What can I expect as a new driver?

JSonne · May 9, 2015

Greetings.

I will try and be brief.

I have a CDL B with P and S endorsements with no air brake restrictions. If I had to I could get tanker and hazmat endorsements as well as an enhanced license. I've been driving a school bus for a month. In a previous life (in the 90's) I drove a moving truck for several years.

I want to dedicate the next stage of my life for serious driving. I want to maximize my paycheck over that time. What can I expect:

* Is expediting the way to go or are there other suggestions?
* How much can one expect to earn? I know there are no promises, but a ballpark figure would be helpful.

I am willing to drive 365, with a partner or solo, and in any type of vehicle I am legally allowed to operate. Thanks in advance for your time and opinions.

paullud · May 9, 2015

Maximizing your paycheck would probably mean going to a tractor trailer if you are going to drive for someone else.

Unless you have money saved up I would avoid expediting for right now. Just an opinion from a random stranger on the internet.

The earnings are all over the place and depend on your abilities to operate a business and learn quickly. There are people that are going broke very quickly and others that flourish.

vandriver2 · May 9, 2015

There are so many variables to consider. Similar to what Paullud said...most money per mile and Preplans would be in a Tractor. Expediting and Driving Truck are 2 separate animals, each with their pluses and minus'. Much depends on your lifestyle, dependents, debts and earnings needs.
When I left a Company Semi to go to Expediting, I called Recruiting up and asked if there were any Sprinter Owners needing a Driver. Yes. Met him and was upfront that I may be only driving for him 1-3 Months. That I am seeing what type of driving and income is like. He was fine with that, just not that I was female. I should be home cooking. That's ok, no problem. I'm used to that, plus some. (In the end, nice man and his wife, didn't want me to stop driving for them....Awww)
So...not saying what you should or shouldn't do...just explaining the way I went to get an idea JSonne.

Tobster317 · May 9, 2015

You should try Expediting since you have the CDL for it. If you like it and want to move on then you can either pay for your CDL-A or get on with a company that will train you and you will be with them for a year. I drove as a team for a company making 20% of the load pay. Bought my own truck and I am solo now gross about 2K a week.

JSonne · May 10, 2015

Thanks for your posts, people. I understand that at the end of the day a CDL A will generate the best opportunity to make the most money. At this point, however, I think I will stick with a CDL B.

Let me ask the money question another way. Can a new driver make between $40,000 and $45,000 a year in the business? If that's not realistic then what would be more acceptable. Yes, I know all about the variables, but that's why we have averages.

Treadmill · May 10, 2015

In a straight truck that is attainable. Now in a sprinter only O/O might get there. Most won't.

Tobster317 · May 10, 2015

Straight truck team yes. Straight truck O/O yes.

paullud · May 10, 2015

JSonne said:
Let me ask the money question another way. Can a new driver make between $40,000 and $45,000 a year in the business? If that's not realistic then what would be more acceptable.

Asking for income potential is the best way to go. Someone that gives an average is giving you an average based on their skills, which you may have none of or more of.

Yes, I know all about the variables, but that's why we have averages.

Since you already know everything about variables you know that an average is a personal number and it's kind of rude to go around asking strangers how much they make. If you are looking for a better idea of what you can earn at a particular company then check with a recruiter for the average there. Then subtract 10-25% for your learning curve based on your particular skill set. That should give you a rough idea of what to expect in your first year and if you have a reasonable ability to run a business you should be above average your second year.

JSonne · May 10, 2015

Since you already know everything about variables you know that an average is a personal number and it's kind of rude to go around asking strangers how much they make.

I'm sorry you misunderstood my question. I never asked anyone for their specific personal information. But thanks for your reply.

fastman_1 · May 10, 2015

Can a new driver make 40-45K...yes but most likely not for a few years of learning curve, then not always, there's up years and down years, a few years ago I did 75K running mostly short runs in a van, but hasn't happened again,

paullud · May 11, 2015

JSonne said:
I'm sorry you misunderstood my question. I never asked anyone for their specific personal information. But thanks for your reply.

I didn't misunderstand. There are many variables at play in this industry and as an IC so the numbers that you are asking for are going to be personal, notice the lack of replies until the question of income potential was asked. When you look at companies advertising they usually post average per mile but sometimes they advertise average gross revenue. That's why you need to call a recruiter and get the other number that they don't show. Then you can do the math based on your abilities. This isn't an industry full of company drivers like regular truck load and ICs aren't reporting back to the company how much they earned so asking for an average won't get you anywhere. Try asking someone to PM you instead with personal numbers and see if they have first year numbers to share because knowing an average after 7 years experience won't be helpful.

JSonne · May 11, 2015

paullud said:
I didn't misunderstand. There are many variables at play in this industry and as an IC so the numbers that you are asking for are going to be personal, notice the lack of replies until the question of income potential was asked. When you look at companies advertising they usually post average per mile but sometimes they advertise average gross revenue. That's why you need to call a recruiter and get the other number that they don't show. Then you can do the math based on your abilities. This isn't an industry full of company drivers like regular truck load and ICs aren't reporting back to the company how much they earned so asking for an average won't get you anywhere. Try asking someone to PM you instead with personal numbers and see if they have first year numbers to share because knowing an average after 7 years experience won't be helpful.

Again, you've misinterpreted my question. But thanks for your time.

paullud · May 11, 2015

JSonne said:
Again, you've misinterpreted my question. But thanks for your time.

You asked for a ballpark figure on how much you could earn as a new driver and said that you knew there are variables but that's why we all have averages. I fully understand what you are looking for and asking. There is no group collecting data that I have seen that has an answer to your question. That's why you end up asking a personal question on how much people are earning. Those types of questions are better asked privately so that you can get a better idea with truthful responses. Lots of people don't want to face ridicule for the number posted which is why I got my numbers through PM and actually got specific amounts that people were earning to compare a few companies.

JSonne · May 11, 2015

paullud said:
That's why you end up asking a personal question on how much people are earning.

I didn't ask anyone for any specific, personal information. Again, for the third time you have made some incorrect assumptions. And again, I will thank you for your time.

paulnstef39 · May 11, 2015

Wash, rinse, repeat...

JSonne · May 11, 2015

paulnstef39 said:
Wash, rinse, repeat...

If I knew how to delete this thread, I would.

ZTexp · May 12, 2015

JSonne said:
If I knew how to delete this thread, I would.

I totally don't think you were wrong in asking a round about question about how much you could possibly make running Expedited freight! You were pretty much spot on with your guess. If anyone wants to argue what I said, have at it but this is a newbie thread and he was only asking a simple question so he can figure out if he would like to get into Expedited freight or not. I am a recruiter for a small company and I know what our drivers make.

You can definitely make between that amount teaming OTR in a straight Truck running Expedite freight.

paullud · May 12, 2015

ZTexp said:
I am a recruiter for a small company and I know what our drivers make. You can definitely make between that amount teaming OTR in a straight Truck running Expedite freight.

That's why the suggestion was made to call recruiters.