How to Start Out as a Commercial Truck Driver
Commercial truck drivers are responsible for transporting goods from warehouses to places all over the country. Trucks are a more flexible form of transportation than planes, boats, or trains. Truck driving is a physically difficult job due to the long hours, little sleep, and heavy lifting. The best commercial truck drivers are healthy, friendly and fit. Many truckers drive long distances and there are not many jobs for drivers who want to drive locally.
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Instructions
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Earn your commercial driver's license (CDL). You can take preparation courses at local vocational and technical schools. In CDL prep courses you will learn how to drive large vehicles in traffic. You will also learn how to inspect your truck to be sure that it complies with regulations. The test will include around 30 questions and you must have a score of 80 percent or higher. There is also a practical driving component to the test.
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Pass a medical examination. Truck drivers must have a physical examination every two years. They need to have good hearing and eyesight (with or without glasses) and they cannot be colorblind. They also need to have regular use of their limbs and normal blood pressure. If you have diabetes or epilepsy, you cannot be an interstate truck driver.
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Be a person that trucking companies want. Many firms want drivers who are older than 22 years old and can lift heavy loads. They also prefer drivers who have graduated high school. The best drivers will interact well with people, have initiative, act responsibly, and work independently.
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Find a job. Look in the newspaper and on line for "trucker wanted" ads. You can also call shipping companies and warehouses to see if they are hiring new truck drivers. Truck jobs can be found more easily in big metropolitan areas and in places where there are wholesale distribution outlets.
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Get additional training. Employers give their new drivers additional training either through classroom instruction or by matching them up with an experienced driver to train them on the job. You will learn how to load a truck properly, how to fill out delivery forms, and other general information.
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Tips & Warnings
Try listening to books on tape to keep from being bored during long drives.
Recognize how difficult a job as a truck driver is. Most drivers work alone and often spend nights and weekends away from their family and home.
References
- Photo Credit truck image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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These are accurate steps. However there is a lot more to know. Truth of the matter is everyone is not built for the trucking lifestyle. Even if you are compatible for the trucking lifestyle, if you are in a relationship, make sure your spouse is also ready for the ride. Many of you will be lied to about being able to get home every weekend as a new driver. DO NOT buy into that line. It is unlikely unless you know someone at a smaller trucking company who is going to hire you under those conditions. After a year you can find that type of position or a regional job depending on where you live. The other big thing to be aware of is the pay. Your first year salary will be on average $30,000. I know many of you have been told more. I have been doing this for years. Trust me, don't bank on more than $30,000. If you make more, good for you. What I see happen is some new drivers "semi" budget for $40,000 dollars because that is what they were told they would make. At the end of the year they are in debt. So, save every penny you can when you get out on the road. You don't know if you will have a good effective dispatcher or one who doesn't care about his job which means you won't get miles. I am not here to be a spoiler, just want you to be more aware of what to expect so you can be prepared. Best of luck, Hervy
