How long does cdl truck driver training take in Indiana?

Most people become a CDL Truck Driver in Indiana through FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years.

Do CDL truck drivers need a license in Indiana?

Yes. Indiana requires state-level licensing or registration for CDL truck drivers, administered by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Indiana (2026)

Q: How much do CDL truck drivers earn in Indiana?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), CDL truck drivers in Indiana earned a median annual wage of approximately $60,290. Employment concentration in Indiana is about 1.39 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for CDL truck drivers in Indiana?

Indiana currently employs approximately 59,090 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.0% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Indiana heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers earn a median annual wage of $60,290 ($28.99/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 59,090 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 2.8% above the national median of $58,640 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $60,290 ($28.99/hr)
25th percentile: $49,390 per year
75th percentile: $72,260 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $79,000 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $42,060 per year
Workers employed in Indiana: 59,090
Versus national median: 2.8% above the U.S. median of $58,640
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.39 - this occupation is more concentrated in Indiana than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Indiana employs about 59,090 CDL truck drivers earning a median $60,290 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a CDL Truck Driver here means completing FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years, then applying through Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Compare CDL Truck Driver Schools in Indiana

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition (published, per year)	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Butler Technology and Career Development Schools	69.7	Contact school for pricing	$59,443	76%	—	113 mi
2	Ohio Business College-Dayton-Driving Academy	68.3	Contact school for pricing	$31,144	84%	—	107 mi
3	Vantage Career Center	65.4	Contact school for pricing	$44,179	92%	—	92 mi
4	University of Northwestern Ohio	63.8	$13,875	$56,340	54%	Yes*	110 mi
5	Gateway Community and Technical College	55.7	$4,728 in-state / $6,432 out-of-state	$47,990	59%	Yes*	126 mi
6	Richland Community College	53.4	$4,680 in-state / $17,070 out-of-state	$51,785	60%	Yes*	147 mi
7	Apollo Career Center	51.2	Contact school for pricing	$46,663	59%	—	110 mi
8	Elgin Community College	50.2	$3,252 in-state / $9,516 out-of-state	$54,220	41%	—	159 mi
9	Jefferson Community and Technical College	49.7	$4,808 in-state / $6,512 out-of-state	$50,106	35%	Yes*	149 mi
10	Ivy Tech Community College	49.2	$5,154 in-state / $9,935 out-of-state	$53,369	40%	Yes*	40 mi

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Indiana employs approximately 59,090 CDL truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,290 ¹. The state’s concentration of cdl truck driver jobs is 1.39x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, cdl truck driver employment is projected to grow 4.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 237,600 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a CDL Truck Driver in Indiana, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: ELDT from a Training Provider Registry school (find programs)
Typical timeline: FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years
Licensing authority: Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Exam: state CDL skills test
Median wage (Indiana): $60,290 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Indiana

How to become a CDL Truck Driver in Indiana? Complete FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Apply through Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

How long does it take? Most people finish FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Confirm current hour totals with the program and Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Do I need a license in Indiana? Yes. Indiana credentials this role through Bureau of Motor Vehicles ³. See the licensing section below.

What do CDL truck drivers earn in Indiana? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Indiana is $60,290 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $42,060 and experienced professionals can earn $79,000 or more ¹.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Indiana

Meet age, record, and medical rules. Interstate CDL driving is generally 21 and up; many states allow intrastate CDL at 18. Pass a DOT medical exam from an NRCME examiner.
Complete FMCSA ELDT. Take Entry-Level Driver Training from a school on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
Get a CLP and pass the skills test. Earn a commercial learner’s permit, practice, then pass the skills test at the state driver-license office.
Receive the CDL and endorsements. The state issues the CDL. Add endorsements the job needs. Confirm current rules with the state DMV, not a parent transportation agency homepage.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

CDL Truck Driver License Requirements in Indiana

CDL truck drivers in Indiana complete FMCSA ELDT, pass a DOT medical exam, and earn a state-issued CDL. This is a weeks-long path, not a multi-year apprenticeship. See Bureau of Motor Vehicles ³.

Typical path

Meet age, record, and DOT medical rules.
Complete ELDT on the Training Provider Registry.
Get a CLP and pass the skills test.
Receive the CDL and needed endorsements from the state DMV.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Bureau of Motor Vehicles before you enroll.

CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in Indiana

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Wages by Metro Area in Indiana

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers wages in Indiana vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin	62,210	$62,300	$65,170	$41,300	$88,230
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood	20,480	$61,980	$63,160	$43,230	$82,540
Cincinnati	13,820	$60,590	$63,170	$45,920	$81,620
Louisville/Jefferson County	10,820	$59,000	$62,930	$44,970	$87,580
Fort Wayne	4,210	$59,050	$58,880	$39,250	$75,160
South Bend-Mishawaka	1,840	$56,820	$56,910	$39,720	$74,410
Evansville	1,750	$55,570	$57,770	$37,670	$75,820
Elkhart-Goshen	1,690	$58,100	$57,920	$43,340	$75,670
Lafayette-West Lafayette	1,410	$58,360	$57,950	$40,560	$76,450
Terre Haute	1,140	$53,030	$56,180	$43,880	$72,780
Michigan City-La Porte	620	$58,240	$57,540	$35,960	$73,370
Muncie	560	$58,810	$57,470	$36,230	$70,390
Bloomington	550	$58,700	$60,240	$42,190	$84,800
Columbus	520	$57,350	$57,340	$45,540	$72,910
Kokomo	390	$58,370	$59,010	$40,120	$74,990

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for CDL truck drivers in Indiana? Indiana currently employs approximately 59,090 CDL truck drivers ¹. Nationally, cdl truck driver employment is projected to grow 4.0% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a cdl truck driver in Indiana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Bureau of Motor Vehicles for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Indiana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Indiana.

How much do CDL truck drivers earn in Indiana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Indiana is $60,290, which is $2,850 above the national median of $57,440 according to BLS data ¹.

In Indiana

Best Trade Schools in Indiana (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Indiana

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Motor Vehicles - Licensing Information: http://www.in.gov/bmv/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)