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Prime Inc. reviews

2.3
(73)
•
$462 - $6,731/week

Summary

Overall

Home Time

Equipment and Maintenance

Dispatchers and Managers

Salary Surveys

$462 $1,685 $6,731
weekly average

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Ratings and Reviews

Current Employee - Jul 10, 2026

If you want to get your CDL and need your foot in the door, come to Prime. Do your one year of required experience and then get out. That is the only way I can recommend this company.The only true positive about Prime is that they genuinely care about safety when it comes to weather. They will not rush you or force you to drive in bad winter conditions to deliver a load. If it is unsafe, you shut it down, and they respect that.However, everything else—especially the lease program—is a trap. The company heavily promotes the idea of independence and ownership, but it is complete BS. In practice, the lease is entirely convenient for the company, not you. You are responsible for absolutely everything on the truck, and the entire financial burden falls on your shoulders while Prime retains total control.The fixed weekly lease costs are extremely high. The risk placed on the driver is completely disproportionate to the support they give you. Your fleet manager will tell you that they do not cap your revenue, but the reality is they will not let you pass a certain threshold. You end up working yourself to the bone just to cover the weekly equipment expenses, leaving very little profit for yourself.Use Prime for the free training, keep your record clean for 12 months, and then take your CDL somewhere else where you can actually make a living.

Pros

get you to the door of trucking if you dont have the funds to pay for license

Cons

to many to list

Home Time
Equipment and Maintenance
Dispatchers and Managers

Current Employee - Jul 3, 2026

Prime got me into trucking, and for that I am grateful. They gave me the opportunity to earn my CDL and gain real-world experience. If you need a place to start, Prime can serve that purpose. But that is where my praise ends. As a lease operator, I have found the system to be deeply unbalanced and financially predatory. The fixed weekly costs are extremely high, and the risk placed on the driver is disproportionate to the support provided. The company promotes the idea of independence and ownership, but in practice it often feels like all the financial burden falls on the driver while the company retains most of the control. Equipment and maintenance have been one of the biggest issues. I leased a truck with unresolved problems that were acknowledged at the time of lease-on, and I was told those issues would resolve themselves with use. They did not. Now I am facing potentially major repair costs and downtime for problems that should have been addressed before the truck was ever leased out. The response has been inconsistent—very reassuring when it comes to getting you into the truck, much less clear when it comes time to determine who pays. Home time is technically flexible, but for lease operators it is often financially difficult to take. Time off usually means fixed costs continue while revenue stops, which creates pressure to stay moving. That is not real flexibility. My fleet manager has done what he can within the system, and I do not place blame on dispatch. My criticism is of the lease structure itself and the broader company policies surrounding it. My advice to new drivers: Prime is a decent place to get your CDL, get your training, and get your first year of experience. But go in with your eyes open. If you choose lease, understand every cost, every risk, and every warranty in writing. And once you have your experience, seriously evaluate your options elsewhere before committing long-term. For me, Prime was a stepping stone—not a destination.

Pros

Cdl training Short training contract after training

Cons

Predatory lease terms Time off requests get missed Lots of inexperienced trainers

Home Time
Equipment and Maintenance
Dispatchers and Managers

Current Employee - May 30, 2026

ALL PRIOR Reviews, and this are Consistent. Been w/ Prime 7 years as Lease (on 3rd), However in last couple of years it's migrated, From Driver> FM? To Sales > Driver via dispatch FM!. Lately sit for hours + , Then an offer that would burn or Risk my Clock (after waiting for 4>8 hrs). Then, after sitting all day? A load that has been there since Prior Day, or Early AM. What? Where was this 5 hrs ago!!.. Not a singular case in point. Happens More n More Frequently. If Sales (aka FM), sends a load that is at Thier Need, Not Your Clock or your Day Start? (The new deal is make you sit for 3 hrs b4 next offer to Stop your 14 so it adds to your availability by 3 hrs, ELD split) If you reject more than two? A 22>34 hr Sit is in your Future. This BS started slowly in past couple of years, Now a standard! Sucks, waiting for an offer, and after Sitting, seeing Clock Busters, A load that has been sitting All Day? Was there all the time!.. Just not Offered. Too Much Politics and Not Driver Focused anymore! FM is now a player for Profit in his world, not Driver Focused!..Getting Sad, Used to be Driver First! NOW "This load pays 4700, Just run 1680 miles in 3 days for otd in your 64mph Governed Truck" , Decline > You Sit! Accept and be Late? You suck and have a SF!.. The New , New Prime ! 20 More Newbes in the wings to Run that!. (Till they cant).. js. You are now : Truck # 123456 !..SAD change ...

Pros

Equipment and Support is Top Notch !..

Cons

FM is no longer the Backbone and Partner for success! Now a Fireman for Distress and too busy putting out fires, Than deal with Driver>Sales Dispatch !. What a change in so short a time ! 2 years , and CF is the best I can accolade!..

Home Time
Equipment and Maintenance
Dispatchers and Managers

Current Employee - May 23, 2026

I had great trainers. Got my cdl. Went on TNT. They pay you 900 a week while training TNT. I went company and actually drive one of my tnt trainers trucks. He has a micro fleet within Prime. Plenty of mile. Plenty of support from Fleet Manager and dispatch. The hometime is just as good as any otr company. I haven't had any troubles from day 1 other than getting used to being gone for several weeks at a time. No matter who says what on here.. they do pay you to train. You don't work for free. I can't say about any other trainers but I know mine was awesome as my trainer and now my boss. I applied to several companies and am thankful they picked me up first.

Pros

All good all around

Cons

No cons.

Home Time
Equipment and Maintenance
Dispatchers and Managers

Current Employee - Apr 8, 2026

They don’t know what an OTR driver is. My average length of haul is 500 miles. I have had whole weeks of hauls under 500 miles. All they care about is moving people into lease ops.

Pros

Good equip, good facilities and decent benefits.

Cons

Management, dispatch and sales

Home Time
Equipment and Maintenance
Dispatchers and Managers

Salary Surveys

Owner Operator - 2 Years CDL Experience

Surveyed in on Jul 10, 2026

$1,615 per week

Current Employee

Yes

Owner Operator - 6-11 Months CDL Experience

Surveyed in on Jul 3, 2026

$924 per week

Current Employee

Yes

Owner Operator - 5+ Years CDL Experience

Surveyed in East Coast on May 30, 2026

$1,300 per week

Current Employee

Yes

Company Driver - 1 Year CDL Experience

Surveyed in Springfield, MO on May 23, 2026

$1,200 per week

Current Employee

Yes

Company Driver - 5+ Years CDL Experience

Surveyed in Springfield, MO on Apr 8, 2026

$1,154 per week

Current Employee

Yes

Discussions

Getting into UPS Freight...

Sean_Memphis

Feb 12, 2015

Getting into UPS Freight...

Prime has highest training pay. 600 bucks a week for all 4 weeks before taxes.Crst makes u team drive wit u another newbie after training with trainer. Swift and Crengland has low pay after training. Good Luck !!!

6 months at Prime, Inc.

evofd

Aug 8, 2016

6 months at Prime, Inc.

Been 6 quick months with Prime now and they have kept me very busy....

I do lease from them and and although I have read many terrible experiences regarding leasing I have yet to have a bad one. Avg pre-tax income is currently 55 cpm after expenses. Avg'ing about 3kmi per week and out for a month or two at a time...so not home much. Already received Top Driver for month and got a small bonus. So I have to say Prime has really come thru with flying colors for me. If you are thinking of driving for Prime and have any questions feel free to send'em...I do not get on here daily so be patient and I'll respond as soon as I can. Drive safe!

Prime Inc tanker YouTube

moose97

Feb 1, 2016

Prime Inc tanker YouTube

Q: I am considering going with Prime on either reefer or tanker, I have experience in both. Do you have any insight as to what the pros and cons are of tanker v reefer? Do you think that geographic location is a factor in which would be a better choice? I am in Florida on the east coast.

 

Do you lease or company driver?

 

Thanks for the info, it is very timely. I look forward to watching your videos.

 

A: Almost everything you have asked is answeredin one of my videos. The short answers are:

 

Tanker is fewer miles, but different pay to make up for the fewer miles, so I see it as not having to work as hard as reefer for the same pay.

 

Depending on exactly where in Florida, tanker may not work for you. Contact recruiting to see for sure.

 

Lease.

 

Enjoy the videos and comment if you have more questions

PSD training with Prime Inc.

Calvin Stewart

Feb 29, 2016

PSD training with Prime Inc.

First, take everything you experienced at swift with regards to pay and accounts and throw that out the window. Prime doesn't do stupid accounts. Second, the rate you get paid in a Walmart account is more then regular otr. When I ran the Walmart account I was averaging $.53/mi. They pay you really well for running walmart accounts.

 

The lease purchase program requires a $14,000 down payment and an additional $1,000 if you want the apu. There is no waiting period for that.

 

The regular lease program you can enter as soon as your training is done. Don't recommend that though. Drive company until spring of next year. I say that because by the time you finish training and then 6 months solo you'll be right smack dab in the middle of winter. Not a good time to come on board as a lease driver. Freight is low from the first of the year to March/April. Unless you're familiar with running a successful business that is profitable I would wait.

 

As a company driver you're taken care of very well and usually first over lease trucks.

 

Just remember, prime is way different from swift. Leave all your past baggage at the bus station and keep an open mind. Don't compare everything to how swift was or did it. It'll make the transition to a real company easier for you

PSD training with Prime Inc.

darthanubis

Mar 19, 2016

PSD training with Prime Inc.

With the attitude your displaying here. Swift's loss, Prime's gain. You'll do fine!

There is a wealth of information in this forum and even real Prime drivers are more than happy to share, exchange numbers, the whole bit. I've been taking care of very well in my last 8 months. This is my first trucking experience. I've done company for eight months and just went lease. There have been bumps along the way, but nothing directly related to the company. Just individual personalities as with anywhere. My year will be up in August, and unless I'm offered something super sweet in the Southeast, regional, sick of winters, I'll be staying with Prime. If I do get the itch to move, I'm making sure it's on great terms, because I could see coming back to Prime. I'm hoping I can get a good SE regional with Prime.

 

Anyway, this ain't about me.

 

Good luck to you driver!

Interested in Prime Inc.

Ryan Brooks

Jul 28, 2015

Interested in Prime Inc.

Question: When you go to Prime in Missouri, how do they have you claim residency in that state if you really live in another state? They have you get a Missouri permit and cdl A. Do you have to transfer it back to your home state or can you keep the MO cdl?

 

A: You get a MO CDL then must transfer it back to your domicile state.

Prime Inc. or KLLM/FFE Transport to begin a trucking carreer?

pauly66

Feb 12, 2016

Prime Inc. or KLLM/FFE Transport to begin a trucking carreer?

I worked for Prime for almost 6 months; no one pushed the Lease program. Once I stated I wanted to go company, no one else mentioned the Lease program again.

 

I would say that Prime is an excellent place to get get your CDL and gain some experience. The facilities are top notch. There equipment is very good. They pay, I believe to be the best while you are in training.

 

And Prime is 62 mph for company trucks on cruise control, foot on the pedal its 58 mph. They take safety and fuel economy very seriously and you are compensated well for your performance on both.

Prime Inc. or KLLM/FFE Transport to begin a trucking carreer?

pauly66

Feb 14, 2016

Prime Inc. or KLLM/FFE Transport to begin a trucking carreer?

If you looking to be trained properly Inwould recommend Prime if you don't have a cdl. You can go to their truck school and it's free if you work for them 1 year. Their PSD trainers earn their $ via bonuses for you passing your skills test with the least amount of retries. This basically requires them to teach you how to back up a truck and drive since their goal isn't actual miles. After getting your CDL, if you lucky, you will have same trainer for TNT training and run much harder. Neither is perfect like any other set up but I've come across drivers from both companies who struggled to back into a parking spot. Those normal attended a truck school outside Prime. Not many companies will take the time to train you do drive the truck properly without focusing on miles at the beginning of you use them to get a CDL. Their main terminal is across the street in from MO Department of Transportation so things aren't as loose as it was when I got my CDL via CR England.

Prime, Inc Lightweight International Prostar & Freightliner Cascadia Video Tours

moose97

Oct 8, 2015

Prime, Inc Lightweight International Prostar & Freightliner Cascadia Video Tours

To be clear, I'd definitely want a full size if I was OTR (and with Prime's current options, would lease a Freightliner Midroof). First off, I'm 6'7". Second, just have more storage space plus the cabinet for a real fridge (which I'd have) if I wasn't home as much. All this said, if I was told that I had to have this Int'l as an OTR truck, I could make it work - and guys make both the Int'l and Freightshaker LW's work as OTR trucks. Just know that they have their limitations, plan for them and you'll be fine.

New Driver for Prime Inc.

smalloy

Apr 6, 2015

New Driver for Prime Inc.

Welcome to Prime! I started Nov 3rd, and now I'm driving alone and its great. Just pray you get a good Trainer. And everything else you need to know is at the link above...

New to Prime INC - What to expect (Springfield edition)

silenteagle

Dec 6, 2012

New to Prime INC - What to expect (Springfield edition)

Welcome to the thread that I hope will explain what you are going to experience when you arrive at our facilities in Springfield Missouri. Most of you will be riding the dog (Greyhound) from wherever you are to our terminal. Make sure you have the phone number for the Prime shuttle. They will come get you from the bus station and drop you off at The Campus Inn (Prime's hotel and training facility).

When you arrive at the hotel you will check in and receive a room.The hotel DOES NOT COST YOU ANYTHING WHILE IN TRAINING. If it is late, or just after a meal has ended, they will give you a boxed lunch that has a sandwich and some other goodies. (If you have high BP due to sodium, don't eat the ham sandwich) If you are starting from scratch (no CDL) you will be sharing a room with someone. Others with a CDL that are just transferring from another carrier will probably be given a room to yourself, but don't expect it. (availability drives this) Look around, get your bearings and get yourself situated in the room. There are a few restaurants nearby, and a WalMart just a block away. (Go to the front of the hotel, look left, and start walking toward the Culvers restaurant, Wally world is just past this place.) There is an Applby's by the WalMart, but let me remind you,DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WHILE YOU ARE IN ORIENTATION! You will find yourself on the curb in front of the Oasis, paying your own way home. 

Meal Card: If you arrive early in the day you will probably get a meal card from the cafeteria. If you arrive late, you will get it at breakfast or lunch the next day. This card is your food for the week. It does not buy you everything you want, as each meal has a price limit that will get you the main meal and a drink. You will have to pay the difference if you want more than the basic meal. 

Money: I would recommend bringing $200 with you. $100 will be the fee Prime charges you, $50 for your CDL permit, and $50 spending cash because sometimes the meal just doesn't fill you up, or you need that soda and candy bar just to stay awake. You shouldn't need more than that.

You should be given a packet with a bunch of application questions and stuff to fill out. Make sure you fill it out as soon as you can. You will need it completed on day one. It will be used for your background interview. The packet will be a repeat of most of the information you provided to the recruiter. DO NOT LIE OR TRY TO HIDE ANYTHING! All trucking companies must investigate every applicants work, driving, and criminal history. EX: If you have a misdemeanor for peeing in public, tell them.

Day one of orientation is hectic and confusing, so get a good night sleep.