Maverick Driving Academy: Company-sponsored Cdl Training

At TruckingTruth, we've done a ton of research for you! We've contacted the company recruiters at Maverick Transportation and put together a fantastic review of the Maverick Transportation 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:

• Student Hiring Requirements
• Truck Driving School Locations
• Driver Pay During Training
• Advantages Of Working For Maverick Transportation
• Cost Structure Of CDL Training
• CDL Training Itinerary
• Maverick Transportation Pay And Benefits
• Vacation Pay And Home Time

Maverick Wins Big Award in 2018 and 2019!

Maverick was awarded as one of the Best Fleets To Drive For in 2018 and 2019! Need we say more?

Read on!

Maverick Transportation is an outstanding company as recognized in 2018 and 2019 by receiving the honor of being one of the "Best Fleets To Drive For" by CarriersEdge. They also have a fantastic training program which is very thorough and offers fantastic opportunities and very competitive pay.

Growing up in the transportation industry and learning the lessons of the trade from his steel-hauling father, Chairman and CEO Steve Williams went into business for himself and formed Maverick Transportation in 1980.

After President Jimmy Carter signed the Motor Carrier Act of 1980, deregulating the trucking industry, Williams seized the opportunity to pursue his dream and started Maverick with friend and co-worker Larry Leahy in a one room office in Texarkana, Arkansas.

Maverick operates approximately 1,700 units coast-to-coast, in Canada and to Mexico providing customized logistics solutions to some of the nation's finest corporations.

Maverick Transportation Minimum Hiring Requirements

• You must be at least 21 years old.
• Must live in Maverick's hiring area.
• We review MVR based on our own point system.
• We review job stability and criminal background as well.

Maverick Transportation Hiring Areas

Maverick Transportation Currently Hires From:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin

• Flatbed Division: AL, AR, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV
• Glass Division: GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV
• Student Division: AL, AR, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NY, OH, OK, SC, TN, VA
• CDL Training Program: AR, IA, IN, KY, MO, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN

Maverick Transportation CDL Training Facilities

Maverick Transportation Drop Lots And Terminals

Cost Structure Of Maverick Transportation

What is the cost structure of the schooling?

Maverick’s CDL Training program consists of signing a tuition loan agreement of $8,000. This will cover your tuition, housing, meals, tablet, and additional equipment while in the program. When repaying Maverick for the loan, you will be responsible for paying $40 a week for 85 weeks. After this, you would have paid Maverick back a total of $3,400. At this point, you have paid in all you will be required to pay. Maverick will continue to forgive $40/week through 115 weeks. Keep in mind, this contract is for 115 weeks or 27 months. Should your employment with Maverick end before you complete your contract, you will owe Maverick the remaining balance.

What are all of the up-front costs?

We do not charge the applicant any upfront costs, and the cost of the permit and fees is included.

Will my meals be paid for?

Breakfast and lunch will be paid for, Monday thru Friday, no weekends. However, the student receives a prepaid card as part of the sponsorship. This card can be used for meals while in school.

Will my room be paid for?

Yes, lodging is provided during training.

Can I pay for my CDL training up front and have no further obligation?

Maverick does not currently have a program in place to accommodate for that.

What are the obligations for paying back the schooling after graduation?

Maverick’s CDL Training program consists of signing a tuition loan agreement of $8,000. This will cover your tuition, housing, meals, tablet, and additional equipment while in the program. When repaying Maverick for the loan, you will be responsible for paying $40 a week for 85 weeks. After this, you would have paid Maverick back a total of $3,400. At this point, you have paid in all you will be required to pay. Maverick will continue to forgive $40/week through 115 weeks. Keep in mind, this contract is for 115 weeks or 27 months. Should your employment with Maverick end before you complete your contract, you will owe Maverick the remaining balance.

Items To Bring To Maverick Transportation

What items should I bring with me?

• Appropriate I-9 documentation
• Driver’s License
• Birth Certificate
• Emergency Contact information
• Alarm Clock
• 25 Ft tape measure
• Calculator
• Pen and Paper
• Social Security numbers and birth dates of everyone you would like covered on your insurance

Preparation For Maverick Transportation

Do I need to get my CDL permit before attending school?

No.

Do I need a US Passport?

Yes if going into our glass division. If you are not going into glass it is not required.

Which CDL endorsements are required or encouraged?

None unless you live in the state of New York, in which case you will need the coil endorsement.

Maverick Transportation CDL Training Itinerary

Describe the schooling itinerary a bit:

Class days will be every Monday to Friday for 8 to 10 hours per day and / or night, covering:

• Basic Commercial Truck Skills and Handling
• Arkansas Commercial Drivers License
• Basic Understanding of Drivers Logs
• Basic Industry Specific Safety Practices

How long is the training overall?

PRE (Pre-Employment Evaluation) will be 1 week, CDL school lasts for approximately 4 weeks. Once you return from CDL training, division training and trainer truck time is approximately 2-3 weeks.

How much time on the range backing up?

There is no set amount of time. It is based on a students ability to learn backing principles.

During the practice range phase, how many students share one truck?

With the class size at this time there is no sharing of equipment.

How much time in classroom?

1 hour per day.

On The Road Training Itinerary With Maverick Transportation

Do they run your trainer and you as a "team" operations or like a solo truck?

No. The trainer is always in the jump seat while you are training. It is hard to learn from someone who is asleep.

Is there more than one student per trainer and truck?

No, trucks are operated with one trainer and one student.

Do you have a "No sleeping in the top bunk while the truck is rolling" policy?

No one is sleeping while the truck is rolling.

On The Road Training Policies at Maverick Transportation

What is your policy for handling disputes between trainer and student?

Every week the trainer fills out a questionnaire on the student and the student fills out a questionnaire on the trainer. Any disputes are handled on a case by case basis.

Can you get a non-smoking trainer?

Yes, a non-smoking trainer may be requested.

What are the company's minimum qualifications to be a trainer?

You must have one year with the company as a solo driver. We also have criteria in regards to fuel usage, out of route and safety issues. We request that you drive for Maverick during all four seasons. We also have criteria in regards to safety & performance.

Advantages Of Working For Maverick Transportation

• One of the best student training programs in the industry.
• The student signs a promissory note to work for Maverick for two years and then they are debt free.
• After obtaining your CDL, you will learn flatbed or specialized trucking from the best instructors in the industry.
• Our equipment is second to none. As a Maverick driver, you will drive our top-of-the-line Freightliner trucks
• Since driver comfort is a priority we spec all new tractors with auxiliary power units and feature air ride suspension for a smooth ride as well as a roomy sleeper.
• The safety of our drivers, our customer's freight, and the general public with whom we share the road is something we hold in the highest regard.
• While other trucking companies offer their students substandard pay, Maverick stands above the competition.

Maverick Transportation Company Driver Pay

How much will I be making once I'm running solo in my own truck?

This is dependent on your division. The pay range will be $.55 - $.60 cpm

When will I receive pay increases?

$.02 per mile pay increase at 3 months, $.02 pay increase at 6 months

Do you offer a fuel bonus?

We offer a pay for performance bonus that is up to $.07 cpm and takes fuel into consideration.

What health insurance and benefits do you have?

Health and dental benefits are available to you the first day of the month following 30 days of employment. Other benefits include 401(k) + match, paid life insurance, disability insurance, employee assistance program, paid vacation time, section 125 cafeteria plan, and credit union membership.

What is the average cost of benefits?

• $35.00 = Single
• $100 = Family
• $85.00 = Employee + Spouse only
• $100.00 = Employee + Children only

Maverick Transportation Company Driver Benefits

How long until you qualify for benefits?

The first of the month after 30 days of employment

What about vacation time?

Start earning your paid time off in your 3rd month of employment! Time earned increases with your experience.

• 3 - 18 months of verifiable OTR experience as a new hire, .5 day/month (4 hours)
• 19 - 48 months of verifiable OTR experience as a new hire, 1 day/month (8 hours)
• 49 - 108 months of employment, 1.25 days/month (10 hours)
• After 109 months of employment, 1.75 days/month (14 hours)

Maverick also has a Driver Holiday Pay Program that pays $100/day for 6 included holidays.

Pets & Travelers Policy

Do you allow pets?

No. No animals are allowed on Maverick property or in Maverick trucks.

What is the company's rider policy?

Immediate family only 13 years of age and older. No charge to the driver.

Maverick Transportation Dispatching Policies

Can a new driver run regional or dedicated right after school?

Yes.

Will there be any NYC? How soon would a new solo driver be expected to go there?

It will depend upon the division. Most divisions do not go to NYC.

Are you forced dispatch? Is the driver given any options for different loads?

Yes we are forced dispatch and no load choices.

How often can I expect to be home? For how long at a time?

This is dependent on the division. We have divisions home daily, home on weekends and out 2-3 weeks at a time.

What percentage of freight is drop and hook?

The Glass division has pre-loaded freight but company-wide it's about 65%.

Maverick Transportation Company Driver Opportunities

Do you have a leasing program, and will I be persuaded or incentivized to lease?

Yes we have a lease program and there is currently a waiting list for it.

What divisions do you have? (local, dedicated, regional, tanker, flatbed, reefer)

• Flatbed Division:
  • OTR
  • Regional
  • Dedicated
• Glass Division:
  • OTR
  • Regional
  • Dedicated

Maverick Transportation Equipment

All trucks are Freightliner Cascadias.

We spec all new tractors with auxiliary power units and feature air ride suspension for a smooth ride as well as a roomy sleeper.

Do you run electronic logs?

All trucks are equipped with an electronic logging system.

What are your trucks governed at?

65mph

Do you have APU units?

Yes, all trucks are equipped with APU's.