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Truck driving is a great way to earn a salary, especially if you enjoy being on the open road. Commercial driving licenses (CDL) training and licenses afford you an array of options, from transporting cargo long distances to working for a local company. If you are considering truck driving school, here are the top five things you should know about being a truck driver.

What You Need to Know About Driving a Truck

1. Requirements

CDL training comes with a few prerequisites. You must be at least 21 years old in most states and legally able to work in the USA. While parking tickets on your record won’t be an issue, violations like DUIs and reckless driving will be. Companies need to protect not only their goods, but also you and other drivers on the road.

2. Deadlines

Truck driving requires transporting goods on a tight schedule. The job sometimes means driving for long hours, and knowing the demands before you embark on your new career will help you determine if it is right for you. You could be on the road for 12 hours and away from home for days depending on the delivery. Make sure this is something you are ready to commit to.

truck driving school3. Schooling

Truck driving school is a brief time investment (anywhere from 10 weeks to a year), but it will help you with both classroom and practical skills. CDLs have their own manual, which can be obtained from your local DMV. Since traffic laws change, be sure to read through the most current version. Commercial driving manuals are usually updated annually.

4. Exams

You have to pass several exams before you can be a truck driver. Besides the CDL written and road test, decide which trucks you will be driving (semi, passenger, school buses, or hazardous material rigs) and select the correct endorsement. You will also need to pass the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation (FMCSR), which includes a written exam on federal traffic laws, a vision test, and a hearing exam. The physical section must be taken every two years. Some companies also require their own exams for employment.

5. Salary

Salaries vary greatly depending on the type of truck driving you do. Experience and types of items you are moving, like hazardous materials, affect the amount per year you will earn. Jumping from company to company will not help you climb the ladder, so try to stick with the same employer to increase your income.

 

If you need to learn how to drive a commercial truck in the Columbia Station, OH area, contact Great Lakes Truck Driving School. They offer  CDL training as well as transportation safety and heavy equipment instructionals. To begin your career, call the truck driving school at (440) 236-3436 or visit their website.

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