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Wilson Logistics offers a well-structured, company-sponsored CDL training program designed to launch successful trucking careers. With modern equipment, hands-on instruction, and a family-owned culture, Wilson provides a clear path from student to solo company driver or, for those interested, to operate their own business as a lease operator.
Founded over 50 years ago, Wilson Logistics is a family-owned and operated trucking company with a fleet of over 500 trucks. Known for its commitment to driver success, the company offers:
Choosing where to begin your trucking career is one of the most important decisions you'll make — and Wilson Logistics is built for your long-term success, not just a quick start. Their paid CDL training program is built to help you succeed — without the burden of upfront costs or long-term debt.
From quality equipment, personal training, fair policies and a family-run atmosphere, Wilson Logistics delivers a strong foundation for a long-lasting trucking career.
Wilson Logistics provides a comprehensive, company-sponsored CDL training program with modern equipment, hands-on instruction, and a supportive, family-owned culture. The program guides students from training to solo company driver, and for those interested, offers a path to operate as a lease operator. Training includes small class sizes, new Freightliner Cascadia trucks, and competitive pay starting from the day you obtain your CDL. Wilson Logistics is committed to driver success and long-term career growth.
Founded over 50 years ago, Wilson Logistics is a family-owned and operated trucking company with a fleet of over 500 trucks. The company is dedicated to driver success and offers:
To qualify for the program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Important Note: You must obtain your CDL permit before arriving at training. Studying ahead and passing your written test will ensure a smoother start.
Wilson Logistics hires from all 48 lower states, and will try to fit the driver into whichever shipping lane they prefer.
As with many smaller companies, new drivers may normally be able to receive more personalized instruction during training with small class sizes. They place a high emphasis on being pet-friendly for those who would like to bring their pets along, and also make the investments in newer, updated equipment.
If you are accepted into the Wilson Logistics training program you will be required to sign a one-year contract. The cost of training to obtaining your Commercial Driver's License is $4900.00 dollars. That cost will be forgiven after your first year of employment or leasing with Wilson Logistics.
Until you become a licensed commercial driver and are employed by Wilson Logistics the Company will (lend) advance you up to $200.00 weekly as a meal allowance.
Any advance will be repaid by you thru payroll deduction once you obtain your CDL and your offered employment at Wilson Logistics. The repayment plan will be 25.00 per week until the amount borrowed is paid back in full. Please note you are not an employee of Wilson Logistics until you pass the CDL Exam and your offered employment
No money down, credit check or cost to you - if you opt out before the one year contract you would be responsible for cost of training.
30,000 miles of team driving with trainer after completing 3 week CDL training course. (Pay tiers up .12cpm or $600 weekly whichever is greater and then to .14cpm or $700 weekly whichever is greater.)
The day you receive your license is the day you start receiving your guarantee pay. Guarantee pay is 128.57 per day which is 900.00 per week. There will only be one trainee per truck. The trainee is never to sleep on the top bunk with the truck moving. Once your Fleet Manager and Trainer certify phase 2 training is complete you will move to the final phase of training, phase 3.
There are no upfront costs. You should bring funds to cover food and drink for the first week before the $200 weekly advance begins.
Breakfast is included with your hotel stay and lunch is provided at the terminal during week 1 of training.
Hotel stay is provided during week 1 of training. Breakfast and lunch are included.
No, there is no option to pay for CDL training up front.
CDL school and training are free as long as you fulfill the one-year contract. If you leave Wilson Logistics before completing the contract, you will be responsible for the full $4,900 training cost.
Wilson Logistics's obligations are typical of many programs. It is not paid back over time, but forgiven all at once after a year of driving.
Note that not fulfilling the one-year contract will make you responsible for the full training amount. As always, we recommend you stay with your first company for at least 1 year, anyways.
Yes, you must obtain your CDL permit before arriving at training. Studying ahead and passing your written test will ensure a smoother start.
No, a U.S. Passport is not required. You will need to provide identification at training, and a passport is an acceptable form if you have one.
No additional endorsements are required for Wilson Logistics CDL training.
Though not required, we always recommend getting a passport. Hauling freight into Canada has become more streamlined, and a passport will give you more options for the future.
The same applies to endorsements. We advise getting all available endorsements up front, which will keep you prepared for future opportunities.
Bring as much paperwork with you as you can, including any medical records or forms which could prove past employment and help with the background investigations. Always be certain that your birth certificate and social security card are ul-laminated originals.
Once you arrive on Monday, a shuttle will pick you up at the hotel at 6:30 am and take you to obtain your DOT Physical and Drug Test. Afterward, you will head to Wilson Logistics headquarters in Strafford, MO to begin orientation and training.
Phase 1: CDL Training at Strafford, MO. You will sign a one-year contract. Training cost is $4,900, forgiven after one year of employment or leasing. CDL training usually takes 14-21 days. You are advanced up to $200 weekly for meals, repaid at $25/week after employment begins. Hotel stay is provided during week 1, with breakfast and lunch included.
Phase 2: After obtaining your Class A CDL, you are assigned to a Certified Over the Road Trainer for 30,000 miles (about 5-7 weeks). You learn trip planning, weights and balances, log management, routing, loading and unloading, and more. Guarantee pay is $128.57 per day ($900/week). Only one trainee per truck. The trainee is never to sleep on the top bunk while the truck is moving.
Phase 3: You operate a truck with another apprentice for 30,000 miles. Each driver receives the $900 guarantee, plus $0.31 per mile for all miles above 2,900 per week. Example: If the truck runs 4,100 miles, each driver is paid for an additional 1,200 miles at $0.31 CPM ($372). Total pay for that week would be $1,272 before tax. If there are no accidents or service issues, each driver may upgrade to an A Seat.
The entire process from beginning to going solo typically takes 2-3 months on average.
Students and trainers complete weekly evaluations in multiple categories to ensure sufficient hands-on training in backing and other skills.
Usually, the maximum number of students per truck is 1-2.
The program is designed around hands-on training in the truck. The initial days are spent in the classroom, with the majority of the program taking place in the truck itself.
You will spend very little time in a classroom during CDL training, compared to many other programs. Most of the program will be in-truck activities to prepare you for driving solo.
As Wilson Logistics is a smaller organization, you will have the advantage of small class sizes, and fewer students per truck in training.
The training program is based on safe completion of verifiable miles—30,000 miles with a trainer.
The day you receive your license is the day you start receiving guarantee pay: $128.57 per day, which is $900 per week.
Initially, before a student has a CDL, the trainer acts as an instructor while the student drives. Once the student has a CDL, there is an evaluation period of 2,500-3,000 miles where the trainer ensures the student is adequately trained and experienced to perform as a team.
No, there is one student per trainer and truck.
Yes, nobody is allowed to sleep in the top bunk while the truck is moving.
Disputes are handled respectfully by management on a case-by-case basis. Wilson Logistics abides by federal guidelines regarding a hostile work environment.
Yes, non-smoking trainers are available by request.
Trainers must pass a certified "Train the Trainer" (T3) course and vehicle inspection.
The length of their training is longer than the average program, but it's an excellent program. We like the way they send you out on the road right away with your permit and help you learn out in the real world instead of in a parking lot or on a handful of back roads. You'll also be making money more quickly with this type of setup than you will at some of the other paid CDL training programs.
Company drivers are paid $0.50/mile solo and $0.62/mile team (split). Additional mileage bonuses are available in team/apprentice phase.
Pay increases are based on verifiable miles and driving history. Drivers receive top scale pay after successful completion of the training program (typically after 2-3 months).
Wilson Logistics offers a fuel incentive program. Details and amounts may vary; check with your recruiter for current bonus rates.
Wilson Logistics offers medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and 401K retirement plans. Benefits begin 60 days after hire and start on the first day of the month after you elect coverage.
Benefit costs vary depending on the package and premiums selected. Contact Wilson Logistics for current rates.
You can apply for medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and participate in the 401K, 60 days from your date of hire. If you elect benefits, they will commence on the first day of the month after you elect coverage.
Wilson Logistics's starting solo pay is on the higher side compared to others, and they offer very generous fuel bonuses and vacation plans.
Pets are welcome to ride with you once you are on your own. No pet deposit is required. Pets are not allowed during training phases.
Riders must be approved and insured. No riders under 10 years of age. Riders are not authorized during Phase 2 and Phase 3 of training.
Dedicated runs are reserved for proven drivers that have earned them with consistent safety and reliable service. Company drivers typically run specific lanes that have been determined to be profitable by the company.
No, Wilson Logistics doesn't operate in New-England except to get drivers who live there, home.
Their policy is to not force dispatch. Company drivers have the option to refuse freight based on safety and service conflicts.
Drivers earn 1 day off for every 7 days on the road, with a maximum of 5 days off at any one time. Drivers are not paid guarantee pay if they elect to take time off at home or a requested destination. Drivers can drop trailers at a terminal, drop yard, or customer prior to taking time off. Terminals are located in Strafford MO, Springfield MO, Pittston PA, Salt Lake City UT, Minooka IL, and Pierson FL. Drop yards and customers are in most states, including major locations in FL, TX, GA, AZ, CA, and more.
Wilson Logistics hauls primarily refrigerated freight. Drop & hook freight accounts for approximately 15-20% of loads.
Yes, Wilson Logistics offers an optional lease program with pay incentives for lease operators who take on additional risk.
Wilson Logistics is approved through the United States Department of Labor as a registered sponsor for the Military Apprenticeship Program. Wilson Logistics's fifteen month on-the-job learning apprenticeship is designed to help military veterans transition from military life to civilian life successfully into a new career.
You may use your Post 9/11 G.I. Bill benefits to get your CDL, and as a qualifying Veteran, you can earn up to $1,104.75 monthly, tax free, in addition to your professional driver wages, while participating in Wilson Logistics OJL (on-the-job learning) apprenticeship training program.
What sets Wilson Logistics apart with the opportunities that they offer is that because of the 3 different divisions they operate, they can get a new driver into a regional or dedicated position rather quickly, compared to other companies, and will work with drivers to fit their preference.
Wilson Logistics operates a fleet of 2024-2026 Freightliner Cascadia trucks, among the newest on the road. All trucks feature state-of-the-art EPU units for comfort and idle control, refrigerators, and 2500-watt inverters. Optional Verizon 300GB internet is available for $20/month upon request.
Yes, all trucks are equipped with Samsara and E-log technology. E-logs are required for every driver.
Trucks are governed at 62 MPH.
Yes, all trucks come with APU units.
Wilson Logistics offers a professional, supportive, and cost-effective pathway into the trucking industry. Whether you're, exiting the military, or simply seeking a better future, their paid CDL training program is built to help you succeed — without the burden of upfront costs or long-term debt.
From quality equipment, personal training, fair policies and a family-run atmosphere, Wilson Logistics delivers a strong foundation for a long-lasting trucking career.