Anderson Trucking Service will pay out $1 million in bonuses to drivers who have successfully completed a one-year lease with the Minnesota-based trucking company.


Since the program's inception, more than 1,400 drivers have made the transition from company driver to independent contractor by taking part in a 12-month lease with ATS. Upon completing their lease, each driver receives a cash bonus of $3,200 that may be used however the driver desires.

Many drivers choose to use the money as a down payment to purchase the truck they've been driving, or as a down payment on a brand new truck. Others decide to keep the cash bonus and begin another 12-month lease. ATS has drivers who are now entering into their tenth one-year lease, racking up $32,000 in completion bonuses so far.

ATS's year-long lease is designed to help drivers first test out being a contractor before making a multi-year commitment to buy a tractor. It also gives drivers a head start by requiring no fixed expenses for the first two weeks of operation. The equipment available for lease includes pre-certified 2005 or newer Freightliner, Volvo, International and Peterbilt tractors.

The program is set up to be as user friendly as possible for drivers, with features such as free plates and permits, guaranteed "fuel protection" plan, weekly settlements, a 30-day bumper-to-bumper warranty, 1-year drive train warranty, "Day-one" rider pass, with no money down and no credit check.