Commercial truck drivers transport products and other materials from point A to point B (to point C, etc., etc.). There are different types of truck driving jobs but most of them include some of the following bullet points in the job description:
Common Truck Driver Job Responsibilities
- Work more than the typical 40 hour work week.
- Track every move with an ELD/logbook.
- Check haul against an inventory sheet to make sure it’s all good.
- Loading and unloading the goods.
- Keep an inspection record of your truck.
- Map out route.
- Be away from home for extended periods of time.
- Pre trip inspections to be sure your truck is clean and in excellent condition.
Depending on which type of truck you drive will determine your exact duties. There are three different types of truck drivers: Owner-operator, company truck driver, and independent owner:
- Owner-operators either own their own trucks or lease from the company. If you are an owner-operator, you may pick up jobs through a few different companies, or you may work with just one.
- Company truck drivers work for a trucking company, usually driving the company truck to deliver their haul.
- Independent owners might own their own small fleet, or drive hauls themselves.
Training to Become a Truck Driver
You can train for a truck driving career in as little as a few weeks at some CDL schools. Many trade schools offer truck driver training classes as well. Some of the necessary requirements are on a state level, so you’ll need to check what exactly is expected from you.
- Most companies will expect you to have a GED, if not a high school diploma.
- You need to be 18 to drive in your state, and 21 to be able to cross state lines.
- Have a clean driving record.
- Take and pass a physical exam every two years.
- Get trained for your CDL through the hiring company, or find CDL training near you.
- Training lasts from a few weeks to a few months depending on which program you attend.
- Take your CDL test and get your CDL plus any necessary endorsements.
- Once you’re hired, you’ll receive more on-the-job training.
Use the search application to connect with a school.
Finding a Trucking Job
Although many website statistics state the employment growth for truck driving is expected to remain about average, the truth is there’s a crisis going on in the trucking industry. There’s a driver shortage and not enough people are going into trucking to step in and replace those who are retiring or moving on. As long as you have the proper training and licensing, and you meet your state’s criteria, you should easily find a trucking job.
How Much Money Truck Drivers Make?
You have be able to support yourself and your family in order to survive. If you decide truck driving is for you, you’ll bring home an average salary of over $55,990. Entry level, you’ll earn around $37,440 (salaries based on the most recent BLS data). Once you’ve established yourself in the industry, you can make $76,780 per year or more. Some of the higher paying trucking jobs are ice trucking, liquid hauling, specialty car hauling, and team driving which all come with larger salaries.
Helpful links and reference:
Highest paying: https://cdltrainingtoday.com/cdl-training-resources/job-placement/best-paying-trucking-jobs/
What does it cost from start to finish, to train for a CDL A?
R.A. It really depends on the school and the location. Literally, in the last month of research I’ve seen prices from about 2,500 to about 6,500. 2 k was probably a community college program in a less populated state.
This is a good article: https://www.cdlcareernow.com/articles/cdl-cost
There are a couple ‘company paid’ programs that are legitimate… Those by Roehl and Swift come to mind.