Hello everyone, new CDL A driver in Idaho here. 35 years old, looking for some job recommendations.
Just graduated from a 160 hour school and attained the following:
CDL A
No Automatic Restriction
Doubles/Triples
Tanker
Hazmat
TWIC
US Passport and passport card (to increase job possibilities, and also it would be cool to deliver in Canada)
I have a clean driving record and no criminal record.
I'm looking for jobs with employers where I can maintain my Idaho residency for at least a year due to an Idaho program that paid for part of my schooling, though I can move to anywhere in the state.
Prior to attending school I inquired and was approved by Swift for their driver training program, but the recruiter was giving me vague information and kind of bad vibes regarding specifics on employment after the program. I've since applied to a dedicated regional route with them a few days ago but haven't heard back yet.
I've been accepted for driver training at an Idaho company starting next month with the following:
Dryvan/reefer
700/week pay in training
6 weeks training period with an instructor
Afterwards, .42/mile base with a .04/mile bonus for running 2800 miles per week or greater. Recruiter says that new drivers routinely make 60k their first year with them, and seemed to look up one seeing 65k.
They claim to regularly have that many miles and more, and I see on their Facebook page them posting new drivers seemingly being routinely rewarded for reaching similar or greater mileage counts. I'm a new driver and skeptical of anything a recruiter tells me, but this seems plausible to me?
There's also a 3k fee if I'd owe them for training if I leave after less than a year.
Edit
Does this seem realistic, and how good/bad is it for a new driver?
I'm also checking out jobs on Indeed, Ziprecruiter, Glassdoor, and tomorrow I'm going to go to the larger truck stop in the area and see if I can talk to random drivers about their jobs, hiring, etc. My trucking school also had a list of possible employers I'm going to start going through tomorrow.
My question is: does anyone have any recommendations for Idaho (or regional) companies that are currently hiring new drivers? Ideally I'd be doing something involving tanker/hazmat since I understand that tends to pay better and I want to specialize in something rather than doing dry van forever, though I also understand that many of those jobs tend to require 1+year exp. first.
Other nice to haves:
1) No interior cameras. I hate the idea of them but understand if it's unrealistic to expect not having them as a new driver in 2025.
2) Loads to Canada or, ideally, Alaska.
Any recommendations or advice, or warnings, etc to me as a new driver looking for my first job would be appreciated.
I've also read through:
Starting Company for New CDL Holder
and will ping Chinatown directly if he ends up not posting himself.
New Idaho CDL A Driver jobs?
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by johndotsun, Jun 2, 2025 at 9:57 PM.
Page 1 of 6
-
-
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
-
We'll take care of you. Don't have to move from Idaho, just hire on with a company that has Idaho in their designated hiring area.
We'll post some trucking company names for you.
Which town or zip code do you live in?johndotsun and nextgentrucker Thank this. -
Awesome, thanks for replying so quickly.
Boise, 83702Chinatown Thanks this. -
Contact Lynden Transport and ask if you're in the hiring area.
Reefer outfit that runs USA, Canada, Alaska.
Hires new cdl school grads.
Lynden Transport | Trucking to Alaska, Freight Service to Alaska
Two terminals in Idaho:
Caldwell
Jerome
Last edited: Jun 2, 2025 at 10:52 PM
johndotsun and North Pole Nightmare Thank this. -
johndotsun and North Pole Nightmare Thank this.
-
Apply with this company; might luck out.
Home - Idaho Milk Transport
Transporting dairy, edible oils, juices and other liquid food products throughout the U.S. and Canada.
3 terminals:
Burley
Jerome
Caldwell
johndotsun Thanks this. -
If you want to gain experience you might try doing local seaso al work for agricultural companies... Valley Agronomics is one that I personally have worked for... lots of hours during the busy season (now).
After you gain some experience there are many smaller companies in Idaho to drive for that are pretty decent. I drive OTR for Killpack trucking out of Idahofalls.JolliRoger and johndotsun Thank this. -
-
Leonard's Express Caldwell Terminal
1010 Holman Ct, Caldwell, ID 83605
~
Careers - Leonard’s Express
~
Coast-to-coast 48 states.
Last edited: Jun 2, 2025 at 10:53 PM
johndotsun Thanks this. -
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
Page 1 of 6