Becoming an OTR Driver

Become An OTR Driver.

Without OTR (Over The Road) truck drivers, a lot of the products that are used in the United States and Canada would not successfully get from point A to point B. The truck drivers responsible for hauling these products have to spend a lot of time on the road. The OTR driver must know how to handle the demands of the job and how to maneuver the big rig that he is driving. By properly preparing for a career as an OTR, you can become a valuable asset in the transportation industry.

Things You'll Need

• Physical
• Driver training
• Tuition
• Class A CDL
• HAZMAT endorsement

Instructions

1. Take a physical to ensure that you meet the minimum DOT (Department of Transportation) requirements for truck drivers. An example of the DOT requirements is that you must have at least 20/40 correctable vision for each eye, good blood pressure and sugar levels, with no needle-injected insulin. Be sure to get a certificate from the medical examiner showing the results of your physical.

2. Attend a CDL (Commercial Driver Training) school of your choice. This can cost you up to $4,000, depending upon the school. Do your research before attending a school to see what the school offers. For example, see if financial assistance is available to help with tuition cost. Check to see if the school has a driver placement program that guarantees you a job when your training is successfully completed. Check to see how many hours of hands-on training you will receive. Check to make sure the school uses the latest model trucks that are similar to the ones used by major trucking companies.

3. Obtain your Class A CDL (Commercial Driver's License) in the state for which you reside. To obtain your CDL visit your local DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles). The OTR training school will help you to prepare for the CDL exam.

4. Obtain a HAZMAT (Hazardous Materials) endorsement on your CDL. By having a HAZMAT endorsement on your license, the types of jobs that you qualify for will increase. You can apply for a HAZMAT endorsement through the US Transportation Security Administration's website (see link in "Resources"). You can also apply for a HAZMAT endorsement by visiting your local DMV. The DMV will forward your information to the U.S. Transportation Security Administration to be processed.

5. Get some experience driving tractor trailers locally. The more experience you have driving and maneuvering a tractor trailer, the likelier you are to be hired as an OTR driver. For example, some companies require 6 months of tractor trailer experience, while another company may require 2 years of experience.

6. Avoid getting major violations on your MVR (Motor Vehicle Report). Most companies will require a clean driving history over a certain period of time, for example, no major violations within the last 5 years.

7. Apply for an OTR job when you have gained 6 months to 1 year of experience. The amount of experience that is required by OTR trucking companies will vary by company.

References

• MTC Truck Driver Training: OTR Truck Driver Training
• Driver Solutions: DOT Qualifications
• US Deparment Of Transportation: Physical Qualifications For Drivers
• Transportation Security Administration: HAZMAT Endorsement Threat Assessment Program
• Truck Driving Schools: Tips & Pointers

Resources

• Top Driver Jobs
• Class A Drivers
• Big Truck Driving Jobs