In Demand Truck Driving Jobs Here
Are you looking for a truck driving job that pays well? Use this quick guide to learn more about the best in demand truck driving jobs in the US.
Truck driving is a needed profession to assure the delivery of numerous items all through the country. If you are looking for a career that has plenty of demand, truck driving may be the profession for you. Whether you are considering truck driving as a new career or have been planning for it for a while, truck driving is a great opportunity for many people.
Truck driving has its challenges, particularly sitting for long periods and operating a large vehicle. Truck driving must be done safely as you are driving a large vehicle on the road with other truck drivers and vehicles. Although, if you are willing to take on the challenge that is truck driving, it is an in-demand job that you may want to consider. The median pay for a truck driver is $22.66/hr or $47,130 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Requirements for a Truck Driving Job
Truck drivers must obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) which is a driver's license that allows the driver to operate extremely heavy, large, or even hazardous vehicles within the US. There are three classes of CDLs which are Class A, Class B, and Class C. Depending on the type of truck that you are looking to drive, a different class will be needed.
Here are some types of vehicles that you can drive depending on the license class that you obtain.
Class A:
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Tractor-trailers.
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Tank vehicles.
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Truck and trailer combinations.
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Flatbeds.
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Livestock carriers.
Class B:
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Large passenger buses.
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Box trucks.
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Segmented buses.
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Tractor-trailers.
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Straight trucks.
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Dump trucks with small trailers.
Class C:
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Passenger vans.
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Combination vehicles not covered by Classes A or B.
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Small HazMat vehicles.
When you are preparing to get your CDL, consider the type of truck that you would like to drive and your career goals. This will help you determine which class you will apply for. If you are unsure which class to get, your truck driving school can help you determine which license is best suited for your career goals.
How to get your CDL
Obtaining a CDL means that you must pass certain requirements. To assure the safety of yourself and all people on the road, passing requirements is necessary. There will be education, driving record, age, and physical requirements that you should be aware of as you prepare to go through the steps to obtain your CDL.
Education requirements
You are not required to have a formal education to obtain your CDL. You can get your CDL without a high school diploma or GED, which makes truck driving a viable career for anyone who does not have a formal education. Depending on the company you apply for, they may recommend or require at least a GED.
Driving record requirements
There are no official driving record requirements to obtain your CDL, although those with a cleaner driving record will have greater success being hired. Many companies may conduct a background check on your driving record up to the last ten years to assure the safest conditions possible.
Having a driving record with a lot of accidents and tickets will not prevent you from obtaining your CDL as the DMV does not conduct a background check. You should simply be aware that companies may have their standards for driving records. If you are concerned that your driving record may be an issue, it is advised that you contact any company that you would like to work for and ask them their standards.
Age requirements
The youngest age that you can be to obtain your CDL is 18, but you will have restrictions up to age 20. With those restrictions, you will only be able to drive in one state, preventing you from conducting any intrastate driving. This may present some issues if the company you apply for conducts intrastate truck driving. If you do get your CDL between the ages of 18-20, it is classified as a single-state CDL. Once you turn age 21, you have a full CDL without any restrictions.
Physical requirements
Truck driving is a physically demanding job and to assure the safety of everyone on the road, you must pass a physical examination to obtain your CDL. You will have a physical conducted by the Department of Transportation, which will test your eyes, ears, and overall wellness. Truck driving is a combination of heavy lifting and sitting for long periods, so the physical wellness of drivers is paramount.
How to Find Truck Driving Schools and Jobs?
Now that you have or almost have obtained your CDL, it is time to begin searching for truck driving schools and jobs. You will most likely need to go through a truck driving school because driving a truck is a new skill that you need to learn, and most people do not have experience driving a large truck. Many truck driving schools also have onsite job fairs, so you may very well get a job right out of school.
Truck driving schools
The best way to get your first job driving a truck is to speak with your instructors through the truck driving school. They most often have the best connections and a personal recommendation from them gets you through the door faster. However, there are other places where you can search and compare payrates and job descriptions. Many companies offer thousands of dollars as a sign on bonus. Here are some of the best:
