Reality Check: Why This Job Exists
Trailers in wrong spots cost warehouses money per hour. Logistics runs on tight schedules. Companies need yard jockeys to move 53-foot trailers constantly: pull empties from dock doors, back full ones in, reposition loads between staging areas.
Yard jockeys operate terminal tractors (small truck cabs) on warehouse property only. No customer contact. No deliveries. No public roads. Repetitive backing and docking.
Pay: $20–$26/hr non-CDL, $25–$32/hr CDL. Minimal background scrutiny. Companies offer free CDL training after 90 days to workers who perform.
Companies like Ryder, NFI, XPO, Amazon use non-CDL yard jockeys because insurance barriers are lower for private property operation. They assess backing skill, not 5-year-old convictions.
What a Yard Jockey Does
Docking/undocking: Pull empty trailers from docks. Back full trailers into dock doors for loading.
Shunting: Move trailers from staging to loading zones. Reposition based on shipping schedules.
Inspections: Check trailer seals. Document damage. Verify trailer numbers match paperwork.
Private property only (non-CDL): You never leave the lot. You operate on gated, private property. This is why non-CDL roles don’t require Commercial Driver’s License.
Environment: Outdoors in all weather. Climb in/out of cab 40–60 times per shift. Reverse trailers into tight spaces repeatedly.
Non-CDL vs CDL Yard Jockey Roles
| Feature | Non-CDL | CDL |
|---|---|---|
| License | Class C (standard) | Class A CDL |
| Driving Area | Private property only | Public roads between facilities |
| Pay | $20–$26/hr | $25–$32/hr |
| Insurance Scrutiny | Lower | Higher (DOT rules apply) |
| Background Barriers | Recent records pass easier | Conviction <5–7 years faces blocks |
| Drug Testing | Pre-employment only | DOT + random testing |
Insurance difference: Insurance companies bar felons from highway driving for 7–10 years post-conviction. Those same insurers have looser rules for private-property-only operation.
Non-CDL yard jockey work proves reliability without triggering insurance barriers that block CDL roles.
Why Yard Jockey Jobs Hire Felons
No customer interaction: You move trailers in a fenced yard. No homes. No deliveries. No trust-based relationships.
High turnover: Work is repetitive, all-weather outdoor labor. Workers who show up consistently outperform 40% of applicants who quit or no-show.
Performance is measurable: AI monitoring systems (Birdseye, SmartDrive, Lytx) track every move. Workers who dock 40 trailers per shift without accidents generate data proving safety. Companies prioritize performance data over 2018 theft charges.
No public trust factor: You perform mechanical tasks in a controlled environment. No money handling. No home entry. No public company representation.
Private property = lower scrutiny: Non-CDL roles face less insurance oversight. Less regulatory barriers. Faster hiring.
Requirements & Background Checks (2026)
Valid driver’s license: Cannot be suspended or revoked. Most check Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) going back 3–5 years.
Driving record thresholds:
- No DUIs in last 3–5 years (some companies: 7)
- Max 1–2 minor speeding tickets in last 3 years
- No at-fault accidents with injuries in last 5 years
Driving record weighs heavier than criminal record. A 10-year-old assault with clean MVR passes. A clean criminal record with 3 recent speeding tickets fails.
Drug testing: Pre-employment urine test (5-panel or 10-panel). Some companies do random testing. Marijuana disqualifies in all states. Safety-sensitive role.
DOT physical (sometimes): Large carriers (Ryder, Penske, NFI) require DOT medical card even for non-CDL. Basic physical exam. $60–$100, usually employer-reimbursed.
Background checks: 7-year criminal history standard. Violent offenses often pass. Theft and fraud trigger more scrutiny (trailer access = inventory access). Convictions <3 years face higher rejection rates than older ones.
2026 AI Monitoring
Yard jockey cabs have AI cameras that flag:
- Seatbelt violations
- Cell phone use while driving
- Speeding on property
- Unsafe backing
- Hard braking
System enforcement: Workers who cut corners or break rules get terminated by algorithm. System tracks all operators equally.
Workers on probation/parole benefit: compliance is documented, safety record is measurable, bias is reduced.
The CDL Bridge Strategy (90-Day Path to Free CDL)
Yard jockey roles provide access to free CDL training worth $4,000–$7,000. This converts $22/hr yard work into $60k–$80k/year trucking careers.
Step 1: Get hired as non-CDL yard jockey
Apply to NFI, DHL, Ryder, XPO, Penske, Amazon. Pay: $20–$26/hr.
Step 2: Perform without violations for 90 days
Show up on time. Avoid accidents. Follow safety rules. Zero violations.
Step 3: Request CDL training
Many logistics companies run “Dock-to-Driver” or internal CDL programs. They pay for training while you work. You owe 9–12 months service after certification. Competitive. Not guaranteed. Yard jockeys get priority over outside applicants.
Step 4: Complete Class A CDL training at no cost
Finish training. Get CDL. You now have tractor-trailer experience on resume. OTR companies view you as lower-risk hire.
Step 5: Move into truck driving or stay in yard
Transition to CDL truck driving ($50k–$75k first year) or stay in CDL yard jockey roles ($25–$32/hr with better benefits).
Why this path works: Avoids upfront CDL costs. Proves reliability before stricter CDL background checks. Employer sponsorship reduces insurance barriers.
Reality: Not all companies offer this. Ask during interviews: “Do you have internal CDL training? What’s the timeline and commitment?” No program? Yard jockey experience still transfers to other logistics companies.
Where to Find Yard Jockey Jobs (2026 Search)
Search these terms on Indeed, ZipRecruiter, LinkedIn (not just “yard jockey”):
- Non-CDL Spotter
- Yard Hostler (No CDL)
- Trailer Switcher
- Terminal Tractor Operator
- Warehouse Driver (On-Property)
- Shunt Driver
Companies hiring broadly:
- Ryder: Large logistics provider
- Penske: Truck leasing and logistics
- NFI Industries: Third-party logistics
- XPO Logistics: Major freight company
- DHL Supply Chain: Distribution operations
- Amazon: Yard operations at fulfillment centers
- Sysco, US Foods: Food distribution
Cold storage advantage: Refrigerated/frozen food warehouses struggle to fill yard jockey roles (freezing dock conditions). Workers willing to operate in cold face less background scrutiny than dry warehouse applicants. Pay: $22–$28/hr.
Pay, Shifts & Overtime
Non-CDL pay: $20–$26/hr. Higher in metro areas and union facilities.
CDL pay: $25–$32/hr. Specialized operations (ports, rail yards): $35–$40/hr.
Shift premiums: Night shifts +$1–$3/hr. Weekend differentials.
Overtime structure: 10–12 hour shifts (4 days/week) common. Overtime after 40 hours is time-and-a-half. Peak seasons: 50–60 hour weeks.
Schedule reality: Many operations run 24/7. Expect rotating shifts, nights, weekends, holidays. This conflicts with personal life but provides flexibility for probation/parole reporting.
Role Requirements Analysis
This role requires:
- Repetitive backing 40–60 times per shift in all weather
- Climbing in/out of cab 50+ times daily
- Operating in isolated, monitored environment
- Following strict safety rules with zero tolerance for shortcuts
- Working nights, weekends, holidays on rotating schedule
Workers who quit within weeks:
- Cannot handle physical repetition
- Have serious knee/back issues from frequent cab entry/exit
- Cannot tolerate extreme heat/cold outdoor exposure
- Struggle in high-pressure, fast-paced operations
- Violate safety rules caught by AI monitoring
Workers who complete 90 days without violations:
- Access free CDL training worth $4,000–$7,000
- Move into higher-paying CDL roles ($25–$32/hr)
- Gain tractor-trailer experience valued by OTR companies
- Build documented compliance record useful for probation/parole
Common Disqualifications
Motor Vehicle Record issues: Companies verify MVR easily. Lying about tickets or accidents results in immediate rejection. Recent DUIs (within 3–5 years) disqualify. Multiple speeding tickets disqualify.
Physical limitations ignored: Workers with bad knees or back problems who take yard jockey jobs quit within months due to cab entry/exit demands (60+ times per shift).
Assumption non-CDL = no screening: You still face background checks, drug tests, MVR reviews. Lower barriers than CDL, not zero barriers.
DOT physical skipped: Some companies require DOT medical card even for non-CDL. Workers with uncontrolled diabetes, vision problems, untreated medical conditions get rejected at physical stage.
No career planning: Workers who treat yard jockey as permanent role miss CDL bridge opportunity, logistics supervision path, warehouse management track.
Bottom Line
Yard jockey work is bridge employment. It converts warehouse labor into professional driving without CDL costs.
Annual earnings: $40k–$55k with overtime. Monitored environment. Satisfies probation requirements. Builds transportation experience.
This role provides:
- Fast income stabilization ($20–$26/hr non-CDL)
- Documented reliability in measurable system
- Access to employer-paid CDL training
- Tractor-trailer experience without public road insurance barriers
- Path into truck driving ($50k–$80k/year) after 90-day prove-out
Workers with recent records, insurance barriers, or no CDL school funds use this role to prove performance, access free training, then leverage into higher-income trucking careers.
Related: See our CDL Guide for full truck driving paths, Warehouse & Logistics Guide for foundation roles, or Forklift Certification for another equipment-based skill upgrade.