The Complete Guide That Makes Becoming a Truck Driver Simple

In recent months, some experts have suggested that the truck driver shortage that’s going on throughout the country right now is “overblown.” They’ve said that it’s not nearly as bad as some reports indicate that it is.

But overblown or not, there is a truck driver shortage in the U.S. at the moment to some degree. And that means that it’s the perfect time for you to go through the process of becoming a truck driver if it’s something that you’ve always wanted to do.

Are you interested in making your big break into the trucking industry? If you believe that becoming a truck driver is one of your best career options, you should set out to do it today.

Here is how to become a truck driver and reap the rewards of doing it.

Start by Finding Out What It’s Like to Work as a Truck Driver

If you enjoy driving and you don’t mind traveling around the country on a regular basis, then you might think that becoming a truck driver would be the perfect career move for you to make. But prior to becoming a truck driver, you should make an effort to see what it’s really like to drive trucks for a living.

You can do this by:

• Reading up on what life is like as a truck driver
• Talking to those who already work as truck drivers
• Speaking with a truck driving school about becoming a truck driver

The more you’re able to find out about becoming a truck driver, the better off you’ll be. It’ll help you decide if working as a truck driver will be your best career option in the end.

Make Sure You Qualify to Be a Truck Driver

Not everyone is going to have what it takes to become a truck driver. And we mean that in both a literal and a figurative sense.

To become a truck driver, you’re going to need either a high school diploma or a GED. You’re also going to need to have a driver’s license and a clean driving record.

Additionally, you will have to be in good physical shape to become a truck driver. You don’t need to be an Olympic athlete or anything. But your job will involve some manual labor, so you’ll need to be able to pick up heavy items and move things around.

Begin Training to Become a Truck Driver

Once you know that you’re qualified to become a truck driver, you can start your truck driving training. You can take training courses to become a truck driver at a:

• Community college
• Private truck driving school
• Trucking company

You should look around at the different options in your area to get some sense of how you can train to become a truck driver. You should pick the one that offers the most convenient courses and, ideally, the one that will help you land a trucking job after you’re all finished going through your training.

Earn Your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

You’re going to learn a little bit of everything as you train to become a truck driver. From how to actually drive a truck to trucker safety, you’ll cover a variety of topics.

But the main purpose of training to become a trucker will be to earn your commercial driver’s license, which is more commonly referred to as a CDL. You’re going to have to pass an exam to get your hands on the CDL that you’ll need to drive a truck.

You might also want to look into getting different CDL classifications. You can earn A, B, and C classifications when getting your CDL. The CDL-A classification is usually the go-to for many truckers since it’ll allow you to carry the largest loads possible.

Look for Jobs Within the Trucking Industry

After you get your CDL, you’ll officially be a trucker. The only thing that you’ll have to do from there is begin to look for jobs within the trucking industry.

The good news is that these jobs shouldn’t be too hard to find. Thanks to the trucker shortage, there are always lots of companies looking to bring new truckers on board to drive for them.

Don’t settle for just any trucking job, though. Search for one with the best trucking company in your area. It’ll make a big difference in how your first few months on the job go.

Gain the Necessary Experience to Become the Best Trucker You Can Be

When you land your first job as a trucker, you’ll feel a real sense of accomplishment. You’ll be on the right path as far as your career goes, and you’ll have a very bright future ahead of you.

But this is where the real work is going to begin. You’re going to have to start to gain as much experience as you can while driving your truck.

You’re also going to want to keep trucker safety at the forefront of your mind after becoming a truck driver. All it takes is one accident to change the trajectory of your career.

In the event that you are in an accident, you should call on a good semi truck accident attorney for help. They’ll be able to help you make the most of a tough situation.

Becoming a Truck Driver Is Easy as Long as You Follow These Steps

Becoming a truck driver isn’t something that you can decide to do overnight. There is going to be some work that you’ll need to put in to accomplish this goal.

But as you’ve seen here, there is a very clear path to becoming a truck driver for those interested in doing it. All you need to do is follow the steps found here and you’ll be driving a truck for a living in no time at all.

Want to get some more great career advice that you can put to good use? Check out some of the tips found in the other articles on our blog.