A company may advertise a rider or pet policy publicly, but the details can still change depending on the division, freight account, insurance requirements, equipment type, or whether the driver is still in training. Several national carriers currently publish pet or passenger policies on their company websites.

Prime Inc.

Prime publicly states that associates may bring one passenger and one pet. Company drivers are subject to pet weight restrictions and refundable pet deposit requirements, while independent contractors follow different pet rules.

Crete Carrier Corporation

Crete Carrier, along with Shaffer Trucking and Hunt Transportation, publicly lists a no-cost rider policy for one approved passenger. The company also allows up to two cats or dogs with a combined weight limit through its pet policy.

Roehl Transport

Roehl publicly promotes both rider and pet programs, including its Pet Passport Program for approved pets traveling with drivers.

Wilson Logistics

Wilson Logistics publicly advertises a pet policy without breed restrictions, pet deposits, or weight limits for qualifying over-the-road and regional drivers.

Schneider National

Schneider publicly references both pet and rider programs, although requirements can vary depending on the driving position and account assignment.

Drivers should still confirm the exact rules tied to the specific position they are being hired for, instead of assuming every fleet or division follows the same standards.

Passenger Rules Can Change Depending on the Freight Account

One issue many drivers discover after orientation is that passenger approval may depend heavily on the freight account itself.

A carrier may allow riders on standard over-the-road freight while restricting passengers on tanker operations, government freight, cross-border routes, customer-specific dedicated accounts, or training trucks.

Some companies also require:

Signed passenger authorization forms
Approval through safety departments
Clean driving records
Waiting periods after hire
Minimum passenger age requirements

These restrictions are often tied directly to insurance coverage and customer freight agreements rather than local terminal preferences.

Because of that, drivers should ask detailed questions before orientation instead of relying only on recruiting summaries or older online discussions that may no longer reflect current policies.

Pet Programs Often Feel Different Once Daily Operations Begin

Pet programs can also look very different in real daily operations than they do on recruiting pages. Some carriers allow only dogs, while others permit both dogs and cats. Deposits, vaccination requirements, and pet weight restrictions remain common throughout the industry.

Before joining a fleet because of a pet policy, drivers should verify:

Whether deposits are refundable
If multiple pets are allowed
Whether pets can remain in the truck during deliveries
How equipment damage is handled
Whether lease operators follow separate requirements

Scheduling also affects how manageable a pet program feels over time.

Drivers hauling long-haul freight through hot weather may need to think carefully about truck cooling during stops, parking availability, veterinary access while away from home, and breakdown situations where pets may temporarily need accommodations outside the truck.

Those situations are usually easier to manage when the carrier already has clear procedures in place instead of handling issues individually after problems happen.

The Best Program Usually Depends on How the Driver Operates

A pet or passenger policy that works well for one driver may not fit another operation nearly as well.

A solo over-the-road driver spending several weeks away from home may place heavy value on a flexible rider program, while someone running dedicated retail freight with constant unloading appointments may find passengers harder to manage during daily operations.

Drivers should also verify whether policies differ between:

Company drivers and lease operators
Regional and over-the-road fleets
Training trucks and solo assignments
Dedicated freight and open dispatch operations

The more clearly those questions are answered before hire, the easier it becomes to compare carriers realistically instead of relying on broad recruiting promises.

For truck drivers planning to stay on the road long term, understanding how a pet or passenger policy works during normal day-to-day operations usually matters far more than simply seeing “pets allowed” listed in a job advertisement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which trucking companies publicly advertise both pet and passenger programs?

Prime, Crete Carrier, Roehl Transport, Wilson Logistics, and Schneider all publicly reference some form of rider or pet program on current recruiting and driver information pages.

Do all trucking companies use the same pet deposit rules?

No. Some carriers require refundable deposits, while others advertise pet programs without deposits or weight restrictions.

Why do some trucking divisions restrict passengers even when the carrier allows riders elsewhere?

Dedicated freight contracts, hazardous materials operations, customer security requirements, and insurance restrictions can all affect rider approval.

Can passenger rules change after a driver is hired?

Yes. Insurance providers, freight accounts, and company safety policies can all affect rider and pet rules over time.

What should drivers verify before choosing a carrier because of a pet or passenger program?

Drivers should confirm account restrictions, passenger approval timing, deposit policies, training rules, pet limits, and whether requirements differ between fleets or divisions.

For drivers spending extended periods away from home, pet and passenger programs can make a major difference in everyday life on the road. The carriers that usually create the fewest surprises are the ones that clearly explain the details upfront instead of leaving drivers to discover restrictions after orientation begins.

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use.

Last updated: May 19, 2026

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