Pre-Hire Evaluation
Searching for flatbed trucking companies who train?
If you’re a prospective flatbed driver searching for companies hiring drivers with no flatbed experience, you’re in luck! We’re a trucking company that invests in training the next generation of new truck drivers. If you need any additional help during the class, we can provide additional one-on-one training, and we want to give you the tools you need to be successful at your flatbed CDL job.
Flatbed trucking can often be an intimidating field to enter, especially when it comes to clarifying the training process. With the physical demands, complexity of loads, securement techniques, associated danger, and more, proper flatbed training is crucial to set you up for success in your career.
Pre-Hire Course Pay for Student Drivers
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- 8 day orientation = $800
- Minimum 3 weeks with trainer = $100/day
Pre-Hire Course Pay for Experienced Drivers
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- 8 day orientation = $1,000
- May not be required to go out on a trainer truck depending on experience.
Please note that receiving compensation for the pre-hire evaluation period is contingent upon your successful completion of the program. If you voluntarily leave or do not successfully complete the pre-hire course, you will not receive any pay. Also, if you voluntarily leave or we find you have falsified your application, then you will be responsible for your own trip home.
Melton’s CDL Flatbed Training Program
Step 1
Attend Melton’s Pre-Hire Evaluation
Most drivers will be a part of our 8-day pre-hire course, where we will cover our culture, safety standards, load securement, and tarping best practices.
For information on how to make sure you meet the trucking requirements before coming to Tulsa, check out our blog post: Pre-Hire Evaluation: What You’ll Need to Know
Step 2
Take Your Road Test
Upon completing the training process, you should have all the knowledge and skills you need to pass your driving test.
Step 3
Road Trainer
As part of our trucking company’s training, all entry-level drivers will go out for approximately three weeks with a Road Trainer that is matched based on their personality to experience otr driving.
If you are an experienced driver, you may not be required to ride with a road trainer depending on your OTR experience.
You will be paid a per-diem during this time, and once you are ready to get on your own flatbed truck, you will start receiving pay by mile.
Step 4
Get the Keys to Your Truck
Receive the keys to your truck and hit the road to start your new otr adventure as a solo company driver!
Hands-On Securement & Tarping
Most flatbed truck companies including Melton haul a variety of freight types, which means the knowledge a driver needs for securement techniques is vast and critical.
At Melton, we have numerous flatbed freight types for drivers to secure, with over 20 hours of scheduled hands-on load securement training and tarping time. We’ve found this length and level and instruction has led to significant decreases in accidents amongst new drivers and has increased their overall productivity, thus paycheck, with Melton. Drivers will learn the various techniques when securing a load such as alternating straps, multilayer securement, protection against directional forces, X-strap placements, protecting the commodity, and more. Furthermore, students will learn how to properly use the tools they’re given such as straps, binders, chains, bungees, edge protectors, and more. Our extensive training program helps to ensure you’re knowledgable and prepared for the flatbed trucking industry.
Lastly, our pre-hire course also includes extensive hands-on experience tarping loads. Tarping certainly takes practice and skill, and we start drivers quickly in learning these trucking techniques.
Nationally Recognized Apprenticeship Program
Melton Truck Lines has had a nationally-recognized, Department of Labor and Veterans Affairs approved apprenticeship program since 2017. This program includes 8 days of training with instructors who have immense background in transportation, including a former Melton driver with 2.5 Million Miles.
During this training, you will have the opportunity to secure 20-30 different types of loads, which is more than you would see in 2 months of OTR driving. Furthermore, we provide extensive backing training so you will feel confident in backing our 53’ flatbed trailers!
I’m glad that I chose to drive for Melton because during the whole training process, they took really good care of me. My trainer was excellent, he took great care of me and taught me everything I needed to know to feel comfortable going out on my own.
– Melton Driver
More About Our Pre-Hire Evaluation
Trip Planning
During their flatbed truck driver training, potential hires will learn how to maximize their time from loading, securement, drive time, stops, and final arrival. Trip planning allows for drivers to be proactive in their routes and potentially avoid any unforeseen dangers or delays such as weather, traffic, road closures, etc. Plus, it helps avoid accidents by identifying the best route suitable for a truck, planning stops for load check tire checks, and timing around congestion.
This process also significantly impacts driver productivity by planning for hours of service and load delivery times.
Compliance, Technology, & Communications
Melton’s entire pre-hire evaluation schedule is formatted like hours-of-service regulations. Drivers record everything from on duty/instruction time, securement time, breaks, and even time off duty time in the sleeper. Not only does Melton apply real-world scenarios when teaching hours-of-service, but also instructs an extensive class on properly recording your time. From the technology, various examples of when to use and when not to use certain statuses, and more – safety and compliance is our top priority from start to finish.
Melton also trains student drivers on the technology they will be using such as their Qualcomm, Lytx DriveCams, and additional safety technology in the truck.
Injury Prevention
Flatbed driving can be a dangerous profession if drivers do not take the proper precautions. Melton’s training includes instruction and real-world practice in proper PPE wearing, lifting, throwing straps, and more.
Our goal is to embed routines such as stretching, techniques in securement, and every day best practices to alleviate the risk of injury so you can stay healthy.
Real World Road Tests & Backing
Road tests are an essential part of on-the-job training programs; however, Melton takes it a step further with real-world road tests that follow the typical timeline of a load. Not only is the driver practicing proper, safe driving techniques following Smith System Defensive Driving, but also gaining some knowledge into how their load process should be performed aside from classroom instruction.
We also include individual backing practice using different angles and challenges. Student flatbed drivers will gain even more of this knowledge during their time with a Road Trainer as well.
After Melton Truck Lines’ Training
Quality training doesn’t end after your initial pre-hire evalutation. The trucking industry is constantly changing, so we focus on communicating important information in a timely manner by print, email, online training, and social media to help make our drivers the best on the road.
We are also available day and night to support and assist our drivers in any situation.