How to Get Your CDL and Become a Truck Driver

Note: This article was originally posted at https://www.cdlcareernow.com/articles/why-trucking.

If you're someone who enjoys taking long drives, loves exploring winding roads with the windows down and your favorite music playing, you may want to consider a career as a truck driver. The trucking industry is very steady — and there happens to be a high demand for qualified drivers. As long as consumers continue purchasing merchandise, there will be a need for drivers to transport the goods to their destinations. So, if you're either fresh out of school, or simply looking to switch careers, trucking can be an excellent choice for you.

Train for your license at a CDL school near you.

HOW TO BECOME A TRUCK DRIVER

If becoming a truck driver seems like the job for you, there are some qualifications that you'll need to meet before you can get rolling. First, you'll need a high school diploma, or a GED equivalent. You must be at least 18 to begin training, and to travel within your state. However, if you want to drive regionally or across the country, you must be at least 21 years of age.

You will likely undergo a record check and/or drug screening. The trucking industry will need to ensure that you have excellent vision and hearing, hand-eye coordination, and be in great physical health. Federal regulations will prohibit the hire of individuals with certain medical conditions that would interfere with truck driving abilities and safety.

More specifically, you must be able to hear a whisper from 5 feet away (whether or not assisted by a hearing aid), and you must have at least 20/40 vision with a 70-degree field of vision in each eye. Most schools will require their students to get a physical exam before enrolling in classes.

For more information, check out the U.S. CDL Manual.

You will either need to attend a truck driving school or enroll in company sponsored training to get started toward earning your CDL. Whichever training you choose, you will learn how to safely operate your truck on a variety of landscapes like mountainous roads, hills, highways, and extremely crowded streets. You will also be taught certain maneuvers and different trucking techniques.

Drivers will become familiar with federal laws governing the trucking industry, FMCSA and U.S. DOT regulations, and more. There will be both classroom learning and training on the road. Everything you learn while in your training program (typically lasting between 3-6 weeks), should prepare you to take the CDL exam.

The CDL test will contain a knowledge-based portion of the exam and a road test. You must pass both to obtain your CDL. You must also have your social security card, or proof of legal residence in the U.S., complete an application stating you meet medical qualifications, and have an eligible driving record, to obtain your CDL once you pass your test. If you do not pass the CDL exam the first time, you must wait 24 hours before retaking it.

Once you’re hired, expect between 1-3 more months of on-the-job training. During this time, you’ll be mentored by an experienced driver and learn about the exact rig you will be driving, along with any specific company onboarding information.

Take the CDL Practice Test.

TRUCK DRIVING LIFESTYLE

Trucking is described by many as more of a lifestyle than a job. While most truckers enjoy the industry, there may be moments that require an adjustment period for new drivers. Truck driving impacts many aspects of your life. Here are some details to keep in mind when beginning your career in the trucking industry.

1. You’ll spend around 300 days per year on the road. That’s only 65 days you will get to spend at home. It could take up to two years before becoming a regional driver, they are generally home weekly. However, the more time you spend driving, the more money you’ll earn.
2. You must determine whether or not your personality is a good fit for the gig. You need to be patient, determined, independent, have a good work ethic, and demonstrate good judgement.
3. Truck driving allows the driver to see parts of the U.S., Canada, and even Mexico, that most people don’t. It’s no wonder that some truck drivers also become ‘professional tourists’ — particularly the ones who are not married with children!
4. Because trucking is such a lifestyle, the cabins of trucks come with many features to help keep you connected with your loved ones. Smartphones, tablets, and other technologies allowing for safe video chat mean that loved ones are a click away.
5. Not all truck stops are created equal. Some are nicer than others. Truckers who have been on the road a long time know which stops to go to and which ones to avoid. It’s a learning curve, and a right of passage for many truckers who are just starting out.
6. There is so much sitting involved with driving it can cause staying healthy to be difficult. Boredom can cause you to eat your way through your drive. Stockpiling unhealthy snacks is not uncommon for truckers either— but it doesn’t have to be that way. Drivers can find creative ways to stay fit and healthy while doing their job.
7. While the new trucks are luxurious and well-appointed, truck driving can, at times, be a lonely lifestyle. Make sure the long drives will not negatively impact your mental health, and try to socialize whenever possible.
8. There is a 125,000 mile per year expectation put on truck drivers. This is roughly 500 miles a day.
9. Driving a truck is not a 9-5 job. Some choose to get an early morning start while others like to drive through the night. The hours are up to you, as long as you get to your destination on time while also following the federal regulations.

TYPES OF TRUCKING JOBS

There is quite a variety of trucking jobs out there. Some pay more than others. Listed below are some of the top paying jobs for truckers:

• Liquid Hauling: Be prepared to haul hazardous waste as a liquid hauling driver. The job requires a special endorsement under the CDL license in order to travel with hazardous materials. The federal government, under the Patriot Act, requires the driver to go through a security threat assessment due to the nature of the materials they will be hauling. The driver also needs to have a clean record, with no felony convictions.
• Oversized Loads: Driving oversized loads will require special training and endorsements. Trucks designed specifically to haul the cargo they carry; with heavier, more dangerous cargo comes better pay.
• Ice Road Trucking: Ice road truckers mainly work across frozen, more remote, areas in Alaska and Canada. Their job is extremely dangerous, and only one for qualified and experienced truck drivers.
• Over The Road (OTR) Trucking: They travel long distances, and work many hours. OTR Trucking is considered one of the best trucking jobs. However, the driver must understand that for most of the year, their truck is their home. They deliver freight throughout the United States and even into Canada.
• Specialty Car Hauler: This is a niche that can prove difficult to get into. Hands-on-training is required. Transporting luxury cars or damaged cars is a part of the job, which pays fairly well.
• Dump Truck Driver: Mostly working on construction sites, dump truck drivers transport loose materials in an open-bed truck. They can also be found working at mines, and storage facilities. Coal, gravel, sand, and crushed rock are their passengers.
• Team Driving: Sometimes, working as a team is more efficient. And, that holds true with team driving, as long as you’re partnered with the right person. Working as a team can bring in a few thousand dollars more per year than driving solo.
• Food Service Drivers: Just as it sounds, food service drivers deliver to restaurants, supermarkets, and other food-related industries. Often, food service drivers get good home time, and still earn a favorable income. Food service drivers may need to unload their own freight.

Truck driving can be one of the most interesting, rewarding, and well-paying careers. It takes time to get acclimated but, once you do, you’ll be in an industry unlike any other.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A CDL SCHOOL

There are many truck driving schools out there — and many factors to consider when choosing your school. We partner with reputable truck driving schools nationwide.

Let's examine a few of the important details to consider when looking for a trucking school:

1. Make sure the school is accredited and licensed, it can affect your eligibility for employment.
2. What is the pass/fail rate both for class and the CDL exam.
3. Do they have job placement services? Schools with job placement opportunities can give students an advantage over schools without.
4. Do they prepare their students for the various driving conditions, such as interstate travel and beyond?
5. Is the ratio of student to instructor at least 1:4? Ensure the student to instructor ratio is adequate.
6. Learn about any hidden costs — free programs may not be accredited. Also, we advise drivers to avoid Mom and Pop operations.
7. The cost of schooling can range from $1,000 to $10,000, with the average falling between $5,000-$7,000.
8. Scholarships and grants are available through some schools, so check with the administration office to see if there are any offered at your school of choice.
9. Check into company sponsored training. Many company sponsored training programs cover training costs in exchange for a work contract. The work contract will be in effect for a specified amount of time after the student graduates.
10. Look into tuition reimbursement programs. With the truck driver shortage, some companies offer to reimburse a driver's tuition in exchange for employment.

There are three different CDL licenses drivers earn:

The CDL-A license allows drivers to travel OTR (and cross state lines), and operate trucks that weigh over 26,000 pounds.

The CDL-B license allows drivers to haul cargo up to 26,000 pounds.

The CDL-C license allows drivers to operate vehicles that are not classified as CDL-A or CDL-B, but are designed to transport 16 passengers or more.

TRUCKING JOB OUTLOOK AND SALARY

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that truck drivers earned an average of $55,990 in 2023, with the top 10 percent earning $76,780 or more. The BLS also states that industry demand for truck drivers is expected to increase 4 percent by 2032, which equates to about 241,200 job openings for truck drivers each year over the next decade.

With the newer federal regulations put in place for the safety of truck drivers, they are only permitted to drive a maximum of 60 hours in a week, or 70 hours in eight days. Between each shift, the driver must take off 10 hours for rest time, which has tremendously reduced truck-related accidents due to exhausted drivers. Truckers are expected to take a minimum of 34 hours off before starting their next seven to eight day shift.

Truck driving makes a great job for the adventurous individual. Explore your options and find truck driver training near you today!

References:

• Truck Drivers on BLS
• Types of Truck Driving Jobs
• Finding An Entry Level Trucking Job