If you are interested in learning how to become a truck driver, there are some things that you need to know before you begin your process. There are a few basic requirements that some trucking companies insist upon. By knowing in advance, what will be required, how to go about getting the training and how to secure a job with a good trucking company, you will be on your way to reaching your goal quicker. If you want a detailed insight to becoming a truck driver, I suggest you read the book below. It only cost $2.99 and the education that you get will last a lifetime.
So You Want To Be A Truck Driver
Basic Requirements For New Truck Drivers: Some companies require that their drivers have a high school diploma or a general equivalency degree. While not all companies make this mandatory, most do. If you don’t currently have yours, it may be a good idea to take the test and add it to your resume.
Clean driving record: Trucking companies trust their drivers with their valuable freight, so it’s important that your driving record reflects the fact that you are a safe and capable driver. Outstanding parking tickets are not so much a problem. Reckless driving, driving under the influence and several accidents may become an issue when you apply, so take care to avoid any unnecessary marks on your driving record.
Get your Commercial Driving License (CDL): Each state has its own set of requirements, so you’ll need to check with the Department of Motor Vehicles about the specific laws that apply to your state. This consists of passing a written exam regarding equipment and laws. An inspection of the vehicle that you will use to demonstrate your driving skills is conducted to ensure that the vehicle passes all safety requirements, and then you will be allowed to take the test with a certified driving evaluator. Attending a driving school to learn these valuable skills is the most popular and effective option. Just as you are now, you can also find a lot of useful information from websites like Truckers Logic. Just make sure that the information you get is accurate.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation Exam: You must pass this exam in order to maintain your CDL. This includes vision and hearing tests that are conducted every two years. The first time you take this exam, you will be required to pass a written portion, but in the following years, only the physical exams are required. Again, Truckers Logic and other websites do have information on this exam. Take the time to study and learn for this test so you only have to take it once. Make sure you have your hearing aides and glasses if you have conditions that limit your hearing and vision.
Selecting A Truck Driving School For Training: The best way to find a quality truck driving school that will help you achieve your goals without stealing your money is to go through the American Trucking Association for recommendations. It’s important to ensure that the school you select is approved and offers legitimate credentialing. In addition, you’ll want to compare the costs of each program as this type of training can be expensive.
What To Expect From Training School: Truck driver training schools are designed to help you to achieve the necessary skills and knowledge that you will need to not only pass all of the required tests and exams, but also to teach you about all of the details that go into a job as a truck driver. In additional, one of the most important things that you will learn is how to operate a truck safely in all weather and road conditions. With experience, you’ll get better at driving in such conditions. As a truck driver, the key is always driving defensively.
Surviving Truck Driver Training School
There will be both classroom sessions and hands on driving experiences. The classroom component will provide you with the head knowledge that is needed prior to operating a truck. Hands on driving will give you the experience of operating a truck under supervision of a qualified instructor initially, who will give you advice on how to properly handle the vehicle in different scenarios.
Safety procedures will be highlighted as well as the laws that regulate the trucking industry. Other information such as how to pass vehicle inspections, hours of service allowed and how to enter the required information into logbooks, to keep you within the operational boundaries of the law.
After Graduation: After you graduate from truck driving school, you will be given a written and road test to assess your knowledge of the laws, regulations and safety measures pertaining to truck driving. You will be given tests that will allow you to gain endorsements for certain types of driving. These include combination vehicles (semi), air brake, tank vehicle, school bus, passenger, doubles, triples and hazardous materials. By securing multiple endorsements, you are increasing the chances of being hired by a major trucking company. After passing all of your exams and securing your endorsements, you can congratulate yourself on achieving the goal of becoming a professional truck driver.
Conclusion: The pathway to becoming a truck driver consists of maintaining the best possible driving record, obtaining your high school diploma or GED, and setting aside the required funding for truck driving school. Use the ATA to help you to select the best quality driving school. After completing your classroom and hands on driving work, you will graduate and be ready to take the required exams to earn your CDL and any endorsements that you choose. Multiple endorsements will make you a more attractive employee for major trucking companies. The process can be expensive and at time, exhausting. The path is also very rewarding.
I know that learning how to become a truck driver can be a lot to take in at once but you’ll get the routine down before long. Trucking is a growing industry, truck drivers get paid great and you can venture off to become your own boss as an owner operator. The sky is the limit. If your serious about wanting to become a truck driver, go for it!
