Becoming a Trucker

Answer 1

Truck driving is a very popular career for many, especially those who enjoy traveling, and like being paid to do it. There are many different types of driving jobs available, it's just a matter of what you personally want to pursue. Truck drivers are considered a breed of their own. They like being their own boss in a sense, and enjoy the travel, meeting new people, and knowing that there is an enormous community of people just like them that they can relate to.

The choices are endless when it comes to trucking. You can be hired to haul things like groceries and meat, furniture, building materials, even explosives and nuclear waste. Most likely, you won't' start out hauling nuclear material, as that is very specialized and requires extensive training and experience, but everyone has to start somewhere. That's where truck driving schools come in. there are hundreds of companies across the nation that are looking for people interested in this field, and they will train you for it, and give you a job.

There is flat bed, dry van, reefer, and moving vans, to name a few. Dry vans and reefers are the big boxes you see semi's pulling. Moving vans are a box as well, but more specific. Flat beds are just that, a long flat trailer. They require the most physical work, due to the requirements of tying down the material loaded, and tarping, if required.

In general, the starting wage for a novice truck driver is .25 cents per mile (cpm). This is usually for brand new drivers, and after a certain amount of time, the rate goes up. On average, a dependable hard-working driver can make about $50,000 per year. If you think that trucking is for you, bear in mind that there are certain things you need to be aware of first. Most importantly, there are a few disqualifications by law that will prevent you from driving a truck, no matter how much you may want to. Those are generally insulin controlled Diabetes, (diet and pill controlled is acceptable), epilepsy, and blindness. If you pass those qualifications, all you need then is a positive attitude, good work ethic, and a clean record. You can still drive a big rig with certain types of violations of the law, but those vary greatly. Any prospective employer will ask you about which ones concern them and their insurance companies.

Answer 2

Becoming a trucker is a simple process: obtain a CDL and get a job. The CDL test is in two parts: a written and a hands-on test. To prepare for these tests, many drivers attend CDL training schools. For about a thousand dollars, a CDL instructor will prepare you for the state tests. Once you obtain your CDL, you need a job to utilize your skills. There are four basic load types which represent the sectors of trucking: loose, liquid, palletized, and equipment loads. Loose loads are pellets, chips, or granulates. Liquid loads are juices, fuels, or gases. Palletized loads are parts, groceries, or supplies. Equipment loads are everything from graders to jet engines. Each form of load requires different training and equipment and thereby represents a form of trucking.

But being a trucker is much more than driving a large vehicle. Weather, traffic, laws, and terrain can affect your job negatively or positively. Most of all, your employer impacts your job. Some companies treat their workers respectfully, pay good wages, give vacation, have retirement plans, use excellent equipment, and have abundant loads. Others may have the exact opposite. With the internet, you can research the reputation of a employer that needs your skills and apply for the best company's job. Trucker pay varies from company to company, but the average earnings for a trucker are slightly above 40 cents a mile. At 120,000 miles a year, the average yearly wages for a driver are close to $48,000. Again, your pay depends on your miles, experience, trucking field, and employer.

Truck driving is one of America's most diverse professions. Some drivers consistently find themselves in a new city; others traverse the same roads and deliver to the same businesses; still, others drive hundreds of miles but always end up at a company terminal. Regardless of the diversity present in the trucking industry, every driver has the same basic task: driving a huge American machine on the world's greatest highway system. By joining the men and women of this industry, you will become a part of the link that connects all major forms of transportation with many large and small businesses.