Have you always thought it would be nice to get out on the open road and just drive? If this sounds more appealing to you than working in a cubicle or working in a factory, and you’ve decided that you want to become a truck driver, you need to understand what it takes to work in the field, and the type of training you will need to have.
Schooling
In order to drive a truck for a living, you will need to have your high school diploma or your GED. You don’t need to go to college to become a trucker, but you will want to go to a truck driving school. At the school, you will get the training that you need when it comes to handling and maneuvering the vehicle. This training is essential, and it will serve you well in the future. There are numerous truck driving schools around the country. You can look for one in your area, but make sure you check on the reputation of the school before you attend. Some might help place you in a job once you are out of training.
Have and Maintain a Good Driving Record
You need to have a very good driving record if you are going to drive trucks for a living. People don’t like the idea of hiring a driver who has blemishes on his or her record. If you have DUIs, you can forget about becoming a trucker. If you have a number of accidents or tickets after you’ve become a trucker, then you might not be able to keep your job. Other legal problems can cause issues for your career as well. If someone has been arrested and convicted of burglary or theft, they will be hard pressed when it comes to finding a company that wants to entrust their cargo to them.
You will also find that many employers will have random drug screenings for their employees. They want to make sure that the employees are as safe as possible behind the wheel, and that means no drinking and no drugs.
Commercial Driver’s License
You will also need to get and maintain a commercial driver’s license, or CDL, if you are going to drive a large commercial truck. Once you get your permit, you will have to take a written test, as well as a practical test to prove you have the skills needed to be behind the wheel of a large truck.
Keeping Fit
One of the things that people rarely consider in regards to truckers is their health. When you are driving a truck all day, you are sitting down. It’s essentially a very sedentary job. If you don’t get any exercise, you might find that you start to gain more weight and that you become unhealthy. It’s a good idea to get some time each day to exercise, and make sure that you are eating right.
Being a trucker has a lot of perks. However, you have to make sure you are ready for the lifestyle.