FFE Trucking School Review – Company Paid CDL Training

Commonly known as FFE, Frozen Food Express can help you with the best truck driver training in one of the top company sponsored truck driving schools in the nation. FFE’s Student Driver Academy opened its doors in Fort Worth, TX before moving to Lancaster, TX where they are currently located.

Because Frozen Food Express knows that success starts with the driver, they have grown to become one of the nation’s most profitable temperature-controlled transportation companies. It is this philosophy that drives the school’s instructors to transform ordinary men and women into highly skilled truck drivers and why FFE continues to dominate the industry as the place for new CDL-A holders.

FFE’s Student Driver Academy is comprised of an 18-day accelerated program that consists of quality classroom lectures, behind-the-wheel training, road/range instruction, and driver safety protocol. Students train on quality equipment while they receive top-notch guidance and support from their instructors, helping them to obtain their Class A commercial driver’s license.

Week 1

The day after you arrive at school, you’ll begin class. Most students arrive at the school on Monday and begin classes on Tuesday. During the first week of school, you’ll spend a minimum of 40 hours in the classroom, studying for the CDL written exam so that you can pass the exam and obtain your commercial learner’s permit (CLP). You’ll learn about truck systems, federal commercial driving regulations, state commercial driving laws, driver safety, and more. Once you obtain your CLP, you’ll start training on the driving range.

Week 2/Week 3

During the second and third week of school (about 9 to 10 days), you’ll practice gear shifting, backing, docking, and maneuvering a full-sized rig on the range. Although you should expect to share a truck with 3 other students and the instructor, you can be sure that the student to truck ratio will never be greater than 4 to 1. Many times, it is less. Just know that you’ll be observing other students operating a tractor-trailer as part of your training.

You’ll also drive on rural roads, city streets, highways, and expressways in order to prepare you for the CDL Road Test. After you pass the CDL Road Test and obtain your commercial driver’s license, you’ll enter the next phase of the paid CDL training program which is orientation.

Please note that this 18-day course is an accelerated program, and as such, you should be prepared to learn and train vigorously. Compared to most of the other paid CDL training programs we reviewed, this program is carried out at a fairly rapid pace.

Be sure to bring the following items:

• Pen, pencil, paper, and a calculator.
• 7 changes of clean clothes plus winter clothing if necessary.
• Toiletries, including soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush, tooth paste, and a shaver.
• Washcloth and towels.
• Alarm clock, flashlight, sunglasses, prescription driving glasses.
• Bedding for the truck (pillow and sleeping bag or twin-sized sheets and blankets).
• Work gloves and work boots with non-slip soles.
• A cancelled/voided check or deposit slip to set up direct deposit for your paycheck (optional).
• Foreign-born applicants must have the proper paperwork and a Green Card that does not expire within 8 months.

Below is a short 10 minute video preview of the company paid CDL training program offered by frozen Food Express.

Orientation

Orientation is 4 days long. During this time you will be briefed on company policies and will be expected to fill out paperwork.

OTR Training

After orientation, you’ll beging 6 weeks of over-the-road (OTR) training with a certified driving instructor, one-on-one. During this time, you’ll run as a solo operation, with the trainer observing and guiding you from the jump seat. Once the trainer feels that you are well-equipped to handle the truck, the truck will then be dispatched as a team truck. During the entire 6 weeks of training you will be paid $445 per week, with the option to take a $75 pay advance against your future paychecks. If you wish, you can request a non-smoking trainer.

Once you have completed 6 weeks of OTR training, you will then be required to undergo a series of tests, including a CDL Road Test, Basic Knowledge Test, DOT medical exam, and a DOT drug test. Once you pass the CDL Road Test and obtain your commercial driver’s license, you will then be allowed to head back home for 5 to 6 days of rest. Frozen Food Express will provide for your transportation back home.

Once you return back to FFE, you will be assigned your own truck and will begin driving solo. You’ll start out at 29 cents per mile for the first 6 months. After 6 months you’ll begin making 30cpm. You’ll then receive a 1 cent per mile increase every year for the next 5 years. After 5 years, you’ll receive a half-cent increase every year up to a maximum of 44 cents per mile. After 90 days of full-time employment, you’ll receive full benefits.

Overall, the company paid CDL training program offered by Frozen Food Express is one of the best programs out there. While the CDL school is shorter than most other programs at only 18 days, the OTR training is longer than most at 6 weeks. There are no up-front tuition and lodging costs and no payroll deductions as long as you work for FFE for at least 1 year. Students are immediately given the opportunity to drive for Frozen Food Express upon graduating from the paid CDL training program. Benefits include consistent mileage, weekly pay, paid vacation, yearly raises, late-model equipment, and the chance to join the Drive to Own program.

Benefits:

• Your training is tuition-free with no payroll deductions if you work for FFE for 1 year.
• All expenses, except meals and basic living costs are covered by Frozen Food Express.
• You will stay at the MCM Grande Hotel in DeSoto, TX free of charge while you train.
• Cheap meals are are available during training, and meals are paid for during 4-day orientation.
• Students learn professional driving techniques.
• Guaranteed employment upon graduation.
• Weekly pay.
• Consistent mileage with yearly pay increases.
• Full benefits after 90 days: medical, dental, and life insurance, plus 401(k) and employee stock plan.
• Paid vacation: After 1 year/1 week paid out at $680. After 2 years/2 weeks paid out at $1400.
• OTR drivers get 1 day of home time for every 1 week out. Regional drivers get 2 days for 2 weeks out.
• Drivers receive a fuel bonus based fuel savings and average MPG.
• Drivers receive a quarterly performance bonus of $300 for 8,500 paid miles/month with a safe track record.
• Drivers get layover pay of $75 for every 24 hours they are laid over.
• Stop pay, detention pay, and breakdown pay is also available.
• Late-model equipment no older than 24 months, with electronic logs, opt-idle systems, and bunk heaters.
• All trucks are 10-speed manual Freightliner trucks governed at 62 mph.
• Freight is 70% drop and hook.
• Drivers are allowed 1 dog under 50 lbs. or 1 cat. There is a $100 deposit required and 1cpm decrease in pay.
• Drivers are allowed to have one passenger, 12 years or older with company approval and proper insurance.

Requirements

• You must be a Texas resident to apply at Frozen Food Express.
• You must be at least 21 years of age.
• You must possess a valid U.S. state driver’s license for at least 2 out of the last 3 years.
• You must bring your original and signed Social Security card.
• You must bring your birth certificate.
• You must have a good 5-year driving record with no careless driving convictions less than 3 years old.
• You must not have had any open container violations in the last 5 years.
• You must not have had more than 1 DUI/DWI in the last 10 years.
• Any DUI/DWI that occurred inside a tractor-trailer will disqualify you immediately.
• You must undergo a criminal history background check.
• You must not have had any felony convictions in the last 10 years. These will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• You must not have had any violent felonies or major drug convictions in your lifetime.
• You must not have had any misdemeanor convictions in the last 3 years,
• You must not have had any illegal substance, sex, or theft misdemeanors in the last 10 years.
• You must have a verifiable 5-year work history.
• You must pass a DOT drug test.
• You must pass a DOT physical examination.
• You are contractually obligated to work for FFE for 1 year after graduation.
• You must pay $150 in CDL permit fees.
• You must pay for your meals during training.
• You cannot pay your own tuition up-front.
• If you quit working for FFE before your first year is complete you must pay $3000 tuition cost.
• You must be physically able to do the job.
• You must be mentally and physically able to be away from home for at least 7 days at a time.

FFE Trucking School Location:

FFE Driving Academy
3400 Stonewall Street
Lancaster, TX 75134

Orientation

Orientation is 4 days long. During this time you will be briefed on company policies and will be expected to fill out paperwork.

OTR Training

After orientation, you’ll beging 6 weeks of over-the-road (OTR) training with a certified driving instructor, one-on-one. During this time, you’ll run as a solo operation, with the trainer observing and guiding you from the jump seat. Once the trainer feels that you are well-equipped to handle the truck, the truck will then be dispatched as a team truck. During the entire 6 weeks of training you will be paid $445 per week, with the option to take a $75 pay advance against your future paychecks. If you wish, you can request a non-smoking trainer.

Once you have completed 6 weeks of OTR training, you will then be required to undergo a series of tests, including a CDL Road Test, Basic Knowledge Test, DOT medical exam, and a DOT drug test. Once you pass the CDL Road Test and obtain your commercial driver’s license, you will then be allowed to head back home for 5 to 6 days of rest. Frozen Food Express will provide for your transportation back home.

Once you return back to FFE, you will be assigned your own truck and will begin driving solo. You’ll start out at 29 cents per mile for the first 6 months. After 6 months you’ll begin making 30cpm. You’ll then receive a 1 cent per mile increase every year for the next 5 years. After 5 years, you’ll receive a half-cent increase every year up to a maximum of 44 cents per mile. After 90 days of full-time employment, you’ll receive full benefits.

Overall, the company paid CDL training program offered by Frozen Food Express is one of the best programs out there. While the CDL school is shorter than most other programs at only 18 days, the OTR training is longer than most at 6 weeks. There are no up-front tuition and lodging costs and no payroll deductions as long as you work for FFE for at least 1 year. Students are immediately given the opportunity to drive for Frozen Food Express upon graduating from the paid CDL training program. Benefits include consistent mileage, weekly pay, paid vacation, yearly raises, late-model equipment, and the chance to join the Drive to Own program.

Benefits:

• Your training is tuition-free with no payroll deductions if you work for FFE for 1 year.
• All expenses, except meals and basic living costs are covered by Frozen Food Express.
• You will stay at the MCM Grande Hotel in DeSoto, TX free of charge while you train.
• Cheap meals are are available during training, and meals are paid for during 4-day orientation.
• Students learn professional driving techniques.
• Guaranteed employment upon graduation.
• Weekly pay.
• Consistent mileage with yearly pay increases.
• Full benefits after 90 days: medical, dental, and life insurance, plus 401(k) and employee stock plan.
• Paid vacation: After 1 year/1 week paid out at $680. After 2 years/2 weeks paid out at $1400.
• OTR drivers get 1 day of home time for every 1 week out. Regional drivers get 2 days for 2 weeks out.
• Drivers receive a fuel bonus based fuel savings and average MPG.
• Drivers receive a quarterly performance bonus of $300 for 8,500 paid miles/month with a safe track record.
• Drivers get layover pay of $75 for every 24 hours they are laid over.
• Stop pay, detention pay, and breakdown pay is also available.
• Late-model equipment no older than 24 months, with electronic logs, opt-idle systems, and bunk heaters.
• All trucks are 10-speed manual Freightliner trucks governed at 62 mph.
• Freight is 70% drop and hook.
• Drivers are allowed 1 dog under 50 lbs. or 1 cat. There is a $100 deposit required and 1cpm decrease in pay.
• Drivers are allowed to have one passenger, 12 years or older with company approval and proper insurance.

Requirements

• You must be a Texas resident to apply at Frozen Food Express.
• You must be at least 21 years of age.
• You must possess a valid U.S. state driver’s license for at least 2 out of the last 3 years.
• You must bring your original and signed Social Security card.
• You must bring your birth certificate.
• You must have a good 5-year driving record with no careless driving convictions less than 3 years old.
• You must not have had any open container violations in the last 5 years.
• You must not have had more than 1 DUI/DWI in the last 10 years.
• Any DUI/DWI that occurred inside a tractor-trailer will disqualify you immediately.
• You must undergo a criminal history background check.
• You must not have had any felony convictions in the last 10 years. These will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• You must not have had any violent felonies or major drug convictions in your lifetime.
• You must not have had any misdemeanor convictions in the last 3 years,
• You must not have had any illegal substance, sex, or theft misdemeanors in the last 10 years.
• You must have a verifiable 5-year work history.
• You must pass a DOT drug test.
• You must pass a DOT physical examination.
• You are contractually obligated to work for FFE for 1 year after graduation.
• You must pay $150 in CDL permit fees.
• You must pay for your meals during training.
• You cannot pay your own tuition up-front.
• If you quit working for FFE before your first year is complete you must pay $3000 tuition cost.
• You must be physically able to do the job.
• You must be mentally and physically able to be away from home for at least 7 days at a time.

FFE Trucking School Location:

FFE Driving Academy
3400 Stonewall Street
Lancaster, TX 75134

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:

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!

If you found this article helpful, feel free to share it using the buttons below.