Carter Express Trucking School Review – Company Paid CDL Training
Founded in 1983, Carter Express’s objective is to supply transportation services to their customers in an efficient, economical, and timely manner. They do this all while creating a great work environment for their employees.
Currently, Carter Express has over 800 non-union employees, including professional truck drivers, dock workers, customer service specialists, managers, and office personnel. Because of their dedicated employees and Carter Express’s commitment to safety and excellence, the company has been awarded the Supplier in Excellence Award, the Best in Class Truckload/Milk Run Carrier Award, and numerous safety awards. With one of the lowest accident ratios in the country, it’s no wonder Carter Express has been recognized by the Truckload Carrier Association as first in the nation for safety in the 50 to 99.99 Million Miles Class.
We asked Carter Express’s driver recruitment director a few questions about Carter Express’s company paid CDL training program and here’s what he said:
1. Does Carter Express pay the full tuition cost of the school or must students pay the tuition up-front with a tuition reimbursement later on?
In two of our terminal locations (Anderson, IN and Paragould, AR) we have the ability and partnership to sponsor a student through a truck driving school.
In our other five terminal locations, we do not have partnerships and can do a tuition reimbursement program with the recent CDL school graduate.
Our five other terminal locations include Romulus, MI; Vandalia, OH; Hebron, KY; Andersonville, TN; Laredo, TX.
2. What is the tuition cost that Carter Express covers for the student?
Indiana schools charge $4,400 tuition for a 4 week, 5 days per week course.
Arkansas school charges a $3,300 tuition plus $720 for miscellaneous supplies for their 3 week, 6 days per week course.
Carter Express pays for the entire tuition. The student pays for their CDL permit only.
3. If Carter Express does pay the full tuition amount, are students still allowed to pay their own tuition up-front? Do you provide any kind of discount for students who pay their own tuition up-front?
Students can pay the tuition directly to the school if they desire.
I am not aware of a discount program if the student pays. However, the student is welcome to negotiate directly with the school.
4. What is the name of the truck driving school that you send your sponsored students to?
In Indiana, we use two schools, the Ivy Tech Community College schools (Sage Truck Driving School in Muncie, IN and CTS Truck Driving School in Indianapolis, IN).
5. Are the students required to have their commercial learner’s permit (CLP) before they start school?
Yes.
6. Do you pay for the student’s meals and lodging while they are at the school?
No.
7. Do you pay for the student’s transportation expense to travel to the school?
No.
8. Do the students get paid an allowance while they are at the sponsored truck driving school?
No.
9. Once the students graduate from the school, do they go straight to orientation or do they do their over-the-road training with Carter Express first?
Graduates from the school attend a paid three-day “New Driver Orientation” program.
Once orientation is complete, the graduate begins a paid 5.5 week “Finishing Program” training classes.
10. How much time must students train over-the-road with a Carter Express driver trainer?
During the 5.5 week Finishing Program, the graduates spend about 1.5 weeks in classroom studies, 2 weeks in Range Training, and 2 weeks in local road training.
11. Is the over-the-road training one-on-one with a driver trainer?
Yes. All “in the truck” training is one-on-one.
12. Is there a minimum number of miles or days that the students must train over-the-road?
Yes. Two weeks of Range Training (on our lot) and two weeks of Road Training.
13. How much do the students get paid each week during their over-the-road training?
$350 for the first week, and $400/week for Week 2 through Week 6.
14. Is the over-the-road training conducted like a solo operation or a team operation?
It’s a solo operation. The certified trainer never drives. The trainer only observes and instructs the driver trainee.
15. Can students request a driver trainer who doesn’t smoke during the OTR training?
Yes. We have non-smoking trainers, smoking trainers, and female trainers that are assigned to the trainees accordingly.
16. How long is orientation?
Three days.
17. Are trainees paid during orientation? If so, how much do they get paid?
The three days of orientation plus the first 2 days of training are compensated at $350.
18. Are meals and lodging paid for by Carter Express during orientation?
Yes. All drivers attending orientation are provided meals. Out of town drivers in orientation are provided free hotel lodging.
19. Once the students finish their paid CDL training and are hired by Carter Express as a driver, how long must they drive for Carter Express in order for their training to be free?
Trainees sign a 12-month agreement to drive for Carter Express (for training to be free).
20. Are students required to sign a contract with a 1 year or 2 year driving commitment?
A one-year agreement is required.
21. What happens if the driver quits before that one-year time period is over?
In Indiana, the one-year agreement states that a driver’s training program is valued at $2,500 (though our actual costs are higher). For each month a driver works for Carter Express, the driver is credited $200. If the driver completes 12 months, we call it “even”.
If a driver works less than 12 months, we ask them to pay us the remaining pro-rated amount for training.
In Arkansas, Carter makes a down payment toward tuition once the student graduates. Then, the school invoices Carter Express $150 per month for each month the graduate works for Carter Express. After 19 months, the tuition is completely paid by Carter Express.
Should the graduate leave Carter’s employment prior to the tuition being paid in full, the school halts invoicing Carter and starts invoicing the graduate directly, each month, until the tuition is paid in full.
22. Does Carter Express deduct a certain amount from the driver’s paycheck each week in order to pay off the tuition amount? If so, how much is deducted from the driver’s paycheck each week? How long is that amount deducted for?
No weekly deductions are made. The signed agreement states that Carter Express has the right to keep the final two weeks of pay. The held pay is applied to the owed amount.
23. How many cents per mile do drivers make when they first start driving for Carter Express?
Starting drivers make 32.5 cents per mile.
24. When do the drivers get a pay raise and how much is each pay raise?
On their 12-month driving anniversary, the driver’s base-pay is increased from 32.5 cents per mile to 36.5 cents per mile (a 12.3% increase in their mileage rate).
25. How many days of home time does a driver get for each week he/she is on the road?
All Carter Express drivers are guaranteed 2 days at home per week. Reality is, our drivers average two round trip loads per week, so it is normal for drivers to also be home during their five-day work week.
26. What benefits do you offer drivers (medical, dental, vision, and life insurance and a 401(k) retirement savings plan? Is the 401(k) company matched?)?
We offer three medical plans, plus coverage for vision, dental, and life insurance, as well as short-term disability, and long-term disability.
We have 2 paid holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas) and paid vacation.
We also have a 401(k) retirement savings plan with a dollar for dollar match for the first 2% and a 50 cents on the dollar match for the next 2%.
All full time drivers are eligible for benefits within 90 days of their hire date.
27. Do you offer a fuel bonus? If so, how much?
Yes. Our fuel bonus averages 2 cents per mile.
28. Do you offer layover pay? If so, how much?
Yes. $100 if a driver sits for 24 hours.
29. Do you offer detention pay? If so, how much?
Yes. $15 per hour (the first two hours are free).
30. Do you offer stop pay? If so, how much? Are drivers paid stop pay for each stop they make between the first and last stops?
Yes. Each additional stop is paid at $12.50 per stop.
31. Do you offer a sign-on bonus?
No. We do not offer a sign-on bonus.
32. Do you offer a safety bonus to safe drivers each month or quarter or year?
Yes. We call this bonus a “Performance Bonus”. The bonus is 3% of each driver’s gross wages. It is paid quarterly (every 120 days).
33. How many days of paid vacation are drivers given after their first year, after their 2nd year, after their 3rd year, after their 5th year, etc?
1 week paid vacation after 1 year of service.
2 weeks of paid vacation after 3 years of service.
3 weeks of paid vacation after 10 years of service.
Vacation pay is 1/52 of the last 52 weeks of gross pay (total yearly pay divided by 52).
34. What brand(s) of trucks are the trucks at Carter Express?
We purchase Freightliner and Volvo tractors.
35. Are all the trucks at Carter Express late-model trucks? What is the average age of the trucks?
Yes. The average age of our power units is 2.5 years.
36. What speed are the trucks governed at?
The trucks are governed at 68 mph.
37. Are all of the trucks equipped with APUs?
Yes.
38. Are all the trucks equipped with electronic logs?
Yes.
39. Are all the trucks equipped with GPS navigation units?
Yes.
40. Are Carter Express drivers required to obtain a Class A CDL?
Yes. We do not own any Class B equipment. All our drivers are Class A drivers.
41. Are Carter Express drivers required to have a Hazmat Endorsement on their CDL?
Yes.
42. Are Carter Express drivers required to obtain a valid U.S. passport?
No.
43. Are drivers allowed to have any pets on board? If so, are there any stipulations like a deposit required for the animal and only animals of a certain size/weight allowed?
We do not have a pet policy for our company drivers.
44. Are drivers allowed to have any family members on board? If so, what is the required minimum age of the family member?
Yes. A passenger must be 12 years of age, or older.
Also, a passenger accident/medical policy must be purchased by the driver (the cost is $25 per week).
45. What are the requirements to become a Carter Express driver (in terms of driving record, DUIs, felony convictions, work history, etc)?
You must be at least 21 years of age.
You must Pass a DOT physical.
You must Pass a DOT pre-employment drug test.
You must have an acceptable MVR (motor vehicle report).
You must have an acceptable work record.
You must have an acceptable criminal record.
You must have the ability to a secure a HazMat endorsement.
As you can see, if you want to get paid CDL training from Carter Express, you must be able to pass a background check, be drug and alcohol free, have an acceptable background and work history, be at least 21 years old, and have a clean motor vehicle report. After you obtain your Class A CDL, you’ll have to secure a HazMat endorsement as well.
Overall, Carter Express’s company paid CDL training program is a great program that will help you obtain your CDL without having to pay the high cost of truck driving school. Once you graduate from one of their company sponsored truck driving schools, Carter Express will help you get your truck driving career rolling in the right direction with at least 1 year of guaranteed full-time employment.
Carter Express Trucking School Locations:
Carter Express Trucking School Review – Company Paid CDL Training
Founded in 1983, Carter Express’s objective is to supply transportation services to their customers in an efficient, economical, and timely manner. They do this all while creating a great work environment for their employees.
Currently, Carter Express has over 800 non-union employees, including professional truck drivers, dock workers, customer service specialists, managers, and office personnel. Because of their dedicated employees and Carter Express’s commitment to safety and excellence, the company has been awarded the Supplier in Excellence Award, the Best in Class Truckload/Milk Run Carrier Award, and numerous safety awards. With one of the lowest accident ratios in the country, it’s no wonder Carter Express has been recognized by the Truckload Carrier Association as first in the nation for safety in the 50 to 99.99 Million Miles Class.
We asked Carter Express’s driver recruitment director a few questions about Carter Express’s company paid CDL training program and here’s what he said:
1. Does Carter Express pay the full tuition cost of the school or must students pay the tuition up-front with a tuition reimbursement later on?
In two of our terminal locations (Anderson, IN and Paragould, AR) we have the ability and partnership to sponsor a student through a truck driving school.
In our other five terminal locations, we do not have partnerships and can do a tuition reimbursement program with the recent CDL school graduate.
Our five other terminal locations include Romulus, MI; Vandalia, OH; Hebron, KY; Andersonville, TN; Laredo, TX.
2. What is the tuition cost that Carter Express covers for the student?
Indiana schools charge $4,400 tuition for a 4 week, 5 days per week course.
Arkansas school charges a $3,300 tuition plus $720 for miscellaneous supplies for their 3 week, 6 days per week course.
Carter Express pays for the entire tuition. The student pays for their CDL permit only.
3. If Carter Express does pay the full tuition amount, are students still allowed to pay their own tuition up-front? Do you provide any kind of discount for students who pay their own tuition up-front?
Students can pay the tuition directly to the school if they desire.
I am not aware of a discount program if the student pays. However, the student is welcome to negotiate directly with the school.
4. What is the name of the truck driving school that you send your sponsored students to?
In Indiana, we use two schools, the Ivy Tech Community College schools (Sage Truck Driving School in Muncie, IN and CTS Truck Driving School in Indianapolis, IN).
5. Are the students required to have their commercial learner’s permit (CLP) before they start school?
Yes.
6. Do you pay for the student’s meals and lodging while they are at the school?
No.
7. Do you pay for the student’s transportation expense to travel to the school?
No.
8. Do the students get paid an allowance while they are at the sponsored truck driving school?
No.
9. Once the students graduate from the school, do they go straight to orientation or do they do their over-the-road training with Carter Express first?
Graduates from the school attend a paid three-day “New Driver Orientation” program.
Once orientation is complete, the graduate begins a paid 5.5 week “Finishing Program” training classes.
10. How much time must students train over-the-road with a Carter Express driver trainer?
During the 5.5 week Finishing Program, the graduates spend about 1.5 weeks in classroom studies, 2 weeks in Range Training, and 2 weeks in local road training.
11. Is the over-the-road training one-on-one with a driver trainer?
Yes. All “in the truck” training is one-on-one.
12. Is there a minimum number of miles or days that the students must train over-the-road?
Yes. Two weeks of Range Training (on our lot) and two weeks of Road Training.
13. How much do the students get paid each week during their over-the-road training?
$350 for the first week, and $400/week for Week 2 through Week 6.
14. Is the over-the-road training conducted like a solo operation or a team operation?
It’s a solo operation. The certified trainer never drives. The trainer only observes and instructs the driver trainee.
15. Can students request a driver trainer who doesn’t smoke during the OTR training?
Yes. We have non-smoking trainers, smoking trainers, and female trainers that are assigned to the trainees accordingly.
16. How long is orientation?
Three days.
17. Are trainees paid during orientation? If so, how much do they get paid?
The three days of orientation plus the first 2 days of training are compensated at $350.
18. Are meals and lodging paid for by Carter Express during orientation?
Yes. All drivers attending orientation are provided meals. Out of town drivers in orientation are provided free hotel lodging.
19. Once the students finish their paid CDL training and are hired by Carter Express as a driver, how long must they drive for Carter Express in order for their training to be free?
Trainees sign a 12-month agreement to drive for Carter Express (for training to be free).
20. Are students required to sign a contract with a 1 year or 2 year driving commitment?
A one-year agreement is required.
21. What happens if the driver quits before that one-year time period is over?
In Indiana, the one-year agreement states that a driver’s training program is valued at $2,500 (though our actual costs are higher). For each month a driver works for Carter Express, the driver is credited $200. If the driver completes 12 months, we call it “even”.
If a driver works less than 12 months, we ask them to pay us the remaining pro-rated amount for training.
In Arkansas, Carter makes a down payment toward tuition once the student graduates. Then, the school invoices Carter Express $150 per month for each month the graduate works for Carter Express. After 19 months, the tuition is completely paid by Carter Express.
Should the graduate leave Carter’s employment prior to the tuition being paid in full, the school halts invoicing Carter and starts invoicing the graduate directly, each month, until the tuition is paid in full.
22. Does Carter Express deduct a certain amount from the driver’s paycheck each week in order to pay off the tuition amount? If so, how much is deducted from the driver’s paycheck each week? How long is that amount deducted for?
No weekly deductions are made. The signed agreement states that Carter Express has the right to keep the final two weeks of pay. The held pay is applied to the owed amount.
23. How many cents per mile do drivers make when they first start driving for Carter Express?
Starting drivers make 32.5 cents per mile.
24. When do the drivers get a pay raise and how much is each pay raise?
On their 12-month driving anniversary, the driver’s base-pay is increased from 32.5 cents per mile to 36.5 cents per mile (a 12.3% increase in their mileage rate).
25. How many days of home time does a driver get for each week he/she is on the road?
All Carter Express drivers are guaranteed 2 days at home per week. Reality is, our drivers average two round trip loads per week, so it is normal for drivers to also be home during their five-day work week.
26. What benefits do you offer drivers (medical, dental, vision, and life insurance and a 401(k) retirement savings plan? Is the 401(k) company matched?)?
We offer three medical plans, plus coverage for vision, dental, and life insurance, as well as short-term disability, and long-term disability.
We have 2 paid holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas) and paid vacation.
We also have a 401(k) retirement savings plan with a dollar for dollar match for the first 2% and a 50 cents on the dollar match for the next 2%.
All full time drivers are eligible for benefits within 90 days of their hire date.
27. Do you offer a fuel bonus? If so, how much?
Yes. Our fuel bonus averages 2 cents per mile.
28. Do you offer layover pay? If so, how much?
Yes. $100 if a driver sits for 24 hours.
29. Do you offer detention pay? If so, how much?
Yes. $15 per hour (the first two hours are free).
30. Do you offer stop pay? If so, how much? Are drivers paid stop pay for each stop they make between the first and last stops?
Yes. Each additional stop is paid at $12.50 per stop.
31. Do you offer a sign-on bonus?
No. We do not offer a sign-on bonus.
32. Do you offer a safety bonus to safe drivers each month or quarter or year?
Yes. We call this bonus a “Performance Bonus”. The bonus is 3% of each driver’s gross wages. It is paid quarterly (every 120 days).
33. How many days of paid vacation are drivers given after their first year, after their 2nd year, after their 3rd year, after their 5th year, etc?
1 week paid vacation after 1 year of service.
2 weeks of paid vacation after 3 years of service.
3 weeks of paid vacation after 10 years of service.
Vacation pay is 1/52 of the last 52 weeks of gross pay (total yearly pay divided by 52).
34. What brand(s) of trucks are the trucks at Carter Express?
We purchase Freightliner and Volvo tractors.
35. Are all the trucks at Carter Express late-model trucks? What is the average age of the trucks?
Yes. The average age of our power units is 2.5 years.
36. What speed are the trucks governed at?
The trucks are governed at 68 mph.
37. Are all of the trucks equipped with APUs?
Yes.
38. Are all the trucks equipped with electronic logs?
Yes.
39. Are all the trucks equipped with GPS navigation units?
Yes.
40. Are Carter Express drivers required to obtain a Class A CDL?
Yes. We do not own any Class B equipment. All our drivers are Class A drivers.
41. Are Carter Express drivers required to have a Hazmat Endorsement on their CDL?
Yes.
42. Are Carter Express drivers required to obtain a valid U.S. passport?
No.
43. Are drivers allowed to have any pets on board? If so, are there any stipulations like a deposit required for the animal and only animals of a certain size/weight allowed?
We do not have a pet policy for our company drivers.
44. Are drivers allowed to have any family members on board? If so, what is the required minimum age of the family member?
Yes. A passenger must be 12 years of age, or older.
Also, a passenger accident/medical policy must be purchased by the driver (the cost is $25 per week).
45. What are the requirements to become a Carter Express driver (in terms of driving record, DUIs, felony convictions, work history, etc)?
You must be at least 21 years of age.
You must Pass a DOT physical.
You must Pass a DOT pre-employment drug test.
You must have an acceptable MVR (motor vehicle report).
You must have an acceptable work record.
You must have an acceptable criminal record.
You must have the ability to a secure a HazMat endorsement.
As you can see, if you want to get paid CDL training from Carter Express, you must be able to pass a background check, be drug and alcohol free, have an acceptable background and work history, be at least 21 years old, and have a clean motor vehicle report. After you obtain your Class A CDL, you’ll have to secure a HazMat endorsement as well.
Overall, Carter Express’s company paid CDL training program is a great program that will help you obtain your CDL without having to pay the high cost of truck driving school. Once you graduate from one of their company sponsored truck driving schools, Carter Express will help you get your truck driving career rolling in the right direction with at least 1 year of guaranteed full-time employment.
Carter Express Trucking School Locations:
Sage at Ivy Tech Community College
Muncie Campus
4301 S. Cowan Road
Muncie, IN 47302
CTS at Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis Campus
7333 W. Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46231
Get Paid While You Train and Make $45,000 or More Your First Year with Paid CDL Training!
Are you ready to take the next step and begin your career as a well-paid professional truck driver? We’ve partnered with some of the best trucking companies in the nation and have helped thousands of people just like you get into a high quality paid CDL training program. You can get your CDL in as little as 3 weeks and start making good money as a professional truck driver. Plus, you can make up to $500 per week while you train!
Here’s what you can expect from the paid CDL training programs in our network:
- Earn up to $500 Per Week While You Train
- Top Quality CDL Training
- Competitive Pay
- Great Benefits
- No Credit Check Required
- Qualified Graduates Have a Job Waiting For Them
Just click the green button below and fill out the quick 1-minute application on the next page to get started. Hurry! Classes are filling up fast!
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