If you’re a truck driver or looking to become one and have a family, we understand that family comes first. No career should ever come between you and your loved ones, and working with these family friendly trucking companies will prevent that from happening. It’s important to do your research before joining the trucking industry, so that you can find the right school and company that fits your needs as a professional truck driver. Truck Driver Institute has eleven campuses throughout the United States, and offers CDL courses that can be completed in just three weeks, minimizing the time you have to be away from your family.

Preparing to Work for Family Friendly Trucking Companies

If you’re looking to bring your family along for your trucking hauls, there are a few things you should consider beforehand. Certain companies have different policies, and it’s a good idea to understand what you’re going to need to make your family’s experience with your new career go as smoothly as possible. The first step in starting your family friendly career is obtaining your CDL.

Obtaining your CDL

A CDL, or commercial driver’s license, is required by most trucking companies if you wish to be a professional driver for them. A CDL allows you to drive vehicles designated as CMVs (Commercial Motor Vehicles) and will open up the possibility of starting your professional career. Truck Driver Institute offers courses that take just 3 weeks to obtain your CDL. In addition to the course, Truck Driver Institute partners with many different companies to place our drivers upon graduation from the program. Once you’re in our CDL program, speak with us about your priorities so we can find the company that’s best for you. 

Go In-Person

The idea of online trucking school can seem appealing, particularly when you have children or a family to keep an eye on. With the pandemic winding down, the reasons for online schools are becoming fewer and fewer. Online trucking schools bring certain disadvantages to their students. They offer a speedy education most of the time, but in many cases that education pales in comparison to the in-person alternatives, and the online school may not offer job placement assistance. Additionally, many online schools don’t offer on-the-road training; completing this training is essential for gaining experience in the truck before you set out on your first drive with your company. Read our blog to learn more about the dangers of online trucking schools.

Choosing the Right Company for You

While some companies have strict restrictions on passenger count and age, others offer more robust possibilities when it comes to your family accompanying you on your hauls. When you receive a quality CDL education from a reputable company like Truck Driver Institute, you will have the opportunity to choose between many different trucking companies looking to hire you. There’s currently a shortage of professional truck drivers in the industry, meaning that you will be highly sought after on the job market upon graduation. Because of this, you will most likely have your pick between several different companies. Here are a few family-friendly ones:

Crete Carrier

Crete carrier, founded in 1966, is a company that consists of over 4,000 trucks and 10,000 trailers. They have one of the most robust passenger policies out of all of the trucking companies. Crete allows one family member, immediate or otherwise, older than 5 to accompany you. If the child is younger than 5, they may be accompanied by the driver’s spouse or an adult at least 19 years of age. In addition to family members, Crete allows any adult 19 and over to accompany the driver. Crete’s passenger policy does not require the driver to pay a fee, or invest in rider insurance.

Werner Enterprises

Werner Enterprises is one of the largest trucking companies in the world, boasting over 8,000 trucks and 13,000 employees, serving the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Werner offers there driver a Passenger Permit, which allows family members over the age of 10 to ride in the passenger seat, or non-family members above the age of 18.

Roehl Transport

Roehl Transport, founded in 1967, was started alone by Everett Roehl and his singular truck. Today, Roehl Transport approaches $500 million in yearly revenue, making it one of the top trucking companies in the world. Roehl allows one passenger above the age of 10 to ride along, but requires a minimal fee for rider insurance. They prohibit experienced drivers from taking passengers up to 30 days after they have been hired by the company, and new drivers must wait six months until taking a passenger along.

Schneider

Schneider is a trucking giant, reaching a yearly revenue as high as $1.62 billion. Schneider allows their drivers to take one passenger, as long as that passenger is an immediate family member above the age of 10, or a friend above the age of 18.

Why Drive with Passengers

The open road can get lonely, but it doesn’t have to. Driving with your family can be a great way to spend time with them, or create a bond that will last a lifetime. Do you have a child that is truck-obsessed, and itching to get in the cab? Maybe your spouse has some free time, and you’re about to go on a haul- choosing from these family friendly trucking companies is a great way to incorporate your career into something that your entire family can experience and enjoy.

Earn your CDL with Truck Driver Institute

The most effective way to ensure you get your pick of family friendly trucking companies is to invest in a CDL training program respected within the industry, and one that will offer job placement assistance. Truck Driver Institute offers assistance in our students’ job search before they graduate- 80% of our students have found placements upon their graduation from the CDL program. Visit our website or call us at (800)848-7364 to learn more about earning your CDL and finding the trucking company that suits you best.