Follow along as we guide you through each of the company-sponsored training programs. You'll be able to:
Once you're finished, we'll generate a report showing all of your information so you can easily compare the programs.
Everything will be saved, so you can return here anytime to continue with your research without having to start over.
You will also have the option of sharing your reports, and viewing reports shared by other members of our community.
It's really simple and it's even kinda fun, so give it a try!
Yes, there are options to pay up front and then have no contractual obligations and a higher starting mileage pay. The up front cost of training varies based upon your location and the specific CDL school you will be attending within the Driver Solutions network, so you will need to speak with a recruiter to obtain these details.
There are other options if you choose to provide a down payment, but no down payment is necessary for enrollment. If you would like to inquire on options for a down payment, contact a recruiter as the details of the down payment plans change on a constant basis.
With no down payment, drivers will pay $45 per week for 1 year (beginning once you go solo). At the end of your 1-year commitment, you will be reimbursed $1,245. That leaves you with a total cost of $1,095 you paid for training. If you leave before the contract period, you will owe the unpaid balance of $5,995. For example:
If you leave after 6 months (24 weeks) you will owe the following...
24 weeks x $45 = $1,080 paid into the tuition costs
$5,995 (cost of tuition) - $1,080 (cost already paid in) = $4,915
So after 6 months, you'd have a remaining balance due of $4,915.
The first week is mostly spent in the classroom, and the next two weeks will divide your time between classroom, maneuvering the truck in the yard, and on the road training.
Classroom training will cover systems and components of a truck, rules, regulations, trip planning, and other important details that all truck drivers must know to be a safe driver.
The driving range will include low speed driving maneuvers such as turning, backing, and gear shifting while on the road training will prepare you for rural roads, highways, expressways, and city streets in both congested and non-congested areas.
CDL school is approximately 3 to 4 weeks long but may last as long as 6 weeks in some rare cases.
Behind the wheel time is divided between both the range as well as driving on public roadways. All state minimum requirements are exceeded.
Usually the maximum number of students per truck is 4.
All state minimum requirements are generally exceeded, but typically classroom time is at least 40hrs long.
PAM has partnered with a company called Driver Solutions which handles the CDL training and schooling. Driver Solutions is a well known company that works with various trucking schools across the country. So the truck driving school you attend will not actually be owned by PAM, rather, it will be with a private trucking school that Driver Solutions matches you up with.
Therefore, it's hard to give an exact itinerary for the school you'll be attending as you may attend one of a number of places. But in general, all state minimum requirements will be met or exceeded and as long as you successfully complete the course, you'll be hired by PAM immediately after you obtain your CDL.
New drivers will complete a 4 to 6 week training program with a PAM driver trainer.
Training pay is a set salary of $300 per week.
Usually the first few days are spent being dispatched as a solo truck, but the remainder of the time will be spent as a team truck.
No, only one student is on a training truck.
Yes, nobody is allowed to sleep in the top bunk while the truck is in motion.
During training, both the trainee and the trainer will have assigned driver managers that can be contacted in case of any conflicts.
Yes, a non-smoking trainer may be requested.
Trainers must have a minimum of 1yr of safe driving experience.
While the initial training pay is slightly lower than the industry average for training pay, this should not be a deciding factor. The difference in pay over the entire duration of your training is insignificant when you consider you'll be averaging a minimum of $30k to $40k within your first 1 to 2 years as a truck driver.
Think of this portion of your your career as "Truck Driving University" and don't worry about the initial salary. What's important now is getting you trained and employed so you can make the real money as a solo driver.
