Comments By Mary H.

Mary replied:

Walmart Private Fleet requires minimum three years of OTR experience and a clean driving record.

Here's what their website says:

Minimum qualifications for Walmart drivers: Interstate (Class A) Commercial Drivers License with Hazmat endorsement (including cleared background check) OR will obtain Hazmat endorsement (with cleared background check) within 120 calendar days of date of hire. Minimum of 30 months experience working in a full-time Class A tractor/trailer driving position in the previous 3 years. No more than two (2) moving violations while operating a personal or commercial motor vehicle in the last three (3) years. No serious traffic violations while operating a commercial motor vehicle in the last three (3) years. No convictions for a DUI, DWI, OUI, or reckless driving involving alcohol/drugs within the last ten (10) years. No preventable accidents* while operating a commercial motor vehicle in the last three (3) years. No preventable* DOT recordable accidents (collisions resulting in disabling damage and/or immediate medical treatment away from the scene) while operating a commercial motor vehicle in the last ten (10) years. No preventable accident* resulting in a fatality or catastrophic injury in driving history (commercial motor vehicle).

But I would guess that they are extremely choosy and that they usually hire well above the minimum requirements.

Thanks for including that Mary. They must have relaxed their minimums a bit. 30 months equate to 2.5 years, so it's still close to 3. Your last sentence though is highly relevant...

It's a highly coveted job, lots of applicants for WMPF to choose from.

I am assigned to a Walmart Grocery DC, 7030 in Gordon PA. been there as a Swift Dedicated driver for over 3 years. Walmart regularly plucks the cream off the top of the Swift driver pool and hires them into their Private Fleet. The transition is smooth because the job is basically the same, except their drivers will float from DC to DC depending on where the demand is. At least for the folks I personally know who WMPF hired, they all had 3 or more years on the account (one guy had 5). Of the 5 I know of, 4 of them are still there (the 5th just retired), basically doing the same work/deliveries I am doing. Overall a really great job...definitely one of the best fleets to work for, lots of perks. Several of the WMPF drivers domiciled at 7030 have over 1 million accident free miles, one has over 3 million and another is the current National Truck Rodeo champ. Cool place to work.

As for me, I thoroughly enjoy running dedicated for Walmart as a Swift driver. At least for now, it meets all of my needs as a driver (personally and professionally), provides an opportunity for flexibility, variety of work assignments (that supplement the base CPM), I am not treated like a number, and a voice directly to the terminal manager.

As coveted as those jobs are, it's a wonder that WalMart spends so much money running radio ads that they're hiring.

So, pardon my nosiness, but is that "the one" job that you'd leave Swift for???

Walmart Private Fleet requires minimum three years of OTR experience and a clean driving record.

Here's what their website says:

Minimum qualifications for Walmart drivers: Interstate (Class A) Commercial Drivers License with Hazmat endorsement (including cleared background check) OR will obtain Hazmat endorsement (with cleared background check) within 120 calendar days of date of hire. Minimum of 30 months experience working in a full-time Class A tractor/trailer driving position in the previous 3 years. No more than two (2) moving violations while operating a personal or commercial motor vehicle in the last three (3) years. No serious traffic violations while operating a commercial motor vehicle in the last three (3) years. No convictions for a DUI, DWI, OUI, or reckless driving involving alcohol/drugs within the last ten (10) years. No preventable accidents* while operating a commercial motor vehicle in the last three (3) years. No preventable* DOT recordable accidents (collisions resulting in disabling damage and/or immediate medical treatment away from the scene) while operating a commercial motor vehicle in the last ten (10) years. No preventable accident* resulting in a fatality or catastrophic injury in driving history (commercial motor vehicle).

But I would guess that they are extremely choosy and that they usually hire well above the minimum requirements.

What are good trucking companies to work for after completing my first year experience at my starter company

Walmart is running radio ads saying that they are hiring experienced drivers and that their first year drivers make over 82K plus great benefits and home-time. So, that might be one to shoot for.

There are certain local driving positions that are highly sought after by some experienced drivers. For instance, some of the LTL companies offer outstanding pay and benefits. Also, local fuel hauling usually pays well with good benefits. Earnings greater than 90K/yr are attainable in each of these with a few years experience.

Hello Rui,

I am a long-time lurker here, too, but also an experienced driver. I've actually had 2 driving careers. The first was back in the '90's when I was 20-something. Like you, I started to feel more and more detached from my current job and driving truck seemed like a great way to escape from the everyday drudgery of the office. And, it was a great escape, for me!

My first trucking job was with one of the "mega" truckload carriers. They had a school of their own, which I attended, and then I worked for them for one year, honoring the commitment I had made in exchange for the training they provided. I made about $36,000 that year, which was about average for first year drivers at that company. I was safe and reliable, but I didn't push too hard. I wasn't in it for the money so much as the lifestyle. I would say that nowadays you could make anywhere from the 35 to 55K driving over the road in your first year. It really just depends on how quickly you can learn to operate safely, efficiently and productively out there.

I quit that job after 1 year for personal reasons and pursued another line of employment for the next 20 years and then in my late 40's decided to go back to driving truck. This time I attended a private school and was able to land a "local" driving job right out of school. I am home every day, sleep in my own bed, and usually have 2 days off per week (sometimes only 1). I am paid hourly, average about 55 hours per week, and I made just shy of 70K in my first year.

My point in responding to you is that there is a wide range of opportunity for first year earnings as a driver. It depends what kind of job you pursue and how you perform, but anywhere from mid-30's to 70K is possible.

Living near Dallas, there is likely opportunity for you to land a "local" driving job right out of school, but I'm not sure if that is something you'd be interested in. It sounds more like you're leaning towards over the road driving. And, if you move to a remote part of Texas, then OTR will probably be your only option, anyway.