Wayne Transports, Inc Review That The Company Doesn't Want You to Know About!
I know what you are thinking, “Oh great here’s another review that the company paid some guy to toot their own truck’s horns”. You are mistaken my friend, this is a review of Wayne Transport, INC written by a well-trained, Rookie Driver. Without further ado let’s get started…
Why should you trust me?
My name is Alex, and I’ve been in the trucking industry for almost 8 years. I have five years of experience working at a truck dealership in multiple positions, including admin, shop, and sales. Over that time, I have seen how different companies maintain their trucks and terminals. Recently, I have switched to being a professional driver for Wayne Transports. Over the last two years, I have driven in their dry bulk and asphalt divisions.
What Is
Wayne Transports?
Wayne Transports Inc is a trucking company based out of Rosemount MN. They Specialize in hauling Liquid and Dry Bulk Commodities to all 48 states. Wayne was founded in the early 1950s when Wayne A. Siemers bought his first truck and trailer to deliver fuel to local gas stations in his hometown of Milaca MN. Since then, his son and grandsons have taken the wheel and grown the company into what it is today. Wayne has a fleet of 900 trucks that puts on Five Million Miles a Month. And they also won the Minnesota Family Business Award back in 2022.
What Products Does Wayne Transport Haul?
- Petroleum
- Asphalt
- Chemical
- Dry Bulk
- Agricultural products
What values does Wayne Transports have?
Wayne has some of the Industry’s highest values. They are a family-based, performance-driven trucking company focused on customer service, employee satisfaction, safety, and hard work.
-Based on how I was trained they keep them and treat me with the respect drivers deserve.
What Are the Job requirements to Work at Wayne?
Wayne stands apart from most trucking companies because it specializes in hazardous materials. They require a highly skilled, dependable driver, with experience.
Let’s take a look at what it takes to join the team.
Driver Requirements
- CDL
- 23 years old
- 2 years driving experience
- 200k miles driven
Department Specific Requirements
- Tank endorsement
- Hazmat
- Passport
- Out of country data plan
Driver Disqualifications
- Current license suspension
- License revocation
- Serious traffic incidents in the past 3 years
- More then 4 moving violations in the past 36 mounts
- Preventable accidents where people died in the past 3 years
Physical Demands For Working At Wayne Transports
Working at Wayne comes with different physical demands that are not typical of most basic diving jobs. Long hours behind the wheel and making appointment times are standard for most jobs. What makes Wayne different is their drivers need to be prepared to work outdoors in all weather conditions. The majority of their jobs involve handling 10 to 20-foot hoses to unload trailers- a task that becomes harder in extreme temperatures. Their drivers often work in full PPE under the blazing heat of 100-degree summers while others face harsh conditions, unloading trailers in -20-degree weather at facilities like cookie factories.
Horror Stories From Other Companies
As drivers, we’ve all heard horror stories about other companies from fellow truckers. A driver contacts a recruiter, who promises to treat them like family and offers a brand-new truck to entice them to apply. But once they arrive, reality sets in. The company sends an Uber to take them to a hotel that looks like it hasn’t been updated since the ’90s. As soon as they open the door to their room, they’re hit with a foul odor of rotten eggs, and they think to themselves, ” What have I gotten myself into?”
The next morning, during orientation, they’re shown their “new” truck. It has bald tires and trash left by the previous driver. When they point out that it’s not new, the company replies, “Well it’s new to you.”
If I experienced that with a new trucking company, I’d Run far away. Fortunately, My experience with Wayne transports has been much better…
Wayne Transports Easy Hiring Process
Start by Filling out the online application. A Recruiter will follow up to determine if you’re a good fit for the company. Once accepted, the Recruiter will Arrange a comfortable hotel to stay at for your orientation at the Wayne Terminal in Rosemont MN.
Application Process
Filling out Wayne’s online application was quick and easy. It asked for my basic information and work history. The day after I submitted it, a recruiter called to discuss my preferences regarding work-life balance, pay, and working hours to help find the right fit for me within their company. After our conversation, he followed up the next day to let me know I was approved, and we arranged a convenient time for me to start orientation.
My Orientation at Wayne Transports.
When the time came for orientation, Wayne arranged a comfortable and clean hotel room for me. The hotel offered a delicious complimentary breakfast and a swimming pool for relaxation. The commute to the Wayne terminal was also short, only about a 15-minute drive.
Upon arriving at the terminal, I was immediately impressed. A sea of red Peterbilt 389 trucks stood beside a large shop equipped with an automatic truck wash. The main dispatch building was beautifully landscaped, and I was warmly welcomed as I stepped inside. A friendly receptionist greeted me with a smile and directed me to the meeting room. Waiting for me on the table was a personalized name tag and a gift bag filled with goodies. Before leaving, the receptionist mentioned, ” Help yourself to the mini fridge if you’d like.” The fridge was stocked with water and a variety of sodas, which added to my positive first impressions.
I took my seat and began chatting with the other drivers while we waited for the orientation to begin. Shortly after, the drug tester came in and said it was my turn. I recommend that you don’t go before you come. I didn’t know that and took a couple of hours to get my sample.
When the orientation began, the human resources team came in and started their part. They took our photos for our company profiles and explained how our pay worked, along with the available insurance options and 401(k) plans. Next, the truck manager discussed the truck maintenance procedures, such as how to request work in the shop, and the maintenance schedule.
When it was lunch time Wayne Transports was generous enough to provide lunch from a local restaurant for everyone. Afterward, the owners’ sons shared the Wayne Transports story. They detailed how their grandfather started hauling fuel in the 1960s with his brothers and how their father grew up working in the company. By starting with washing trucks and then working his way up to becoming the CEO.
After they were done it was time to go for the day.
The next morning, the safety director walked us through the camera system and how the E-logs work. He also wrapped up the final topics they didn’t get to the previous day.
Overall, Wayne Transports gave me an exceptional welcome and made me feel like part of their family-run business.
If you’re tired of feeling like Another Load and want to be Treated like family!
P.S. Tell them Alex sent You!
Wayne's Trucks
Wayne Transports built its reputation with their iconic red Peterbilt 389, A truck that turns heads every time it arrives at a customer’s location. The sight of that polished red rig pulling up is simply unforgettable. Wayne runs both day cab and sleeper configurations for their Peterbilt’s. The truck I drive is a sleeper model equipped with a blower motor.
Even after logging over 500,000 miles, the truck remains reliable. Only routine maintenance is required. However, the space inside can feel cramped, especially for drivers living in it full-time during the week. Additionally, Wayne’s trucks are not equipped with built-in refrigerators, so an electric cooler is a must.
On the positive side, Wayne has begun adding Volvo and Peterbilt 579 models to the fleet. These newer models offer a larger sleeper and drivers who have made the switch appreciate the added comfort and room.
Wayne's Trailers
Wayne Transports has a variety of trailers. In my experience, their trailers range from well-maintained ones that are 20 years old to brand-new. Each trailer goes through inspections and maintenance during the off-season, making sure it performs at peak efficiency.
Here are some of the types of trailers Wayne has…
- Petroleum Tankers
- Asphalt Tankers
- Propane Tankers
- Molasses Tankers
- Pneumatic Tankers
- Dry Van Trailers
If You Want To Drive One of The
Coolest Trucks On The Road!
P.S. Tell them Alex sent you
What type of training does Wayne Transports do?
Weekly Training
One of Wayne’s core values is safety. One of the ways they do this is to have their drivers watch a short safety video every week. Typically the video topic is related to driving safely, truck maintenance, or covering something that has happened in the fleet recently. The videos feature the safety director Paul and are about 3 to 5 minutes long. At the end of each video is a short 3-5 question quiz. The quiz isn’t too difficult considering they go over the questions in the video. A big benefit the company provides is that you can watch them on the provided E-log tablets. While it might be a little bit of a hassle to watch them; Wayne does compensate their drivers by giving a safety bonus at the end of each quarter.
On The Job Training
Over the years of working at Wayne transports, they had me work in both the dry bulk and asphalt departments. This helped me understand how they train their drivers throughout the company. Both departments used the same training procedures: new drivers had to practice with three different loads. Since we’re working with high-pressure tanks or 300-degree asphalt, I think this is a necessary evil. For my training, the dispatchers found one or two experienced drivers to show me how to safely load and unload the trailer. The trainers also taught me the fastest way to unload them. Overall, I felt like Wayne Transports had prepared me to succeed within their company.
Safety Tools for Drivers
One of the older drivers at Wayne told me a story that opened my eyes to our responsibility as truck drivers. He was hired at another company and noticed some cars in the parking lot covered in dust during his tour of the terminal. He asked the dispatcher, “Why are those cars so dusty?” The dispatcher’s reply was shocking: “Those belong to drivers who are in jail because of accidents.”
That story shook me. It made me realize how serious our job is. As professional drivers, every choice we make on the road matters. It’s not just about avoiding tickets; it’s about keeping everyone safe.
That’s why I appreciate that Wayne Transports takes driver safety seriously. Each truck is equipped with a front-facing camera that records traffic events. The camera is linked to an advanced AI system that analyzes our driving behaviors throughout the day, providing a “Driver score.” This score helps promote safer driving and can lead to higher safety bonuses for top performers. In fact, some drivers have turned it into a friendly competition, aiming for the title of the best driver at the terminal.
Time-Saving Technology
As professional drivers, we constantly face delays due to construction, traffic, or weather conditions. Wayne Transports recognizes these challenges and equips its fleet with the Drivewyze app on the company ELDs. This app allows drivers to bypass weigh stations, saving valuable time and increasing earning potential. Over the past two years, Drivewyze has saved me countless hours. While there are occasional drawbacks, such as DOT officers not always granting bypass approval and the app requiring internet access to function, most of the time, it enables me to bypass the weigh stations.
If you are tired of companies not caring about your safety and want a company that’s on your side…
P.S. Tell them Alex sent you
Other Companies Maintenance
Imagine this: You’re doing a routine pre-trip inspection at your terminal and notice a small oil leak under your truck. ” Thats not a good sign,” you think, and you promptly bring it over to the shop. The mechanic gives it a quick glance and says, “You’re good to go,” without actually fixing anything.
Reluctantly, you hit the road. Everything’s fine until you spot the flashing lights of a weigh station up ahead. ” Great,” you mutter. “I hope they don’t catch the oil leak.”
But sure enough, as you roll onto the scale, the dreaded “pull around” light comes on. The Dot officer approaches, begins his inspection, and stops. “What’s this?” pointing under the truck. “It looks like oil.”
“Yeah,” you admit, “I noticed that earlier.”
The officer shakes his head, writes you a ticket, and takes the truck out of service. Just like that, your day is derailed.
Unlike some places where issues can slip through the cracks, Wayne Transports is committed to addressing maintenance for their drivers…
Wayne's Truck Maintenance Overview
- Well Maintained Trucks
- Loaner Trucks Available
- Greased frequently
- Shops Close at 5:00 PM
- No Parts after hours
- Shops Can Fill Up Fast
Positives with the shop
My experience with Wayne Transports shop has been mainly positive. They understand that when trucks break down, it wastes time and costs drivers money. To prevent this, Wayne Transports has a maintenance program that keeps their trucks running smoothly. The trucks and trailers are greased and inspected every 5,000 miles or about two weeks. If the mechanic finds a bigger problem, they provide a loaner truck or give the driver the day off. Wayne Transports knows how important it is to maintain their trucks so they don’t break down or be put out of service.
Negatives With The Shop
There are some issues that they can improve on. One issue I’ve had with the shop is that only one shop operates 24 hours a day. This means we can’t get parts or minor repairs done overnight and have to wait until morning. Another issue is that the shops open on Saturday fill up quickly. During the summer, it’s convenient to get your truck and trailer greased while you are at home. But, in the winter, when trucks tend to have more problems, the shops fill up quickly, and it’s a hit or miss whether your truck gets serviced.
What Wayne Transports have done for me?
Working at a truck dealership had its ups and downs, but after a while, the downs started to pile up. Frustrated with my bosses in the sales department, a difficult breakup, and a lack of progress in my career had me left feeling stuck. I thought switching to the truck body department would be a fresh start, but after a few months, it became clear that wasn’t the answer. My life wasn’t improving, and I knew I needed a real change.
Until one sleepless night, I had a realization: I wanted to become a truck driver.
The very next day, I dove into research, looking for companies in my area that I could drive for. That’s when I discovered just how challenging it would be. Every company turned me down, saying I didn’t meet their minimum requirement of six months of over-the-road experience. Although I’d been driving trucks in the city for two years and had handled over a thousand different trucks in my job. It didn’t make sense, especially given the ongoing truck driver shortage during COVID.
But then I applied to Wayne Transports- a company I assumed wouldn’t even consider me due to their high standards. To my surprise, a recruiter called the very next day. We discussed my experience, and he understood that while I knew how to drive trucks, I didn’t have over-the-road experience. He spoke with the dispatchers, and soon after, I got a call: they wanted to give me a chance. Wayne transports offered me an opportunity no other companies were willing to give.
When I started at Wayne, I was a rookie to over-the-road trucking. The dispatchers understood this and guided me through the transition. They began by assigning me a manageable 200-mile run, helping me learn the ropes at a pace that made sense.
Like any new driver, my first year was full of challenges. I had to figure out trip planning, find truck stops, and loading and unloading trailers. But what stood out was how patient Wayne’s dispatchers were. They never expected me to max out my driving clock right away. Instead, they steadily increased my miles, allowing me to grow into the driver I am today.
Now, after plenty of time on the road, I’ve come to appreciate just how fortunate I was to find Wayne transports right off the bat. Fellow drivers have told me how rare it is to land at a company that treats its drivers this well from the start. Looking back, I couldn’t agree more. Wayne gave me the tools and time to become the best driver I can be, and I have no intention of ever leaving.
Overall Assessment Of Wayne Transports
Wayne Transports stands out as a dependable company that truly values its drivers, offering competitive pay and strong support for both new and experienced operators. Their commitment to safety, along with well-maintained equipment, ensures productivity while prioritizing driver well-being. Although some challenges come with being part of the trucking industry, Wayne Transports provides significant opportunities for growth and a rewarding experience overall. If you are seeking a reliable driving position in the Midwest, I highly recommend considering Wayne transports for your next career move.
P.S. Wayne Transports has been a pivotal part of my trucking journey. Without their support, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to drive for a professional trucking company. If you are looking for a new position in the industry, I highly recommend joining their team. You can apply here and start your journey with Wayne Transport today.
P.P.S. Tell them Alex sent you
