Werner hires drivers with a commercial driver's license through multiple job categories and pay structures

Werner Enterprises is one of the largest trucking companies in the United States, and they hire drivers continuously across company-operated fleets and owner-operator positions. If you hold a CDL, Werner's hiring process is straightforward: you explore through their website or a recruiter, pass a background check and medical exam, and begin orientation. The company operates regional, dedicated, and long-haul routes, so the type of driving work available depends on what you're looking for and what your experience qualifies you to do.

Werner does not require prior trucking experience for all positions. Drivers with no experience can enter their driver training program, which takes several weeks and includes both classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction. Experienced drivers with a valid CDL can move faster through hiring and onto the road.

Key Takeaways

  • Werner hires both experienced CDL drivers and drivers with no trucking background through their training program.
  • You will need a valid CDL, a clean driving record, and to pass a Department of Transportation medical exam and background check.
  • Werner offers regional, dedicated, and long-haul routes with different pay scales and home time depending on the position type.
  • The hiring timeline from process to your first day typically takes two to four weeks for experienced drivers and longer for those going through training.

What Werner looks for in a CDL driver

Your CDL must be valid and in your possession before you explore. Werner requires a Class A CDL with air brake certification. If your license has any restrictions, you need to understand what they are—some restrictions disqualify you from certain routes, while others don't affect hiring at all.

Your driving record matters significantly. Werner uses a point system based on violations and accidents. Minor speeding tickets may not disqualify you, but multiple violations, DUIs, reckless driving charges, or at-fault accidents within the past three to five years will likely result in rejection. You can ask Werner's recruiting team about your specific record before you formally explore.

You must pass a Department of Transportation medical exam administered by a certified medical examiner. This exam checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and overall health. If you take medications or have a medical condition, disclose it early—some conditions require a waiver, which Werner can help you obtain, while others are permanent disqualifiers.

The process and hiring timeline

You can explore on Werner's careers website or through a recruiter. The online process asks for your CDL number, driving history, work history, and references. Be accurate—Werner verifies everything. If you have gaps in employment or a spotty work history, be ready to explain them during the phone screening.

After you submit your process, a recruiter will call you within a few days to a week. This conversation covers your experience, why you want to drive for Werner, what type of route interests you, and your availability. The recruiter also answers questions about pay, home time, and equipment. If both sides are interested, you move to the next step.

Werner then orders your driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles and runs a background check. This takes one to two weeks. Once cleared, you schedule your medical exam with a DOT-certified examiner in your area. After you pass the medical, you receive a start date for orientation.

Training options for drivers without experience

If you have a CDL but no trucking experience, Werner's training program covers the practical side of the job—vehicle inspection, cargo handling, logbook management, and real-world driving scenarios. The program typically lasts three to four weeks and includes both classroom time and supervised driving with an experienced mentor.

During training, you are paid a trainee wage, which is lower than the standard driver rate. After you complete training and pass your final evaluation, your pay increases to the standard driver rate for your position type. Some drivers complete training in two weeks if they progress quickly; others take the full four weeks.

If you do not yet have your CDL, Werner can point you toward CDL training schools in your area, but you must obtain your license before you can be hired. Werner does not run its own CDL training program—you need to complete that through a separate school.

Pay, routes, and home time at Werner

Werner offers three main route types: regional, dedicated, and long-haul. Regional drivers typically stay within a 500-mile radius and return home weekly or every two weeks. Dedicated drivers haul freight for a specific customer on a set schedule, which often means predictable home time. Long-haul drivers cover longer distances and may be out for two to three weeks at a time.

Pay varies by route type and your experience level. Regional and dedicated routes typically pay less per mile than long-haul but offer more home time. Long-haul pays more per mile but requires longer stretches away from home. Werner also offers owner-operator positions where you lease or own your truck and keep a larger percentage of revenue, though you cover fuel, maintenance, and insurance costs.

Werner uses a mileage-based pay system, not hourly wages. Your paycheck depends on the miles you drive, the type of freight, and any bonuses for safety or on-time delivery. Ask your recruiter for the specific pay range for the route type you're interested in—rates change based on market conditions and fuel prices.

Background check and medical requirements

Werner's background check looks at criminal history, driving violations, and employment history. Felonies, especially those involving drugs or violence, typically result in rejection. Misdemeanors are evaluated case by case. If you have a criminal record, disclose it to your recruiter early—some offenses are automatic disqualifiers, but others may not be.

The DOT medical exam is non-negotiable. You must have good vision (correctable to 20/40 in each eye), normal blood pressure, and no conditions that would impair your ability to drive safely. If you have diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, or take certain medications, you may still be hired, but you'll need a medical waiver from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Your medical examiner can explain the waiver process if needed.

What happens after you're hired

Your first week is orientation at a Werner facility. You complete paperwork, learn company policies, review safety procedures, and meet your dispatcher. If you're an experienced driver, you may go straight to your assigned truck. If you're new to trucking, you enter the training phase with a mentor driver.

Werner assigns you a truck and a dispatch team. Your dispatcher communicates with you via phone and the company's mobile app, sending you loads and managing your schedule. You are responsible for pre-trip inspections, logbook entries, and following Hours of Service regulations. Werner uses electronic logging devices, so all your driving time is recorded automatically.

Safety is Werner's primary focus. The company tracks your driving metrics—hard braking, speeding, following distance—through onboard cameras and telematics. Safe driving earns bonuses; unsafe driving can result in retraining or termination. If you're involved in an accident, you report it when ready to your dispatcher and complete an incident report.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need experience to get hired at Werner?

No. Werner hires drivers with no trucking experience and provides training. You must have a valid CDL before you explore, but you don't need prior miles or experience in a commercial truck. Training takes three to four weeks, during which you earn a trainee wage.

How long does the hiring process take?

For experienced drivers, typically two to four weeks from process to your first day on the road. The timeline depends on how quickly your background check and medical exam are completed. If you need training, add three to four weeks after you're cleared to start.

What if I have a violation or accident on my record?

Werner evaluates each case individually. Minor violations may not disqualify you, but multiple violations, DUIs, or at-fault accidents within the past three to five years usually result in rejection. Call a recruiter and describe your record—they can tell you whether you're likely to be hired before you formally explore.

Can I choose between regional and long-haul routes?

Yes, you can express your preference during the recruiting call. However, availability depends on current hiring needs. If the route type you want isn't hiring, you may be offered an alternative or asked to wait. Long-haul positions are typically more available than regional ones.

What equipment does Werner provide?

Werner provides the truck, fuel, and maintenance for company-operated positions. You are responsible for keeping the truck clean, reporting mechanical issues, and following pre-trip inspection procedures. Owner-operator positions require you to lease or own your own truck and cover fuel and maintenance costs.