New Drivers

Are new drivers required to drive with a experienced driver before going out on their own. And if so how long. Thanks for your reply.

At Maverick, it is a minimum of 21 days. Insurance company rules. But last till the trainer releases you. So it could be 3 weeks or 6 weeks or more. Depends on the driver and the trainer.

If by "new" you mean just got your CDL and haven't worked, then yes. Most of the larger companies have training periods that last for a number of weeks.

I work for Prime and if you go to their school, you must do 30,000 miles before going solo. If you come with a CDL you do 40,000. This is team or truck miles, not your miles. Usually the first week or two, the trainer is awake while you drive to make sure you are safe. Gives you pointers to improve and places you in various traffic, geographic, and time conditions. Once the trainer deems you safe, the team driving goes into effect and one drives while the other sleeps. Its like a safety net. The last week, the trainee runs the truck doing the trip planning and everything else to prove they can go solo. You should get plenty of backing practice bumping docks during this phase.

This can take a couple months. I know there are companies that have you out in a few weeks. Every company does it differently.