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21
Aug
4 Steps to Becoming a Truck Driver
The travel bug lives in all of us. But not everyone has the courage to let it shape their career. For some truck drivers, the call of the road takes a while to break down every barrier and wipe away excuses. But after an individual decides to follow childhood dreams of taking to the road, what are the required steps to land a truck driving job?
- Understand government and company requirements for truck drivers.
Truck drivers must have a Commercial Driver’s License to be allowed to drive a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV). Visit your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to learn more about federal and state requirements.
- Find, attend and complete truck driving training.
Remember what it was like to take driving lessons when you were 16? You struggled with parallel parking and backing up. But now, you need to learn how to maneuver an 18-wheeler. A truck driving school will teach you about making wide turns, looking out for motorcyclists, and maintenance.
- Obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
As with any licensing exam, you can find plenty of practice tests online to help with the written portion. If you’ve put in the hours at truck driving school then taking the CDL exam should be a piece of cake. If for whatever reason you don’t pass, refer to your state’s DMV website for requirements to retake the test.
- Apply for truck driving jobs.
The U.S. has a serious truck driving shortage at the moment. That means it’s easier than ever to land a truck driving job. A few well-known companies hiring truck drivers include Schneider, Old Dominion Freight Liner, Sysco, Walmart Trucking, and Acme Truck Line.
The Road Less Traveled
The truck driving life appeals to those bitten by the wanderlust bug, those drawn to the freedom of the open road, and those ready for a career change. Many experienced truck drivers made the career change in their 50s; some started in their 20s. Regardless of age or work experience, truck driving is a rewarding fresh start for many.
Reach out to the American Truck Driving School team to learn more about a career in truck driving.
Sources:
https://schneiderjobs.com/truck-driving-jobs/inexperienced/become-truck-driver
https://www.truckdriverssalary.com/best-trucking-companies-to-work-for/