Editor’s Note
In July 2023, Yellow Corporation was reported to be filing for bankruptcy following months of financial troubles.

YRC Freight Jobs: Driver Pay, Requirements, and Reviews

YRC Freight is one of North America’s leading less-than-truckload (LTL) logistical firms, founded in Oklahoma City in 1924. As of February 2021, parent company YRC Worldwide rebranded as Yellow Corporation, the country’s second-largest LTL carrier and fifth-largest transportation company.

With 28,000 employees, 8,400 tractors, and 34,500 trailers, YRC Freight is the largest subsidiary of Yellow. Known for its impressive employee benefits, reliable hours, and union salaries, current employees speak favorably of their time spent driving with YRC.

Learn more about the types of roles available for truck drivers at YRC Freight, information about salaries and benefits, requirements for truck driving jobs, and more.

Types of YRC Freight Truck Driving Jobs

There are three main roles available for truck drivers at YRC Freight.

Pickup and Delivery Drivers

YRC’s fleet of pickup and delivery (P&D) drivers are an integral part of the business, providing LTL solutions to more than 200,000 customers across North America. P&D drivers usually stick to one regional area and average around 150 miles per day, returning home every night. They may also need to work on the dock during their shift, loading and unloading freight as necessary.

Road Drivers

Road drivers at YRC are responsible for moving tractor-trailer combinations between company facilities or work sites across the country. They may work solo or as part of a team and average around 2,000 miles (spread across five trips) per week, with most road drivers returning home nightly.

Combo Drivers

As the name suggests, YRC’s combo drivers are part professional road driver, part dockworker. They may be asked to move trucks between terminals, pick up and deliver loads, or spend their day sorting, handling, and loading freight at one of the company’s facilities. It’s a great role for someone who likes a little more variety and doesn’t need to work a set schedule every day.

YRC Freight Truck Driver Salary

With several different roles available to YRC drivers, the salaries they earn can differ, too, depending on the type of work they’re doing and their mileage, location, and experience level.

P&D drivers at YRC Freight are typically paid by the hour, whereas road drivers earn a set rate per mile, meaning that the more they drive, the more they earn. All YRC drivers get paid weekly, and as part of the Teamsters union, drivers with YRC have contracted pay rates of up to $23.75 per hour for P&D drivers and $0.59 per mile for road drivers. First-year road drivers can earn up to $60,000/year, and P&D drivers earn, on average, over $22/hour.

In addition to their regular salary, YRC Freight drivers receive several other benefits and bonuses, including paid overtime, delay time, jury duty, bereavement, worker’s compensation, sick and personal days, holidays, and vacations. As of winter 2021, the company is also offering hiring bonuses of up to $7,500.

YRC Freight Driver Pay by Job Type and Location

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual truck driver’s salary in the U.S. in 2021 was $50,340, which is generally lower than or similar to YRC’s posted pay rates on job advertisements. For instance, current YRC Freight driver job postings on Indeed indicate the following rates:

• Linehaul Driver in Compton, CA: $65,000 – $75,000 per year
• Local Pick Up and Delivery Driver in Meridian, ID: From $23.05 per hour
• Local City Driver/Dock Worker in Columbus, OH: From $22.59 per hour
• Combination City Driver/Dock Worker in Deer Park, NY: From $24.50 per hour

YRC Freight Perks and Benefits

YRC Freight proudly claims to offer one of the best employee benefits packages in the industry, with 100% of medical, dental, vision, and life insurance premiums covered by the company for drivers and their families. In addition to this (and the paid bonuses mentioned above), eligible employees can use YRC’s retail prescription drugs and mail-order prescription plans. The company also offers all employees:

• Basic and accidental death and dismemberment life insurance
• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Defined benefit pension
• 401(k) saving program

The company encourages its drivers to get involved in events such as the National Truck Driving Championship and America’s Road Team, and celebrates longstanding employees with a Million Miler program, Safe Driver Awards, and a Driver Hall of Fame. It also works closely with Women in Trucking, an organization that promotes women’s employment in the industry, expands recruiting programs, and encourages female-friendly work environments.

YRC Freight Truck Driver Requirements

YRC Freight does insist that drivers meet certain requirements before they can join the company. All prospective drivers must:

• Be at least 21 years of age
• Hold a valid Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) with doubles/triples, hazmat, and tanker endorsements—or be willing to train at one of the company’s truck academies or dock-to-driver programs to earn these qualifications (see more below)
• Previous Class A CDL driving experience preferred
• Have no more than one preventable accident within the last 36 months
• Have no DUI within the last 36 months
• Have no more than two moving violations in the last 36 months
• Have no more than one major preventable accident while driving a commercial vehicle
• Pass DOT physical and drug tests

In addition to these must-haves, the company asks that all applicants have experience driving similar equipment in various traffic and weather conditions, have the ability to work various shifts and days of the week, and be able to record and match applicable freight information on the bill of lading.

If you’d like to work as a truck driver for YRC but want to consider roles at other, similar companies, look for roles at other industry-leading LTL firms such as FedEx, Old Dominion Freight Line, and XPO Logistics.

YRC Freight Truck Driver Training

Suppose you’re interested in working for YRC Freight but haven’t yet earned your CDL A. Fortunately, you still have options. The company offers several tuition-free and tuition-reimbursement training programs.

Dock-to-Driver Program

This program allows those who don’t yet have a CDL to work on the dock and earn a wage while studying for their license. Trainees spend 160 hours earning their CDL—80  hours studying and 80 hours behind the wheel.

Truck School Graduates

In this program, newly qualified drivers have the opportunity to hone their skills while earning an honest wage. Recent graduates drive with a trainer to ensure their skill and proficiency level is acceptable, documenting their progress on a Daily Record of Driving Evaluation and logging their track time in a Driver’s Daily Log until completing 160 hours. Once finished, drivers move on to permanent line haul or city assignments.

Early Driver Training

Drivers with less than six months of experience can participate in YRC’s Driver Development Program, where they spend 160 hours with veteran driver trainers who offer positive, constructive feedback on their skills. Drivers with between six and 12 months of experience can do the same, but they spend just 40 hours with their trainer instead.

Military Training Programs

YRC is committed to assisting veterans and their families, and this extends to its employee training programs. The company allows military personnel to move into driving roles using prior logistical experience and is partnered with Hiring our Heroes and Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve to assist in their return to the workforce.

YRC Freight Driver Application: Instructions and Advice

If you’d like to work as a driver at YRC Freight, you can find a list of all current openings on their website. Upon application, you’ll need to provide your details, including evidence of your driving history, work history, and other personal information—so make sure to have those ready.

If you meet the qualifications for the job you applied for, a YRC human resources team member will review your application and contact you to schedule an interview. Qualified applicants usually hear back within one to three business days, though the timing may vary depending on the location and position you’re applying to. After an interview, successful applicants will need to complete a drug test and road test before beginning orientation, which lasts around two weeks.

YRC Freight Reviews of Truck Driving Jobs

Reviews from current and former YRC drivers seem to be favorable, praising the extensive employee benefits, comprehensive facilities, welcoming staff, and steady mileage. Here are a few snippets to give you an idea of what you could expect working for YRC Freight.

A current driver on Indeed.com is full of praise for his co-workers: “The best thing about this Las Vegas terminal is the people. Our senior guys here are awesome and they are willing to help the newbies to get the job done right. I feel strongly that our senior guys do care about the success of the company. I am welcomed everyday and appreciated as a valuable member of the team!”

However, a former driver on Glassdoor had a mixed experience, warning of older equipment and a lack of trucks. “Pros? Union job. Very good benefits, good hourly pay, you are on the day shift. Good dispatcher named Kevin. Good shop steward. Cons? Long hours, old equipment to drive, no pallet jack to use, no hand trucks, overtime first up at the dispatch window.”