Truck drivers are essential to keep our country running smoothly. Anything you buy in stores has likely been brought there by a commercial driver. Because this job is so important, the demand for qualified drivers grows each year. A driving career is rewarding and high-paying and you can earn more than $64,000 a year*. If this sounds like the career for you, here are some of the things you need to become a truck driver:
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
In order to operate a tractor-trailer or other commercial vehicle, you need to possess a commercial driver’s license. This is a bare minimum requirement for just about every job in the trucking industry. You earn your CDL by passing two different tests, a written permit test and a skills test.
The written permit test covers safe driving information and basic facts about operating commercial vehicles. The skills test will require you to actually operate a truck and demonstrate basic road skills such as backing, turning, and parking. When you attend CDL classes such as those at Phoenix Truck Driving School, you get the preparation you need to confidently pass both portions of the CDL test.
Completing Truck Driving School
While you can become a truck driver without attending any CDL classes or truck driver training, completing a program at a licensed truck driving school can help. Many trucking companies are hesitant to hire new truck drivers who only have a CDL, as these new drivers may not have the experience necessary to safely operate a commercial vehicle. When you complete CDL training, trucking companies know that you learned important safety information and that you are committed to your new career. Completing your training can be a simple process. At Phoenix Truck Driving School, we offer accelerated courses to get you on the road in as little as four weeks. We also offer financial assistance for students who qualify. In addition, many truck driving jobs offer tuition reimbursement to help you pay for your education. In the end, completing a licensed training program can be a valuable investment for your career as a truck driver.
Know What Type of Trucking Job You Want
Once you do complete your training and start looking for truck driving jobs, it’s important to know what sort of job you want. Not all truck drivers do the same type of work and you should find a job that matches your desired lifestyle and salary expectations. For example, long haul drivers usually make more, but may spend more time on the road away from home. Local drivers may not make as much each paycheck, but the schedule can be more flexible to accommodate family time. You can also consider working as a team driver, where you will work with other truck drivers to deliver goods
more quickly and earn more money. Whichever type of trucking career you want to start, Phoenix Truck Driving School can help you succeed. We offer accelerated CDL classes to get you on the road and working as a truck driver as quickly as possible. Contact us today to learn more about our programs.
*Professional truck drivers earn a mean annual wage of $44,500
(https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes533032.htm). The top 10% of truck drivers make more than $64,000
per year according to the 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistics.
