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The demand for truck drivers is high and only increasing. Thousands of truck drivers will retire soon, opening a window for younger, eager workers to help close the shortage. Truck driving is a viable career and offers many benefits — you may be wondering how to become a semi-truck driver.
Luckily, the process is relatively straightforward, and with some time and effort, you could be making your first delivery soon.
From the outside looking in, it’s easy to think that truck driving is as simple as sitting back with your hands on the wheel, your foot on the pedal and your eyes on the road. But it’s a much more involved job than that. You’ll need focus to stay alert for hours at a time, communication skills to relay crucial delivery information, decision-making abilities to navigate bad weather, excellent driving skills, and many other attributes. You’ll pick up some of these skills with experience, while you might gain others in driving school or have the abilities ingrained in you already.
As a truck driver, your job is integral to the functioning of the national and even global supply chain. Customers and businesses expect to receive their shipments on time, and they’re relying on you to stay efficient on the roads. You’ll be carrying a lot of accountability. Along with this responsibility, truck driving also offers various benefits:
The term “truck driving” covers a broad range of occupations, all of which you can split up into more specific categories. Based on your skillset and goals, it can be beneficial to target one primary type of driving to get a clearer idea of what you’re aiming for.
For flexible career options, you can target a Class A certification, which will allow you to drive a broad range of vehicles, such as semi-trucks and big rigs.
You may have no problem narrowing down the concrete actions you must take for becoming a semi-truck driver. The challenging part could be figuring out if you have the inherent requirements to become a semi-truck driver. Here are some qualities to have.
How do I become a semi-truck driver? Becoming a big-rig truck driver involves following a straightforward path, which makes it appealing to many people. Here are eight actionable steps you can take to become a truck driver.
You’ll need to pass a standard driving test and receive a valid driver’s license to start your journey to becoming a truck driver. Along with a license, here are some fundamentals you’ll need to become a big-rig truck driver:
At this stage, you’ll also want to check your state requirements. Each state is slightly different, so make sure you know what you’ll need. Do some research online, talk to people in your area and make a checklist of the basics to get you started.
After you get the bare necessities, you’ll want to look at education. Most companies will require completion of high school or a GED. Usually, you can complete a GED in a few months at a low cost.
To become a truck driver, you’ll likely need to pass a physical and some basic written tests to qualify you for the job.
Once you get the baseline education, you can start looking at trucking schools. You’ll need this specified schooling to qualify for a commercial driver’s license. For this step, you’ll have various options to choose from.
If you’re looking for a way to cover tuition, seek state grants, scholarships and paid company training to help you through the process.
Once you’ve settled on the right school for you, enroll. Depending on the kind of schooling you choose, it could last anywhere from several weeks to over a year. Company-sponsored programs usually take less time to complete than community college or private schools.
The secret is to find a good school for your needs, with experienced teachers who can show you how to become a big-rig truck driver.
After getting the relevant schooling, you’ll be eligible to obtain a CDL. To earn this, you’ll usually need to complete a skills test and a written exam. The skills test may remind you of your first driver’s test, though this time it will be in a massive vehicle. As for the written exam, each state will have a slightly different version, but you should prepare for various questions about the job in question.
There are three types of classes for truck drivers — A, B, and C. These vary by state, but usually depend on the maximum weight a vehicle will handle. Becoming a Class A truck driver will offer you the most flexibility, as this covers the max weight. The requirements to become a class A truck driver may vary slightly, so be sure to check what you’ll need to achieve this.
After you determine how to become a class A truck driver, pass your exams, and obtain your CDL, you’re on your way to starting your first day as a certified truck driver.
You can add specific licenses and certifications to your CDL for a particular job. For example, you can add a hazardous materials endorsement or other certifications for handling sensitive or more involved deliveries. These endorsements might require additional background checks, but they’ll help you enhance your CDL and open up your possibilities for jobs.
You’ve got your education, finished the training and obtained your CDL. What’s next? It’s time to find a trucking job.
If you’re in a company-sponsored program, you’ll likely have a job already set for you. Schools might help place you in a job or provide contacts for you to reach. Once you find a company, you might have to complete a finishing program that introduces you to the vehicles and specific operations.
It’s helpful to know the various steps it takes to become a truck driver. With an actionable guide and the steps laid out in front of you, you can start to craft a plan for your career as a driver.
However, aside from the various steps, you should also ask yourself whether truck driving is the right route for you. As with any career, it’s crucial to examine the daily life of the job and see if it matches your goals.
If you’re lucky, you might know a truck driver — maybe someone in your family is a current or former driver. Sitting down and talking with them about the day-to-day tasks of a truck driver is one of the best ways to learn more about the job. They can give you a firsthand account, providing an unbiased glimpse into its challenges and benefits.
The internet is full of great information about truck drivers’ daily lives. Watching videos and reading stories from people who have spent their careers in trucking will give you a knowledge base about the job, the industry, and some perspective to help you figure out if this career is right for you.
Becoming a truck driver is a lifestyle change. With the constant travel and irregular hours, it will take some adaptability and a specific type of person to do the work. If you’re seeking out some of these aspects in a job, you might be the perfect fit for truck driving.
The road to becoming a truck driver may be more challenging for some people. But as you now know, the path is straightforward, with several steps you can take to help get you there. One of the most challenging parts of the process can be finding the right company.
Holt of California is the perfect company for those looking for a truck driving job. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits and the training you need to grow and advance in your field. Learn more about our truck driving jobs and apply online today!
