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Perhaps you are considering starting a trucking career in Indiana, but before that, there are some steps you need to take.
You will have to meet some specific criteria as well as attend a training program.
Read on to find out more information on how to become a truck driver in this state.
Article Table of Contents
Training requirements
The training requirements vary depending on the city you are in.
However, in Indiana, you have to be 21 years old as well as a clean driving record.
You will also be asked to take a drug test and prove you are a US citizen.
Make sure to check the criteria in your city for updated information.
Choosing a driving school
There are some things to keep in mind when picking a school to train at.
If you are worried about paying for your school, look for those that offer financial aid options.
Some of the schools provide this option while others don’t, and at times a trucking company could also pay for your training.
Another aspect to look at is endorsements, as these will help you earn a better salary in the long run.
They also offer more career opportunities for truck drivers.
Some of the schools that provide endorsements are HAZMAT, Doubles/Triples, and School Bus.
Comparing schools
You should consider choosing the program to enroll in based on how much time you can dedicate to it.
If you opt for a diesel technology course, it will take up to 2 years to finish.
If you only plan on getting a license, your training will last for about a year.
However, an associate’s degree usually requires 2 years of training.
Truck driving programs usually have a shorter duration.
You can complete such a program in a month or less, and Indiana has plenty of school options.
For instance, the program offered by The Truck Driver Institute only lasts for 15 days.
Both diesel technology and trucking schools sometimes provide job placement.
CDI Truck Driving School offers job placement to fresh graduates searching for a job.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| C & H Professional Driving Center | 9707 West Hwy 24, Wolcott, IN 47995 |
| C.R. England | 321 Tech Dr, Burns Harbor, IN 46304, USA |
| C1 Truck Driver Training | 3603 E Raymond St, Indianapolis, IN 46203 |
| C1 Truck Driver Training | 2701 S Coliseum Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46802 |
| Commercial Driver Training Consultants Inc | 6800 E 30th St, Indianapolis, IN 46219, USA |
| DriveCo CDL Learning Center | 2101 W 37th Ave, Gary, IN 46408, USA |
| Driver Solutions | 3603 E Raymond St, Indianapolis, IN 46802 |
| Franklin College Truck Driving School | 3905 Gemco Lane, Indianapolis, IN 46254 |
| Mister P Express | 801 Trey Street, Jeffersonville, IN 47130 |
| Premier Truck Driving Schools (C.R. England partner) | 321 Tech Drive, Burns Harbor, IN 46304, USA |
| Professional Truck Driver Training School | 5300 Indianapolis Blvd., East Chicago, IN 46312 |
| Roadmaster Drivers – Indianapolis | 3016 Bluff Road, Indianapolis, IN 46217 |
| Safe Drivers Institute Of America | 1310 South West Street, Indianapolis, IN 46225, USA |
| SAGE | 3049 Chief Lane, Indianapolis, IN 46241 |
| SAGE | 4301 S Cowan Rd., Muncie, IN 47302 |
| Truck Driver Institute | 3542 East 500 North, Whiteland, IN 46184 |
| Truck Driver Institute | 24645 SR 23, South Bend, IN 46614 |
| Truck Driver Institute | 1523 Avco Blvd, Sellersburg, IN 47172, USA |
| Truck Driving CDL Training Center | 1600 Broadway St., Clarkesville, IN 47129 |
| Vincennes University | 2175 S Hoffman Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46241 |
| Vincennes University | 1002 N First St., Vincennes, IN 47591 |
Job Outlook in Indiana
Based on the school you choose, you can benefit from getting employed by the same company you are training with.
For example, CR England trucking provides courses that allow for hiring after completion.
If you are more interested in diesel technology, check out Vincennes University.
This school partner up with John Deere, which means they offer the most modern technologies.
You will also receive top training and the chance to get hired by a John Deere dealership.
You should take the time to look at all your job options before choosing the company you will work for.
Some of the most famous companies in this state include C.R. England, MCT Transportation LLC, and Foodliner.
Salary Expectations
As per O*Net, truck driver jobs will see a growth of 21% between 2012 and 2022, while diesel technology jobs will increase by 14%.
On average, truck drivers from Indiana make $43,208 per year, while the highest salary reaches around $50,075 per year.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Indianapolis | $43,202 |
| Fort Wayne | $41,258 |
| Evansville | $41,800 |
| South Bend | $41,342 |
| Carmel | $43,149 |
| Fishers | $40,864 |
| Bloomington | $40,738 |
| Hammond | $44,048 |
| Gary | $44,048 |
| Lafayette | $42,936 |
Regional Salary in Indiana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IN | 550 | $49,680 | $23.89 | $68,850 | $35,590 |
| Columbus, IN | 610 | $53,430 | $25.69 | $71,650 | $37,190 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | 2,270 | $54,260 | $26.09 | $75,170 | $37,540 |
| Evansville, IN-KY | 2,110 | $49,930 | $24.01 | $70,840 | $33,060 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 3,870 | $52,930 | $25.45 | $70,630 | $37,330 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN | 19,530 | $55,990 | $26.92 | $77,960 | $37,380 |
| Kokomo, IN | 390 | $52,910 | $25.44 | $69,260 | $37,270 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | 1,290 | $52,180 | $25.09 | $72,490 | $35,630 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | 490 | $51,280 | $24.66 | $70,160 | $35,600 |
| Muncie, IN | 570 | $54,620 | $26.26 | $70,380 | $37,620 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | 1,740 | $54,920 | $26.4 | $72,830 | $38,700 |
| Terre Haute, IN | 1,020 | $53,770 | $25.85 | $77,650 | $36,500 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Conclusion
In Indiana, you can work for a trucking company, a leasing center, or even a repairs shop.
The jobs are diverse and you can easily find the right options for you after you finish your training.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Truck Driver
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