The catch-22 every new driver hits: the job needs experience, and the experience needs a job. Plenty of postings say “entry level” and then list two years of verifiable OTR in the requirements.
The carriers worth your time are the ones that budget for new drivers — a finishing program, a trainer in the right seat for a few weeks, then your own truck. Those are the ones we send entry-level applicants to.
What the first year actually looks like
Most entry-level programs follow the same shape. You start with orientation, usually paid and lasting several days. Then you run team with a certified trainer for a set number of weeks or miles — this is where you learn backing under pressure, trip planning, hours-of-service discipline and how to handle a scale. After that you're upgraded to your own truck at the company's solo rate.
Expect the first year to pay less than what experienced drivers earn. That is the trade for the training, and it is temporary: after twelve months of verifiable, clean experience your options widen sharply and the rate follows.
If you don't have a CDL yet
Some carriers sponsor CDL training outright: they cover school in exchange for a commitment to drive for them, usually a year or more. It's a real path into the industry with no upfront tuition, but read the contract terms carefully — if you leave early, the schooling cost usually becomes repayable.
We list company-sponsored CDL openings on our board when carriers have them. If that's the route you want, say so on the application and we'll tell you what's currently open.
Choosing a first carrier
New drivers tend to focus only on the pay rate. The things that actually shape your first year are how long the training period runs, whether the trainer is paid to teach or just to run miles, how old the equipment is, and whether home time is a schedule or a suggestion.
Ask about those specifically. We'll tell you what we know about each carrier before you commit — a first year that goes badly costs far more than a few cents a mile.
What you need to get started
- CDL-A, or willingness to enter a company-sponsored program
- 21+ for interstate driving
- DOT physical and medical card in date
- Clean or explainable MVR
- Readiness to run with a trainer for the first several weeks
Start with a carrier that trains.
Tell us where you're at — school graduate, CDL in hand, or still deciding — and we'll show you what's open right now.
Common questions
Can I get a trucking job straight out of CDL school?
Yes. A number of carriers hire recent graduates directly and put them through a finishing program with a certified trainer before upgrading them to a solo truck. That is the normal route into the industry.
Do I need experience to apply through United Services?
No. We place drivers across the whole range, including drivers with zero verifiable miles. Say so on the application and we will only approach carriers that genuinely hire entry-level.
What does paid CDL training involve?
The carrier covers your CDL school in exchange for a commitment to drive for them, typically a year or longer. There is no upfront tuition, but leaving early usually means repaying a prorated share of the cost. Read the contract before signing.
How much do first-year drivers make?
Less than experienced drivers, and it varies widely by carrier, equipment and how many miles you run. Every offer on our board shows the carrier's posted rate so you can compare rather than guess.
How long until I get my own truck?
Typically a few weeks to a couple of months with a trainer, depending on the carrier's program and how quickly you meet their upgrade requirements.