Knight Transportation Trucking School Review – Company Paid CDL Training

If you’re tired of jobs that don’t pay enough to build a life on, a Class A CDL is one of the few paths left where you can train in a matter of weeks, skip the student-loan debt, and step into a paycheck that supports a family. Knight Transportation built its program around that exact idea: get you licensed, get you paid while you learn, and hand you a real job at the end of it. Here’s an honest look at how the school works, what it costs, what you’ll actually learn, and what you can expect to earn once you’re rolling.

Knight Transportation helps students to be able to meet their qualifications for company paid CDL training at one of the best company sponsored truck driving schools around by walking them through the process. Trainers are hand-selected, equipped with vast industry knowledge and first-hand expertise, in order to provide students with the best training possible, preparing them for the long road ahead.

Students must first go to a local Knight trucking company terminal and begin the application process with the help of a Knight trucking recruiter. Students will be required to pass the CDL written exam, possess a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) from their home state, and pass the CDL skills test before they can begin their driver training. Training generally begins within 1 week of meeting the preceding qualifications.

One unique aspect of Knight Transportation is that they won’t require you to sign any contracts prior to the start of their commercial driver’s license (CDL) program. Knight now runs its CDL Academy in two locations, Phoenix, AZ and Indianapolis, IN, and also trains new drivers through partner CDL schools across the country, so you’re no longer limited to a single terminal. While the classroom portion of training runs a few weeks, students are required to provide their own transportation to and from the terminal, as well as their own lodging.

What It Actually Costs to Get Your CDL With Knight

The whole point of company-paid training is that you don’t need money in the bank to get started. Tuition for the Knight CDL Academy runs $5,200, and no payments are due while you’re still enrolled in school. There’s no credit check, which matters if your credit took a hit during a rough stretch.

Once Knight hires you, you pay the tuition off over roughly 52 weeks of driving, and after 104 weeks of employment you’re reimbursed for it. Stay with Knight long enough and the training essentially pays for itself. That structure is what separates a company-paid program from a traditional private school, where you’d be handing over four or five figures up front.

Military veterans have an even lower barrier. Knight’s Military Scholarship Program covers tuition and applicable housing costs for veterans, active reserves, National Guard members, and active-duty military spouses who qualify, so many of them enter the trade with no training cost at all.

How Knight Builds a Driver: Classroom, Range, and Road

Knight splits your training into three connected stages, and each one exists because the next one demands it. You start with theory in a classroom, move to a controlled driving range, and finish with real freight on real highways next to a certified trainer. Class sizes stay small, no more than 15 students per week, so you get hands-on time instead of watching from the back of a crowded room. Every truck used for training is an automatic, which lowers the learning curve for people who’ve never touched a manual big rig.

What You Learn in the Classroom

The classroom stage is where you prepare for the written side of the CDL and the pre-trip inspection. You’ll cover general knowledge, air brakes, and combination vehicles, the three test sections the DMV requires for a Class A learner’s permit. Knight’s academy classrooms use audio-visual technology built around how adults actually absorb this material, so the “book” portion doesn’t feel like a lecture you tune out.

You’ll also learn the pre-trip inspection in detail, the head-to-toe check every professional driver performs before turning a wheel. If you still need your commercial learner’s permit, Knight offers a week-long, in-person course at most locations to help you prepare for and pass the permit exam before school starts.

What You Learn on the Driving Range

The range is a closed, controlled lot where you build muscle memory without traffic in the picture. This is where backing, turning, and coupling the tractor to a trailer stop being intimidating and start becoming routine. Knight’s outdoor ranges are laid out specifically to develop the maneuvers that trip up new drivers on the state skills test.

You’ll practice straight-line backing, offset backing, and parallel parking a 70-foot vehicle, plus the slow-speed control it takes to place a trailer exactly where it needs to go. The goal is confidence: by the time you leave the range, tight docks and crowded fuel islands don’t rattle you.

What You Learn Behind the Wheel

After you pass your road test and get hired, the real education begins over the road with a Knight driver trainer riding along. This is paid, performance-based training that usually takes around four weeks, though it can run anywhere from two to six weeks depending on how quickly you show proficiency.

Out on live routes you learn the things a classroom can’t teach: reading traffic in a loaded truck, managing your hours-of-service clock, fueling, scaling a load, planning a trip, and handling weather and mountain grades. You’re earning a paycheck the entire time. Knight lists an average of around $650 for a full week of training, and some markets advertise $850 per full week, so you’re building skills and income at the same time.

After students complete the CDL course, they then become what Knight calls “Squires”. Squires begin their over-the-road training with a certified trainer in their region. It is at this time that students receive one-on-one training behind the wheel of a semi, receiving real-world driving experience. Students will also obtain important non-driving skills as well. Squire training lasts approximately 4 to 6 weeks with 2 or 3 home breaks in between.

Once Squires pass the state CDL skills test and road test, acquiring an average score of 80 or better, they can then move onto the solo driving portion of their truck driving training. These students receive a certificate of completion upon graduation.

Your Path From Student to Knight Driving Associate

Knight lays the timeline out in clear steps so you always know what’s next. It starts before you ever sit in a classroom and continues well past your first solo mile.

• Pass the permit test. Get medically qualified with a DOT physical from a certified examiner, then pass the written exam for your commercial learner’s permit.
• Pre-qualify and apply. Complete Knight’s application with a recruiter, who confirms you meet the hiring requirements.
• Attend CDL school. The academy portion runs 3 to 4 weeks, Monday through Friday, roughly 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. (hours shift earlier in summer).
• Graduate and get hired. You complete Knight’s Driver Qualification Process (DQP) and pass a drug test and physical before being brought on. This usually takes up to a week.
• Train over the road. You ride with a certified trainer for two to six weeks, earning income the whole time.
• Go solo. You get assigned your own truck and start running freight on your own.
• Hit 30,000 solo miles. This milestone earns you a pay increase and unlocks perks like the rider and pet policy.
• Become a trainer. After 60,000 safe solo miles and a few other qualifications, you can apply to train the next generation of drivers.

All in all, the entire training process can be expected to take up to 9 weeks. That doesn’t include the solo driving portion, which is expected to take students anywhere from 4 to 5 months to complete. While students are running freight on their own during this time, they are monitored closely by their managers to ensure that their runs are both safe and successful.

Once a student has accumulated 30,000 over-the-road miles of behind-the-wheel driving time, that student then graduates from the program and immediately begins their career as a Knight Driving Associate (KDA). Knight Transportation then provides you with a profitable job, which you must commit to for at least 1 year.

Benefits:

• Knight trucking company will cover all upfront costs and deduct the costs from the student’s paycheck later on.
• Tuition of $5,200 is paid off over about 52 weeks of employment, with reimbursement after 104 weeks, and there’s no credit check to enroll.
• No contracts to sign before starting the paid CDL training program.
• Classroom training runs 3 to 4 weeks, followed by two to six weeks of paid behind-the-wheel over-the-road training.
• You earn a weekly paycheck during over-the-road training, averaging around $650 for a full week and up to $850 per full week in some markets.
• Students receive one-on-one driver training with highly knowledgeable expert instructors.
• Once you receive your Class A CDL you’ll begin driving solo as a long-haul truck driver.
• All training trucks are automatics, and class sizes stay at 15 students or fewer per week.

Requirements:

• You must be at least 21 years of age.
• You must apply for the program.
• You must have a valid U.S. state driver’s license for at least 1 year.
• You must have already passed the CDL written exam.
• You must already possess a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) from your home state.
• You must pass a DOT medical evaluation administered by a certified medical examiner.
• You must pass a DOT drug test, which includes a urine test and a six-panel hair screen.
• You must pass a thorough background check/criminal record check.
• You must pass the state CDL Skills Test and state CDL Road Test in order to graduate.
• You must provide your own transportation and lodging costs during the classroom training program.
• You must undergo 2 to 6 weeks of OTR training and complete a minimum of 30,000 miles of drive time to reach the solo pay increase.
• You’ll pay off your training over roughly 52 weeks of full-time driving with Knight.
• If you leave Knight Transportation before your training has been paid in full, you must continue to make payments on the loan until it is paid back in full.
• You must be able to perform the necessary physical job requirements.
• You must be mentally and physically able to be away from home for at least 7 days at a time.

What You’ll Earn Your First Year at Knight

Knight pays new drivers through a system it calls TRU Pay, short for Transparent Reliable Understandable Pay. It’s a pay-band structure where your cents-per-mile rate climbs based on your own production, ranging from $0.45 to $0.63 CPM depending on your route and experience. New drivers start toward the lower end and move up as they prove themselves.

On a standard over-the-road dry van route, top-performing first-year drivers average $62,000 to $85,000 a year, with weekly pay averaging around $1,500. Many positions add a sign-on or transition bonus of up to $1,000, and drivers can earn up to an extra 12 CPM in monthly production and fuel bonuses on top of their base rate.

Because pay is tied to miles and safe production rather than a flat hourly wage, drivers who plan their trips well and keep a clean record see their income rise faster. Your first year is where you build the habits, and the record, that set your ceiling for everything after it.

Where the Money Goes After Five Years

Stick with Knight and the numbers change in your favor. Experienced drivers reach the top of the TRU Pay band, and top lanes and dedicated accounts push earnings higher, with some routes advertising $65,000 to $95,000 a year for strong performers.

Longevity comes with recognition too. Knight’s Route to a Million Miles program rewards mileage milestones with company stock, gear, and even a brand-new custom truck. Drivers who partner up can run as a team and average roughly $210,000 per truck, splitting solid six-figure income between two seats.

Veterans of the road also gain access to Knight’s ownership track. Experienced drivers can move into the lease-purchase program or contract as an owner operator, where average weekly net settlements run around $2,000, along with fuel, maintenance, and business-support programs. Add in medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) with matching, and an employee stock purchase plan, and a long-term Knight career starts to look like a genuine trade, not just a job.

Knight Transportation Truck Driving Jobs

Once you’re licensed and past training, Knight doesn’t box you into a single lane. The company runs several types of freight, and each one comes with its own daily routine, pay structure, home-time schedule, and requirements. Here’s what each option looks like so you can picture where you’d fit, whether you want maximum miles, weekly home time, or a path to owning your own truck.

Flatbed

Flatbed drivers haul freight that won’t fit in an enclosed trailer, things like building materials, steel, and machinery. The work is more physical than dry van because you secure loads yourself with straps and chains and tarp them to protect against weather, so expect to be on your feet at pickup and delivery.

Knight’s dedicated flatbed accounts average around $75,000 a year at about $0.57 CPM, with extra tarping pay, strap-down pay, and stop pay layered on top. A typical schedule runs 12 days out with 2 days home, and many openings include a sign-on bonus of up to $1,000.

You’ll need a valid Class A CDL and generally about six months of recent driving experience to start. Flatbed drivers get the same benefits package as other Knight employees: medical, dental, and vision, a 401(k) with matching, late-model equipment, and CDL tuition reimbursement.

Port Services

Port drivers move shipping containers between ocean terminals, rail yards, and warehouses. It’s steady, regional work with predictable freight and, on most Knight port accounts, no-touch loads, meaning you’re not loading or unloading the trailer by hand.

These are among Knight’s higher-paying dedicated seats, with accounts running up to $0.62 CPM and getting drivers home weekly. Because the work happens at secured marine terminals, you’ll need a TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) card in addition to your Class A.

Port Services drivers typically need around six months of recent Class A experience. The role suits drivers who want consistent routes and regular home time rather than long stretches away, and it carries the full Knight benefits and bonus package.

Dedicated

Dedicated drivers run freight for a single customer on repeating lanes, so you get to know your route, your shippers, and your schedule. Predictability is the draw: many dedicated accounts get you home weekly, and you’ll often see the same facilities week after week.

Pay varies by account, but Knight’s dedicated regional routes commonly run in the $0.54 to $0.58 CPM range, with weekly averages around $900 to $1,300 depending on miles and accessorial pay like stop and unload pay. Some accounts average 2,000 to 2,400 miles a week.

You’ll need a Class A CDL and, for most dedicated seats, roughly six months of recent experience. Dedicated work is a strong fit for drivers who value a routine and a reliable home-time schedule over chasing the absolute highest mileage.

Dry Van

Dry van is the backbone of Knight’s fleet and the most common starting point for new drivers. You haul general, non-perishable freight in an enclosed 53-foot trailer, and most loads are drop-and-hook or no-touch, so the work is straightforward once you’ve got your miles down.

Over-the-road dry van pay follows the TRU Pay band of $0.45 to $0.63 CPM, with top first-year performers averaging $62,000 to $85,000 a year and about $1,500 a week. Lanes range from 7-10 days out to three weeks out, so you can match your route to how much home time you want. Up to 12 CPM in monthly bonuses stacks on top.

This is the one category open to brand-new CDL holders straight out of training, no prior experience required. It comes with the full benefits package, a sign-on bonus on many routes, and automatic pay increases as you gain experience.

Refrigerated

Refrigerated (or “reefer”) drivers haul temperature-controlled freight like food and pharmaceuticals in trailers with a cooling unit. The added responsibility is monitoring and setting the reefer temperature so the load stays within spec from pickup to delivery.

Knight runs both regional and over-the-road refrigerated routes. Regional reefer accounts get drivers home weekly, average around 2,400 miles a week, and top performers earn $62,000 to $85,000 a year at roughly $1,500 a week, following the same TRU Pay structure as dry van.

A Class A CDL is required, and experience requirements depend on the account. Reefer freight tends to run year-round because people always need food and medicine shipped, which makes it one of the steadier divisions for consistent miles.

Owner Operator

Owner operators run their own truck under Knight’s authority, functioning as independent business owners rather than company employees. You get single-source dispatch, no forced dispatch, and access to Knight’s nationwide fuel network and trailer pool.

Average weekly net settlements run about $2,000, with roughly 2,200-plus miles a week across dry and refrigerated freight. Knight supports the business side with a fuel card and fuel-protection program, discounted maintenance at nationwide shop locations, and owner-operator business advisors who help with settlement reviews and fuel economy.

To contract, you’ll need to be at least 21 with a valid Class A and about nine months of Class A experience in the past year (or a year of experience within the last five). Your tractor must be seven years or newer and meet Knight’s spec requirements. It’s the highest-earning path for drivers ready to run like a business.

Lease Purchase

Lease purchase is the on-ramp to ownership for drivers who don’t already own a truck. Knight lets you lease a late-model tractor and work toward owning it, without the huge upfront cost of buying outright.

The program requires no credit check and just a $500 down payment, with 2021 to 2023 models available, competitive rates, and multiple term lengths. After the lease payment, drivers average around $1,550 a week in net settlement, and the tractors are professionally serviced late-model equipment.

At Knight, you’re eligible to apply for the lease program 90 days after completing your first solo 30,000 miles. It’s designed for company drivers who want to build toward being their own boss on a realistic, low-barrier timeline.

Hostler (Yard Jockey)

A hostler, sometimes called a yard jockey or spotter, moves trailers around a terminal or customer yard rather than out on the highway. If you want to drive for a living but sleep in your own bed every night, this is the seat that makes it possible.

These are local, hourly positions. Knight’s yard hostler openings pay in the range of $18 to $20 an hour, with day shifts (roughly 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and night shifts (6 p.m. to 6 a.m.) available, and nights typically paying the higher rate.

You’ll need a Class A CDL, and these roles usually call for some driving experience. The trade-off compared with over-the-road work is simple: less mileage and a set hourly wage in exchange for being home every single day.

Team Driving

Team drivers pair up so the truck keeps moving while one driver rests, which means far more miles and far more money. It’s the highest-volume seat in the company for drivers who work well with a partner, whether that’s a spouse, a friend, or a matched teammate.

Knight’s dedicated team accounts pay around $0.81 CPM (and $0.83 CPM on runs into Canada), averaging $2,000 a week per driver and roughly $210,000 per team, per year. Teams commonly cover about 5,000 miles a week and can still get home weekly on many accounts.

You’ll need a Class A CDL, and at Knight you become eligible to team after completing 30,000 miles of solo driving and passing a safety review. A passport helps, since some of the best-paying team lanes cross into Canada.

The Trucks You’ll Drive at Knight

The equipment matters more than new drivers expect, because you’ll spend most of your working life inside that cab. Knight runs a late-model fleet of Freightliner Cascadias, Kenworth T680s, Volvo VNL 860s, and International LT 625s, and every one is an automatic. That’s a real advantage when you’re starting out, since you can focus on traffic, space, and safety instead of wrestling a manual gearbox.

These trucks are built with safety technology that helps protect a new driver: collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, electronic roll stability, and air disc brakes come standard across the fleet. They also come with creature comforts that make long stretches livable, including inverters, refrigerators, and sleeper berths, with the Volvo adding a reclining bunk and an integrated parking cooler.

Behind the equipment sits a support network of 27 terminals nationwide and 24/7 roadside assistance, so help is never far when something goes sideways on the road. For a first-year driver, knowing you won’t be stranded is worth as much as the pay rate itself.

Getting Ready for Your First Day at the Academy

Before you can sit in a Knight classroom, you’ll need your commercial learner’s permit, which you earn at the DMV by passing the general knowledge, air brakes, and combination vehicle tests. The DMV also requires proof you’re medically qualified, so you’ll obtain a DOT physical from a certified examiner first. If you want help preparing, Knight offers a week-long, in-person course at most locations to get you ready for the permit exam.

Once school starts, the pace is steady and structured. The academy runs Monday through Friday, roughly 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., with hours shifting earlier during the summer heat. Small classes mean your instructors know your name and can spot exactly where you need extra reps, whether that’s on the pre-trip inspection or backing into a tight space.

Packing for CDL school is simple, but a few things are non-negotiable. Bring your driver’s license, your CDL permit, your legal documents, your DOT medical exam certificate, and enough clothing for your stay, including a jacket and work gloves. There are washers and dryers on site, so you don’t need to overpack, but do bring money for food and personal items. Showing up organized on day one lets you spend your energy on learning to drive instead of scrambling for paperwork.

Life on the Road: The Honest Version

Becoming an over-the-road driver is a lifestyle change, not just a new job, and it’s fair to know both sides before you commit. During training and your early OTR runs, you’ll be away from home for stretches at a time, and the rhythm of the road, early starts, tight schedules, nights in a sleeper cab, takes real adjustment.

The rewards are just as real. You trade a cubicle for a windshield view of the whole country, you’re paid for your productivity instead of clock-watching, and once you hit 30,000 solo miles you can bring along a rider or a pet under Knight’s policy so the road feels less lonely. Knight’s late-model trucks come with inverters, refrigerators, and comfortable sleepers, which makes life out there more livable.

Home time depends on the division you choose. Long-haul lanes keep you out longer but pile on the miles and the pay, while dedicated, regional, port, and local hostler roles trade some mileage for weekly or even daily home time. The point is that a Knight career can flex as your life changes.

A Note for Veterans

If you served, Knight built specific programs to make the transition into trucking smoother. The Veteran Apprenticeship Program lets you collect your GI Bill benefits tax-free on top of your regular pay while you complete on-the-job training, and eligible drivers can earn E5 BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) paid directly by the VA for up to 12 months once hired and enrolled.

The Military Scholarship Program covers CDL school tuition and applicable housing costs for veterans, active reserves, National Guard members, and active-duty military spouses who qualify. Knight also honors drivers through its Fleet of Heroes, a series of custom-wrapped trucks handed to veteran drivers, so the respect isn’t just a slogan.

Is Knight the Right Fit for You?

Knight makes the most sense if you want to get licensed fast, avoid taking on training debt, and walk out with a job already lined up. The low cost of entry, the paid over-the-road training, and the clear path from student to Knight Driving Associate remove most of the reasons people talk themselves out of trucking.

It asks something real of you in return: time away from home, a willingness to learn, and the discipline to drive safely and consistently. If that trade sounds fair, the program gives you a genuine shot at a stable trade with room to grow into dedicated lanes, team driving, or eventually owning your own truck. Take an honest look at your own situation, talk to a recruiter about the division that fits your life, and decide from there.

Knight Transportation Trucking School Location:

Knight Transportation
20002 N. 19th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85027