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TRUCKDRIVING CAREER
Is It The Job That You Are Looking For?
Truck driving is one of the few jobs that don't require years of initial education in order to began working and then getting paid as you progressively get better.
Reasons
Most folk have been driving most of their lives to some extent, and some have gotten very good, I might add. (Tricycles, Bicycles, Motorcycles, cars, pickups and vans.
Though the above mentioned are not trucks, they yet classify as some type of vehicle. They all basically perform the same function, to move your body or materials from one location to another.
Since most everyone has been driving some type of vehicle most of their life, a portion of the skills needed to drive a truck has already been acquired, “Care When Operating Your Vehicle, aka SAFETY” ; “Dexterity and reflex action of the limbs needed to operate the vehicle”; “Observatory practices for successful ventures on streets”. These are some of the reasons that Truck driving require less initial skill development.
Trucks are much larger and heavier than anything the average driver has come into contact with, hence there is a greater requirement of preparation, observation and determination that is needed to operate one safely. There is usually a greater tragedy or calamity when a truck is involved in a collision or incident as seemingly simple, as running off the road.
One successful Truck driving Instructor told me before, “If they are a safe driver in their car, they will probably be safe truck driver.” This translates into, “If you are reckless and dangerous in your car, you will probably be an unsafe truck driver!
The question still is. . ., Is it the job that you are looking for?
If you look through any help wanted sections of news papers or the online help want ads, they will tell you that you can make $32,000 and upwards for your first year. Many tout their insurance benefits, 401K and time off as reasons to choose them for an employer.
First of all, Do you like Driving? It will be impossible to to be a happy trucker if you don't like to drive. Do you mind not being home many nights? Do you enjoy working in solitude or by yourself?
Fact: People who enjoy driving, may as well get paid to drive!
Fact: Driving for a living as an over the road trucker is a good way to not pay rent or house notes, The Highway is your Home and the Tractor your personal room!
Fact: Many people enjoy working as drivers because they don't have to deal with the foolishness, horseplay and malicious gossip that goes on at many offices and factories, etc.
Most new truck drivers will have to begin as an over the road driver (OTR) because this is where the greatest demand is. Many OTR companies do have some regional or local work, but that is reserved for the employees that has the senority to hold them.
There are some that get into driving and never have to do OTR, they get a job that has plenty of local work. Most jobs that have plenty of local work requires someone that is willing to WORK for they will have to unload the truck when they deliver to the address on the manifest bill of lading.
PROS for OTR: Most of your time will be spent driving and many times you will be driving the latest models and nicer looking trucks.
PROS for working Local: In most cases you will be in better physical condition due to more activity of loading/unloading your truck.
A bonus feature of working local is that due to your better physical condition, you will be better able to pass your D.O.T. Physical, this is something that every CDL driver must pass at least every 2 years or sometimes even more frequently, due to your personal physical condition. Another Bonus is, the drivers with young children will get to participate more frequently in teaching them, to become responsible contributing members of society.
How do I become a Truck driver?
Some companies that have trucks also train their good ambitious employees to be their truck drivers. Many times this is straight Truck (Bobtail) requiring a Class B CDL. Some Companies go to the extent to train for Class A CDL and some Companies contract with schools of some sort to train their employees. You can get a local newspaper or go to the work force and find out what method will best suit your particular goals.
CDL = Commercial Driver License!
Whether you get trained by your employer or go to a truck driving school you will still need to do the following.
Get a CDL handbook from your local DPS Office. They will tell you what requirements you will need to get the License that you desire. 1st you need to get a permit so that you can legally drive, with a licensed operator in the front passenger seat accompanying you.
Passing the Special Requirement Test and $10.00 will normally get you your Drivers Permit. Passing the General Knowledge, Air Brakes, Combination, Pre-trip and Road test will get you a class A CDL. You need only the permit, general knowledge and pre-trip for Straight truck with no AIR BRAKES; and for Straight trucks with air brakes you must pass the air brake also.
When you go take your road test you need to be prepared to pass an Air Brakes Test by reciting and performing it on the truck also, Straight line backing, parallel parking and the road test. Look at this as 4 parts that make one Pie, Your Pie! (CDL License) If it is easier to comprehend look at it like this 25% percent x 4 which equal 100 percent, you need to pass all 4 parts to receive your license. 70% or greater on your road test will get you your CDL License.
This is only a condensation of information that may help you with your decisions, please check our website out again for an upcoming book "by Robert Terrell", about becoming a truck driver (learning how to drive the big rigs), Release Date is projected to be May 2009.
Article written by: Robert Terrell, EMAIL AT: 22Baldeagle@sbcglobal.net
Preview the book, "Truck Driving Made Simple".
Copyright, December 26, 2007, All rights Reserved.
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