How to Get Truck Driving Jobs

Truck driving jobs require rigorous labor, but the rewards are definitely worth the effort. Trucking jobs offer drivers great pay, wonderful benefits, the opportunity to see their family typically on a nightly basis, an opportunity to see the entire country, and incredible job security. Truck drivers begin their careers earning approximately $40,000-45,000 and this number will rapidly increase as the driver sticks with a company for a couple of years and develops a reputation for being a safe, dependable truck driver. A safe truck driver will never have to worry about finding a job, as trucking companies hire recruiters who are constantly focused on finding new drivers. As long as our national economy is functioning, truck drivers will always be high demand.

Many people are confused about how to qualify for truck driving jobs. To become a licensed truck driver, a driver must consider these requirements:

1. The driver must be at least 21 years old. This is to show that he are matured enough to handle such large vehicles and interact with the police and the public.


2. He must also be in good physical condition. It is expected of a driver to have good hearing, a 70-degree field of vision in each eye, and at least 20/40 vision with corrective lenses or glasses. A truck driver also cannot be colorblind.


3. A prospective driver must also pass the CDL exam which consists of a written test on the rules and regulations and a demonstration that the driver can safely operate a commercial truck.


4. A driver must also have a good driving record to qualify. A excessive amount of traffic violations will prevent a company from taking a risk in hiring a driver.


5. He must also not have a history of conviction of felony related to the use of a motor vehicle. This generally includes crime related to possession of drugs or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The driver must also not have been involved in a hit-and-run accident which led to death or injury.


6. A driver must also be able to speak and read English. This skill is imperative to prepare reports, read road signs, and communicate with the public and the police.


7. Due to the nature of the job, a driver must be able to lift heavy objects. Though the duty of a truck driver does not directly involve lifting heavy objects, there are often times cases where the driver might be involved in such activities. This could especially become important when he finds himself under unexpected circumstances on the highway.

The most effective method of passing the CDL exam is to attend a reputable driving school. These driving schools are scattered all throughout the country and can be either government run or privately run. One good thing about truck driving schools is that a driver will be taught the necessary things that are generally learned only through personal experience on the road. In some cases, a trucking company may even sponsor a driver to get him through driving school, but this usually requires that the driver work for the company for a set number of months. This could be a great opportunity for new drivers as it is extraordinarily difficult to get a truck driving job without an available work history.

There are different types of driving jobs in the transportation industry, each requiring different levels of skill to handle each class of vehicle. Though advancements in technology in communication through cellular phones and the internet has made it possible for people to share information between one another without the need to physically transport themselves, it is still necessary for physical goods to be transported using motor vehicles. This is where the services of truck drivers come in, and it is still necessary to understand the different jobs that are available in this field, especially if a driver is interested in being part of the system.

These are some of the popular types of driving jobs:

1. Pick-up and Delivery (P&D)- Truck drivers operate heavy, medium or light trucks and work in pick-up and delivery or route-sales operations. The drivers have constant contact with customers. In most cases, it is required for the driver to have some skills in sales and marketing.


2. Hazardous Materials Drivers- This is a driving job that requires the transportation of materials that can be very dangerous if they are not properly handled. The driver will require additional training to be involved in this field. He is going to be taught the necessary things on how to properly handle the materials and what to do during emergency.


3. Long-Haul/Over the Road Drivers- This is a driving job that requires operating heavy trucks and driving for long periods, especially from one state to another or from one country to another country, especially in the case of between US and Canada. The job is very demanding, as a driver may be required to spend many days away from his home and family. To reduce the burden of being lonely, some drivers may even work in teams with a member of the family, such as his wife.


4. Specialized Trucking- This driving job requires a driver to handle trucks containing sensitive, oversized, or unusual items. It also involves traveling to long-distant locations. Some examples of the trucking are dry bulk carriers, auto carriers, (permitted) oversized and overweight loads, or triple and double trailers.


5. Construction Site Driving Job- This driving job requires the driver to handle big construction vehicles that are used on construction sites. He will be required to handle vehicles such as bulldozers, dump trucks, front loaders, backhoes/excavators and cranes. This job requires a special permit and training to handle the different materials that you will be moving from one location to another.

Many opportunities exist for truck drivers from small cities to big ones, and if a driver is doing his research properly, he will always come across different types of driving jobs that require the handling of different types of vehicles.