A Guide to Wilson Logistics Paid CDL Training + Jobs

Founded in 1980 in Springfield, Missouri, Wilson Logistics – formerly Wil-Trans – is a family-owned trucking firm that’s also the parent company of – 

• Jim Palmer Trucking
• O + S Trucking
• RJs Transportation

Wilson Logistics operates a fleet of more than 800 tractors and primarily hauls temperature controlled freight in the lower 48 states. 

Paid CDL Training at Wilson Logistics typically lasts about three months from beginning to end, and their company sponsored CDL training offers students –

• Guaranteed training pay
• Small class size
• 1 on 1 time with trainers

Wilson Logistics Company Sponsored CDL Training Locations

Wilson Logistics training is offered in the following locations –

• Missoula, MT 
• Springfield, MO

Wilson Logistics Training Pay

Pay during training at Wilson Logistics is either done on a cents-per-mile basis or a weekly minimum, whichever is greater. 

• For the first 10,000 miles, students are paid 12 cpm or a minimum of $600 per week
• For the remaining 20,000 miles they’re paid 14 cpm or a minimum of $700 per week

Wilson makes it clear that during OTR training, students typically have 3 or 4 days of home time for every 3 or 4 weeks on the road, but this can vary due to a number of factors, including where they live. 

We find the best way to confirm ‘at home time’ for any company is talk to a current or former driver.

Often trucking companies ‘posted home time’ and actual home time can be very different!

New Driver Qualifications at Wilson Logistics

To qualify for the company sponsored CDL training program at Wilson Logistics, students must – 

• Be at least 21 years old
• Have had a valid driver’s license for 3 years
• Have a Class A CDL learner’s permit
• Have a current DOT physical and medical card
• Have proof of US citizenship or an Alien Registration Card
• Not have having any convictions for excessive speed, following too closely, erratic or unsafe lane changes or reckless driving in the past 3 years
• Not have more than 2 moving violations in the last 12 months
• Not have more than 4 moving violations in the last 3 years
• Not have a license suspension for points in the last 3 years
• Have an acceptable CSA scorecard (PSP Driver Report)

Things to Bring to Wilson Logistics Truck Driving School

The following are some things you’ll definitely need to bring with you to Wilson Logistics CDL training program:

• Valid driver’s license and CDL learner’s permit from your home state
• DOT physical and long form medical card 
• Original birth certificate
• Original Social Security card
• Passport or proof of eligibility to work in the United States
• Verifiable employment history (ask your recruiter for how long)
• Multiple changes of clothes appropriate for a variety of weather conditions
• Suitable close-toed footwear, sunglasses, hat, gloves and toiletries
• Notebooks, pencils, pens and a highlighter

Daily Life at Wilson Logistics Paid CDL Training

Since students attending Wilson Logistic paid CDL training are required to show up with their CDL learner’s permit, their program is a bit of a whirlwind compared to others. 

Remember, students will only spend a week onsite during orientation, after which they’ll embark on the CDL permit and team driving portions of their training. 

During orientation students will likely share hotel rooms, so be forewarned, privacy, alone time and dealing with total strangers in an intense learning environment may lead to issues. 

On the bright side, students at most CDL training schools make at least one lifelong friend, and those with positive attitudes almost always have the best experiences. 

Wilson Logistics Training Timeline

Wilson Logistics CDL training program is divided into the following sections:

Application

Once students fill out an online application, the approval (or denial) process takes about a week. 

Before attending CDL training at one of Wilson’s two locations, students will need to:

• Get a DOT long form physical and medical card
• Get a CDL learner’s permit in their home state
• Have general knowledge of combination vehicles and air brakes 

Once accepted, recruiters will provide students with information on how to take care of the last two items. 

Orientation and On-Boarding

Wilson Logistics pays for student’s bus tickets to their schools in Missoula, MT and Springfield, MO. 

For students who prefer to fly or drive, they’ll reimburse them what a bus ticket would’ve cost. 

Wilson Logistics orientation lasts about a week, during which the company pays for

• Lodging
• Breakfast and lunch

After orientation students are paired with a driver mentor and begin the over-the-road phase of their training. 

CDL Permit Driving

The CDL permit driving portion of training lasts for three weeks. 

During this time, students will acquire the driving skills necessary to pass the written and driving tests required to get their CDLs. 

This training is intensive and home time is highly unlikely. 

As CDL permit holders only, students aren’t yet company employees, but those with limited funds will have the option of borrowing $200 per week from the company to cover personal expenses while on the road. 

This is optional, but students who take advantage of it will repay their debt in weekly installments of $25 once they earn their CDLs and are officially hired.  

CDL Exam

After 3 weeks of permit driving, students are routed back to either Missoula or Springfield where they’ll take their Class A CDL exams. 

Once they’ve passed their tests and earned their licenses, they’ll have the opportunity to go home to get their CDLs transferred to their home states. 

It’s important to note that students who live in Illinois will actually need to take their CDL tests in Illinois, not in Missoula or Springfield.

CDL Team Driving

It may seem like the end of the road once students have their CDLs, but from that point they’re required to log another 30,000 over-the-road miles teaming with one of Wilson’s professional instructors. 

Keep in mind though, that the 30,000 miles includes all miles put on the truck, by both the student and the instructor. 

During CDL team driving, students will:

• Be paid
• Work directly with fleet managers, shippers and receivers
• Get a real taste of the rigors of life on the road

Solo Company Driver

Once they’ve met the 30,000 mile requirement, drivers will be rerouted back to a terminal where they’ll be assigned their own truck. 

From that point, their 1-year employment contract begins, and they’ll have the option of driving for a number of company divisions, both regional and over-the-road. 

Wilson Logistics Jobs

Wilson Logistics offers drivers a variety of opportunities, including the following:

I-5 Corridor

• Weekly home time
• Hire drivers from Washington, Oregon and California

Pacific Northwest Regional 

• Home Friday afternoon/night and return to work on Monday morning
• Hire drivers from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, western Montana and northwest Utah

Western 10

• Haul dry freight
• Get home every 7 to 10 days
• Hire from most western states

Wilson Driver Pay

Along with Jim Palmer Trucking and other affiliated companies, Wilson claims to have one of the country’s largest refrigerated (temperature controlled) freight networks. 

Depending on division and experience, drivers can expect the following

• An average of $0.40 to 0.45 cpm or percentage pay
• A $10,000 longevity bonus (restrictions apply, no surprise here in order to get $10,000!)

Wilson Benefits

Wilson Logistics offers employees a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, life insurance and 401K

What We Like About Wilson Logistics

• Their CDL training program isn’t rushed (compared to some others)
• They pay for transportation, lodging and most meals during training
• Students must log 30,000 miles during training (includes miles driven by instructor)
• The company has over-the-road and regional positions available
• Decent home time for I-5 Corridor and Pacific Northwest Regional drivers
• Relatively new and well-maintained trucks
• Both dry and temperature controlled freight
• Students have the option of borrowing money from the company the CDL permit driving portion of training
• Students are paid during the second phase of driver training

What We Don’t Like About Wilson Logistics

• Students are required to have their CDL learner’s permits before attending school
• The company only has two CDL training locations
• Lower pay than many other large carriers
• Online reviews suggest they have the same problems that nearly all trucking companies do, including broken promises, low miles and inadequate home time
• Loose affiliations with other trucking companies that may not be as reputable 

Be aware of the following:

The FMCSA has granted Wilson Logistics an exemption from the regulation which requires a CDL permit holder drive with a qualified driver in the passenger’s seat. __________________________________________

— Smart Trucking

For more information regarding this issue, see Landline’s post.

Wilson Logistics Paid Truck Driver Training – The Verdict

Wilson’s training program seems long enough to ensure that student drivers get enough real world experience, and once they get their CDL and begin on-the-road training with an instructor, they’re more than most others when compared to other truck driving schools.

If Wilson’s facilities are close to where you live, you may check them out further.   

Wilson Logistics Driver + Trainee Comments

Clifford Williams. Everything you said I believe you are right about. Thanks! Have you looked at Wilson Logistics? Wilson gives you about 30,000 on the road with a trainer. If you leave before a year, you owe them $3,000, other than that you have a job. Not, perfect but better than most, I think.

F.A.Q.’S

Other Paid CDL Training Options