How to Start a New Career as a Professional Truck Driver
Interested in becoming a professional truck driver? A career as a truck driver can be exciting and rewarding, but it also takes a lot of dedication and hard work. For that reason, you must learn as much as possible about the industry before jumping into it.
Getting Your CDL and Getting Good On-The-Job Training
To get started, you’ll need a CDL. There are different classes of CDL. A Class A CDL enables you to drive a semi-truck or “big rig.” Interested students should attend a CDL training school approved by the FMCSA as a training provider. You can find an approved provider here: https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov/.
Getting your CDL from a school will take anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks of coursework and training. Once you have your CDL, you’ll want to find a reputable company that can give you quality over-the-road training with an experienced driver. Each company trains differently, and it’s important that you find a company that is serious about putting safe and efficient drivers on the road.
Doug Andrus Distributing LLC maintains a well-respected training program for new drivers. Each new CDL holder is expected to complete 240 hours of behind-the-wheel driving time as well as demonstrate competency in several driving skills before they are eligible for graduation.
Once they graduate, the new driver goes solo in their truck, but the training doesn’t stop there. The new driver will go on a “follow me” with their trainer, where they follow their trainer on a load. After that, the new driver is expected to stay in constant contact with their trainer and lean on that trainer for advice in the months and years.
In addition, all Doug Andrus Distributing LLC drivers are expected to complete online training modules 4 times a year. These modules are short videos on important safety topics like driving in inclement weather, backing, and other important issues.
If you need help paying for CDL school, Doug Andrus Distributing LLC offers financial grants and student loan financing. They also offer tuition reimbursement.
Learn About The Job Itself
The economy of the United States is highly dependent on truck drivers. By the time most goods reach their destination, they have been transported on a truck for at least part of their journey.
Throughout the United States, we have become accustomed to eating foods grown outside the areas in which we live. People in Florida eat Idaho potatoes because of truck drivers. People in Idaho eat Florida oranges because of those same truck drivers.
Any imported goods from other countries that end up in seaports or airports are then ultimately brought to the retail store or distribution center by a truck driver.
Being a good truck driver requires that a person is good at scheduling their day, planning their route, and adjusting to the unexpected.
Picking a Company to Start Your Career
After you get your CDL, you'll need to find your first job. To find the right company and get the training you need, there are a few things to consider:
Ask friends, family members, and colleagues for recommendations.
Look for a reputable company that will provide you with thorough training and ongoing support once on the job.
Make sure it's easy for them to help you get your CDL and start earning money as quickly as possible after graduation day!
Make sure the company is transparent about how much it will pay you. Ask questions about how many miles you will get, how much your benefits will cost, and how much the company will contribute to a 401(k) or other retirement programs.
What Kind of Trucking Fits Your Needs
Most driving jobs can be sorted into two categories - local drivers and over-the-road drivers. Local drivers make deliveries and typically sleep in their homes every night. Over-the-road drivers of `long haul' drivers are taking loads across the country and spending the night in their trucks for several days at a time. Local drivers make less money than over-the-road drivers but are home more often.
Being an over-the-road truck driver can mean several days away from home due to the length of the route. For this reason, it’s important that you find a company that can get you consistent home time. Doug Andrus Distributing LLC tracks each driver's “days out” to ensure they aren’t out longer than they should be. The average days out for an over-the-road driver at Doug Andrus Distributing LLC is 7, which is far below the industry average.
You may have already decided on the type of trucking you want to do, but it’s important to know the difference between each kind of trucking so that you can prepare for the training necessary for each.
Do you want to travel long distances and stay away from home for days or weeks? Or are you looking for something more local, where your family will only be apart from each other for a few hours at most? Do you want to drive both long-haul and local routes? There are many different options available!
Try Different Types of Trucking
If you are considering a career as a professional truck driver, you may want to try out driving with a few different companies. This is especially important if you plan to drive long distances and start your new job before making a permanent commitment. You want to avoid signing up with one company only to find out they do not have the reputation or benefits you were looking for.
Once you find a few promising companies, it's best to take a trial run with them before signing on permanently. You might also want to ask them if they can provide references from other employees who have worked there in the past few years. With this information, it will be easier for you to make an informed decision about which company would best suit your needs and goals.
An Exciting & Rewarding Career
A new career as a professional truck driver can be exciting and rewarding! You will enjoy the freedom of the open road, the many new places you’ll see, and the chance to earn a good salary while working with a great team. In addition, you will get to meet new people from all over the country.
It's not easy to start a new career, but the rewards are well worth it. The trucking industry is always growing, and there are plenty of opportunities for people who want to become professional truck drivers. There are many ways to learn about how this job works, from going through training programs at local schools or online universities to hands-on experience in driving trucks around town and on long trips across state lines.