Raider Express CDL School Review – Company Paid CDL Training

Although Raider Express is still considered a small company by industry standards, they are still a major contender in the refrigerated transport sector, with over 200 company-owned tractors and 470 53’ refrigerated trailers. Not only is Raider Trucking able to offer their customers a high level of service, hauling grocery and food products in the contiguous 48 states, they’re able to pay more attention to all the tiny details that encompass running a successful trucking company.

This is probably why Raider Express has such a low turnover rate when you compare them to all the other major trucking companies in the industry. I believe their low turnover rate is due to two things. First, Raider Trucking has some of the highest standards when it comes to hiring drivers. Second, because they are a smaller company that is both family-owned and operated, they’re able to pay closer attention to the needs of their drivers.

Probably the greatest incentive that Raider Trucking has to offer inexperienced drivers is their paid CDL training program. Not only is it a free truck driving school, there is absolutely no obligation to pay back the tuition once you graduate from the program. That’s right, you read that correctly. Contractually, you are under no obligation to pay back the tuition or work for Raider Express for a specific period of time after graduating. No up-front cost. No. Strings. Attached.

Sounds great, right? There’s just one catch. You have to prove that you are a Texas resident/driver license holder in order to qualify for the program because Raider Trucking only employs Texas residents. Alright, I know I just lost some of you there. That’s okay. For the rest of you Texans who are reading this article, you’ll want to pay attention, because I am about to tell you all about the free paid CDL training program that Raider Trucking offers, and what you need to do to qualify for this unique training program.

Raider Express has trucking schools in Fort Worth, Texas and Hastings, Nebraska. While there is no tuition cost, you will have to pay for your own meals. Lodging is free up-front but, once you’re hired by Raider Trucking, $25 will be deducted from your paycheck each until the cost of lodging has been paid back in full.

The Raider Express company paid CDL training program is 8 weeks long and split up into three phases:

Phase 1

During the first phase of the program, you’ll be in school. Phase 1 usually lasts 7 days and includes lectures on trucking systems, proper logging techniques, how to use a permit book, driver safety, commercial driving laws in the state of Texas, and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations and guidelines.

The first week of school is geared towards preparing you mentally to pass the CDL General Knowledge test so you can obtain your commercial learner’s permit (CLP) and move on to the next phase of the training program. You’ll spend most of your time in the classroom but, you’ll also spend time inside the truck as well.

Phase 2

While you’ll split your time between the classroom, the driving range, and the road during weeks 2, 3 and 4, you’ll spend most of your time inside the truck during this phase of the program. You’ll practice operating a full-size rig, mostly on the private driving range, but also on some public roadways as well. You’ll be sharing a truck with 2 or 3 other students, as you practice backing, turning, and gear-shifting.

Phase 3

Once you pass phases 1 and 2, you’ll go through Raider Trucking’s abbreviated orientation program before starting Phase 3, 28 days of over-the-road (OTR) paid CDL training. It is during this 4-week long phase that you’ll get paid $400 to $500 per week as a trainee.

During your over-the-road (OTR) training, you’ll be observed and guided by your own personal trainer and mentor, one-on-one, as you practice operating the vehicle in real-world driving situations, including city streets, rural roadways, and busy freeways, both in light traffic and heavy traffic. Most of the focus will be on gear-shifting, turning, careful observation of local and state traffic laws, safe driving, driver logging, communication protocol, and proper loading and unloading techniques.

Phase 4

Finally, during Phase 4 of the program, you’ll return to the driving range for one final student safety check where you’ll prove that you know how to adequately operate a full-sized rig. You’ll then take the CDL Skills Test and obtain your Texas commercial driver’s license, before being assigned your own company truck.

Once you are assigned your own company truck, you’ll begin driving solo and getting paid at the starting rate of 30 cents per mile for an average of 2800+ miles weekly. You’ll also get paid a weekly fuel bonus of 2 to 5 cents per mile, and a $500 bonus after you drop your first load.

All in all, the paid CDL training program offered by Raider Express is not only comprehensive with over 275 clock hours of behind-the-wheel training, it is completely free with no obligations whatsoever. In my opinion, that puts Raider Trucking’s company paid CDL training program at the top of the list.

Benefits:

• Your training is truly free with no up-fronts costs & no contractual obligations whatsoever.
• You’ll receive comprehensive truck driver training with over 275 clocked hours behind the wheel.
• There are no up-front lodging costs.
• There are two locations to choose from: Fort Worth, Texas and Hastings, Nebraska.
• During your 4 weeks of OTR training you’ll get paid $400 to $500 per week.
• No Hazmat Endorsement is required.
• If you wish, you can choose to be paired up with a personal trainer who doesn’t smoke.
• As a full-time driver, you’ll average more than 2800 miles per week.
• As a full-time driver, you’ll start out at $1000 per week on average, $50,000+ your first year.
• You’ll receive a $500 bonus after your first solo load. $1000 bonus after 90 days of employment.
• You get paid 30 cents per mile to start, then pay raises at 90 days, 180 days, 1 year up to 38cpm.
• You get a weekly fuel bonus of 2 to 5 cents per mile.
• You’ll get paid $12.50 of pick and stop pay for every stop after your first stop.
• You’ll get paid detention pay at a rate of $12.50/hour for every hour that you’re detained.
• You’ll get paid a min of $150 tiered layover pay for each layover, including multi-stop layovers.
• You’ll get $15 of tiered local pay.
• After 90 days, you’ll get full benefits: Cigna medical & dental, EyeMed vision. Single or family.
• You’ll receive paid vacation time after your first years as a full-time driver.
• Experienced company drivers receive 99% “no-touch” freight & 99% customer-based freight.
• Most runs are drop/hook freight.
• As a Raider Express driver, you’ll get quality and frequent home time.
• Small family-owned and operated trucking company.
• Low driver turnover rate.

Requirements:

• You must be at least 21 years of age to apply.
• You must possess a valid Texas state driver’s license and be a legal resident of Texas.
• You must not have any reckless driving convictions in the last 3 years.
• You must have no more than 3 moving violations in the last 3 years.
• You must have no more than 2 preventable accidents in the last 3 years.
• You must have no DWI, DUI, or any other alcohol-related offenses on your criminal record.
• You must not have any drug-related charges on your criminal record.
• You must pass a DOT medical examination and a DOT drug screening.
• You must pay for your own meals during school.
• You must bring your own school supplies to class (pen, pencil, paper, calculator, etc.).
• You must pay back your lodging costs through a weekly $25 paycheck deduction.
• You must successfully complete the paid CDL training program and obtain your CDL to be hired.
• You must be physically and mentally able to complete the requirements of the job.
• You must be physically and mentally able to stay away from home for at least 7 days.

Raider Express CDL School Locations:

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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