How to Qualify for Trucking Jobs
More than 3 million Americans make a living driving trucks today: from big rig to small rig, from long haul to over the road, and freighters to tankers. Especially with a downed economy, truck driving can become your personal opportunity for finding a quick job. Qualifying for a trucking job is an easy process that does not require a heavy educational background. All you need are common sense and good driving skills.
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Instructions
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Apply to driving schools that prepare your for the commercial driver's license (CDL) exam. Operating a commercial motor vehicle have different mechanics and driving techniques than a standard car, such as driving up hill or turning on streets. The schools will also teach you unique laws specific to driving commercial vehicles such as weight and height standards, which lane you can or cannot be in, and so forth.
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Acquire a CDL. This allows you to drive commercial motor vehicles such as freighters, semi-trucks and transports holding toxic materials. You must pass both the written and driving tests specific to the CDL before acquiring this license.
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Pass the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation (FMCSR) tests. This is a requirement by the U.S. Department of Transportation independent from the DMV. The FMCSR exams consists of a written test and a physical exam consisting of vision, hearing and drug screenings. You must pass these tests every 2 years to be able to continue driving trucks.
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Keep a clean driving record. Employers will do background checks for things such as moving violations or DUI convictions. Having any negative points on your driving record may deter employers from hiring you to drive their trucks.
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Keep your references from any previous truck driving jobs. This will give you an edge when qualifying for truck driving jobs, as a good and established working history in truck driving will increase your chances for getting hired.
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Tips & Warnings
Different states have different regulations concerning CDLs. Contact your local DMV for a manual pertaining to commercial motor vehicle driving laws specific to your state.
