Drive for Safe Way Carrier
You've been around long enough to know most companies talk a good game. Here's what's different: we back it up. Family-owned since 2011, Safe Way Carrier is built around one idea. When drivers win, we win. No automated call centers. No treating you like a number. Just consistent miles, real pay, and people who know your name.
Ready to drive? Apply now or call a recruiter today.
Why Drive for Safe Way Carrier
This isn't a place that burns through drivers and moves on. Most of our drivers stay 3–4+ years, and the ones who've been here the longest will tell you they're not looking to go anywhere else.
That's not an accident. It's what happens when a company is built around the people doing the work.
We're family-owned and family-focused, which means decisions get made by people who actually care about the outcome, not a corporate policy committee. Your dispatcher knows your name. You won't get bounced around an automated system when you need someone. And there's no micromanaging: we trust our drivers to do the job, and we make sure you have what you need to do it well.
The bottom line: truck drivers get burned a lot out there. We've built something different, and our drivers stay long enough to prove it.
Pay and Benefits
We pay well, we pay on time, and we pay for everything, not just the loaded miles.
Mileage Pay
Dry Van: Starting at $0.53/mile, up to $0.60/mile after your first quarterly review.
Reefer: Starting at $0.60/mile, up to $0.65/mile after your first quarterly review.
All miles paid, loaded and empty.
Additional Pay
Weekly pay, every week
Layover pay: $150/day when you’re held on standby overnight
Detention pay: $25/hour after the first 3 hours (up to $150/day)
Breakdown pay: $25/hour after the first 3 hours (up to $150/day, $600 per occurrence) — and if your truck’s going to be in the shop more than 4–5 days, we’ll put you in another one
Additional drop pay: $25 per drop on dry van drop-and-hook accounts
Bonuses
$100 DOT inspection bonus every time you pass
$200 referral bonus when a driver you refer comes on board
Performance bonus: up to $5,000
Benefits
Health insurance — Safe Way Carrier covers 50% of the premium (average cost to you: ~$50/week)
W-2 or 1099 — your choice
One week paid vacation after one year, based on your average weekly earnings from the three months before your request date
Driver Requirements
We're looking for experienced drivers. Safe Way Carrier currently requires a minimum of 2 years of verifiable driving experience, with your CDL issued at least 2 years prior. Not all 24 months need to be strictly verifiable driving time.
MVR standards: Up to one accident or two violations. Drivers with more than three moving violations, or a combination of more than one accident and two violations, are not eligible.
We're actively working on an in-house training pathway for drivers with at least 1 year of experience. That program is in development — when it's ready, we'll be upfront about it. For now, our requirement is 2 years.
Additional requirements:
- Valid Class A CDL
- Short-haul endorsements preferred (not required)
- No forced dispatch — you have a say in your loads
If you're not sure whether you qualify, call us. We'd rather have a real conversation than have you talk yourself out of applying.
Equipment
You spend more time in your truck than most people spend in their house. We take that seriously.
Safe Way Carrier runs late model trucks — Freightliner Cascadias, Kenworth T680s, and some Peterbilts — maintained in-house by our own shop. You won't be waiting on a third-party dealership to get back on the road.
What you'll find in the cab:
- APU on late-model trucks
- Cabin heater
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Power inverter
- Governed at 70+ mph
Fleet:
- Reefer trailers for temperature-sensitive freight
- Dry van for drop-and-hook and general freight
Our in-house maintenance team keeps things running, and our 24-hour dedicated service line means if something goes wrong on the road, you're talking to a real person, not an answering service.
Driver Lounge and Amenities
When you're at the yard, you should actually want to be there. Our driver lounge is set up to give you a real place to decompress.
- Pool table
- TVs
- 2-story gym
- Private restrooms with showers
- Snacks and refreshments
- Kitchen with a grill — we do regular cookouts and provide lunch for drivers at the yard
- Loaner vehicle available during scheduled maintenance so you can run errands or get out and explore
- Pet-friendly: bring your companion along for the ride (up to 5 pets per truck)
- Dog park coming soon
- Chaplain is available for those interested
Home Time and Routes
Safe Way Carrier runs OTR across all 48 states, with a strong emphasis on Midwest-to-East-Coast reefer lanes. Flexible home time — we work with you, not against you.
There's always a load. Minimal downtime is something we take pride in. You want to run? We'll keep you moving.