Yesterday, I ran across a forum online where someone had asked, "what trucking companies hire & train inexperienced drivers?"  I imagine this is a pretty common question out there, and since this is right up our alley - here is our answer.

Sure, you can do what one of the people who responded suggested and search Google for "company paid cdl training."  In fact, that's a pretty good start.  But it's important to understand the concept of company paid CDL training before you decide on a trucking school or company. 

The first thing to understand is that, in most cases, "company paid CDL training" does NOT mean that a company is paying you while you are in training.  What it DOES mean is that a trucking company is going to cover the upfront tuition costs associated with CDL training.  Now this can be a huge advantage if cash flow is tight since tuition at many CDL schools can range from $4,000.00 to $6,000.00.  For most people, the company paid option is better than clearing out a savings account or taking out a loan.

It is important to ask if the company does any type of credit check - especially if you do not have great credit.  With Driver Solutions, you do not need to go through a credit check because you are not taking out a loan.  So you can get started, regardless of your credit situation.

Another key piece to the puzzle is what happens after training.  If a company is going to sponsor a driver's tuition, they are going to expect something in return.  Some trucking companies will require that the driver sign a 2-year contract to work with their company in exchange for them covering the upfront tuition cost.  2 years is a long time to be locked into a contract with a company when you are entering a new profession. 

At Driver Solutions, the trucking companies that we work with require just a 1 year contract.  This allows drivers to get that important first year under their belt and opens up options after they've fulfilled the contract.

Last, but certainly not least, you will want to look at the quality of training you will be receiving and the trucking companies that are offering the company paid training option.  How long have they been in business?  What type of reputation do they have with their employees? 

Driver Solutions has been in business for over 23 years and we work with some of the top CDL schools in the country.  Among the companies offering company paid training, we have USA Truck - which was recently awarded the Top Pay Carrier by the National Transportation Institute.