Starting out in the trucking industry may cause confusion. New drivers may not be familiar with their options. With so many companies to choose from, it may be tough to separate the good ones from the bad ones. Fortunately, we have put together a list of the best flatbed trucking companies for new drivers so you can find the one that best suits your needs and goals.
Quicklook: Best Flatbed Trucking Companies for New Drivers
- Best For New Drivers: Roehl -Apply Now
- Best For Overall: Melton Truck Lines, Inc. –Match Now
- Best For Truck Driver Apprenticeship: Werner Enterprises –Match Now
- Best For Employee Owned: TMC Transportation –Match Now
- Best For Sign-on Bonus: Maverick Transportation –Match Now
- Best For Lease-Purchase Options: PGT Trucking –Match Now
- Best For Newest Fleet: Western Express –Match Now
7 Best Flatbed Trucking Companies for New Drivers
For new drivers, finding the best flatbed trucking companies can be confusing. But fear not. This article will discuss the seven best flatbed trucking companies for new and inexperienced drivers.
So, here we go!
Roehl
Roehl Transport Inc. is a family-owned transportation company founded over 60 years ago. It’s a multi-model carrier offering a wide array of transportation services. Asr, it’s a great place for new or inexperienced drivers to cut their teeth.
Roehl is known for:
- CEO Rick Roehl is a driver.
- Roehl has won a 4th President’s Trophy from the American Transport Association.
- The company’s headquarters are located in Wisconsin.
- The company has major terminal locations in Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, and Texas.
- Roehl has consistently placed in the top three for safety results since 2003.
- Roehl has been recognized as a top-10 military-friendly employer for several years.
Best For: new and inexperienced drivers
Established: 1962
Location: Headquarters are located at 1916 East 29th Street, Marshfield, WI, 54449.
Employees: Over 2,950 employees.
Paid Training or Tuition: Roehl offers paid training in Marshfield, Wi. Roehl also has paid training sites in Fox Valley, WI, and Chicago, Illinois. Some programs may also qualify for tuition reimbursement.
Jobs Offered: There are various driving and non-driving jobs available:
- Truck drivers
- Maintenance crew
- Fleet management
- Customer service
- Information technology
Salary and Benefits: Roehl offers the following salary and benefits:
- Truck drivers make about $1,362 a week.
- Driver salaries are based on experience.
- Health, dental, disability, and life insurance.
- 401k plan.
- Great training programs.
- Paid tuition and reimbursement.
- Family-run business focused on providing stability.
Google Rating: 4.2/5
Melton Truck Lines, Inc.
An industry leader in flatbed trucking founded in 1954, Melton Truck Lines is a great option for new or inexperienced drivers to get started. Based out of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Melton operates from coast to coast within the continental United States, Canada, and Mexico.
New drivers benefit from perks such as $2,500 supplemental pay regardless of experience, tuition reimbursement of up to $10,000, and $100 tarp pay per load. Individuals without a CDL may apply for their license through Melton’s training program in Texas and Oklahoma. Melton may also recommend trucking schools outside of Oklahoma or Texas for individuals not residing in these states.
Best For: Overall trucking company
Established: 1954
Location: 808 N 161st E Ave Tulsa, Oklahoma 74116
Employees: 1,614 employees
Paid Training or Tuition: As a resident of Oklahoma or Texas, you can sign up for the Melton Truck Lines Sponsorship program to get your CDL A license for free. Additionally, Melton Truck Lines offers a $10,000 tuition reimbursement and $5,000 driver supplemental pay.
Jobs Offered:
- OTR Truck Driver
Salary and Benefits:
- Average first-year salary between $65,000 and $70,000
- Up to $100,000 by the second year
- 24-month U.S. DOL-recognized Apprenticeship Program
- Medical insurance through the GPA network
- Dental insurance
- Vision reimbursement plan
- Life insurance
- Short-term disability insurance
- Paid vacation time
- On-site gym with personal trainers at the Tulsa Terminal
- Pet and rider programs to make sure you’re never lonely
- 24 hours of home time for every seven days you work
- Guaranteed to be home on Christmas
Google Rating: 4.1 out of 5.0
Werner Enterprises
Werner Enterprises is one of the five largest truckload carriers in the United States. Its diverse service portfolio employs over 8,000 trucks, 24,000 trailers, and nearly 13,000 staff. Werner boasts the industry’s newest truck fleet featuring the latest technology. This approach has positioned it as a premier transportation and logistics company in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Werner is known as a great place for new drivers to start their careers thanks to its successful Professional Truck Driver Apprenticeship Program. This program consists of 4,000 training hours and can last up to 24 months. Apprentices must accumulate a total of 120 driving and non-driving hours a month.
Best For: Truck driver apprenticeship
Established: 1956
Location: 14507 Frontier Road Omaha NE 68138
Employees: 12,292 employees
Paid Training or Tuition: Werner Enterprises offers tuition reimbursement
Jobs Offered:
- Dedicated account truck driver
- One-way truckload driver
- Intermodal truck driver
- Flatbed truck driver
- Temperature-controlled truck driver
Salary and Benefits:
- Salary of approximately $75,000 per year
- Can rise to over $85,000 eventually
- Rider and pet programs
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Health programs with Health Savings Account (HSA)
- The company pays fuel and toll cards
Google Rating: 4.4 out of 5.0
TMC Transportation
TMC Transportation is an employee-owned company that offers percentage-based pay. Drivers get paid for a percentage of the load carried instead of per mile or hour. This pay structure ensures fair compensation leading to higher job satisfaction ratings.
Select applicants can obtain their Class A CDL in Des Moines, Iowa, and Columbia, South Carolina. TMC guarantees apprentices employment upon completion of training program. TMC also takes care of transferring Class A paperwork back to the driver’s state of residency.
Best For: Employee owned
Established: 1972
Location: 6115 SW Leland Ave Des Moines, Iowa 50321
Employees: Between 3,500 and 5,000 employees
Paid Training or Tuition: TMC Trans offers tuition reimbursement on their in-house CDL training program. You will also be paid $500 per week while in their CDL training program.
Jobs Offered:
- Flatbed truck driver
- Specialized Class A driver
Salary and Benefits:
- First-year salary of up to $88,000
- Guaranteed job placement after finishing in-house CDL training
- Paid training
- Medical Insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Employee stock ownership plan
- Your name on the Peterbilt tractor you will be driving
- Option of mileage or percentage pay
- Paid vacation
- Prescription drug coverage
- Legal services plan
- Basic life insurance at no cost to you
Google Rating: 3.5 out of 5.0 (395 reviews)
Maverick Transportation
Maverick Transportation is atop North America’s transportation and logistics industry. Maverick pledges to continuously improve its drivers’ working conditions. This commitment has made Maverick renowned for its fair salaries. New drivers can earn up to $80,000 in their first year with Maverick. Additionally, Maverick offers CDL training programs for new drivers and tuition reimbursement incentives.
Maverick offers all new drivers receive a sign-on bonus. Drivers with at least six months of OTR experience within the last five years receive a $5,000 bonus. New CDL Class A holders receive a $2,000 bonus. This bonus structure makes Maverick a good option for drivers looking for solid incentives.
Best For: Sign-on bonus
Established: 1980
Location: 13301 Valentine Road, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72117
Employees: 2,125 employees
Paid Training or Tuition: Maverick transportation offers a $5,000 tuition reimbursement
Jobs Offered:
- Flatbed division driver
- Glass division driver
- Marine division driver
- Local/dedicated flatbed driver
Salary and Benefits:
- Up to $80,000 in your first year
- Paid weigh station bypass and tolls
- Pay for performance bonus
- Weekly minimum pay guarantee
- $1,000-$2,000 referral bonuses
- Free $30,000 life insurance policy
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- RX card for discounts on prescription medication
- Paid vacation time
- Wi-Fi and fridge in truck
- Paid business unit training for flatbed, marine, glass, and dedicated divisions
- $2,000 sign-on bonus for student drivers with a recently-obtained a CDL A license
Google Rating: 4.1 / 5.0 (210 reviews)
PGT Trucking
PGT Trucking is a multi-service transportation firm offering flatbed, dedicated, international, and specialized services across a number of industries. PGT boasts over 40 years of experience and 30 terminals across the United States. PGT offers industry-leading salaries, benefits, and training to ensure driver satisfaction and great customer service.
PGT Trucking offers an industry-leading lease-purchase program with flexible financing options, including no money down or balloon payment. This option allows drivers to get started as owner-operators easily.
Best For: Lease-purchase options
Established: 1981
Location: 4200 Industrial Boulevard, Aliquippa, Pennsylvania 15001
Employees: 695 employees
Paid Training or Tuition: Paid orientation and paid training
Jobs Offered:
- Flatbed truck driver
- Hazmat driver; through affiliation with Southern Pines Trucking
- Tanker truck driver; through affiliation with Southern Pines Trucking
Salary and Benefits:
- Salary of approximately $80,000
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Rider program
- Holiday and vacation pay
- Company-paid life insurance policy
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Long-term disability insurance
- Roadside safety incentives
- High referral bonuses for hired drivers.
- 24/7 maintenance support
- Offers percentage pay
Google Rating: 3.4 out of 5.0 stars (44 reviews)
Western Express
Western Expression is an asset-based truckload carrier based in Nashville, TN. It is privately owned and held by its executive team. Western’s current fleet boasts over 3,300 power units and 8,100 trailers. The entire fleet is fully trackable by GPS. Drivers for Western Express can also expect the latest technology since Western’s truck fleet averages no more than one and a half years old.
Western provides excellent job opportunities for new and experienced drivers alike. Competitive pay and benefits underscore Western’s commitment to its drivers and staff.
Best For: Newest truck fleet
Established: 1991
Location: 7135 Centennial Place Nashville, Tennessee 37209
Employees: 3,416 employees
Paid Training or Tuition: Western Express offers a $6,000 tuition reimbursement upon hiring you. They also provide paid training.
Jobs Offered:
- Flatbed truck driver
- Dry van truck driver
- Regional truck driver
- Dedicated truck driver
- OTR truck driver
Salary and Benefits:
- Annual salary of $65,000 or more
- Paid vacation
- Priority home time
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Rider and pet policy
- Trucks are equipped with Navigo GPS with turn-by-turn directions
- TripPak Mobile App that allows you to scan all your signed bills
Google Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0 (287 reviews)
Companies with the Best Flatbed Opportunities for New Drivers
Finding a job as a new driver can become a challenging task. Newcomers to the trucking industry may feel unsure about which companies offer the best opportunities. We have outlined the best flatbed trucking companies for new drivers so you can make an informed decision about your next career move. Please note that each company offers advantages that may suit your current situation.
Please take the time to check out each of these companies before deciding. Doing your homework may prove to be the best career choice you can make.
FAQ
Flatbed truck driving is not only rewarding but an incredibly lucrative career. The average flatbed truck driver in the U.S. currently earns $62,400 per year, with entry-level positions typically starting around $49,991 per year. Experienced drivers can expect to make up to $84,931 per year.
In short, flatbed loads do pay more than many other types of trucking. Additional work, such as tarping, can mean a significant income difference. Flatbed truckers earn on average $13,00 more annually than dry van truckers.
Becoming an owner-operator of your own flatbed truck provides considerable freedom and pay opportunities to your career. The majority of new flatbed trucks cost between $40,000 to $80,000, while used trucks will cost considerably less.
There is also the option to finance or lease-purchase your flatbed truck. This may make the purchase of your flatbed truck more attainable but is subject to credit approval.