How Easy is it to Become a Truck Driver

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Sometime in the future, there will be smart trucks on our roads that are driverless, but till then truck drivers are indispensable.

With the recent progress with the 5G networks, it is only a matter of time until we witness these monsters made of metal driverless and side by side with us on the road. That would indeed be a spectacle to behold.

But until that time, trucks will continue to be driven by humans. The article will answer commonly asked questions regarding truck driving. Questions such as “How easy is it to become a truck driver in 2024?

Table of Contents

How to Become a Truck Driver

After making up your mind about becoming a truck driver, there are specific requirements you need to meet on your own before you can even be considered.

These minimum requirements include:

It goes without saying, you must own a driver’s license.
You must be at least eighteen (18) years of age to drive within your state and at least twenty-one years to drive across state lines.
You must possess a spotless driving record. Chances are you might never qualify for truck driving if you’ve ever been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). In addition, minor traffic offenses such as parking tickets are often overlooked.

Most truck driving schools would prefer you to have at least a high school diploma or a GED before admitting you to the program, but some don’t care. So to play it safe, get a high school diploma.

The criteria listed above are the requirements you must meet before considering driving school; they are different from the requirements to become a truck driver. The criteria to meet to become a truck driver are as follows;

Attend an Accredited Truck Driving School

Look out for truck driving schools closest to you and register for a truck driving program.

A characteristic of an excellent driving school is its training routine involves education in the classroom and on the field.

Learning how to drive trucks can last for up to a year. During lectures at the school, you also get to learn about the various laws or regulations guiding truck driving and driving in general.

In addition, you’ll get hands-on training with commercial vehicles in a controlled environment during the practical sessions.

Take the Licensing Exam

After completing the mandatory driving school courses, you must take the state Commercial Driving License (CDL) exam.

The exam differs for each state. The exam involves both a written and a road skills test.

Take the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Exam

After taking and passing the commercial driving license exam, you’ll still need to take and pass the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Exam.

This exam also involves two parts; the written and the physical. The written is mostly about federal traffic law, while the physical include hearing and vision tests. The physical exam is taken every two years.

Time to Get Hired

After taking and passing the FMCSA exam, it’s time to get hired by a trucking company.

The truck driving school you attended would have job placement opportunities in most cases.

So, when you’re ready to get hired, the truck driving school you attended should be your first point of call.

If there’re no job placement opportunities, you can contact the trucking companies yourself.

The Orientation Stage

After getting hired by a trucking company, you are to undergo an orientation program where you’re briefed on company policies.

The orientation length varies by company; some last for three days while others last for five days.

Undergo Training

After the orientation stage, you will undergo another training, this time around, with the company that hired you.

Again, the training will be handled by an experienced driver and it can last for several weeks or months.

Take Another Road Test

When you’re done with training, there will be another road test with the company who hired you. After passing this test, your assigned truck will be handed to you.

How Easy is it To Become a Truck Driver in 2024?

Truck driving isn’t for the weak of heart. It is not an easy job. Truck driving involves a lot of long and lonely hours.

It takes a lot of self-discipline to be able to leave your family for extended periods. But if you enjoy driving and all this appeals to you, give it a shot!

How Much do Truck Drivers Make?

Recently hired truck drivers earn around $30,000 per annum while truck drivers with about five to seven years of experience earn around $55,000 per annum.

Conclusion

How easy is it to become a truck driver? The short answer is, not easy as the article rightly pointed out.

But there are people who find such working conditions appealing, they would make very good truck drivers.

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