CDL jobs outlook — are companies actually hiring new drivers with no experience?

I'm about halfway through my CDL training and my biggest fear is finishing the program and not being able to find a job because I have zero professional driving experience. I keep seeing job postings that say "2 years experience required" and it's discouraging.

I did some digging and the reality is more encouraging than those postings suggest. The trucking industry has a structural driver shortage — the ATA estimates a shortage of 80,000+ drivers — which means companies that post "experience required" often still interview new CDL holders. Entry points tend to be: OTR (long-haul with a major carrier), local delivery (Amazon, UPS, FedEx), or dedicated routes for manufacturing and retail companies.

New CDL driver starting pay has also jumped significantly. Regional OTR starters are seeing $0.48-$0.58 per mile now, which translates to solid income quickly. I've been practicing with CDL general knowledge practice tests to make sure my permit is solid before I finish the skills portion, since employers do check permit test scores at some schools.

Anyone successfully land a trucking job as a brand new CDL holder? What carrier and what was the interview process like?