Applying too early, before I get the required experience?

No I don't believe you set yourself up for failure. The employer decides if they want to look at you as a candidate with the experience you have or not to see if you are qualified enough to operate their equipment in a safe manner. If they choose to not move forward on your application there is nothing to hurt you. They will not have a file on you. They by law are supposed to destroy your application after a certain time frame if they to chose to not move forward in the process.
Companies are hurting for drivers so OD might make exceptions currently based on your experience level. I know when I was with R&L and few years back they were getting desperate and were starting to talk to the schools about recruiting drivers. So I don't think you have anything to lose.
The only issue might be when they do a employment backround check. Your current employer will know you are looking different employment. Hopefully you do not have a contract with your current employer obligating to the year.

 

Old Dominion doesn't require 1 yr. experience.
Old Dominion hires new cdl school grads. and also has a dock-to-driver program for those wanting to be a driver, but don't have a cdl.
I recommend you go to the terminal ASAP and apply in person.
Dont' call; go in person.
Walk in and say, "I'm checking on my job application."
Chances are, you application isn't there, but is in the national system, but the terminal can track it down on their computer system.

 

Here's an example from an Old Dominion ad:
~
Old Dominion Freight Line is currently recruiting for our in-house Driver training Program. During your 280 hour paid training, you will learn and earn your Class A CDL, to become a Local or LineHaul driver along with working on OD’s dock. With over 85 years in the industry, OD can provide you a stable and rewarding career with highly competitive pay.

 

Policies vary by terminal. Some OD terminal do hire right out of truck school. I applied at the OD terminal in Portland, OR when I was a new driver. I was told that they called 10 applicants in to interview and only one would be called back and with only TWO YEARS of experience it wouldn't be me. Today, they are hiring people without CDLs and training them for driving jobs at that terminal.

Companies hire people all the time who don't meet the requirements of their help wanted ads. What they WANT and what they'll settle for are two different things. Think of it like dating - you might want a supermodel but you'll settle for a lot less if it's her or nothing.

Odds are they'll call you in to interview. Whether you get the job or not depends more on how many other applicants they have and how qualified they are than you or your driving history.

 

If Iam changing job I alway secure the new job before lleaving the old job. The comapny would do the same if there replacing you. Fair is fair.

 

I’ve done what you did a few times before. If there was a company I was interested in that required more experience than I had, I’d apply 2 months early. Typically, a recruiter or hiring manager will contact you, realize you’re short on experience, and either make a note to call you back when you reach the experience, or they might have a ‘training’ situation. A fair number of companies might require a year, but also might offer a compromise. 6 months with 3 weeks of training with them might work. No idea about the LTL side, but I see it often on the OTR side.

Definitely didn’t set yourself up for failure as long as you were honest about your experience you listed. If anything, they’ll like seeing that you’ve been seriously wanting to work for them for a while.