How To Become A Truck Driver In 2020

The vocation of commercial truck driver is a specialized skill when considering the standards being adhered to. The industry has federal and state laws regulating the profession. For example, a commercial truck driver is mandated to follow quotas established on him or her for daily distance driven and time behind the wheel. A commercial truck driver may work up to 70 hours in one week. However, that is followed by a federally mandated rest period of 34 hours. Generally, a commercial truck driver may log about 500 miles in one day with a 10 hour driving break. The listing of bay area trucking jobs is plentiful on reputable job sites. The bay area trucking jobs may be categorized by type of job description: tanker, semi and warehouse lift for example.

Salary Range

The salary range is said to vary among professional truck drivers. One’s salary is based on a number of factors that include: months or years of experience, distance traveled type of freight transported etc. The salary range is said to encapsulate $45,000.00 yearly to about $60,000.00 yearly.

A chart comparing salaries by state shows California to be near $57,000.00 for annual income; Idaho is listed at about $48,000.00 for the same. Many states report a median salary between $50,000.00 and $53,000.00, respectively.

Education and Training

The commercial truck driver has several hurdles to meet before he or she can begin to embark on this profession. A standard driver license along with a decent driving record are essential.Nationally, commercial truck driving training may be offered through private vocational schools, accredited community college programs or certified vocational training programs. The training requirements for this profession embody federal restrictions and also state and local jurisdiction requirements

It is recommended that they who are embarking on this career path check the requirements in their designated locale. Though not necessary, it too, is recommended one hold a high school diploma before beginning a training program. Generally, the course work, exams and certification can be accomplished in about one year. An internship or apprenticeship may be necessary for he or she entering this profession for the sake of experience.

Exams and Certification

In addition to holding a standard driver license, the tuition cost, unless subsidized, is the responsibility assigned to the student for his or her education. Alongside the mentioned regional requirements, the candidate has two major exams that they must successfully complete. The Commercial Driver License, CDL, is based on material covered in the course work or on the job training. A second exam, The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation test covers traffic laws. It also includes a detailed physical with hearing and vision being tested, too.

General Job Description

Two benefits of being a commercial truck driver are the camaraderie one builds with others in the profession over time. Also, companies employing drivers are willing to accommodate ergonomic accessories within the cab to accommodate a distance driver. A driver may travel up to 2,000 miles during a given calendar week. His duties or her duties go beyond driving from one point to another. They include:

• Keeping the interior and exterior of the truck clean
• Report major mechanical issues to proper administrators
• Maintain a detailed log of distance traveled and cargo delivered
• Load cargo and secure the same according to set standards
• Report any major or minor accidents or incidents that occur

Resume and Application

It is indicated that many applicants ignore customer service experience, strong ethics and depth perception on the resume, though this may be reflected on a single work application. Employers may take notice if these traits are highlighted on the resume of those who are applying for the first or next work position.