How to Become a Big Rig Truck Driver

Becoming a truck driver can be a great career choice for those who want a secure and well paying career. Truck drivers get to travel across the country and find security in knowing that they work in an industry that makes the economy go.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• To obtain your Class A commercial drivers license
• Decent driving record
• At least 20/40 vision in each eye

1. Enroll in a truck driving school. The truck driving school will train you in all you need to know about driving big rigs and prepare you to get your Class A commercial drivers license.

2. It would be a good idea to check if the truck driving school is certified to guarantee to yourself that the school is a guarantee of good quality. Many schools are not certified but you may feel better about the school if they are.

3. Ask the truck driving school how much time you will spend behind the wheel. Many times, the schools will tell you how many hours their class is but you want to make sure you have enough time behind the wheel to get the feel and experience of driving a truck. You don't want to finish the class and not feel comfortable behind the wheel.

4. If you don't have the money to attend a truck driving school, you may want to ask the schools about payment plans, many truck driving schools will loan you the money for their school and let you make a payment plan. Inquire about this when talking to them.

5. You will need to pass the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) exam, administered by the United States Department of Transportation. You'll also have to pass a physical exam. The physical exam will need to be taken every two years, you will be given a little green card to carry with you at all times when you are driving. Your truck driving school will let you know about these requirements and when you are ready, set you up to pass your written test and driving test for your Class A commercial drivers license.

6. Once you have completed your truck diving school, you will have obtained your Class A commercial drivers license. This is your license that shows that you can handle a big rig on the road and is what you need to get hired as a truck driver. Some schools will help you hook up with employers after you have received your Class A license.

7. You can then go job hunting by searching your local classifieds section for truck driver jobs or you can search the Internet. Truck drivers are always in high demand and you should have no problem finding opportunities out there. Many employers are more than willing to hire new drivers.

Tips & Warnings

• You may want to get your endorsements such as your hazmat endorsement, passenger endorsement, doubles/triples endorsement, tank endorsement or any others that you may need. Having these endorsements will make you more employable by a company that requires their drivers to have these. Bring up endorsements at your truck driving school if they don't mention it.
• There are some truck driving companies that will train you absolutely free. You will have to work for them for a required time such as a year or two.
• Although there are some companies that will hire you without a high school diploma or GED, you will greatly increase your chances at getting a better job if you have it.
• Truck drivers sometimes spend a lot of time away from home. If you want to find a truck driving job where you can go home every night, your going to want to find a local truck driving job. Local driving pays less than a OTR driver who travels from state to state and sometimes across the country.
• If you have lots of moving violation tickets or a DUI on your driving record it may be difficult for you to get a truck driving job.