Do you want to find a job that will give you a $35,000 income for the first year and the chance to travel all around the U.S? Then know that truck driving is the only way to go. Lately, truck driving has become quite popular. Today there are over 3 million people that drive for a living. Most people are not aware of the fact that 78% of the products they consume are handled by truck. This shows how importance truck drivers are in the marketplace.
Due to the level of responsibility required to drive a Big Rig, most companies are now asking for a few requirements before you can become a truck driver. One of the most common is to have completed your high school, or a GED (general equivalency diploma). Another common requirement is that the applicant has to maintain a clean driving record; if you have excessive moving violations and/or any DUI (Driving Under the Influence) convictions, it can disqualify you from trucking. The employers must also conduct pre-employment and periodic drug testing; failing this test can result in immediate termination.
Obtaining your CDL (Commercial Drivers License) to drive trucks over 26,000 lbs or any truck that transport hazardous materials can be a great advantage. To get this license you must pass a written and a driving exam to prove your ability to operate a commercial truck. Moreover, you will need to prepare and pass the FMCSR (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations) exam of the U.S Department of Transportation and; in addition to the written test, you must pass a physical exam (including vision and hearing screenings) every two years to maintain your qualifications as a commercial trucker.
If you feel this is very difficult to learn on your own, dont worry, there are many private schools which offer training to prepare potential truckers for the CDL exam, and they include a period of driving under the direction of a licensed truck driver. Likewise, you can contact your states Department of Motor Vehicles for the specific instructions on how to apply for the CDL.
Some companies will train you for free if you agree to drive for them, typically for a year. If you leave before that year, you may require full to partial reimbursement of the amount spent by the firm training you. Something really important for you to know is that truck drivers face a variety of choices when looking for a job in this industry: long haul or over the road driver, LTL city or road, refrigerated freight driver, tanker driver, oversize load driver, flatbed driver, doubles and triples, livestock driver and others.
Trucking is not an easy job. Truck drivers must learn how to deal with long hours of work away from their home places and friends; but it represents a big opportunity to get a stable, high-demanded and well-paid job that will come along with hundreds of new chances for your professional development.