.
• TDI’s graduate placement rate is over 90%.

The TDI Difference

• TDI is an industry leader with a respected reputation for excellence, safety and integrity.
• TDI is an approved Third Party CDL Examiner for every state where their campuses are located that allows third party testing. In those states, a trip to the DMV isn’t necessary.
• As a TDI graduate you will have your Commercial Drivers License, a Diploma and job opportunities with good pay plus all of the benefits your family deserves including medical insurance, dental insurance, 401K retirement, and more.

CDL Training Course Breakdown

Week 1 - Orientation

• Drug Screen and DOT Physical Exam
• CDL Instruction – General Knowledge
• Sections 1, 2 & 3 of state CDL Manual
• CDL Preparation
• Section 5 Air Brakes
• Section 6 Combination Vehicles

Week 1 - Written Test

• Log Books, hours and service requirements
• How to Read a Map and Plan a Trip
• Smith System
• Weight Scales and Staying Legal
• Cargo Claims
• Basic Mechanical Knowledge

Week 2

• Driving Range
• Pre-trip Inspection
• Backing Maneuvers, straight line and offset backing
• Begin driving on the road — gradual progression from driving in low traffic, to light traffic, etc.

Week 3

• Practice advanced driving skills on the driving range and on the highway
• Night driving
• CDL Driving Skills Test — Highway/Street Testing
• Graduation

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  TDI Truck Driver Institute
  4939 U.S. 78
  Oxford, AL 36203
  800-848-7364

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  TDI Truck Driver Institute
  20214 Highway 49
  Saucier, MS 39574
  800-848-7364

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  TDI Truck Driver Institute
  3542 East 500 North
  Whiteland, IN 46184
  800-848-7364

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  TDI Truck Driver Institute
  1523 Avco Boulevard
  Sellersburg, IN 47172
  800-848-7364

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  TDI Truck Driver Institute
  6201 Epps Mill Road
  Christiana, TN 37037
  800-848-7364

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  TDI Truck Driver Institute
  3700 St Johns Pkwy
  Sanford, FL 32771
  800-848-7364

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  TDI Truck Driver Institute
  5750 E. Milton Road
  Milton, FL 32583
  800-848-7364

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  TDI Truck Driver Institute
  3425 Lancaster Highway
  Richburg, SC 29729
  800-848-7364

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  TDI Truck Driver Institute
  24645 S.R. 23
  South Bend, IN 46680
  800-848-7364

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  TDI Truck Driver Institute
  341 East Franklin Street
  Tupelo, MS 38802
  800-848-7364

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  TDI Truck Driver Institute
  100 Industrial Park Drive
  Forsyth, GA 31029
  800-848-7364

Find CDL Training Through Paid CDL Training Programs

Did you know there are also paid CDL training programs available? These are truck driving schools which are owned and operated by trucking companies. They're also known as company-sponsored CDL training programs. These programs can often turn out to be free CDL training! Check out that link to learn more.

Independent truck driving schools and company-sponsored schools are both worthy of consideration and are covered thoroughly in our truck driver's career guide.