From CDL-A School To Driving Solo: Becoming A Boyd Driver

Post Date - Apr 22, 2022

Are you a recent or soon-to-be CDL-A graduate? If so, congratulations on taking a major step toward your new career! Being a truck driver is one of the most important jobs around and an excellent career choice. At Boyd Bros., we make it possible for student drivers to easily transition from graduate to career driver in just a few steps. Whether your dream is to have a steady career as a company driver, get your own truck through a lease purchase or to eventually become a small fleet owner, all of those opportunities are available to you at Boyd. Going from CDL-A school to getting behind the wheel can be done in just a few weeks at Boyd by following these three steps:

Step 1: Complete a Boyd application online.

If you’re a recent CDL graduate, you can fill out an application online at www.drive4boyd.com. If you meet our requirements, our recruiting team will reach out to help you complete your paperwork and get you scheduled for orientation.

Step 2: Go through orientation and training.

Our student driver’s complete orientation and load securement training in Birmingham, Alabama. You’ll have a four-day paid orientation and four days of securement training in the yard followed by two weeks on the road with a driver trainer. This is where you’ll gain valuable hands-on experience and guidance from Boyd professional drivers.

Step 3: Get in your own truck.

Once your time with your driver trainer is complete, you’ll be ready to get in your own truck and hit the road by yourself. Your trainer and our team will be there to support you every step of the way if you need help or have any questions.

“I expected the training to be intense and for them to be hard on us, but they really worked with me and with everything that I needed,” says Adrian Collins, one of our drivers. “I gravitated toward one person in particular and he helped me with a lot of things. To this day, I can call him at any point in time, day or night, early morning and he’ll pick up the phone and just get me whatever I ask him. Boyd is just a great company. It’s like home.”

Student drivers earn $800 during each week of orientation, over the road training and OJT training. They start off by going out with a trainer and then come back for OJT and a skills assessment. After all training is complete, they go on to earn 48 cents per mile in their first month as a solo driver. You can expect a pay raise after the first month plus additional raises up to 53 cents per mile throughout your first 24 months of employment.

“The training program at Boyd is top notch,” says Isreal Wilds, one of our driver trainers. “We’re going to teach you how to do everything correctly. We’re going to teach you how to lock your trailer down, tarp, drive, how to turn, how to back up, how to run your own business. Our trainers, we listen - I’m here to teach you but I’m also here to listen to you.”

Student applicants must be at least 23 years old, have a valid CDL-A license, clean driving record, and pass a DOT drug screen and physical.

“When I came to Boyd, I found what I was looking for,” adds Wilds. “I found honesty, the money was there, and you’re never without a load. If you’re looking for a good company, this is the company to be.”

If you’re interested in becoming a student driver with Boyd, give us a call today!