There has never been more demand for drivers in this country. According to the NY Times, there is a shortage of over 100,000 truck drivers in the U.S. currently and that number is expected to grow over the coming years. This is good news if you are considering becoming a driver. Companies will have to pay more, offer more benefits, and outsource more work as e-commerce continues to grow. Here are the first few steps if you are interested in becoming a Semi Truck Driver.
A few requirements for Truck Drivers:
- Must be 21 or older
- Must have a clean driving record
- No criminal record
You don’t have to be 21 but in many states, you will only be allowed to do intrastate driving which is a big limiting factor for most companies looking to hire drivers.
Step 1: Get Your CDL to Become a Professional Driver
This step starts with getting your Commercial Learners Permit. This can be obtained at most DMVs and allows you to start driving a commercial vehicle with supervision from a qualified instructor. You will need this before you start the process to get your Commercial Driver’s License.
Once you have your CLP you can enroll in a driving school to get your CDL. Here is a list of all Truck Driving Schools. Once enrolled be ready for a multi-month program whereby you will have hands-on training and practice. To obtain your CDL you will pass a driving exam plus a written exam. It is similar to obtaining your driver’s license but much more detailed with the instruction. You can expect this process to take between 5 to 9 weeks if you pass everything the first time.
It is worth doing some research here before this step. If you know you want to work for a specific company, many of them will pay for your CDL training and have programs that give tuition assistance.
Here is a great resource from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regarding obtaining your commercial licesnse.
Step 2: Apply for Specific Types of Trucking Jobs
The type of job you apply for will determine your lifestyle and pay. For example, you can be a local driver, national driver, Auto Hauler, Dry Van Hauler, and more. America Trucking has a great breakdown of the 9 types of Truck Driving Jobs.
Each job is a trade-off. Being a local driver means fewer miles and possibly less pay but also less travel on the road. Whereas you may have to have additional licenses and insurance requirements to be a Refrigerated Hauler, you can make more per mile. There isn’t one best type of job it all depends on what fits your lifestyle and which types of jobs are readily available.
Becoming a long-haul driver may pay well but you also have to consider that you may be on the road 250+ days a year.
Step 3: Buying or Renting the Semi-Truck
Most companies can provide you with the truck and trailer. This is very common in Trucking but sometimes you will have to provide your own truck and/or trailer. You can charge a premium if you bring the equipment but you are also responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the vehicle.
If you must purchase the equipment, here are three websites to find a Truck and Trailer for sale:
We recommend buying a used truck, especially if you are just starting out. There can be a multi-year wait on new equipment plus a price tag of $100,000 or more.
Step 4: Get Paid and Market Yourself
Once you have your license, the truck, and a job, you are in business and officially a professional truck driver. The next steps vary if you are working for a company under a contract or as a full-time employee. Either way, you want to keep your payment information such as your EIN if you are registered as a business, and your banking information handy to ensure that you get paid and get paid on time.
If you go the contracted driver route, ensure you read any contracts carefully because they will always dictate the terms and payment method.
We wish you the best of luck with your new career and if you ever need storage, please think of us here at STOW IT.