How to Apply to Maverick Transportation as a CDL Driver (2026)
Maverick Transportation (USDOT #109781) is the North Little Rock, Arkansas flatbed and glass-transport specialist. Privately held. Maverick runs flatbed OTR, flatbed regional, glass specialty, Maverick Specialized (heavy-haul / oversize), and a training academy — Maverick Flatbed Academy — that takes experienced CDL-A drivers into flatbed work with carrier-certified training. For flatbed-focused drivers, Maverick is a top-tier target alongside TMC, Melton, and the Daseke family.
TL;DR — What Maverick wants
CDL-A, 21+, MVR within flatbed-carrier standards, DOT medical current. Maverick Flatbed Academy transitions experienced dry-van / reefer drivers into flatbed work — no pre-existing flatbed experience required, but solid CDL-A tenure is. Maverick's glass specialty and Maverick Specialized heavy-haul track want prior flatbed experience.
How the Maverick application actually flows
- Apply at drivemaverick.com or maverickusa.com/driving-jobs.
- Recruiter phone screen.
- Conditional offer + orientation scheduling at North Little Rock HQ.
- Orientation + Maverick Flatbed Academy: multi-day classroom + hands-on flatbed securement, tarping, and PPE training on the yard. Paid.
- Finishing / mentor phase with a Maverick trainer.
- Solo flatbed dispatch.
The academy structure is why Maverick is a common entry point for drivers transitioning from dry-van or reefer into flatbed.
Recruiter phone-screen script
- "Experience." CDL-A years + recent miles.
- "Flatbed experience (or transferable)." If you've tarped, chained, ratchet-strapped — say so. If not, the academy is the path.
- "Heavy-haul / oversize interest." Maverick Specialized is a separate track; recruiter routes accordingly.
- "Glass specialty interest." Maverick's glass book is a specialty within flatbed with higher securement discipline.
- "MVR / DAC." Factual.
- "Physical work tolerance." Flatbed is physical — tarping + chain-down + strap-down + PPE at elevation. Recruiters confirm you understand this.
MVR and DAC tolerance — the honest read
Standard mega-carrier tolerance:
- No DUI inside 5 years.
- Moving violations severity-scored inside 36 months.
- Preventable accidents reviewed case-by-case.
- DAC flags reviewed.
Maverick's flatbed standards are comparable to TMC and Melton.
Pay band — with sources
Maverick publishes seat-specific pay at drivemaverick.com. Typical pattern:
- Solo flatbed CPM: mid-$0.50s to low-$0.70s typically — flatbed often pays a per-mile premium over dry-van for the same tenure.
- Glass specialty: additional specialty increment on qualifying loads.
- Maverick Specialized heavy-haul: above standard flatbed CPM; specialty training required.
- Bonuses: safety / MPG / referral / tenure.
- Academy pay: paid during training.
Baseline: BLS OEWS May 2024 median $57,440. Maverick flatbed solo often lands above the national median once out of the academy phase. Model offers with the CPM → Annual Salary calculator.
Home-time reality
- Flatbed OTR: multi-week out, periodic hometime.
- Flatbed Regional: home most weekends on multi-state lanes.
- Specialized / heavy-haul: variable by load; permitted loads can extend cycles.
Equipment
- 48' flatbeds predominantly; step-deck and specialty trailers on the Maverick Specialized side.
- Glass-specialty trailers with dedicated racks and securement.
- Modern Freightliner / Peterbilt fleet with automatic transmissions.
Comparable carriers — who else to apply to in parallel
- TMC Transportation — Des Moines IA flatbed specialist; direct peer with paid training.
- Melton Truck Lines — Tulsa OK flatbed specialist.
- Daseke family carriers (Lone Star, Roadmaster, others) — specialty heavy-haul.
- Landstar — owner-operator / lease-on alternative if you want to be your own boss.
What your resume should emphasize for Maverick
- CDL-A + state + expiration.
- NACSS (North American Cargo Securement Standard) if held.
- Prior flatbed experience — named chain/strap/tarp fluency.
- Prior Maverick Academy equivalent (TMC training, Melton, carrier-specific flatbed programs).
- Home region.
Full flatbed bullet library in the flatbed driver resume guide. Oversize / heavy-haul: oversize resume guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need flatbed experience to join Maverick?
No — Maverick Flatbed Academy trains experienced CDL-A drivers into flatbed. The academy is paid and builds the securement + tarping skills from the ground up.
How long is the academy?
Published duration varies; typically a multi-day classroom + yard-practice phase followed by a finishing / mentor phase on paired loads before solo.
Is Maverick good for specialty heavy-haul?
Yes — Maverick Specialized is a dedicated track for permitted oversize and heavy-haul. Prior flatbed experience is expected.
How physical is the work really?
Real. Tarping a 48' steel load with a 6-tarp rotation in summer heat is physical. Chain-down discipline requires attention. PPE (hard hat, steel-toe, high-vis, fall-protection when tarping on deck) is mandatory. Drivers who prefer dry-van for a reason should honor that reason.
Can I go from Maverick flatbed to owner-op?
Some drivers transition to Landstar or similar lease-on networks once they have flatbed experience. Owner-operator resume guide and Lease vs. Company vs. Owner-Op calculator cover the transition framing.
Build a Maverick-targeted resume in ResumeGeni
CDL resume template + ATS analyzer.
Related guides
- Main Truck Driver Resume Guide
- Flatbed Driver Resume Guide
- Oversize / Heavy Haul Resume Guide
- DAC Report Guide
- CPM → Annual Salary Calculator
- How to Apply: TMC Transportation
- How to Apply: Landstar
- How to Apply: Schneider National
Last verified: 2026-04-20. Verify current academy pay + seat availability on drivemaverick.com before applying.
