How to Become a Truck Driver?
Most companies require their truck drivers to have a high school diploma or equivalent. All long-haul truck drivers must have a commercial driver's license (CDL). Qualification requirements for a CDL vary by state but usually include passing a knowledge test and a driving test.
Drivers can obtain supplements to their CDL to prove their ability to drive specialized types of vehicles. Drivers of hazardous materials trucks (HAZMAT) must have a Hazardous Materials Driver's License (H).
Many prospective drivers attend professional truck driving schools, where they take training classes to learn how to drive large vehicles on the highway or on crowded streets. During these classes, drivers also learn the federal laws and regulations governing interstate truck driving.
What does a Truck Driver do?
Truck drivers transport goods from one place to another. Most truck-trailer drivers are long-haul drivers and drive trucks that total more than 26,000 pounds of cars, passengers, and cargo.Some truck drivers have one or two routes on which they drive regularly, and other drivers drive many ways across the country. In addition, some drivers have routes that include Mexico or Canada.Some long-haul truck drivers, also called owner-operators, buy or lease trucks and go into business for themselves.
Strict requirements for truck drivers:
Many people think that truck driving is an easy job. And the only reason people become drivers is that they lack talent. It's quite the opposite. The job of a trucker requires a lot of effort, which is why there are such strict requirements for drivers. This is one of the reasons why there is currently a shortage of drivers in the industry.
- Physical
Driving requires multitasking, which requires alertness. To be alert, you need to be in good physical shape. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires all drivers to pass a DOT medical examination before obtaining a commercial driver's license. During the physical examination, a doctor checks general health and every body system, marking it as normal or abnormal. This includes checking your urine, blood pressure, eyes, and hearing. At the end of the examination, you get one of three answers - you are allowed to drive for two years, you may be allowed to drive but with periodic monitoring, or you may be denied the right to drive a truck because you do not meet health standards.
- Psychological stability
After that, candidates undergo psychological tests that test their mental fitness for the job. Truck drivers must be patient and flexible. They can be on the road for ten hours a day, many days in a row. They may not see their family for months. It takes mental strength and adaptability. Also, unlike a regular office job, they won't be surrounded by people on the road. Drivers need to feel comfortable alone and not let loneliness overwhelm them.
- Mechanical knowledge
Last, but not least - knowledge of mechanics. Truck drivers should have a basic understanding of the truck's engine and mechanics, so they can fix minor problems, such as changing a light bulb. In most cases, drivers don't have a manager or supervisor they can ask for advice in the event of a breakdown. They have to be on their own and find a solution on their own. The more a truck driver knows about mechanics, the better for him and his package.
These may seem like common requirements, but they are only the most basic of necessities. It's funny when you think about the fact that a huge part of the economy depends on people with these characteristics. And it has become a problem. According to various reports, the industry is currently short 50,000 to 90,000 drivers. However, according to the American Trucking Association, there will be a shortage of 175,000 truck drivers in the United States by 2026. And that shortage of drivers is already causing order delays and making goods more expensive as trucking rates rise.
If, after all, you still dream of jumping into your truck and rushing to wherever the customer tells you, then you are exactly the right person for us!Our New Sound Trucking School will properly prepare you for the challenges of being a real truck driver!