How can I Become a Truck Driver?
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In order to become a truck driver, it is necessary to obtain a high school diploma or pass the General Educational Development (GED) test. Although some trucking companies will hire an individual without a high school diploma or GED, the majority of companies prefer someone with this qualification. Aside from completing high school, it is also necessary to keep a clean driving record in order to become a truck driver. Those with several moving violations or convictions for driving under the influence are automatically disqualified from truck driving.
In order to become a truck driver, it is also necessary to obtain special licensure. The licensure required to be a truck driver is called a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). The CDL allows a truck driver to drive a truck weighing over 26,000 pounds (11,793 kg). It also permits the truck driver to drive a truck that transports hazardous materials. In order to get a CDL, one must pass a written test as well as a driving exam. Both tests are intended to demonstrate the driver’s ability to drive a commercial truck.
After obtaining the CDL, a person wishing to become a truck driver in the United States also needs to pass the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) exam, administered by the United States Department of Transportation. The person wishing to become a truck driver also has to pass a physical exam that includes hearing and vision screenings. In addition, the truck driver needs to take this test every two years in order to maintain licensure.
In order to prepare for the exams necessary to become a truck driver, many individuals choose to attend a truck driving school. While attending a truck driving school, students receive classroom instruction. In addition, students drive under the direct supervision of an instructor.
Some trucking firms pay for coursework and examinations for those who agree to be a truck driver for the company for a specific period of time. In most cases, this period of time is one year. Those who leave the company before the agreed upon period of time is complete are obligated to reimburse the company for all or part of the fees.
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New: Discuss this ArticlePosted by: semisweet
There has been some discussion lately that the DOT will require the education of future truck drivers at accredited schools and increase the length of the required hours to 120 total hours of classroom and behind the wheel training combined.
Posted by: Flywheel1
The question: How much money do truck drivers make?
A beginning full-time driver (just out of training) should make upwards of $30,000 the first year. If you keep your personal road expenses under control and don't request large advances for every trip you can make a decent living driving a tractor-trailer over the road.
Flywheel (1973)
Posted by: anon4390
How much money do truck drivers make?
Posted by: semisweet
In some states, the local or junior colleges offer truck driving instruction as part of their non-credit vocational classes. These classes usually run the entire length of the semester, and are more comprehensive. There is more study of a variety of laws concerning driving, for instance individual state law variances, US law vs. Canadian law for those who will have to cross the border as part of their job, the DOT rules and regulations, hazmat rules, etc. There is also more behind-the-wheel training.
Students who attend a local or junior college for their truck driving instruction pay less for the education because these schools are state funded, and the students pay only for the school's enrollment fees and their own books and materials. Additionally, the student is not obligated to any one particular company to work for them for a period of time.
When the aspiring truck driver successfully completes the junior college course, he or she is better qualified and more knowledgeable than those who attended a 4-week commercial truck driving school.
The junior college/community college option is one that will take longer to complete, but the cost to the driver is substantially less, and the quality of the education is much higher.
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Shannon Kietzman
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