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.
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. San Jose Truck Driving School offers courses that take just 6-8 weeks to obtain your CDL. 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.
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. 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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
