Have you ever wondered what steps you need to take to start driving trucks? What certifications will I need, is there a school I attend to get these certifications, how many hours will I be expected to work, what do I get paid and how much, what kind of jobs in trucking are there? Trucking is such a common practice to see in our day-to-day life, but few people know the details of getting into the business. In this article, we want to outline the details and help teach the uninformed what moves such an integral part of our economy.
WHERE TO START
So where do you start the process of becoming a truck driver?
STEP ONE in learning to drive Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs), is obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in your state.
STEP TWO is finding a truck driving school. Once you meet the basic requirements, truck driving school/CDL training will prepare you for the CDL knowledge and skills tests.
STEP THREE is paying for truck driving school. Once you’ve selected the truck driving school of your choice, it’s time to determine how you’ll pay for training. Tuition reimbursement, up-front paid training, other aid, grant funding, and more options are all available to you. Whatever your financial circumstances, you can start school with relative ease.
STEP FOUR is getting your job truck driving. A CDL is your key to accessing a huge variety of truck driving jobs. There are many different employers/recruiters you can talk to about your options and getting hired. Each of these options should quote you pay and estimated work hours, so you can get the details up front.
JOBS IN TRUCKING
So once you have a CDL, what kinds of jobs do these special licenses qualify you for? The answer is quite a bit. Beyond the obvious jobs in trucking, you can look into working as a Highway Maintenance Tech, Engineering Equipment Operator, Construction Equipment Operator, Bus Driver, Tractor Trailer Technician, Terminal Manager, and Delivery Driver. You can find some more details from this article on advance career institute and each of these positions either requires the CDL or having a CDL greatly helps an application. Getting your CDL can even be a good option for someone outside of the trucking field or keeping your CDL may prove beneficial when trying to switch careers.
If you wind up starting your path towards truck driving and need a truck, we have some advice on where to start looking.
