You can get hired for a CDL Class A job without experience, but most carriers require you to complete their paid training program first

Trucking companies hire people with no experience regularly, but they do not hire them to drive solo when ready. The standard path is: you hold a valid CDL Class A license, you enroll in a carrier's training program (usually four to six weeks, paid), you complete it under supervision, and then you move to solo driving. Some companies will hire you before you have your license and cover the cost of getting it, though this is less common and usually comes with a contract requiring you to stay for a set period.

The companies most likely to hire inexperienced drivers are large carriers with formal training departments — companies like Werner, Schneider, Swift, and Heartland Express. They have the infrastructure to onboard new drivers and the volume to absorb the cost. Small owner-operator fleets or regional carriers rarely take on someone with zero experience because they cannot afford the training time.

Your timeline matters. If you already have your CDL Class A license, you can explore directly to carriers and start their training within weeks. If you do not have the license yet, you will need to get it first (through a truck driving school or your state's DMV), which adds two to six months depending on your state and how quickly you complete the written and skills tests.

Key Takeaways

  • Large national carriers like Werner, Schneider, and Swift actively hire inexperienced drivers and provide paid training programs lasting four to six weeks.
  • You must have a valid CDL Class A license before you can be hired; some carriers will pay for your training school, but this is conditional on staying with the company.
  • Training programs are paid, meaning you earn money while learning to drive professionally, though the pay is lower than what solo drivers make.
  • After you complete training, you will drive with a mentor or trainer for a set period (usually two to four weeks) before driving solo.
  • Your driving record, criminal history, and medical certification affect whether a carrier will hire you, regardless of experience level.

What carriers look for when you have no experience

Trucking companies care less about your driving history than they do about your background and your ability to pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) medical exam. A clean criminal record matters more than prior truck driving experience. Most carriers will run a background check and a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR), which shows traffic violations and accidents from the past three to five years.

You will need a valid DOT medical certificate before you start training. This requires a physical exam with a certified medical examiner and costs between $100 and $200. The exam checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and ability to operate a commercial vehicle safely. If you have a medical condition like diabetes or sleep apnea, you may still pass, but you will need documentation and sometimes a specialist's clearance.

Carriers also look at your employment history and whether you can pass a drug test. A pattern of short jobs or frequent gaps raises questions, but a single long-term job or a clear reason for a gap (school, illness, caregiving) is not a barrier. The drug test is standard and non-negotiable.

How to find carriers that hire inexperienced drivers

Start with the websites of large national carriers. Most have a careers page that lists open positions and explicitly states whether they hire inexperienced drivers. Search for phrases like "entry-level CDL driver" or "no experience necessary" on their job boards. Companies like Werner, Schneider, Swift, Heartland Express, and PAM Transportation all have formal programs for new drivers.

Truck driving job boards like TruckersReport.com, Indeed, and LinkedIn also list positions filtered by experience level. You can search by company, location, and whether training is provided. Read the job description carefully — some postings say "no experience required" but then list requirements that contradict that claim. Look for language like "paid training provided" or "training program included."

Contact carriers directly by phone. Call their recruiting department and ask whether they hire drivers with no experience and what their training program looks like. This is faster than explore online and gives you a chance to ask questions about pay during training, how long the program lasts, and whether you have to sign a contract.

What happens during the training program

Most carrier training programs combine classroom instruction with behind-the-wheel training. You will spend the first week or two learning company policies, DOT regulations, vehicle inspection procedures, and basic safety. Then you move to the truck with a trainer who teaches you how to operate the vehicle, handle different road conditions, and manage your logbook (the record of your driving hours, required by federal law).

You will be paid during training, though the rate is lower than what experienced drivers earn — typically $30,000 to $40,000 per year, or sometimes an hourly rate. Some companies pay a flat weekly amount; others pay based on miles driven during training. Ask the carrier for specifics before you commit.

After classroom and initial behind-the-wheel training, you will ride with a mentor driver for a period ranging from two weeks to two months. During this time, you are still being paid and evaluated. The mentor watches you handle different situations — highway driving, backing up, loading and unloading, dealing with traffic — and reports back to the company. Once the mentor signs off, you move to solo driving.

Contract terms and what they mean for you

Many carriers require you to sign a contract when they pay for your training or hire you as an inexperienced driver. The contract typically says you must stay with the company for a set period — often one to two years — or you owe back the cost of training. Training programs can cost $3,000 to $8,000, so this is a real financial commitment if you leave early.

Read the contract before you sign it. Look for the exact amount you would owe if you leave, the length of the commitment, and whether there are exceptions (for example, if the company lays you off or violates the agreement). Some contracts allow you to leave without penalty after a certain period, like six months. Others are stricter.

If you cannot afford to stay with a company if things go wrong, look for carriers that offer training without a contract or with a shorter commitment. These are less common, but they exist. Some smaller regional carriers or owner-operators may hire you without formal training if you already have your CDL and are willing to learn on the job, though this is riskier and less common for someone with no experience.

Getting your CDL Class A license before you explore

If you do not have your license yet, you have two paths: attend a truck driving school or study on your own and test through your state's DMV. Truck driving schools take four to eight weeks and cost $3,000 to $7,000. They teach you the written material, give you behind-the-wheel instruction, and prepare you for the CDL skills test. Many schools have relationships with carriers and can place you directly into a job after graduation.

The self-study path is cheaper but requires more discipline. You buy a CDL study guide, study the written test material on your own, practice with online tests, and then schedule your written exam at your state's DMV. After you pass the written test, you need to schedule a skills test (the pre-trip inspection, the backing test, and the road test). You can take the skills test with a private examiner or through your state's DMV, depending on your state's rules. This path takes longer because you have to coordinate everything yourself and may need to hire a private instructor for behind-the-wheel practice.

If a carrier offers to pay for your training school as part of hiring you, that is usually the fastest route. You get the license, the training, and the job in one package. The tradeoff is the contract commitment.

Red flags and what to avoid

Be cautious of companies that charge you upfront for training or licensing. Legitimate carriers pay for training as part of hiring you, not the other way around. If a recruiter asks you to pay money before you start, that is a scam.

Avoid companies that promise unrealistic pay or guarantees. Entry-level drivers make less than experienced drivers — that is standard. If a posting says you will make $80,000 in your first year with no experience, that is not realistic and the company is likely misrepresenting the job.

Check the company's safety record and driver reviews before you commit. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) publishes safety data on carriers, including accident rates and violations. Websites like TruckersReport and Indeed have driver reviews. A company with consistently poor reviews or a bad safety record is not worth the contract commitment, even if the pay looks good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need my CDL before I explore, or can a carrier help me get it?

Some carriers will hire you before you have your license and pay for your training school, but this is less common and usually comes with a contract requiring you to stay for a set period. Most carriers expect you to have your CDL already. If you do not, getting your license first (through a school or self-study) puts you in a stronger position to negotiate with carriers.

How long does it take to go from no experience to driving solo?

If you already have your CDL, most carrier training programs take four to six weeks of classroom and supervised driving, followed by two to four weeks riding with a mentor. If you do not have your CDL yet, add four to eight weeks for truck driving school or self-study and testing. Total timeline is usually three to six months from start to solo driving.

What if I have a criminal record or a bad driving record?

Carriers have different standards. Felonies, especially violent crimes or drug-related offenses, are usually disqualifying. Traffic violations and minor misdemeanors may not be. Contact carriers directly and ask about their background policy before you explore. Some are stricter than others, and being honest upfront is better than having your process rejected later.

Can I negotiate the pay or contract terms?

Pay during training is usually set by the carrier and not negotiable. Contract terms may have some flexibility, especially if you are explore to multiple carriers and can choose between offers. Ask about the commitment length, what happens if the company lays you off, and whether there are exceptions. Do not sign a contract you do not understand.

What happens if I fail the training program?

If you fail to complete training or do not pass the company's evaluation, you will not move to solo driving. Some carriers will let you try again; others will not. You will not owe the training cost if the company terminates you for performance reasons, but you also will not have a job. Ask the carrier what their policy is on failed trainees before you start.