Become A Trucker

How To Become A Trucker

• Health qualification. There are basic health qualifications by the DOT regarding diabetes, high blood pressure, certain medications, hearing, eyesight.
  

• Make sure your driving record is clean. No more then 2 tickets or one at fault accident in the last three years. A company that hires a new driver has criteria set by their insurance company or safety policies in place . CDL drivers with less then 1 year experience are considered high risk and most companies require a minimum of 1 to as much as 5 years experience. Low paying companies often accept new drivers.

• Get a CDL learning permit at the DMV by passing a written test. Most truck driving schools require a CDL learning permit before enrollment. See what will be on the test.

3 Ways To Obtain A CDL

1. Rent or borrow a truck and trailer for the road test. If you manage to pass, your lucky. If you are able to obtain a driving job with out training you are once again lucky and should consider playing the lotto but you are IN GREAT DANGER ALONG WITH EVERYONE AROUND!
2. Choose a truck driving school.  Some community colleges offer a truck driving program. There are also commercial truck driving schools. Most schools take 3 weeks to complete the program. 8 hours of training a day M-F in both the classroom and truck/trailer. They have a network of truck companies that offer employment when you finish.
3. Company Sponsored Training Some would argue that this is the best training for truck drivers. The reasons are obvious. They are going to do the best in making sure they teach safety, and covering everything that could cost them money. (And they can be strict) They make sure all skills taught are mastered by students because they are the ones that assume full financial risk. I believe you will get a wealth of knowledge and conditioning by choosing a company sponsored program. They ask for a one to 2 year employment commitment depending on the company or they will charge you for the training. (They report to credit agencies if you don’t pay) If you run the country with out hurting your driving record,or getting fired, you will have a verifiable reference and can get a better paying job.

Is Trucking For Me?

NOTE: Most inexperience drivers are given one option, being an OTR (over the road) driver. (Why? Because there are many experienced drivers with flawless driving records that want home time every day so there is a pool of experienced truck drivers for a company to hire . Also, local rates are smaller, it’s an over saturated market with aged equipment and low bidding companies that can only afford to maintain a low overhead. Big companies need big revenue to pay for a big operation and wide customer base that span the nation. They are they ones that offer driver training.)

Is Trucking For You? Here is what is generally expected of  OTR drivers.

• Drive  2500-3500 miles a week day or night.
• Sleep in the truck.
• Use public bathrooms .
• Shower at truck stops. 100 trucks or more in the truck stop and few showers available.
• Eat everywhere else but not at home.
• Pay tickets if you make a mistake such as using a road with truck restrictions, getting fined up to $500.oo (NOTE: Tickets issued by DOT officers are higher then car tickets by several times and more) My company will allow 2 tickets every three years depending on the details. Cops target trucks! Texas and other states no longer  allow a plead deal for CDL holders even if you get cited in your own vehicle. Your record gets a mark. Spend big money on lawyers or stay on guard protecting your license.
• Drive in all weather conditions, you have to keep moving avoiding delays when ever possible.
• Stay away from home three weeks, earn 2-3 days home  before having to leave again.
• Work long hours. When a friend calls and told you he worked 70 hours that week you will think he had it easy. Just because you can’t legally log it doesn’t mean you will be resting and on your free will relaxing. Loads take time to load and unload by customers and sometimes you have to be available. They will care less about your rest. You also will get paid by miles ran, so if you delay, you might have to wait till the next day to find a new load and piss the company off if you do it more then a few times. They will cut you loose in a smart way blaming you to not have to pay unemployment or give you the worst loads to make you quit. Loading,unloading, breakdowns, dot inspections , faxes, showers, sitting and eating, to many rest room breaks, bad addresses, routes, weather delays and wrecks tie up time and often you will make it up by reducing rest.
• Drive on snow covered roads, steep mountain grades…tired at 2 am.
• A governed truck that won’t go faster then 65 or less.

I’m not trying to discourage you but our industry is flawed. Truckers earn their paycheck and are under paid when you see what it takes to earn a paycheck There are so many issues that can cost you what you earned by a simple mistake. You have to apply yourself ,make the effort and never put your guard down.  Trucks have limitations and handling characteristics and demand attention.  The feeling of achievement is rewarding after you master crazy challenges like New York City ,a snow storm, or making a tight delivery window. You’ll load and deliver somewhere different almost every time. You’ll meet new people everyday. However, your exposure on the road is begging for that one mistake that will cost you the job you worked hard to get. Cars will play with your truck daily figuring you are not willing to lose your job or get sued. Trucking isn’t a job, it’s a lifestyle.

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