CDL-A Student Truck Drivers
Join Jim Palmer Trucking & experience Class 8 University
Receive real-world experience driving over-the-road while obtaining your CDL.
Spend your first week at Jim Palmer Trucking working with our CDL instructors at our Training Centers. You will earn your permit within 2-3 days. You will spend the rest of the week learning the skills you need to continue your training, before heading out over-the-road with a professional CDL instructor for a one-on-one, real-world training experience. Within 3-4 weeks, you will come back to Jim Palmer to take your CDL exam and to get your Class-A CDL license. Once you have your license, you hit the road with a trainer and work towards getting your own truck!
Obtain CDL Permit
Enter program, study and test for CDL permit. Students who come with their CDL permit have a 2-3 day head start.
Start driving/training at Jim Palmer Trucking Training Centers
Work toward 40,000 training dispatched miles
Receive $200/week allowance for living expenses while you train to get your CDL. Allowance will be paid back with future earnings.
Over-the-Road Instruction
Over-the-Road Instructions
Train with a professional CDL instructor for 3-4 weeks in a real-world environment
Receive 10,000 mile credit toward your 40,000 miles needed
Pass final state Class-A CDL exam in Springfield, Missouri
Pass Final CDL Skills Test
Complete additional 30,000 miles toward 40,000 mile minimum to complete the training program
Start out as a C-seat company driver trainee earning $600 per week guaranteed or 12 cents per mile (whichever is greater) for 10,000 miles
Upgrade to a B-seat company driver trainee earning $700 per week guaranteed or 14 cents per mile (whichever is greater) for 20,000 miles
Onboarding
Attend Onboarding in Missoula, Montana
Pass upgrade skills test and get into your own truck
Earn 40 cents per mile solo or split 44 cents per mile team as a company driver – or, lease a truck
Pass final state Class-A CDL exam in Missoula, Montana
Have you obtained your CDL from another school?
If you have obtained your CDL from an outside school, you will be evaluated and may be able to go straight into our Onboarding class, and then head out with a trainer for a total of 40,000 miles.
Military Apprenticeship Program
Jim Palmer Trucking is approved by the US Department of Labor as an official sponsor for the Military Apprenticeship Program. Our 15 month program is designed to assist our Veterans transition smoothly from military life to civilian life into a new career. As a qualifying Veteran, you will be able to earn up to $1100 monthly, tax free, in addition to your professional driver wages while participating in this program.