Jim Palmer Trucking School Review – Company Paid CDL Training

Originally founded in Missoula, Montana almost 50 years ago, Jim Palmer Trucking has become a well-established player in the trucking industry, delivering safe and dependable transportation services to its nationwide customers. Family owned and operated, their mission hasn’t changed one bit in the last 50 years, valuing the importance of their relationships, as they strive to continue to remain fair and true in their business dealings with all of their associates, clients, vendors, and partners.

Because Jim Palmer Trucking strives to stay safe on all roadways and promote responsibility to the environment by using green alternative solutions, they know the importance of training inexperienced students the right way so that they can grow into well-qualified truck drivers, highly skilled in operating today’s high-powered environmentally friendly trucks.

The company paid CDL training program, called Class 8 University by Jim Palmer Trucking, is approximately 2 to 4 weeks in length, and is held at Jim Palmer Trucking’s Training Centers. During the first week of class, you’ll spend 2 to 3 days learning about truck systems, industry terminology, and either Missouri or Montana state regulations, depending on which training center you go to. You’ll also study the federal regulations, so that you’ll be well-equipped to to pass your CDL written exams.

• Approximately 40 hours of class time studying for the CLP written exams.
• If you already have your CLP when you start class, you’ll skip ahead to the drive range and over-the-road training phases of the program.
• If you already possess your CDL you’ll be evaluated and possibly be accepted into the Onboarding class, before heading out with a trainer for the required 40,000 minimum miles.

Once you pass your exams and obtain your commercial learner’s permit (CLP), you’ll spend the rest of the week practicing important truck driving maneuvers on the driving range, like backing, turning, and gear shifting.

• You’ll start driving/training during the end of the first week of school.
• You’ll work towards your 40,000 training dispatched miles.
• You’ll receive a $200/week advance for living expenses while you train (deducted from your weekly paycheck in $25 increments once you’re employed).

During the last few weeks of the paid CDL training program, you’ll pair up with a highly experienced driving instructor for your one-on-one training “over-the-road”. It’s here that you’ll gain some real-world experience as you drive on rural roads, highways, and expressways, learning important safety techniques, and discovering how to make quick split-second decisions.

• You’ll train with a professional CDL instructor for 3 to 4 weeks in a real-world environment.
• You’ll get a minimum of 75 hours of “behind-the-wheel” time with a 1:1 pupil/instructor ratio.
• You’ll accumulate your first 10,000 miles towards the minimum required 40,000 miles.

After 2 to 4 weeks of road training, you’ll head to either Springfield, Missouri or Missoula, Montana where you’ll finally take the CDL Skills test and obtain your commercial driver’s license (CDL). Once you obtain your Class A CDL, you’ll drive for an extended period of time with a trainer and work towards getting your own truck so you can drive solo.

• You’ll finally pass your Missouri or Montana CDL Skills Test and obtain your Class A CDL.
• During the first 10,000 miles you’ll be a C-seat company driver trainee, earning either $600/week or 12 cents per mile, whichever is greater.
• During the last 20,000 miles, you’ll be upgraded to a B-seat company driver trainee, earning $700/week or 14 cents per mile, whichever is greater.

Finally, you’ll attend the Onboarding class in either Springfield, Missouri or Missoula, Montana. It’s here that you’ll finally pass the Upgrade Skills Test and get into your own truck. Once you start driving solo, you’ll earn 40 cents per mile. If you choose to drive in a two-person team, you will each split 44 cents per mile. You can also lease a truck if you’d like.

• You’ll travel to either MO or MT for the Onboarding Class. Transportation costs will be paid for.
• Lodging and lunches will also be provided for during the two-day Onboarding class.
• You’ll tour the Jim Palmer Trucking facility and meet the staff working in each department.
• You’ll learn about company policies and procedures and even meet with the owner, one-on-one.
• You’ll receive your final evaluation and complete all the necessary paperwork for your DOT file.
• Be sure to ask questions about any policies or procedures you don’t understand.

Jim Palmer Trucking provides company paid CDL training and helps you get it as soon as possible so that you can start driving as soon as possible. Jim Palmer Trucking will provide you with $200 for living expenses during your training which will be paid back once you start working. When finally complete your truck driver training, you can expect to start earning between $600 and $700 a week.

Benefits:

• Upon graduating from the program, you’ll be guaranteed employment for 1 year.
• Your training is tuition-free if you drive for Jim Palmer Trucking for at least 1 year.
• You’ll receive a $200/week advance for living expenses during your training.
• You do not need to possess a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) before entering the program.
• As a C-seat company driver trainee, you’ll earn $600/week or 12cpm, whichever is greater.
• As a B-seat company driver trainee, you’ll earn $700/week or 14cpm, whichever is greater.
• As a driver, you’ll start out making 40 cents per mile + fuel and receive a pay increase each year.
• After 5 straight years of safe driving, you’ll be eligible to receive a $10,000 longevity bonus.
• You’ll get $25/month if you meet the safety criteria for the Aces of Hearts Elite Drivers program.
• You’ll get $250/qtr if you meet the safety criteria for the Aces of Hearts Elite Drivers program.
• You’ll get $500/year if you meet the safety criteria for the Aces of Hearts Elite Drivers program.

Requirements:

• You must be at least 23 years of age to qualify.
• You must currently possess a valid U.S. driver’s license for at least 1 year.
• You must bring your original Social Security card.
• You must be a U.S. citizen or possess an alien registration card.
• You cannot have any speeding violations exceeding 15 mph.
• You cannot have more than 2 moving violations within the last year or 4 within the last 3 years.
• You cannot have tailgating, unsafe lane changes, or reckless driving convictions in the last 3 yrs.
• You cannot have any DUI/DWI convictions in the last 5 years.
• You cannot have any drug convictions in the past 5 years.
• You cannot have any license suspensions due to points in the last 3 years.
• You must pass a DOT medical examination and a DOT drug test.
• You must have an acceptable CSA scorecard (PSP Driver Report).
• You must sign a contract and work for Jim Palmer Trucking for 1 year to pay off your loan.
• The $200 advance for living expenses is deducted from your weekly paycheck in $25 increments.
• You must be physically and mentally able to stay away from home for at least 7 days at a time.

Jim Palmer Trucking School Location:

Jim Palmer Trucking
9730 Derby Drive
Missoula, MT 59808

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:

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