Position Overview
A regional trucking company operating throughout the Ohio Valley is hiring experienced CDL-A flatbed drivers for the Steel & Construction Materials Account based in Louisville, Kentucky. This position supports steel service centers, structural fabrication facilities, construction material suppliers, and industrial manufacturing customers.
- Transport structural steel, fabricated components, rebar, pipe, and construction materials on flatbed trailers.
- Perform cargo securement using chains, binders, straps, edge protectors, and tarps when required.
- Complete pre-trip, en-route, and post-trip inspections of tractor, trailer, and securement equipment.
- Coordinate with shipping personnel, crane operators, and receiving departments during loading and unloading.
- Verify freight counts, load placement, axle distribution, and obtain signed Proof of Delivery documents.
- Communicate loading delays, weather impacts, and appointment changes to dispatch promptly.
This is a hands-on flatbed position requiring safe securement of steel and construction materials in varying weather conditions. Drivers receive home time most weekends and operate from the Louisville terminal with dispatch balancing appointment times and Hours-of-Service requirements.
Pay Breakdown & Earnings Structure
Compensation follows a CPM-based model supplemented by activity pay for flatbed operations including securement, tarping, detention, and other accessorials.
Base Rate Paid $0.66 per practical loaded and empty paid mile.
Detention Pay $32 per hour after 90 minutes at customer facilities when approved.
Tarp Pay $30 per qualifying load requiring full tarp installation.
Oversize Permit Pay $40 per permitted load.
Breakdown Pay $150 per qualifying day.
Layover Pay $140 per night for customer-related overnight delays when approved.
Sign-On Bonus $1,000 paid in milestones: $300 after 30 days, $300 after 90 days, $400 after 180 days.
Driver Benefits & Company Advantages
Health Insurance
Medical coverage, dental plan, vision insurance, and prescription drug program available.
Retirement Plan
401(k) with company matching contribution after eligibility period.
Paid Orientation
Paid orientation lasting one to two days including safety training and securement procedures.
Weekly Pay & Direct Deposit
Weekly direct deposit.
Paid Time Off
Paid vacation based on years of service and paid holidays for eligible employees.
Equipment Support
Annual work boot reimbursement after one year. Company-provided chains, binders, straps, and tarps.
Training
Paid flatbed securement refresher training and customer-specific loading orientation.
Equipment & Fleet Specifications
Primary Tractor Brands Freightliner, Kenworth, Volvo, International
Common Tractor Models Freightliner Cascadia (2021–2024), Kenworth T680 (2020–2023), Volvo VNL 760, International LT
Trailer Configuration 48-foot aluminum flatbeds, 53-foot combination aluminum/steel flatbeds, occasional step deck trailers
Transmission Automated manual transmissions
Engine Detroit or Cummins diesel engines
Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Samsara ELD and fleet communication platform
Safety Systems Factory-installed collision mitigation, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control on newer units
Truck Assignment Assigned tractors provided whenever fleet availability allows
Dash Camera Policy Inward-facing event-triggered dash cameras
Additional Equipment 72-inch sleeper cabs, air-ride suspension, disc brakes on newer tractors, engine idle management systems
Operational Delays & Expectations
Detention Policy Detention begins after 90 minutes at customer facilities when delay approval documented through dispatch. $32 per hour.
Breakdown Support $150 per qualifying day. Coordinated through Louisville maintenance facility and national service network.
Layover Pay $140 per night for customer-related overnight delays subject to dispatch approval.
Weather Delay Policy Weather conditions influence loading, securement, and tarping times. Dispatch adjusts appointments when practical.
Flatbed Securement & Cargo Handling
Transporting structural steel, fabricated components, rebar, pipe, and construction materials requires individual evaluation of each load for securement. Chains for heavier items, straps for lighter fabricated materials, edge protectors to prevent abrasion. Weight distribution verified and tarping applied when required by commodity or weather.
Drivers perform securement rechecks after first 50 miles and periodically. At delivery, coordinate with crane operators or forklifts before releasing securement devices. Live load approximately 70% of outbound shipments, live unload common at fabrication shops and contractor facilities.
Home Time & Schedule
Home Time Most drivers home every weekend. Depart Monday morning or early Tuesday, return Friday afternoon or Saturday morning. One to three nights away.
Operating Schedule Regional schedule with predictable return opportunities through Louisville. Two to four outbound deliveries during the week.
Typical Start Time Dispatch typically begins between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM.
Route Type Regional Flatbed with typical operating radius 250–650 miles from Louisville.
Real Routes Our Drivers Take
Primary Operating Area: Ohio Valley regional network centered on Louisville
States Covered: Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, West Virginia, Missouri
Major Cities / Markets: Indianapolis IN, Cincinnati OH, Nashville TN, Lexington KY, Evansville IN, St. Louis MO, Charleston WV
Freight Corridors: I-64, I-65, I-71, Western Kentucky Parkway, I-264, I-265, US-31
Typical Route Distance: 250–650 miles from Louisville
Common Freight Movement: Outbound steel and construction materials from Louisville area facilities with backhauls from neighboring states
Dispatch adjusts freight according to customer production schedules. Typical lanes include Louisville to Indianapolis via I-65, Louisville to Cincinnati via I-71, Louisville to Nashville via I-65. Routes vary weekly based on customer demand and reload opportunities.
Hiring Process
Qualified applicants typically receive an initial recruiter phone call within one business day.
Recruiter Contact Initial phone call to review CDL qualifications, driving history, and experience.
Background & Compliance Motor Vehicle Record review, previous employment verification, DOT drug screening, Alcohol Clearinghouse query, background screening.
Orientation One to two days at Louisville terminal, fully paid. Includes safety training, ELD instruction, securement procedures.
First Dispatch Begin regular dispatch within one to three business days after orientation once compliance requirements completed.
A Typical Day on This Account
Workdays begin at the Louisville terminal or customer yard with pre-trip inspection, securement inventory check, and review of routing instructions.
Loading
Proceed to steel service centers or fabrication facilities for live loading using cranes or forklifts. Verify load placement and perform securement.
During the Day
Deliver to manufacturing plants, fabrication shops, or construction sites. Communicate with dispatch for reload assignments. Perform securement rechecks.
End of Shift
Complete delivery, obtain signed documents, return to Louisville terminal when scheduled for inspection and preparation for next dispatch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the home time on this account? A: Most drivers home every weekend with 1-3 nights out during the week.
Q: What type of freight is hauled? A: Structural steel, fabricated components, rebar, pipe, and construction materials on flatbeds.
Q: Is cargo securement required? A: Yes, drivers perform securement with chains, straps, tarps and rechecks per FMCSA regulations.
Q: What equipment is used? A: Freightliner Cascadia, Kenworth T680, Volvo VNL tractors with 48 and 53 foot flatbeds.
Q: What experience is needed? A: Minimum 12 months verifiable CDL-A experience preferred. Flatbed experience preferred.
Q: How does pay work? A: $0.66 CPM plus detention, tarp, breakdown, layover, and oversize pay.
Career Opportunities
This regional flatbed position suits experienced CDL-A drivers comfortable with hands-on cargo securement, customer interaction at industrial sites, and variable weather conditions common to steel and construction freight. Drivers who prefer consistent regional lanes tied to manufacturing and infrastructure projects rather than long-haul or drop-and-hook operations will find the Louisville-based account a strong match. The operation emphasizes proper securement practices, communication with dispatch and customers, and safe operation in construction and industrial environments.
CDL-A Truck Driving Jobs in Louisville, KY
Louisville serves as a major freight hub at the intersection of I-64, I-65, and I-71 supporting steel processing, automotive manufacturing, construction, and industrial activity across the Ohio Valley. CDL-A flatbed drivers in this market transport materials essential to regional infrastructure and manufacturing projects with consistent demand from service centers and fabrication facilities.
Regional flatbed operations in Louisville benefit from access to multiple neighboring states and reload opportunities in Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Nashville. Drivers navigate industrial corridors while managing cargo securement requirements specific to steel and construction freight. The market provides steady work patterns influenced by construction seasons and manufacturing schedules.
CDL-A flatbed truck driving jobs in Louisville, Kentucky appeal to drivers seeking regional home time combined with the operational variety of handling specialized freight. Major highways facilitate efficient movement of building materials and industrial components supporting ongoing development projects throughout Kentucky and surrounding states.
