Table Of Contents For This Page
At TruckingTruth, we've done a ton of research for you! We've contacted the company recruiters at XPO Logistics and put together a fantastic review of the XPO Logistics paid CDL training program.
We'll start you off with our opinion of their paid CDL training program and then we'll take you through all of the key features and important information you'll need to know. Some of what we'll cover:
XPO Logistics (NYSE: XPO) is a top ten global logistics company. They operate in 32 countries, with over 95,000 employees and 1,466 locations! XPO handles an average of 160,000 shipments and over seven billion inventory units every day.
XPO's CDL training program is typical of most of the large, well-supported, and experienced programs. They contract to accredited CDL programs in the Joplin, MO area, and tuition is free with a 1-year contract to drive for them. Total time to driving solo is usually around 8-9 weeks. Without the contract, school will cost you a reasonable $4,000.
Features of the program include 3 meals per day and housing included, small class size, and on-the-road training is conducted as a solo operation, with the student doing all the driving, and the finisher coaching from the passenger seat.
One standout item in particular about driving with XPO is that, while they offer the standard 1 day home for 1 week out, there is no limit to how much home time you can take at once, and drivers are allowed to take their trucks home with them.
XPO has been around since 2000, mostly as a logistics provider. They recently expanded their operation to make them one of the biggest truckload carriers in the country. XPO operates in 34 countries, employing more than 88,000 people. Among other awards, Home Depot in 2015 named XPO mid-size truckload carrier of the year, and Whirlpool Corporation named XPO intermodal and LTL carrier of the year.
The Transportation segment consists of its truck brokerage, intermodal, last mile, expedited transportation and freight forwarding businesses. XPO recently acquired and assimilated Con-Way Freight, giving it actual ownership of physical, asset-based trucking operation.
XPO Logistics hires nationwide, EXCEPT from: Idaho, Maine, Oregon, Washington, southern Florida, western Montana, western Wyoming and the northern parts of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin
XPO's CDL training takes place in the Joplin, MO area.
The school is completely free.
Student will be responsible for obtaining their DOT physical and Class A Permit in their home state prior to attending school.
Students receive 3 free meals a day while they are attending school.
Students will have double occupancy housing provided free of cost.
Yes, drivers can pay out-of-pocket for any of XPO's partner schools, or any other school, and be free of the contract.
Students will sign a 12 month contract in exchange for full paid tuition.
If the student terminates employment, they will be obligated to pay a prorated amount of tuition not to exceed $4000. (ie: 6 months of service would equal $2000).
The one-year obligation and the ability to pay out-of-pocket is pretty standard, but the cost of $4,000 is on the low side for CDL school.
Keep in mind that leaving the contract early, which we always advise against, will leave you on the hook for a prorated portion of the tuition, up to $4,000.
Yes, applicants must have a restriction-free Class A CDL permit issued in their home state prior to attending school.
Passport is not required, but desirable. Optional loads go into Canada.
Drivers must obtain their Hazmat endorsement within 120 days of hire. Expenses are fully refundable with submission of receipts. Tanker endorsement is recommended.
CDL training is a 160 hour, fully accredited course through a community college or a truck driving school located near Joplin, MO. School will include classroom, range maneuvers and road driving.
School will be 4 to 5 weeks long depending on student progress and available test dates. Most drivers test within their 4th week.
Range time will vary based on progress and student need.
Typically, there are 3 to 5 students per truck. Class size varies each week not to exceed 10 per school.
The majority of classroom activity occurs within the first week. The course is an applied learning program.
The student training period is a minimum of 7500 miles. Typically, this is 3 to 4 weeks on the road with and experienced driver finisher.
Students make 26 cpm during their training period. Miles per week will vary, but most average $600-650 gross per week.
Truck is dispatched in solo miles. Student will drive all miles while training. Driver finisher will sit in the passenger seat acting as coach.
Training is one on one.
No. While training, one driver will sleep on the lower bunk and one will sleep on the upper bunk. Both drivers will sleep at the same time.
Disputes between the finisher and the student are handled on a case by case basis.
Students are given the option of smoking or non-smoking finishers.
Driver finishers must have a minimum of 1 year driving experience, have 1 year of service with the company, maintain a clean safety record, and complete a driver finisher class.
CDL school and on-the-road training length is pretty typical of company-sponsored programs, as is the training pay. XPO does not operate an actual school, but contracts with schools in the Joplin, MO area.
Finishing trainers are required to have at least a year of experience, and a year with XPO, in order to train students, which is more than many of the other programs require.
XPO hires from across the country, with a few exceptions, and their hiring requirements are pretty standard. They do all of their CDL schooling in the Joplin, MO area.
XPO's program is also unique in that 3 meals per day are provided the entire time you are in school.
Be advised that they do hair-follicle testing as well as urinalysis (very soon, all companies will be doing it, anyways).
Students advance to 31 cpm once they’ve upgraded to a solo driving. If a student chooses to run teams at that time, the rate is 46 cpm.
Health insurance is through Cigna. It’s an 80/20 plan with a $1500 deductible. Pays 100% on preventative medicine.
Insurance starts at $14 a week for the driver. $40 for a driver and spouse. Dependents are $17.
Medical insurance is available after 60 days from hire. Dental and vision are available after 1 year from hire. 401k is available after 1 year from hire.
Drivers will accrue 1 week paid vacation after one year of service.
XPO's training pay and starting solo pay is pretty average for the industry, while team pay is towards the higher end. The various incentives offered could substantially increase driver pay. Their benefits are pretty standard, though the health plans appear very affordable.
The company has a pet policy. One domestic dog or cat will be allowed on the driver’s truck. A $500 fee will be charged. This may be paid out in $50 payroll deductions over 10 pay periods.
The company has a free rider policy. One passenger will be allowed at a time. Passenger must be over 12 years old and be documented with the company. Driver may have a passenger once they are driving solo. There are no blackout dates.
Midwest and Midsouth regional positions are available once a student completes their miles with a finisher and upgrades to solo driving. Dedicated positions are offered to existing drivers and filled by qualification.
NYC is mandatory from day 1. However, a very small portion of the company’s freight goes to NYC.
The company is forced dispatch. The driver will need to communicate concerns about the load to their fleet manager.
Drivers earn one full day of hometime for every week they are out. (ie: 4 weeks equals 4 days at home) Days can be used or banked. Hometime is not capped. So a driver with 7 days earned, may take them all. Driver is allowed to take the truck all the way home.
Freight is primarily no touch and often drop and hook. Percentage will vary.
Leasing is optional. Lease opportunities are available through 3rd party leasing agencies and vary by qualification. Driver must fulfill their 12 months contract if they completed a student sponsorship program.
The company hauls only 53 ft dry van freight in OTR, Regional, and Dedicated positions.
One interesting note is that XPO hauls only 53' dry van. Leasing is typically reserved for experienced drivers.
XPO has its own apprenticeship program that enables qualified veterans or reservists to use their GI Bill benefits to supplement their income up to $1,000 per month in their first year of employment with XPO. During your first year as a new driver (the apprenticeship period), you’ll fulfill a series of skill qualifications, training and safe-driving performance milestones with the guidance of a driver trainer. This program is available only to qualified veterans or reservists who choose to start their truck-driving career with XPO.
Active military members and veterans can use their U.S. GI Bill benefits to supplement their income up to $1,035 per month during their training and apprenticeship year.
While the majority of trucks are Kenworth, the company has a mixed fleet: Kenworth, International, Freightliner, Peterbilt, and Volvo. The average age of the fleet is 2.5 years and trucks are retired from the fleet at 500k miles. Trucks are both manual and autoshift.
All trucks are equipped with Qualcomm eLogs.
65 mph.
No.
For the most part, XPO's trucks are typical of a large, established company. Late-model tractors with low miles. Particular points to consider are the 1500w inverter and included Sirius XM radio.