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How to Become a Truck Driver

DKrunner | Oct 20, 2010 |

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Truck driving is an in-demand career that has a very short training period, making it the perfect career choice for someone who is looking to get into a good job fast. Truck driving jobs tend to pay well, and they offer a workplace where a boss is not constantly hanging over your shoulder. If you love an independent workplace and the open road, you should consider becoming a truck driver.

How to become a truck driver

Becoming a truck driver is not for everyone, and there is a certain amount of screening that occurs before you ever get into one of the CDL truck driving schools. Here's what you will need to do to end up becoming a truck driver.

Have a clean driving record
In order to become a truck driver, you will need to pull a driving abstract and give it to the CDL truck driving school that you plan to attend. They are going to be screening you, looking for any offenses that might keep you from being a valuable employer to a company once you graduate with your CDL. They usually look back at least 5 years, if not more. They will be looking for moving violations and any kind of reckless driving.

Some CDL schools will not let you become a truck driver through their program if you have a DUI on your record. A bad driving record may not keep you from becoming a truck driver, but it will definitely make your job search a lot harder. If you have an extensively bad driving record, you may want to consider another career path. Another thing on your record that can keep your from getting accepted into a program to become a truck driver is any kind of offense that will keep you from crossing state lines or the Canadian border. Run a background check and get a driver's abstract pulled, and talk to several CDL trucking schools if you have any questions about how hard it might be for you to find a job or whether you can get into the program.

Stay drug and alcohol free
When you become a truck driver you may be subject to random drug tests, and understandably so. Driving a huge semi truck is a big responsibility, and you need to be of completely sound mind in order to minimize the risk of accidents. Using substances puts everyone at risk, and you may not even be allowed admittance into a school if you are found to be abusing a drug. Stay free of drugs in order to become a truck driver.

You need to be healthy enough for the road
All people who are looking to attend a CDL school to become a truck driver must go through what is called a DOT (Department of Transportation) physical. This is part of the admission requirements for all trucking schools and it is a precautionary step. If someone has a serious heart condition or some kind of affliction that makes them lose consciousness at random, the last thing that you want is that person driving a giant semi down the freeway!

Apply to a truck driving school
Different trucking schools will have different application and enrollment processes, and they will all have an admission counselor type position who will help you through the application process. They will also be able to answer questions about whether or not your driving abstract or criminal history is one that would make it hard to become a truck driver.

Graduate from a CDL truck driving school
A CDL truck driving school can take anywhere from as little as 4 weeks, to as long as 9 months to complete. During your truck driver training, you will be expected to spend time in the classroom, and on the road as you practice driving. There will be in class practice tests, videos and in-person instruction. Some truck driving schools will even give out homework. You will likely get to practice driving the truck; both in a practice yard that belongs to the school, and out in the real world. You may get to go along for a ride-along with a more experienced career tuck driver.

To become a truck driver, you will need to complete that school's particular course. The class hours per day will vary on the length of the entire truck driving training length. For example, if the program is 6 months long, you may only spend an hour or two in the classroom. If you are trying to become a truck driver as fast as possible and take a short 4-6 week program, you are going to be spending at least 8 hours a day in training, 5 days a week. Graduating from a CDL truck driving school does not mean that you can go out and get a job as a truck driver; it means that you are ready to take the CDL test.

Pass your CDL written test and the drive test.
The CDL test is the last hurdle between you and your truck driving career. The test can be quite rigorous; many people do very well on the test but others let nerves get to them and make a simple mistake during their drive test. Others don't study hard enough for the CDL written test; don't let either one of these situations get the best of you! You can retake a CDL test and it's not the end of the world if you fail the next time, but paying attention while in class and in the truck, as well as studying hard for the written portion of the test can help you to pass this test the first time around.

Hit the road
Once you have graduated CDL school and passed your CDL test, you are well onto your way to becoming a truck driver. Write a great resume displaying your skills and previous work history and start applying to CDL jobs. Do remember that your very first CDL job will be the hardest job to land, don't be picky when it comes to accepting a first CDL job; you can get choosey once you have some experience under your belt.