Truck Driving Schools in Indiana

Anyone who wishes to become a professional truck driver in Indiana must obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) from the state. This is only possible after meeting certain requirements set by the state and federal lawmakers.

Candidates will be glad to know that all of these requirements have been carefully laid down below in a manner that is easy to follow and digest. By providing the guide below, we hope that candidates will be highly prepared for their journey and be able to handle any challenge that may come their way.

To help them make optimal decisions each step of the way, we have also provided other helpful resources, including a list of top training programs and a highlight of possible annual earnings to expect.

How to Become a Truck Driver in Indiana

These steps are needed to launch a successful truck driving career in Indiana.

Basic Requirements

The basic requirements to become a truck driver in Indiana are good physical shape, solid vision, and 18 years old. Those crossing state lines must be at least 21 years old.

Individuals must have a regular driver’s license that has been held for at least one year.

Classes and Endorsements

There are several classes and endorsements for truck drivers in Indiana. Class A includes vehicles of more than 26,000 pounds towing a vehicle of more than 10,000 pounds, and Class B includes vehicles of more than 26,000 pounds towing a vehicle of less than 10,000 pounds.

Endorsements allow drivers to haul certain materials. The H endorsement, for example, allows them to haul hazardous materials, while the N and P endorsements stand for tank and passenger transport, respectively.

Training Programs

Candidates are advised to enroll in CDL training programs to acquire advanced skills on the job. Some of these programs boast strong connections with trucking companies, leading to easy job placement.

We examine possible top-quality options later on the page.

CLP & CDL Tests

Lastly, candidates must obtain a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) to practice under the supervision of a licensed instructor. They must prove physical fitness and complete a knowledge test to do this.

Once they have practiced enough, they may take the skills test and officially receive their Indiana commercial driver’s license.

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Licensure & Certification Requirements

Candidates must submit relevant documents, including citizenship, legal stay, and residence certification documents, and pass an eye exam while applying for their commercial learner’s permit.

Then, they will have to pay $17 for their CLP, pass the knowledge test, and practice for the skills test. Candidates must spend at least 14 days between acquiring their CLP and applying for the CDL skills test.

The skills test includes pre-trip inspection, road skills, and basic vehicle control. Afterward, candidates may pay the $35 licensing fee, acquire their CDLs, and consider themselves full-fledged truck drivers in Indiana.

Top Truck Driver Schools in Indiana

Candidates seeking comprehensive CDL training in Indiana may consider any of the entries below.

Explore truck driving schools in Indiana by City:

• Truck driving schools in Indianapolis

Salary & Career Outlook

The annual average salary for an average truck driver in Indiana is around $86,396, according to a survey of truck drivers in the state conducted by the employment platform Indeed.

The same dataset revealed that the highest-paid truck drivers in the state earned an annual average salary of $158,313, while the lowest-paid took home an average of $47,149 at the end of the year.

Experience, employer, and endorsements are factors that may help professionals move from the lower end of the salary range to the upper end.

The highest-paying cities for truck drivers in Indiana include Hammond, with an annual average salary of $124,039; Evansville, with an annual average salary of $112,581; and Lafayette, with an annual average salary of $108,667.

Fort Wayne and Indianapolis, with annual average salaries of $102,160 and $98,178, also make the top five.