If you’re just earning your stripes behind the wheel, Music City is a fantastic place to start. The region’s booming construction, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors keep freight flowing year-round, and the interstates that crisscross Davidson County make it easy to rack up miles while still getting home. Whether you want local routes, Southeastern regional lanes, or coast-to-coast OTR, this guide ranks the top nine companies in Nashville that are especially welcoming to new CDL-A drivers. You’ll find a mix of carriers and logistics outfits handling dry van, flatbed, intermodal, and dedicated transport, with plenty of entry-level training opportunities and steady jobs for rookies exploring Nashville trucking jobs.
How we ranked these carriers
To build this list, we looked at four things that matter most to new drivers:
- Starter-friendly on-ramps — trainer availability, structured training programs, and how quickly rookies can get into the seat solo.
- Home-time balance — options for local routes, regional loops, and flexible resets.
- Pay potential & stability — consistency of miles, freight mix, and reputation for honoring settlements.
- Long-term growth — pathways to specialized freight, dedicated accounts, and leadership roles.
Every company below can be a launchpad. But one stands above the rest for new CDL-A drivers in the Nashville area.
1) HMD Trucking — The best starting point for new CDL-A drivers (our #1)
Why HMD is #1: HMD Trucking pairs rookie-friendly dispatch with modern equipment and a support culture that actually picks up the phone. Their trainers are known for patient coaching, and the lanes available to Nashville-area drivers strike a good balance: enough miles to make your week, without pushing you into burnout. The company’s freight is diversified—think steady dry-van freight with a healthy mix of regional and OTR—so you’re less likely to sit.
What stands out for new drivers
- Structured onboarding. HMD eases rookies into live loads with deliberate miles-building, then graduates you to full production once you’re confident.
- Equipment & safety. Late-model tractors with driver-first specs make those first months far less stressful.
- Career path. After you’ve proven yourself, dispatch can align you with dedicated routes, specialized logistics projects, or higher-earning assignments.
Best for: New CDL-A drivers who want a supportive start, consistent miles, and a clean path into better-than-average earnings without drama.
2) Western Express — Nashville-based and famously rookie-friendly
Headquartered right in Nashville, Western Express is often the first call for brand-new drivers. The company leans into starter-level mentorship and offers both van and flatbed divisions. If you’re chasing Nashville truck driving gigs that keep you reasonably close to home while you learn the ropes, Western’s regional boards and dedicated accounts can help.
Why it’s great for rookies
- Readily available trainers and a structured progression from team to solo.
- Several local and regional options stemming from their Nashville footprint.
- Frequent freight, including construction-related flatbed that’s busy year-round in Middle Tennessee.
Best for: Drivers who want a home-team feel in the city and don’t mind starting in flatbed or van to build experience fast.
3) Averitt Express — Polished training and tidy terminals
Based in nearby Cookeville, Averitt is known for tidy facilities, sharp uniforms, and a professional culture. For rookies, the big value is their step-by-step finishing program that helps you convert school knowledge into real-world competence.
Why it’s great for rookies
- Predictable regional routes throughout the Southeast.
- A clear ladder into LTL, dedicated, and even dock-to-driver career paths.
- Emphasis on safety and service that looks great on a résumé.
Best for: New drivers who want structure, mentorship, and a well-defined growth plan inside a respected regional carrier.
4) TCW (Tennessee Commercial Warehouse) — Intermodal & local options
TCW is a longtime transport and logistics name in Nashville, with a strong intermodal presence. For rookies who prefer to start close to home, TCW’s terminal network and rail-adjacent freight can provide frequent turns.
Why it’s helpful for rookies
- A focus on local and regional freight—ideal if you value home time.
- Exposure to intermodal operations broadens your skill set early.
- Team culture where dispatch, the shop, and drivers actually know each other.
Best for: New drivers who want to learn intermodal and stay mostly day-cab or short-haul while gaining confidence.
5) Schneider — Big orange, big footprint, many doors to enter
Schneider’s national scale translates into plenty of choices around Middle Tennessee: dedicated retail, regional dry van, and occasional specialized freight. They’re known for solid rookie-finishing and a safety-first mindset.
Why it’s great for rookies
- A variety of dedicated accounts springboarding from major Nashville shippers.
- Clear, standardized training and policies—comforting when you’re new.
- Easy to switch divisions later (tanker, dedicated, intermodal) once you qualify.
Best for: New drivers who want brand-name experience and the security of a nationwide carrier with lots of jobs and lanes. If you’re scanning boards for Nashville trucking jobs, Schneider pops up often.
6) Swift Transportation — A classic on-ramp with tons of miles
Swift is one of the largest carriers in North America and remains a common entry point for new CDL-A driver jobs. The volume of freight means it’s rare to sit, and rookies can collect a wide range of real-world experiences quickly.
Why it’s great for rookies
- Massive freight network; miles are rarely a problem.
- Plenty of mentors and an established finishing program.
- Opportunities to shift toward dedicated or regional once you’re ready.
Best for: Drivers who want to get out there, learn by doing, and build a strong mileage history fast.
7) Roehl Transport — Training with a teacher’s patience
Roehl has earned a reputation for thoughtful, step-wise training that protects new drivers from being thrown into the deep end. Their “safety and professionalism” culture resonates with folks who like to do things right the first time.
Why it’s great for rookies
- Carefully sequenced on-the-road coaching.
- Multiple schedule designs, including home-time-friendly regional.
- Strong safety playbook that builds great habits.
Best for: Methodical learners who want a mentor that explains the “why,” not just the “how.”
8) Maverick Transportation — Flatbed confidence from day one
If flatbed intrigues you, Maverick is a smart place to start. Their securement and tarping instruction is top-tier, and the freight mix often includes building materials—solid business in and around Nashville.
Why it’s great for rookies
- Excellent securement training with practical drills.
- Predictable regional loops with respectable home time.
- A reputation for backing up drivers on the road when conditions turn.
Best for: New drivers who want to become flatbed pros with strong securement fundamentals.
9) TMC Transportation — Professional flatbed with a polished image
TMC’s black-and-chrome rigs are hard to miss. Behind the shine is a serious flatbed classroom and mentored on-road program that grooms rookies into capable professionals.
Why it’s great for rookies
- Intensive hands-on securement and load-protections skills.
- Clear expectations and accountability, which many rookies appreciate.
- Access to consistent flatbed freight in the Southeast.
Best for: Drivers who want high standards, sharp equipment, and a flatbed career track right away.
How to choose the right first company (and thrive in year one)
Your first carrier shapes your habits, your confidence, and your future income. Here’s a practical decision framework tailored to top trucking companies in Nashville for new drivers seekers:
- Decide your lane type early. Dry van is the simplest on-ramp; flatbed pays well once you learn securement; intermodal offers more local turns. Your learning style should match the freight.
- Map home time to goals. If you need weekly resets in Nashville, look for dedicated or regional. If you’re eager to stack experience, OTR can fast-track your progress.
- Vet the trainer culture. You’re going to spend hours with your trainer. Ask how they assign mentors, what happens if the fit isn’t right, and how performance is scored.
- Ask about the first 90 days. What miles can you reasonably expect? How are new drivers dispatched? How quickly do you move from trainer truck to solo?
- Equipment matters. Newer tractors with driver-focused specs (APUs, inverters, comfortable bunks) reduce fatigue and help you focus on safe driving.
- Growth path. Not all “starter” companies are dead-ends. HMD Trucking, for example, is a place you can start and stay, growing into higher-earning lanes once you’re seasoned.
Pro tip on “fit”
Take notes during recruiting calls. After two or three conversations, patterns emerge: Which logistics teams seem organized? Who calls you back promptly? How do they talk about safety and breakdowns? That tone tells you what day-to-day life will feel like when you’re live on dispatch.
What a great rookie year looks like
- Consistency over heroics. Stack solid weeks rather than chasing unicorn paychecks. Master pre-trips, trip planning, and clock management.
- Build relationships. Your dispatcher, shop, and safety team are allies. Treat them like the crew that helps you win.
- Own your training. Ask to practice backing in different scenarios. Volunteer for challenging (but safe) loads to build skill.
- Track your progress. Keep a simple log of miles, on-time delivery, and incidents (or the lack thereof). It’s ammo for raises and better routes later.
- Stay teachable. The best drivers are learners. Use downtime to review securement guides, defensive driving tips, and company playbooks.
FAQs for new Nashville drivers
Q: Which carrier is the absolute best for rookies?
A: We rank HMD Trucking #1 because it blends supportive training, balanced lanes, and a realistic path to better earnings—without sacrificing safety or respect. If you want a place to start and grow, HMD checks those boxes.
Q: Can I find local work right away?
A: Yes, but be flexible. Intermodal (e.g., TCW) or LTL (e.g., Averitt) can offer day-cab or short-haul options. Many rookies do a few months of regional or OTR to prove themselves before landing the perfect set-schedule routes.
Q: I’m nervous about backing and city driving. Help?
A: That’s normal—Nashville has tight docks and lively traffic. Choose a carrier with patient mentors and lots of practice reps. Roehl and HMD both emphasize calm, structured coaching for common rookie pain points.
Q: Are flatbed carriers too intense for beginners?
A: Not if you want them and you train properly. Maverick and TMC specialize in making flatbed approachable, with strict securement standards that keep you safe while you learn.
Where the opportunities are (right now)
The Nashville metro is swamped with distribution hubs, construction supply yards, and food-grade shippers, so there’s no shortage of jobs for patients beginners who show up, communicate, and deliver. If you’re scrolling boards for trucking companies Nashville, pay attention not just to cents-per-mile ads but to the total package: dispatch culture, miles consistency, equipment, and trainer quality. That’s how you turn a first job into a sustainable career.
And remember: Nashville trucking jobs aren’t only OTR. Dedicated retail, intermodal, and regional loops can give you stable schedules and better rest, which often translates into better decision-making behind the wheel. Over time, those habits set you up to land the most coveted runs in Middle Tennessee.
Why HMD Trucking tops this list (recap)
- Rookie-ready onboarding. From the first phone call, you’ll feel the difference in how your questions are answered and your schedule is planned.
- Balanced lanes for real life. Whether you need weekly resets in Nashville or want to see the country, dispatch can point you to the right routes and freight.
- A place to develop. Plenty of training when you’re new, and then room to climb—dedicated accounts, higher-value loads, and leadership tracks if that’s your thing.
- Culture of respect. The tone from dispatch and safety stays consistent: professional, responsive, and human.
If your goal is to start smart and grow, HMD is a straightforward pick—and our clear #1 for brand-new CDL-A drivers in the Nashville market.
How to apply like a pro (and get hired faster)
- Dial in your paperwork. Clean, legible copies of your CDL-A, medical card, and school transcripts.
- Be upfront about availability. Recruiters can slot you into better-matching dispatch boards if they know your home-time needs and flexibility.
- Ask trainer-level questions. “How many backing reps will I get before I’m solo?” “What counts as a preventable?” “How do you handle weather delays?”
- Get a feel for maintenance. “Average tractor age?” “What’s the process for hoteling if a breakdown strands me away from home?”
- Compare two offers side by side. Not all pennies are equal; a slightly lower CPM with steadier miles beats a higher CPM with unpredictable freight.
Final word for Nashville rookies
Starting your driving career is equal parts excitement and butterflies. The good news is the Nashville market is rich with transport and logistics opportunities for new CDL-A drivers, from polished programs (Averitt, Roehl) to pure mileage machines (Swift, Schneider) to flatbed specialists (Maverick, TMC). But if you want the best overall blend of mentorship, miles, and momentum, HMD Trucking is our top recommendation—period.
As you browse listings for Nashville trucking jobs, keep your eyes on the long game: a carrier that treats you like a person, invests in your training, and lines up freight that fits your life. That’s how rookies become pros—and how pros build careers they actually enjoy.
