TMC Transportation Trucking School Review – Company Paid CDL Training

Founded in 1972 by Harold Annett, The McKow Corporation, better known as TMC Transportation, started with only six power units and an office staff of two people. Today, the TMC trucking company is not only the industry’s premiere flatbed carrier, operating a vast network of terminals and maintenance facilities nationwide, and providing specialized flatbed service throughout the 48 contiguous states, they are an employee owned company, offering its employees a percentage of the yearly profits.

TMC trucking company’s headquarters, located in scenic Des Moines, Iowa are set on a picturesque 50-acre campus. There you’ll find a state-of-the-art training center, maintenance facilities, Black and Chrome Truck Sales, and the up-scale Baymont Inn and Suites, where students of TMC’s paid CDL training program get to rest and relax after a long day of training.

One of the few on-the-job paid CDL training programs in the country to be approved by the Department of Labor as a certified Heavy Truck Apprenticeship program, TMC trucking company’s paid CDL training program is both comprehensive and state-of-the-art. TMC Transportation prides themselves on their mission to train well-qualified, safety-minded truck drivers who go the extra mile to get the job done accurately and safely.

TMC Transportation offers two types of paid CDL training programs. The first program is a company sponsored CDL training program where you go to a private CDL school that is approved by the TMC trucking company, pay your own tuition and obtain your Class A CDL, and then go through paid orientation and paid over-the-road (OTR) training at the TMC Headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa. 

Once you get hired by TMC Transportation, they will then reimburse your CDL school tuition, up to $6000, by paying you an extra $200 per month until the total tuition amount has been refunded. This begins 30 days after your hire date. TMC trucking company will even offer you tuition reimbursement if you’ve driven for no more than one trucking company before being hired by TMC.

The second paid CDL training program offered by TMC Transportation is a comprehensive “in-house” training program for students who do not have their commercial driver’s license (CDL). This program is operated entirely on campus at the TMC Headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa. While TMC requires that you already have your Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) with you when you arrive on day one, they do not require you to have any truck driving experience whatsoever. There is no tuition payback, but you will be required to drive for TMC trucking company for at least 1 year once you complete your training.

The great thing about TMC’s in-house truck driver training program is that almost everything is provided for you, right on their 50-acre spread. I say “almost” because, as a student, you will be required to pay for your breakfast and dinner, as well as your license fees, DOT medical exam and drug test, but your lodging, lunches, and full tuition cost are all paid and provided for by TMC Transportation.

The entire training program consists of 3 weeks of classroom and lot training, followed by 5 weeks of over-the-road paid CDL training with a personal trainer. While the TMC trucking company does not pay you during the 3-week in-house training period, they do pay you $500 per week during your 5 weeks of OTR training.

The first week of school is spent in the state-of-the-art classroom, sitting at your own personal computer while the instructor goes over state and federal commercial driving regulations, truck systems, individual truck components, and essential driving skills.

Another great benefit that comes with TMC’s in-house training program is a low instructor to student ratio of 1 instructor for every 2 students. This means that you’ll share a truck with no more than 1 other student, giving you plenty of practice time on the training lot. During the next 2 weeks of your truck driving training, you’ll spend most of your time on the lot with some simulator time mixed in.

On the training lot, you’ll get plenty of in-cab time as you learn and practice gear shifting, double-clutching, backing, parallel parking, and turning. Your instructor will also ride with you as you take a full-sized flatbed tractor-trailer on rural roads, city streets, highways, and expressways, both in light and heavy traffic. Your flatbed will even be fully loaded with cement blocks in order to simulate a “solo run” and give you the hands-on feeling of maneuvering a fully loaded rig.

Back inside the classroom, you’ll practice navigating through hazardous driving conditions on a driving simulator surrounded by three high-definition plasma screens. Each of the four simulators are programmed to the same specifications found in theTMC trucking company’s equipment. You’ll receive at least two hours of driving simulation time, learning how to navigate through tire blowouts and other driving hazards.

Once you finish the 3-week truck driver training portion, you’ll then go into the Apprentice Driver orientation program which incorporates flatbed training and is approximately 2 weeks in length. TMC Transportation will arrange for a car rental to and from Des Moines, Iowa so that you will have adequate transportation to orientation. If you prefer to travel by bus, TMC trucking company will pay for your bus ticket, but only one way. You’ll be provided with a car rental for the trip back home.

You’ll attend orientation 7 days the first week and 5 days the following week. You’ll arrive at the Baymont Inn and Suites on Sunday night. You’ll want to make sure you get up early enough Monday morning in order to catch the shuttle bus from the hotel lobby at 6:45 am. Do not be late!

There is no parking available at the training center so, driving your own personal vehicle is out of the question, unless you are a local resident who is going back home every evening. Please note that the shuttle bus stops at Wal-Mart on Tuesday evening so you can purchase food for dinner.

Be sure to refrain from having a large breakfast, sweets, and anything containing caffeine on Monday morning since you’ll be undergoing a DOT physical examination, drug screening, and physical therapist session.

You are required to bring the following items:

• Work boots (must be worn the first day of class due to the physical assessment).
• No tank tops, sleeveless shirts, shorts, sweatpants, sandals, or flip-flops allowed.
• Your hard-copy state CDL or state CLP.
• A valid U.S. passport or a state certified copy of your birth certificate.
• Your hard-copy Social Security card (not the letter saying one has been approved).
• Your TWIC card, if you have one.
• Your bank’s routing and account number for setting up direct deposit (a deposit slip will do).
• If you do not have a bank account, TMC Transportation will provide you with an ATM card account.
• Birthdates and S.S. numbers of all the family members you will be placing on your insurance.
• Work clothes, rain jacket, and winter gear (Oct-May).
• Rand-McNally truck atlas. You can purchase one at the gift shop for $18 or $36 (laminated).
• Any medical items needed including eyeglasses, contacts, medications, CPAP machine, etc.
• A set of headphones/earbuds with the standard 1/8” or 3.5mm jack (like on MP3 players).
• $300 cash collected on the 1st day. $150 for fees/$150 is paid back to you at $50 per week.
• You may be leaving orientation to go directly on the road with your trainer so, plan accordingly.

At this point, you’ll finally start to get paid, $500 after completing the first week of orientation, and $500 after completing the second week. TMC trucking company will provide lodging, a continental hotel breakfast every day, lunch on working days, and dinner on the weekend you’re at orientation. Be advised that you will share a room with one other student. Rooms come equipped with small fridges and microwaves are available in public areas.

During orientation, you’ll undergo a mix of classroom lectures and securement training. In the classroom you’ll learn about company policies, hours of service, the in-cab communication systems you’ll be using, and more. Each student will have their own desk, computer, and monitor.

During securement training, you’ll learn how to properly secure a load on a flatbed. During this phase of orientation, you’ll practice securing and tarping metal coils and other kinds of freight to the flatbed using straps and chains. Proper procedures and safety precautions will be the key elements of discussion. Be prepared to lift heavy bundles of tarps, toss straps high into the air, and climb ladders in order to inspect your work.

After securement training, you’ll undergo equipment familiarization, which is exactly what it sounds like, getting yourself familiarized with TMC’s equipment. Now, for those students who have gone through the TMC trucking company’s in-house training program, this will be more of a refresher course than anything else. You’ll practice doing figure eight turns, backing, and other driving maneuvers to help you become familiar with TMC’s trucks and flatbeds.

Before you start your over-the-road (OTR) paid CDL training with a personal trainer, you’ll take the CDL Road Test and finally obtain your commercial driver’s license (CDL). After obtaining your CDL, you should be confident enough to operate a rig.

After you feel comfortable handling a black and chrome TMC rig, it’s time to hit the road for some one-on-one over-the-road training with your personal trainer. The OTR training normally lasts 5 weeks and is treated as a solo driving operation with your trainer observing and mentoring you from the jump seat. You’ll go on actual company runs, picking up and dropping off loads, and getting paid $500 per week. While TMC trucking company cannot guarantee any home time during training, most drivers do see home most weekends.

Once your 5-week OTR paid CDL training is complete, TMC Transportation will officially hire you on as a driver for at least 1 year, and assign you your own black and chrome Peterbilt truck. You’ll start doing solo runs on your own, making 40 cents per mile, and averaging $55,000 your first year.

After completing your first year as a full-time TMC trucking company driver, you’ll be eligible for the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Through ESOP you could average an extra $12,000 per year plus contributions toward your retirement with no out-of-pocket costs.

Overall, TMC Transportation offers a well-rounded training program for people who want company paid CDL training. They have expert instructors on board as well as driving simulators to help get students ready for the real road. The paid CDL training portion begins from orientation and continues right through your OTR training. After you finish your training, you are given a full-time job with TMC Transportation, with no contract to sign. As long as you drive for TMC trucking company for 1 year, your training is tuition-free.

Benefits:

• You’ll get 8 weeks of comprehensive truck driver training with no tuition cost and no contract.
• If you go thru the TMC trucking company’s 8-week paid CDL training program, you can expect 1 year of employment if hired.
• TMC’s Apprenticeship Training Program is GI Bill approved.
• TMC truck driving training is Dept of Labor approved as a certified Heavy Truck Apprenticeship program.
• If you get your training from a private CDL school, you’ll get your tuition refunded, up to $6000.
• Lunches and lodging will be provided for students on campus.
• Free car rental service is provided to get you to and from orientation.
• Instructor to student ratio is 1:2 and student to truck ratio is 2:1.
• You’ll get paid $500 a week during orientation with most meals and lodging provided for.
• You’ll get paid $500/week during 5 weeks of OTR training and may be home most weekends.
• You can request a personal trainer who doesn’t smoke.
• As a TMC trucking company driver, you’ll start out at 40 cpm your first year, averaging $55,000 to $70,000 annually.
• You’ll get a pay raise after your first year. How much depends on your first-year performance.
• After your first year as a driver, you’ll be eligible for the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
• ESOP drivers can earn an extra $12,000 each year and receive retirement contributions as well.
• Based on experience level and location, some drivers receive a sign-on bonus of up to $2,500.
• After 60 days, you’ll get United Healthcare coverage: $28.85/week Single, $106.15/week Family.
• After 180 days, you get a fully vested 401(k) plan, 20% TMC contributions fully vested after 5 yrs.
• You’ll get paid vacation after your 1^st year: 1 year/1 week, 2 years/2weeks, 7 years/3weeks.
• You can request per diem work expense deductions from your paycheck.
• All trucks are late-model black and chrome Peterbilts with round-the-clock road repair service.
• All trucks come equipped with Qualcomm mobile communication systems.
• Newer trucks come equipped with electronic logs and GPS navigation units. No APUs.
• All trucks come equipped with TVs and Direct TV satellite dishes.
• Trucks are governed at 62mph.
• You are not allowed to have pets of any kind on board.
• After 90 days, you are allowed to have 1 immediate family member as a passenger.

Requirements:

• You must be at least 23 years of age to apply.
• You must currently possess a valid driver’s license for the last 3 years.
• You must be a U.S. citizen or legally allowed to work in the United States (Green Card).
• You must provide a valid U.S. passport or a state certified copy of your birth certificate.
• You must provide your hard-copy Social Security card.
• You must have a 3-year history of your home address(es).
• You must have a verifiable employment history up to 10 years.
• You must not have more than 3 moving violations on your driving record within the past 3 years.
• You must not have any DUIs or DWIs that are less than 10 years old.
• You must pass a DOT medical exam and a DOT drug screening.
• You must undergo a criminal history background check.
• You must be able to read, write, and speak proficient English according to FMCSA regulations.
• You must have math skills that are adequate enough for trip planning, load placement, etc.
• You must work for TMC Transportation for at least 1 year in order for your paid CDL training to remain tuition-free.
• You must sign a one-year contract that states that you will drive for TMC trucking company for at least 1 year.
• You must pay the licensing, medical exam, and drug test fees.
• You must pay an administrative fee of $300 up front.
• You must pay for your own breakfast and dinner during training.
• You must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with no restrictions.
• You must be physically and mentally able to be away from home for at least 7 days at a time.
• You must obtain a New York Metal Coil (M) endorsement if you live in the state of New York.
• You must obtain a Hazmat Endorsement on your CDL if you will be moving hazardous materials.

TMC Transportation Trucking School Location:

TMC Transportation
6115 Leland Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50321

TMC Transportation offers two types of paid CDL training programs. The first program is a company sponsored CDL training program where you go to a private CDL school that is approved by the TMC trucking company, pay your own tuition and obtain your Class A CDL, and then go through paid orientation and paid over-the-road (OTR) training at the TMC Headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa. 

Once you get hired by TMC Transportation, they will then reimburse your CDL school tuition, up to $6000, by paying you an extra $200 per month until the total tuition amount has been refunded. This begins 30 days after your hire date. TMC trucking company will even offer you tuition reimbursement if you’ve driven for no more than one trucking company before being hired by TMC.

The second paid CDL training program offered by TMC Transportation is a comprehensive “in-house” training program for students who do not have their commercial driver’s license (CDL). This program is operated entirely on campus at the TMC Headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa. While TMC requires that you already have your Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) with you when you arrive on day one, they do not require you to have any truck driving experience whatsoever. There is no tuition payback, but you will be required to drive for TMC trucking company for at least 1 year once you complete your training.

The great thing about TMC’s in-house truck driver training program is that almost everything is provided for you, right on their 50-acre spread. I say “almost” because, as a student, you will be required to pay for your breakfast and dinner, as well as your license fees, DOT medical exam and drug test, but your lodging, lunches, and full tuition cost are all paid and provided for by TMC Transportation.

The entire training program consists of 3 weeks of classroom and lot training, followed by 5 weeks of over-the-road paid CDL training with a personal trainer. While the TMC trucking company does not pay you during the 3-week in-house training period, they do pay you $500 per week during your 5 weeks of OTR training.

The first week of school is spent in the state-of-the-art classroom, sitting at your own personal computer while the instructor goes over state and federal commercial driving regulations, truck systems, individual truck components, and essential driving skills.

Another great benefit that comes with TMC’s in-house training program is a low instructor to student ratio of 1 instructor for every 2 students. This means that you’ll share a truck with no more than 1 other student, giving you plenty of practice time on the training lot. During the next 2 weeks of your truck driving training, you’ll spend most of your time on the lot with some simulator time mixed in.

On the training lot, you’ll get plenty of in-cab time as you learn and practice gear shifting, double-clutching, backing, parallel parking, and turning. Your instructor will also ride with you as you take a full-sized flatbed tractor-trailer on rural roads, city streets, highways, and expressways, both in light and heavy traffic. Your flatbed will even be fully loaded with cement blocks in order to simulate a “solo run” and give you the hands-on feeling of maneuvering a fully loaded rig.

Back inside the classroom, you’ll practice navigating through hazardous driving conditions on a driving simulator surrounded by three high-definition plasma screens. Each of the four simulators are programmed to the same specifications found in theTMC trucking company’s equipment. You’ll receive at least two hours of driving simulation time, learning how to navigate through tire blowouts and other driving hazards.

Once you finish the 3-week truck driver training portion, you’ll then go into the Apprentice Driver orientation program which incorporates flatbed training and is approximately 2 weeks in length. TMC Transportation will arrange for a car rental to and from Des Moines, Iowa so that you will have adequate transportation to orientation. If you prefer to travel by bus, TMC trucking company will pay for your bus ticket, but only one way. You’ll be provided with a car rental for the trip back home.

You’ll attend orientation 7 days the first week and 5 days the following week. You’ll arrive at the Baymont Inn and Suites on Sunday night. You’ll want to make sure you get up early enough Monday morning in order to catch the shuttle bus from the hotel lobby at 6:45 am. Do not be late!

There is no parking available at the training center so, driving your own personal vehicle is out of the question, unless you are a local resident who is going back home every evening. Please note that the shuttle bus stops at Wal-Mart on Tuesday evening so you can purchase food for dinner.

Be sure to refrain from having a large breakfast, sweets, and anything containing caffeine on Monday morning since you’ll be undergoing a DOT physical examination, drug screening, and physical therapist session.

You are required to bring the following items:

• Work boots (must be worn the first day of class due to the physical assessment).
• No tank tops, sleeveless shirts, shorts, sweatpants, sandals, or flip-flops allowed.
• Your hard-copy state CDL or state CLP.
• A valid U.S. passport or a state certified copy of your birth certificate.
• Your hard-copy Social Security card (not the letter saying one has been approved).
• Your TWIC card, if you have one.
• Your bank’s routing and account number for setting up direct deposit (a deposit slip will do).
• If you do not have a bank account, TMC Transportation will provide you with an ATM card account.
• Birthdates and S.S. numbers of all the family members you will be placing on your insurance.
• Work clothes, rain jacket, and winter gear (Oct-May).
• Rand-McNally truck atlas. You can purchase one at the gift shop for $18 or $36 (laminated).
• Any medical items needed including eyeglasses, contacts, medications, CPAP machine, etc.
• A set of headphones/earbuds with the standard 1/8” or 3.5mm jack (like on MP3 players).
• $300 cash collected on the 1st day. $150 for fees/$150 is paid back to you at $50 per week.
• You may be leaving orientation to go directly on the road with your trainer so, plan accordingly.

At this point, you’ll finally start to get paid, $500 after completing the first week of orientation, and $500 after completing the second week. TMC trucking company will provide lodging, a continental hotel breakfast every day, lunch on working days, and dinner on the weekend you’re at orientation. Be advised that you will share a room with one other student. Rooms come equipped with small fridges and microwaves are available in public areas.

During orientation, you’ll undergo a mix of classroom lectures and securement training. In the classroom you’ll learn about company policies, hours of service, the in-cab communication systems you’ll be using, and more. Each student will have their own desk, computer, and monitor.

During securement training, you’ll learn how to properly secure a load on a flatbed. During this phase of orientation, you’ll practice securing and tarping metal coils and other kinds of freight to the flatbed using straps and chains. Proper procedures and safety precautions will be the key elements of discussion. Be prepared to lift heavy bundles of tarps, toss straps high into the air, and climb ladders in order to inspect your work.

After securement training, you’ll undergo equipment familiarization, which is exactly what it sounds like, getting yourself familiarized with TMC’s equipment. Now, for those students who have gone through the TMC trucking company’s in-house training program, this will be more of a refresher course than anything else. You’ll practice doing figure eight turns, backing, and other driving maneuvers to help you become familiar with TMC’s trucks and flatbeds.

Before you start your over-the-road (OTR) paid CDL training with a personal trainer, you’ll take the CDL Road Test and finally obtain your commercial driver’s license (CDL). After obtaining your CDL, you should be confident enough to operate a rig.

After you feel comfortable handling a black and chrome TMC rig, it’s time to hit the road for some one-on-one over-the-road training with your personal trainer. The OTR training normally lasts 5 weeks and is treated as a solo driving operation with your trainer observing and mentoring you from the jump seat. You’ll go on actual company runs, picking up and dropping off loads, and getting paid $500 per week. While TMC trucking company cannot guarantee any home time during training, most drivers do see home most weekends.

Once your 5-week OTR paid CDL training is complete, TMC Transportation will officially hire you on as a driver for at least 1 year, and assign you your own black and chrome Peterbilt truck. You’ll start doing solo runs on your own, making 40 cents per mile, and averaging $55,000 your first year.

After completing your first year as a full-time TMC trucking company driver, you’ll be eligible for the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Through ESOP you could average an extra $12,000 per year plus contributions toward your retirement with no out-of-pocket costs.

Overall, TMC Transportation offers a well-rounded training program for people who want company paid CDL training. They have expert instructors on board as well as driving simulators to help get students ready for the real road. The paid CDL training portion begins from orientation and continues right through your OTR training. After you finish your training, you are given a full-time job with TMC Transportation, with no contract to sign. As long as you drive for TMC trucking company for 1 year, your training is tuition-free.

Benefits:

• You’ll get 8 weeks of comprehensive truck driver training with no tuition cost and no contract.
• If you go thru the TMC trucking company’s 8-week paid CDL training program, you can expect 1 year of employment if hired.
• TMC’s Apprenticeship Training Program is GI Bill approved.
• TMC truck driving training is Dept of Labor approved as a certified Heavy Truck Apprenticeship program.
• If you get your training from a private CDL school, you’ll get your tuition refunded, up to $6000.
• Lunches and lodging will be provided for students on campus.
• Free car rental service is provided to get you to and from orientation.
• Instructor to student ratio is 1:2 and student to truck ratio is 2:1.
• You’ll get paid $500 a week during orientation with most meals and lodging provided for.
• You’ll get paid $500/week during 5 weeks of OTR training and may be home most weekends.
• You can request a personal trainer who doesn’t smoke.
• As a TMC trucking company driver, you’ll start out at 40 cpm your first year, averaging $55,000 to $70,000 annually.
• You’ll get a pay raise after your first year. How much depends on your first-year performance.
• After your first year as a driver, you’ll be eligible for the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
• ESOP drivers can earn an extra $12,000 each year and receive retirement contributions as well.
• Based on experience level and location, some drivers receive a sign-on bonus of up to $2,500.
• After 60 days, you’ll get United Healthcare coverage: $28.85/week Single, $106.15/week Family.
• After 180 days, you get a fully vested 401(k) plan, 20% TMC contributions fully vested after 5 yrs.
• You’ll get paid vacation after your 1^st year: 1 year/1 week, 2 years/2weeks, 7 years/3weeks.
• You can request per diem work expense deductions from your paycheck.
• All trucks are late-model black and chrome Peterbilts with round-the-clock road repair service.
• All trucks come equipped with Qualcomm mobile communication systems.
• Newer trucks come equipped with electronic logs and GPS navigation units. No APUs.
• All trucks come equipped with TVs and Direct TV satellite dishes.
• Trucks are governed at 62mph.
• You are not allowed to have pets of any kind on board.
• After 90 days, you are allowed to have 1 immediate family member as a passenger.

Requirements:

• You must be at least 23 years of age to apply.
• You must currently possess a valid driver’s license for the last 3 years.
• You must be a U.S. citizen or legally allowed to work in the United States (Green Card).
• You must provide a valid U.S. passport or a state certified copy of your birth certificate.
• You must provide your hard-copy Social Security card.
• You must have a 3-year history of your home address(es).
• You must have a verifiable employment history up to 10 years.
• You must not have more than 3 moving violations on your driving record within the past 3 years.
• You must not have any DUIs or DWIs that are less than 10 years old.
• You must pass a DOT medical exam and a DOT drug screening.
• You must undergo a criminal history background check.
• You must be able to read, write, and speak proficient English according to FMCSA regulations.
• You must have math skills that are adequate enough for trip planning, load placement, etc.
• You must work for TMC Transportation for at least 1 year in order for your paid CDL training to remain tuition-free.
• You must sign a one-year contract that states that you will drive for TMC trucking company for at least 1 year.
• You must pay the licensing, medical exam, and drug test fees.
• You must pay an administrative fee of $300 up front.
• You must pay for your own breakfast and dinner during training.
• You must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with no restrictions.
• You must be physically and mentally able to be away from home for at least 7 days at a time.
• You must obtain a New York Metal Coil (M) endorsement if you live in the state of New York.
• You must obtain a Hazmat Endorsement on your CDL if you will be moving hazardous materials.

TMC Transportation Trucking School Location:

TMC Transportation
6115 Leland Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50321

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.