How long does cdl truck driver training take in Tennessee?

Most people become a CDL Truck Driver in Tennessee 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 Tennessee?

Yes. Tennessee requires state-level licensing or registration for CDL truck drivers, administered by the Department of Safety - Division of Driver License Issuance. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

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

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

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), CDL truck drivers in Tennessee earned a median annual wage of approximately $58,620. Employment concentration in Tennessee is about 1.49 times the national average for this occupation.

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

Tennessee currently employs approximately 64,890 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

Tennessee heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers earn a median annual wage of $58,620 ($28.18/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 64,890 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -0.0% below the national median of $58,640 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $58,620 ($28.18/hr)
25th percentile: $47,740 per year
75th percentile: $73,420 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $83,280 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $39,960 per year
Workers employed in Tennessee: 64,890
Versus national median: -0.0% below the U.S. median of $58,640
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.49 - this occupation is more concentrated in Tennessee than the national average

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

Tennessee employs about 64,890 CDL truck drivers earning a median $58,620 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 Department of Safety - Division of Driver License Issuance.

Compare CDL Truck Driver Schools in Tennessee

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. 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	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville	68.0	Contact school for pricing	$54,975	Not reported	—	52 mi
2	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson	66.0	Contact school for pricing	$45,526	Not reported	—	86 mi
3	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Upper Cumberland	64.4	Contact school for pricing	Not reported	Not reported	—	127 mi
4	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-McMinnville	58.5	Contact school for pricing	$49,364	Not reported	—	85 mi
5	West Kentucky Community and Technical College	56.9	Contact school for pricing	$43,110	49%	Yes*	118 mi
6	Madisonville Community College	55.9	Contact school for pricing	$54,485	52%	Yes*	112 mi
7	Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest	52.8	Contact school for pricing	$44,302	Not reported	—	113 mi
8	Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crump	50.7	Contact school for pricing	$39,150	Not reported	—	68 mi
9	Bevill State Community College	50.6	Contact school for pricing	$51,972	41%	Yes*	133 mi
10	Hopkinsville Community College	50.6	$4,728 - $14,469	$46,788	41%	Yes*	79 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.

Tennessee employs approximately 64,890 CDL truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,620 ¹. The state’s concentration of cdl truck driver jobs is 1.49x 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 Tennessee, 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: Department of Safety - Division of Driver License Issuance
Exam: state CDL skills test
Median wage (Tennessee): $58,620 per year ¹

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

How to become a CDL Truck Driver in Tennessee? Complete FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Apply through Department of Safety - Division of Driver License Issuance.

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 Department of Safety - Division of Driver License Issuance.

Do I need a license in Tennessee? Yes. Tennessee typically registers this role through Department of Safety - Division of Driver License Issuance. See the licensing section below.

What do CDL truck drivers earn in Tennessee? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Tennessee is $58,620 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,960 and experienced professionals can earn $83,280 or more ¹.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Tennessee

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 Tennessee

CDL truck drivers in Tennessee 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.

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 Department of Safety - Division of Driver License Issuance before you enroll.

CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee

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

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Memphis	19,460	$63,070	$66,500	$44,200	$96,150
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin	18,860	$60,630	$62,410	$44,600	$83,940
Knoxville	8,130	$59,100	$60,210	$39,670	$79,040
Chattanooga	4,370	$57,440	$56,740	$39,440	$74,730
Kingsport-Bristol	1,880	$54,700	$53,580	$39,060	$69,580
Jackson	1,870	$55,160	$55,930	$37,530	$76,110
Morristown	1,470	$67,330	$61,500	$43,700	$75,290
Clarksville	1,380	$51,470	$56,810	$38,670	$77,640
Cleveland	970	$49,250	$54,460	$36,850	$77,850
Johnson City	850	$47,670	$50,680	$36,350	$68,010

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 Tennessee? Tennessee currently employs approximately 64,890 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 Tennessee with an out-of-state license? Contact Department of Safety - Division of Driver License Issuance for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do CDL truck drivers earn in Tennessee compared to the national average? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Tennessee is $58,620, which is $1,180 above the national median of $57,440 according to BLS data ¹.

In Tennessee

Best Trade Schools in Tennessee (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Tennessee

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/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)