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Are you a new driver eager to dive into the world of flatbed hauling but feeling unsure or anxious about where to start? You’re not alone.
Transitioning from standard freight to flatbeds can be intimidating, with concerns about securement training, equipment handling, and finding the right company to kickstart your flatbed career.
But fear not, because at Anderson Trucking Service (ATS), we understand your concerns; we’ve been guiding drivers like you on their career paths since 1955. We're here to guide you every step of the way — from researching trucking companies with flatbed securement programs to selecting the best company for you.
In this article, we've curated a list of the best flatbed companies for drivers new to securement like you. These companies not only offer top-notch securement training but also provide the support and resources you need to excel in this specialized field.
Whether it's mastering tie-down techniques or getting hands-on experience with various flatbed loads, these carriers are committed to your success.
This article will help alleviate your concerns and empower you to embark on a fulfilling career in flatbed hauling. Together, we’ll turn your worries into confidence and your aspirations into achievements.
The Best Carriers with Flatbed Securement Training Programs
We’ve narrowed down our list to seven carriers with great flatbed securement training programs — despite there being dozens and dozens of other companies out there that will train you to haul complex flatbed freight.
With plenty of flatbed training companies not making this list, you may be wondering how we decide who does make the list.
It’s pretty simple. First and foremost, they have to meet the very basic credential of providing securement training programs. The programs must be thorough and give drivers the tools they need to truly understand what they’re doing and succeed.
We take this list a step further by choosing companies with good reputations in the trucking industry — companies that are both reputable and known for treating their drivers well. We’ve also made sure to select companies with good equipment. You can’t do your job effectively if your equipment isn’t up to snuff.
It’s important to note that some of the companies on this list will take on brand-new drivers — as in, drivers fresh out of trucking school. Others may require some industry experience first.
Either way, these companies will take you and train you in securement and flatbed hauling.
In no particular order, here are the companies we deem the best flatbed training companies in the industry right now:
Melton Truck Lines
Founded: 1954
Headquarters: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Insight: Melton Truck Lines is well-known as one of the country’s best flatbed carriers. Their impressive retention rates speak volumes about their driver treatment practices.
Melton hires both experienced and brand-new drivers — and pay for their pre-hire course will be doled out as such. Drivers start out by taking an eight-day pre-hire course, which teaches them about safety, load securement, and tarping — after which drivers are fully prepared to take and pass a road test. The next step — if you’re a new driver — is to go out on the road with a trainer. If you’re an experienced driver, you’ll be able to get your keys and get moving.
During the pre-hire course, you’ll get 20 hours of hands-on securement training and tarping training. You’ll learn how to use straps, binders, chains, bungees, edge protectors, and other tools of the trade.
Throughout the course of training, you’ll have the chance to secure between 20 and 30 loads while learning various securement techniques. The extensive program is backed by evidence of decreased accidents among new drivers and improved productivity.
Training doesn’t end when you finish the program. You’ll be fully supported by Melton with online training and email communications.
Key Features:
- Hiring experienced and brand-new drivers
- Paid pre-hire course ($800 for new students, $1,000 for experienced students)
- Tarping practice
- At least 20 hours of hands-on training
- Secure 20-30 loads during training
- Ongoing support
Maverick
Founded: 1980
Headquarters: North Little Rock, Arkansas
Insight: Maverick has a flatbed, glass, and marine division. They hire both new and experienced drivers to haul flatbed freight, but the programs are different depending on your level of experience.
With six months of experience or more, drivers take a week-long paid pre-employment evaluation and a week-long paid business unit training. New drivers require about six weeks of training, including the pre-employment evaluation and one or two weeks of business unit training. The remainder of the new driver training is spent with a trainer.
Whether you’re new to the flatbed division or you need a securement refresher, Maverick will train you on securement techniques so you’re ready to safely secure their freight.
Key Features:
- Hiring experienced and brand-new drivers
- Paid pre-employment evaluation pay ($700 — $750)
- Paid flatbed business unit training ($700 per week)
Lone Star Transportation
Founded: 1988
Headquarters: Fort Worth, Texas
Insight: Lone Star Transportation hauls freight in the lower 48, Canada, and Mexico. They’re known as one of the best specialized heavy haul carriers in the country. As such, they have a career path in place to help you haul larger, heavier freight as you continue in your career there.
In addition to hauling open-deck, oversized, and over-dimensional loads, they also haul dry van freight.
Drivers will need at least one year of over-the-road (OTR) experience before joining the Lone Star Transportation team. However, you don’t need to have prior flatbed experience. Drivers must attend a five-day paid orientation.
New open-deck drivers earn additional payment for each day they undergo flatbed securement training.
Key Features:
- Hiring experienced drivers (at least one year of OTR experience)
- Paid orientation ($1,500 for five days)
- Additional $150/day for flatbed securement training
- Career path in place to help you move up in classes and haul larger, heavier freight
TMC
Founded: 1972
Headquarters: Des Moines, Iowa
Insight: TMC is an employee-owned company and offers an in-house Class A CDL Certification program. Their Class A driver training program is certified as a Heavy Truck Driver Apprenticeship program by the Department of Labor.
The three-week paid program for new drivers not only introduces drivers to the industry but also helps them to learn and hone their flatbed load securement skills. Drivers will undergo seven days of classroom instruction and hands-on load securement training and 12 days of equipment familiarization, pre-trip training, and driving instruction. This is followed up by the Class A CDL test, after which they’ll spend four weeks on the road with a driver trainer.
TMC hires all levels of experience, so if you already have your CDL and experience on the road, you can attend their experience driver orientation program. This lasts three to five days depending on your experience.
If you don’t have flatbed experience, you can ride with a driver trainer to learn the ins and outs of flatbedding. This is paid.
Key Features:
- Hiring experienced and brand-new drivers
- Paid CDL training and on-the-road driver training ($500/week)
- Ride with a driver trainer to learn flatbedding
Halvor Lines
Founded: 1968
Headquarters: Superior, Wisconsin
Insight: Halvor Lines is a family-owned and operated trucking enterprise with fantastic driver feedback. In fact, they’re in the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) Hall of Fame for Best Fleets to Drive For.
Halvor Lines works with both experienced drivers and new drivers. As an experienced driver, you’ll undergo a week of paid flatbed training. As a new driver, you’ll be placed with a flatbed driver during a paid five-week OTR training program.
Training is taught by experienced drivers/trainers with outstanding safety scores. They’ll teach you about tarping, strapping, and effective load securement techniques. You’ll also learn about permitted loads and legal requirements.
Before drivers can move into the flatbed division, they must pass an agility test to ensure they’re fit to lift, move, and carry tarps, straps, and other securement tools.
Key Features:
- Hiring experienced and brand-new drivers
- Named one of the Best Fleets to Drive For by the TCA
- Paid orientation
- Paid OTR training program
Prime Inc.
Founded: 1970
Headquarters: Springfield, Missouri
Insight: Prime is one of the most well-known and largest refrigerated, flatbed, tanker, and intermodal freight carriers in the country. Like Halvor Lines, they’re also in the TCA Hall of Fame for Best Fleets to Drive For.
Prime regularly hires flatbed drivers — whether you’re brand-new to the industry or you’ve been hauling dry vans or refrigerated freight for years and decided to try out flatbedding. During training, you’ll be given the knowledge and hands-on training you need to safely secure and transport freight.
Prime also offers flatbed boot camp training for experienced drivers.
Key Features:
- Hiring experienced and brand-new drivers
- Named as one of the Best Fleets to Drive For by the TCA
- Flatbed boot camp
Roehl Transport
Founded: 1962
Headquarters: Marshfield, Wisconsin
Insight: Roehl Transport, with one of the largest flatbed fleets in the country, also has a phenomenal reputation in the industry. They’ve earned the President's Award from the American Trucking Association (ATA) four times.
Roehl works with new drivers and veteran drivers, so if you’re looking for a flatbed securement training program, this is a great place to do it. Their paid securement training program will ensure you’re road-ready and prepared to succeed as a flatbed.
Key Features:
- Hiring experienced and brand-new drivers
- President’s Award winner four times
- Paid securement training
Get Flatbed Securement Training at ATS
By now, you’ve hopefully gotten excited about your flatbed training options in the industry. It’s reassuring to know there are fantastic companies out there that are willing to give you the training and support you need to drive your career forward.
You’re probably also wondering why there was one key company missing from the list: ATS. We knew it would be incredibly biased to put ourselves on the list, so we didn't. However, we couldn’t resist letting you know that ATS is also an option for you if you’re new to flatbedding or are a little out of practice.
While we don’t hire new drivers (you’ll need at least one year of OTR experience), we do hire drivers who haven’t hauled flatbed freight before. Before you attend a four- to five-day orientation, you’ll interview with the team to make sure you’re a fit for the program.
During flatbed securement training, you’ll receive several days of both classroom and hands-on training that prepares you to haul diverse, dynamic freight. Plus, you’ll receive a $1,000 orientation completion bonus as a company driver or a $1,000 sign-on bonus as a lease operator.
Take your career to the next level when you drive for ATS. When you're ready to move up in freight classes, we'll help you get there. You’ll start as a Class 4 driver and be able to move up to a Class 1A driver before deciding if you want to move into the heavy haul division.
Check out our career path options here or fill out an application to speak to a recruiter today.