Commercial truck drivers operate large vehicles, such as tractor-trailers, and deliver food, fuel and other necessary goods from one location to another. Nearly all industries depend on truck drivers, which makes commercial truck driving an excellent career choice for those looking for in-demand jobs who don’t want to spend a lot of time training. If you’re thinking about pursuing commercial truck driver jobs, it’s important to understand what the requirements are and how much time you can expect to be at home. This guide provides more details about the profession, including available job options and the steps on how to become a truck driver.
Time Spent on the Road
It’s important to understand that when we talk about commercial truck driving jobs, we’re actually talking about a wide variety of different jobs. The amount of time commercial truck drivers spend on the road depends on the type of job.
Over-the-road (OTR), also sometimes called “long haul” trucking, requires long-distance trips crossing state lines and sometimes even national borders. It’s not unusual for long-haul truckers to spend three or four weeks at a time “on the road,” sleeping in the truck’s cabin or at hotels, without returning home.
On the other hand, local and regional truck drivers tend to have shorter routes and predictable schedules. These drivers may return home each night or at least every few days.
Types of Truck Driver Jobs
Let’s take a closer look at some of the different types of commercial truck driving jobs available, depending on individuals’ preferences and skill levels.
- Dry van hauler – Dry van haulers are the most common type of trucking jobs. These drivers operate semi-trucks and transport goods packaged in pallets or boxes.
- Tanker hauler – Tanker haulers deliver hazardous or non-hazardous liquids, which makes this one of the most dangerous and in-demand truck driver jobs.
- Freight hauler – Freight haulers include drivers who deliver any other type of goods not covered by dry van haulers, such as rail carriers, ocean carriers and air carriers.
- Refrigerated hauler -Refrigerated haulers are giant refrigerators or freezers on wheels used to transport perishable items, such as dairy, meats, fruits and vegetables. Drivers must know how to monitor the temperature inside the container to ensure the goods don’t spoil during transport.
Pros and Cons of Being a Truck Driver
Truck driver jobs are ideal for individuals who desire independence and job security combined with a high earning potential. Despite these advantages, some truckers may spend extended periods away from home and work nights, weekends and holidays. The job can also be physically demanding, requiring sitting for long hours and lifting and managing heavy loads.
Becoming a Commercial Truck Driver
To become a commercial truck driver, you should be at least 21 years old and have a valid driver’s license. You must go to your local DMV and apply for a commercial learner’s permit, which allows you to train alongside a licensed CDL driver. To obtain a state CDL license, you’ll need to pass a physical exam and a written knowledge test.
If you’re ready to start an exciting new career as a commercial truck driver, enroll in the Commercial Truck Driving program at IMBC today. At IMBC, we offer both classroom instruction and hands-on driving practice to help you master commercial vehicle operations and prepare you to pass the necessary exams. After completion, we also offer job placement assistance to help you secure a position in the trucking industry. Contact us to get started.