You get paid first. Every Friday.
Express Lines provides a late-model truck, authority and freight through a written lease program for qualified CDL-A drivers. Your percentage of every load hits your bank account before any expense is deducted.
You get paid first. Then the bills get paid.
Most carriers calculate the truck's expenses first and pay you whatever is left. We do the opposite. Every Friday, your percentage of every load goes to your bank account — straight up, no games. After your cut clears, the truck's operating expenses come out of what's left. The truck pays its own bills. You always get paid.
Every weekly settlement itemizes fuel, tolls, maintenance, IFTA, registration, and ELD line by line — per 49 CFR 376.12(h).
Your percentage grows over time.
Start at 26% on solo. Earn your way to 30% by your one-year anniversary. The longer you stay, the more you make.
Training program — only if road test shows additional training is needed before solo operation
Solo — first eight weeks · 26% to your bank weekly · 2% accrues to retention bonus
After eight successful weeks · 28% to your bank weekly · 2% accrues to retention bonus
After one full year · top tier · accumulated retention bonus paid out
The 2% retention bonus accrues weekly and is paid at your one-year anniversary. $1,000 of the payout is held in escrow under 49 CFR 376.12(k) and returned within 45 days when the lease ends in good standing (normal wear-and-tear excepted). Full terms in the written Independent Contractor / Equipment Lease Agreement.
Run your own business. We provide the engine.
Paid First, Paid Friday
Your percentage of every load hits your bank account every Friday — before any expense is deducted.
No Hidden Deductions
Every weekly settlement itemizes fuel, tolls, maintenance, IFTA, registration and ELD line by line.
Truck Provided
No $150K loan. No down payment. Express Lines provides a late-model truck under a written lease agreement.
Growing Percentage
Start at 26% on solo. Earn your way to 30% by your one-year anniversary.
Year-End Retention Bonus
2% of every load accrues to a retention account. Paid as a lump sum at one year.
You Run It Like A Business
Refuse loads that don't work for you. 1099 contractor — you control your operation.
- Late-model truck (leased to you under written agreement)
- DOT authority & freight (you run under Express Lines)
- Cargo insurance & auto liability (carrier-required coverage)
- Dispatch & load assignment (you may refuse loads)
- Weekly settlement with full deduction printout
- Fuel
- Repairs & maintenance
- Tolls & scales
- Lumper fees
- Registration, IFTA, ELD / logbook fee
- Other operating expenses per lease agreement
These come out of the load's gross AFTER your percentage is paid. Itemized on every weekly settlement per 49 CFR 376.12(h).
No guessing, no surprises, no games.
We pay you your percentage off the top of every load — period. The only time additional money would ever come out of your share is if something is on you and on you alone:
Driver-caused damage
Damage to the truck caused by negligence, abuse or failure to follow Express Lines policy — not normal wear-and-tear.
Federal rule violations
Costs not covered by insurance because of a violation of FMCSA rules or company policy on your part.
Citations & fines
Citations, fines or penalties issued to you personally for non-compliance.
Real benefits, built for independent operators.
You're an independent contractor, not on a corporate W-2 plan. Express Lines partners with LLOYD Business Services, an Illinois-based benefits broker that specializes in working with trucking companies and independent operators. They build the package — you pick what fits.
Independent Benefits Broker · Trucking Industry SpecialistLife Insurance
Term and permanent life policies — pick the coverage that fits your family situation.
Health Insurance
Health plan options for you and your family, with consultants who walk you through what each plan actually covers.
Accidental & Disability
Coverage for the realities of trucking — accidents on the road, off the road, and short-term disability.
Once you're onboarded, we connect you directly with a LLOYD consultant. You build your package one-on-one — Express Lines doesn't take a cut, doesn't get a commission, and doesn't see your medical info. LLOYD Business Services is an independent insurance broker and is not affiliated with or owned by Express Lines LLC. All benefit plans, premiums and terms are between you and LLOYD / the underlying insurance carriers.
What you need to roll with us.
Federal & insurance minimums
- Valid Class A CDL
- Minimum 2 years verifiable commercial driving experience (past employers must confirm)
- Pass DOT pre-employment background check (MVR, PSP, prior employer verification)
- Pass DOT pre-employment drug & alcohol screen (49 CFR Part 382)
- Current DOT medical card
- Cleared by Express Lines' insurance carrier
- Authorized to work in the U.S.
What we look for
- Ability to operate a tractor-trailer to Express Lines policy and FMCSA standards (verified by road test)
- Willingness to enter our paid training program (15%) if additional time is needed
- Honest log discipline — we run by the book
- Commitment to a one-year tenure to reach top pay tier
From application to keys — by the book.
Every lease operator goes through the same federally-aligned process — for your protection, ours, and every shipper we serve.
Application & $35 Fee
Submit the online application. Covers MVR and PSP report costs — fully refunded if you're accepted.
Background & Insurance
MVR, PSP and prior employer verification. Insurance carrier reviews your record.
DOT Drug Screen
Pre-employment drug & alcohol screen per 49 CFR Part 382.
Road Test & Lease
Drive with us to confirm operation to Express Lines policy. Sign the written lease agreement.
First Load
Go solo at 26% or join the paid training program at 15%. Start earning.
Express Lines is required to pull your MVR and PSP report as part of FMCSA-mandated pre-employment screening. The $35 application fee covers those actual costs. If you are accepted, the $35 is fully refunded on your first weekly settlement. If we're unable to accept you, the fee covers what we've already paid the state and FMCSA on your behalf.
Start the lease application.
Fill the form below and a real person will reach out. No bots — someone picks up the phone.
Honest answers to honest questions.
Do I really get paid every week — even on slow weeks?
Yes. Your percentage of the gross on every load you haul hits your bank account every Friday. The truck's expenses are deducted separately after your cut clears.
How does the percentage pay work?
You earn a percentage of the gross revenue on every load. Your tier depends on your stage: 15% in training, 26% on solo start, 28% after eight successful weeks, and 30% at one year. Percentage applies to the load gross before operating expense deductions.
What gets deducted from my weekly settlement?
Fuel, repairs and maintenance, tolls, scales, lumper fees, registration, IFTA, ELD/logbook fee and other operating expenses. Every deduction is itemized per 49 CFR 376.12(h).
Am I an employee or an independent contractor?
You're an independent contractor (1099) under a written equipment lease agreement governed by 49 CFR Part 376. Express Lines does not withhold taxes — you're responsible for your own tax filings. Consult a tax professional.
Can I refuse a load?
Yes. As an independent contractor you may refuse a load assignment. Express Lines respects your status under 49 CFR Part 376 and federal IC standards.
What is the 2% retention bonus?
While you're on the 26%/28% tiers, an additional 2% of every load accrues to a retention bonus account. It pays out as a lump sum at your one-year lease anniversary. $1,000 held in escrow per 49 CFR 376.12(k).
Do I get health insurance and benefits?
Yes — through our partner LLOYD Business Services. After onboarding, we connect you directly with a LLOYD consultant who builds a customized package. Express Lines doesn't take a commission and doesn't see your medical info.
What does the $35 application fee cover?
It covers the actual cost of pulling your MVR and PSP report, both of which FMCSA requires us to obtain before bringing on a new operator. If you're accepted, the $35 is fully refunded on your first weekly settlement.
What happens if I leave before one year?
If the lease ends before twelve months, the accumulated retention bonus is forfeited. This is disclosed up front and is part of the written lease agreement you sign at onboarding.
Can I haul for another carrier while leased to Express Lines?
No. While the leased truck is under agreement with Express Lines, it operates exclusively under our authority. This exclusivity is tied to the equipment lease — standard practice under 49 CFR Part 376.
What if a newer truck becomes available?
If a newer truck comes into the fleet during your lease term, you may have the option to swap into it under a new lease agreement, subject to availability and Express Lines policy.
What is the training program?
If our road test shows you have a CDL but need additional time to operate to Express Lines policy, we'll offer a paid training program at 15% of gross. When you complete it successfully, you advance to the 26% solo tier.