XPO Logistics Trucking School Review – Company Paid CDL Training

With over 91,000 employees, 8,500 tractors, 25,000 trailers, and 1,444 locations in 32 countries worldwide, XPO Logistics has established itself as a top ten global logistics company. In fact, XPO Logistics handles an average of 160,000 shipments and more than five billion inventory units every single day for their customers. XPO Logistics recently acquired Con-Way Freight, making it the second largest less-than-truckload (LTL) provider in North America.

Home Depot, Whirlpool, Nissan Motors, Fortune Magazine, and Forbes have all given XPO Logistics an award. From “best mid-size truckload carrier of the year” to “one of America’s best employers”, XPO Logistics’ accolades are nothing short of impressive.

XPO Logistic’s paid CDL training program is 12 weeks in length, which includes 3 weeks of truck driving school and 9 weeks of over-the-road (OTR) hands-on training. The program is free as long as you sign the 12-month employment contract and drive for XPO for at least one year. Students who decide not to work for XPO Logistics for at least one year will be required to pay the full $4,000 tuition on a prorated basis.

One of the benefits of XPO Logistics’ company sponsored CDL training program is that they cover the cost of your meals and lodging while you’re in school.

To qualify for XPO’s company paid training program you must live in the XPO Logistics hiring area, which includes anywhere in the 48 contiguous states, except the following areas.

• Idaho
• Maine
• Oregon
• Washington
• Northern Michigan
• Northern Minnesota
• Northern Wisconsin
• Southern Florida
• Western Montana
• Western Wyoming

If you live in any of XPO Logistics’ hiring areas (none of the areas listed above) and you meet all other qualifications, then you’ll be able to attend their company paid CDL training program at one of their many LTL Service Center locations. XPO Logistics has LTL Service Centers located in every state in North America.

XPO Logistics’ LTL eligibility requirements include:

• You must be at least 21 years of age to apply.
• You must be available to work a variety of shifts, including days, evenings, nights & weekends.
• You must have a safe driving record.
• You must pass a background check.
• You must pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical exam.
• You must pass a DOT drug test (including urine and hair follicle analysis).
• You cannot have any prior drug test refusals or positive results.
• You must be able to perform the basic requirements of the job with no accommodations.
• You must pass a company-paid, post-hire screening proving you are physically fit for the job.
• You must work part-time as a dock worker prior to or following your 4-hour classroom training 5 days a week.
• Experience operating a forklift is preferred.

Once you qualify for XPO’s CDL training program, you’ll travel to the nearest LTL Service Center to start your training.

The XPO Logistics paid CDL training program is different from most other company paid programs because the students are required to work part-time as a dockworker for a minimum 30 days prior to the start of classroom training (can last up to 90 days). You’ll earn an hourly wage during this time.

You’ll typically perform the following job functions as a dockworker:

• Unload and load freight on and off trailers
• Perform vehicle inspections according to Federal Motor Carriers Safety Regulations
• Maintain proper records in accordance with FMCSR, Dept. of Transportation (DOT), and company policies
• Verify and finish required documentation and reports
• Handle hazardous materials in accordance with company safety regulations
• Stay in contact with service center personnel in a fast-paced work environment

The XPO Logistics company paid CDL training itinerary is as follows:

• Four weeks of classroom and lab training (80 hours)
• Four weeks of range and road training (160 hours)
• Four weeks of over-the-road (OTR) training (7,500 miles)

During the first four weeks of school, you’ll accumulate 80 hours of classroom training (4 hours per day). Make sure you bring a notebook, paper, and a writing utensil since you’ll be required to take notes during each lecture.

It’s during this time that you’ll be required to work part-time as a dock worker, 5 days a week, either before your classroom training or after your classroom training. You can expect to work 4 hours each day and be in class the other 4 hours. XPO Logistics will pay you an hourly wage for the hours you are working as a dock worker.

In the classroom you can expect to learn about the following:

• Map Reading
• Routing
• Proper Logging
• Hour Requirements
• Service Requirements
• Accident Procedures
• Cargo Documentation
• Weight Scales & Staying Legal
• Hazard Perception
• Truck Systems
• Control Systems
• Communication Systems
• Pre-Trip Inspection
• Post-Trip Inspection
• DOT Rules & Regulations
• Computer simulated driving/shifting
• CDL Exam Preparation

In addition to studying textbooks and listening to in-depth lectures, you’ll also be required to attend hands-on lab sessions where you’ll practice steering and shifting techniques using a computer simulated truck cab.

At the end of your fourth week of classroom training, you’ll take the CDL General Knowledge exam. Once you pass the exam and obtain your commercial learner’s permit (CLP), you’ll be ready to start training on the practice range.

During the next 4 weeks, you’ll be on the practice range, accumulating 160 hours of behind the wheel training. You’ll train on the same equipment you’ll be operating on the job as an XPO Logistics truck driver.

On the practice range, you’ll finally get inside the cab of a tractor. Depending on the size of your class, you’ll share the cab with 3 to 5 other students. All of you will observe the instructor as he shows you how to operate the tractor and perform various backing maneuvers.

After the instructor is finished going through each maneuver, it’s your turn to take the wheel. The instructor will stand outside the truck and guide you along as you practice the following maneuvers:

• Alley Docking
• Offset Backing
• Site Side Parallel Backing
• Blind Side Parallel Backing
• Straight Line Backing
• Serpentine Maneuvers

During your time on the range you’ll also observe the instructor as he or she performs a full pre-trip and post-trip inspection. You’ll also be required to practice performing each inspection yourself until you have it memorized in preparation for the Class A CDL Skills Test. You’ll also be required to practice coupling and uncoupling the trailer.

Once your instructor feels you’re ready, he or she will take you out on the road with 3 to 5 other students. Again, you’ll observe the instructor first, as he or she demonstrates proper shifting and speed control, lane changes, cornering, and more. Then, you and the other students will take turns operating the rig in different driving situations, including rural roads, highways, and in the city.

After you’ve completed 160 hours of supervised practice behind the wheel, you’ll be ready to take your CDL Skills Test and obtain your Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL).

Now that you have your Class A CDL, you’ll begin your over-the-road (OTR) training. XPO Logistics will pair you, one-on-one, with a certified driver trainer. Even though you’ll be on the road with a trainer, you’ll be run as a solo operation, not a team operation. This means you’ll be doing all the driving while your trainer coaches you from the passenger seat.

Your OTR training will last approximately 4 weeks. You’ll be required to accumulate a minimum of 7,500 miles behind the wheel. You can expect to make between $600 to $650 per week (26 cents per mile) gross pay, depending on how many miles you drive per week.

You can choose to be paired with either a smoking or non-smoking trainer. Any disputes between you and your trainer will be handles on a case-by-case basis. All XPO Logistics trainers are required to have at least 1 year of driving experience and 1 year of experience working for XPO, so you can rest assured that you’ll be in good hands during your OTR training.

After you’ve accumulated at least 7,500 miles behind the wheel and your OTR training is completed, XPO Logistics will officially hire you on as a driver. You’ll do solo runs and can expect to make 31 cents per mile your first year, which averages out to about $39,500. If you choose to run as a team operation, you can expect to make 46 cents per mile split. Please note that XPO Logistics only hauls 53 foot dry vans in OTR, Regional and Dedicated driver positions. You won’t be hauling any tanks or flatbed trailers.

You can expect to receive pay increases every:

• 10k – 59,999 miles at $.31 cpm
• 60k – 89,999 miles at $.33 cpm
• 90k – 119,000 miles at $.35 cpm
• 1 year of experience at $.38 cpm

As you can see above, the more miles you have logged, the higher your wage will be.

XPO also offers a range of bonuses and other incentives, including:

• Short Haul Bonus of 2 – 4 cpm
• New England Bonus of 5 cpm
• Hazmat Bonus of 3 cpm
• Quarterly Safety Bonus of 1 – 4 cpm
• Annual Productivity Bonus of 1.5 cpm

After 60 days of employment, you can expect to receive full medical insurance. After 1 year of employment you can expect to receive dental and vision insurance. You’ll also be eligible to receive a 401(k) retirement savings plan after 1 year of employment. After one full year of service, you can expect to receive one week of paid vacation time.

You can expect to be home 1 full day for every week you’re out on the road. The difference between XPO Logistics and most other trucking companies is that you can “save up” your days of home time if you wish. This means that if you choose to drive for 7 weeks straight with no home time, you can then take 7 days of home time at the end of your 7 week shift. Home time is not capped, so you can save up as many days of home time as you wish.

You can expect the following shifts depending on which type of driver you are:

• OTR Driver – Out for 14 – 21 days
• Regional Driver – Out for 7 – 10 days
• Dedicated Driver – Days out will vary

Please note that New York City (NYC) drops are mandatory the day you start doing solo runs, but rest assured knowing that a very small quantity of XPO’s freight actually goes to New York City.

XPO Logistics is forced dispatched, meaning you cannot refuse any pickups without risking termination. However, you are free to communicate any concerns you have about a load to your dispatcher.

Most of the freight is “no touch” freight and is usually drop and hook, meaning you’ll only be required to drop your trailer at a customer location and hook your tractor up to another trailer. However, there may be some pickups where you’ll be required to do more.

XPO Logistics has a free rider policy, meaning one passenger at a time will be allowed to ride in your truck. The passenger must be at least 12 years of age and documented by XPO. No driver can have a passenger until they are driving solo. There are no blackout dates.

XPO Logistics also has a pet policy. They allow you to have either one domesticated dog or one domesticated cat. You’ll be charged a one-time fee of $500 which can be paid in $50 payroll deductions over 10 pay periods.

While it’s true that XPO only hauls dry vans, you can expect to operate tractors manufactured by Kenworth, International, Freightliner, Peterbilt, and Volvo. Most of the tractors are late-model, averaging around 2.5 years old, equipped with either manual or automatic transmissions. Tractors that reach 500,000 miles are automatically put out of commission by XPO.

Every tractor is equipped with the following:

• Qualcomm eLogs
• 1500 watt power inverters
• Sirius XM satellit radio
• Transponders for Prepass, E-Z Pass, etc.

Each tractor is governed at 65 mph. None of the tractors are equipped with APU units.

With a 1-year employment agreement, paid OTR training, and standard starting pay rates, XPO Logistics’ paid CDL training program is what you would expect from a nationally recognized trucking company.

Benefits

• Your CDL training is free as long as you drive for XPO Logistics for at least 1 year.
• You can pay the cost of the CDL training out-of-pocket, if you wish, and be free of the 1-year employment contract.
• You’ll receive 12 weeks of combined 240-hour CDL training and 7,500-mile OTR training.
• Class sizes are small and the drivers to truck ratio is small. Graduation rates are high.
• XPO will pay for your meals (3 meals a day) and double-occupancy lodging while you attend their truck driving school.
• You’ll train on the same equipment you’ll be operating on the job as an XPO Logistics truck driver.
• You’ll get paid an hourly wage as a part-time dock worker while you attend XPO’s truck driving school.
• You’ll earn an average of $600 to $650 per week (26 cents per mile) gross pay during OTR training.
• The over-the-road training is one-on-one with a certified trainer (at least 1 year of truck driving experience).
• You can request either a smoking or non-smoking trainer.
• If you complete the CDL training and qualify, you’ll have a truck driving job waiting for you at XPO Logistics.
• After you complete the mandatory 1-year contract period, you can advance within the company.
• You’ll average $38,000 to $41,000 per year your first year on the job.
• You can expect to receive many wage increases during your first year as a driver.
• You can expect to receive incentive bonuses while you’re on the job.
• After 60 days of employment you’ll receive full medical benefits. $14/week for the driver, $40/week for you and your spouse, and $17/week for each dependent.
• Your health insurance will be through Cigna with an 80/20 plan, $1,500 deductible that pays 100% on preventative medicine.
• After 1 year of employment you’ll receive dental and vision coverage.
• After 1 year of employment, you’ll be eligible for a 401(k) retirement savings plan and XPO Logistics’ profit sharing plan.
• After 1 year of employment, you’ll receive 1 week of paid vacation time.
• You’ll earn 1 full day of home time for every 7 days you’re out. You can save up your home time and spend them consecutively. There is no limit on how many home time days you can save up.
• Most of the freight is “no touch” freight and is usually drop and hook.
• XPO Logistics has both a pet policy and a rider policy.
• XPO Logistics also has a leasing program.
• XPO Logistics has dedicated, regional, and OTR driving positions available.
• XPO Logistics also offers a military apprenticeship program.
• XPO Logistics’ freight consists of newer model tractors (about 2.5 years old) and dry van trailers.
• All trucks are equipped with Qualcomm eLogs, 1500w power inverters, Sirius XM satellite radios, and transponders for PrePass, E-Z Pass, etc.

Requirements

• You must be at least 21 years of age to apply
• You cannot live in Idaho, Maine, Oregon, Washington, N. Michigan, N. Minnesota, N. Wisconsin, S. Florida, W. Montana, or W. Wyoming
• You must drive for XPO Logistics for at least 1 year in order to pay off the tuition cost.
• If you do not fulfill the 1-year employment agreement, you must pay back the tuition on a prorated basis ($4,000 total).
• You must accumulate a minimum of 7,500 miles behind-the-wheel OTR training to be eligible to be hired.
• You must work part-time as a dock worker prior to or following your 4-hour classroom training 5 days a week.
• You must be available to work a variety of shifts, including days, evenings, nights & weekends.
• You must have a safe driving record.
• You must pass a background check.
• You must pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical exam.
• You must pass a DOT drug test (including urine and hair follicle analysis).
• You cannot have any prior drug test refusals or positive results.
• You must be able to perform the basic requirements of the job with no accommodations.
• You must pass a company-paid, post-hire screening proving you are physically fit for the job.
• Experience operating a forklift is preferred.
• From day one, you will be required to do New York City (NYC) runs (these are rare, however).
• XPO Logistics is forced dispatch.

XPO Logistics CDL Training Locations:

XPO Logistics accepts students living anywhere in the 48 contiguous states except the following:

• Idaho
• Maine
• Oregon
• Washington
• Northern Michigan
• Northern Minnesota
• Northern Wisconsin
• Southern Florida
• Western Montana
• Western Wyoming

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!

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