What to Know Before You Become a Truck Driver
Before embarking on a new career path, it’s important to do your research and understand exactly what becoming a truck driver entails. Your work schedule, income, and job responsibilities are all going to change, so it’s important to be mentally, physically, and emotionally prepared.
Before you decide to become a truck driver, learn the answers to the following questions:
Do You Make Good Money as a Truck Driver?
While the amount of money you make shouldn’t entirely rule your decision about whether or not to pursue a career, it’s important to know that you’ll be financially stable if you become a truck driver.
As a truck driver, your income can vary. The following factors will affect how much money you make if you become a truck driver:
- The thoroughness of your training
- The length of your route
- The skill level of the delivery
- Whether you work for a contractor or a private fleet
You can decide how much training and certification you want to receive that will enable you to drive more types of trucks. At Flexible Freight, we offer the thorough training that employers are looking for in truck drivers, so contact us to register for courses if you want to become a truck driver.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Truck Driver?
The amount of time it takes to become a truck driver varies depending on which class of Commercial Drivers License you’re trying to get certified for. In general, a commercial driving school will take about seven weeks to complete in order to receive a Class A CDL.
Class B CDL certification can take less than a week since the types of trucks you’ll be driving don’t require as much skill to maneuver.
Other than the license class you’re trying to get certified for, factors that affect how long it takes to become a truck driver include:
- Endorsements to your license, such as passengers, HAZMAT, or doubles/triples
- Whether you’re going to school part-time or full-time
- The number of driving hours you’re required to complete
- The number of classroom hours required for your courses
At Flexible Freight, we offer training for Class A CDLs. This gives you the most amount of options in trucks you’re able to operate after you’ve successfully completed your training. Contact us to learn more about what we cover in our courses.
What Are the Physical Demands of Truck Drivers?
You probably already know this, but you’ll spend a lot of time on the road when you become a truck driver. This work exposes you to a variety of environments and work tasks.
Generally, you’ll be in the enclosed space of your truck cab while you’re on the road. You may also be required to help with loading and unloading goods. This task can expose you to extreme heat or cold, so wearing the proper clothing is vital.
Different trucks offer different amounts of room, so you may feel more or less comfortable depending on how cramped the vehicle is. Your truck may also vibrate while in motion, make loud noises, and flash bright lights. Truck driving may also expose you to loud noises and bright lights of other vehicles and warehouses.
Are Truck Drivers in Demand?
Most of the consumer goods we purchase are available to us only because they were delivered by truck. This means that truck drivers are always in demand to make sure products can be delivered. Whether for a grocery store, mail courier, or a construction company, products and materials need to make it to their destination to ensure the success of these businesses.
Truck drivers are in high demand, which means that you won’t struggle to find work. This provides job security and gives you leverage when trying to find a truck driver job that pays well. Contact Flexible Freight to register for our driving school, and gain access to choice companies around the country.
Benefits of Becoming a Truck Driver
You can check out our more extensive list of benefits if you want to become a truck driver, but we wanted to cover a few here as well. After all, why would you consider a new career if it doesn’t offer more than your current work situation?
Job Security
As we mentioned, there is a high demand for truck drivers throughout the US. With Class A CDL certification, as well as endorsements for Class B and C CDL vehicles, you’ll be able to find jobs with countless companies that value your time and commitment.
With Flexible Freight, we offer Class A CDL driving courses and endorsements that make you a hotter commodity as a truck driver. You’ll be able to find truck driver jobs operating vehicles like:
• Tractor-trailers
• Tankers
• Livestock carriers
• Large busses
• HAZMAT vehicles
• Dump trucks
• And more!
Never worry about having a job again when you become a truck driver through Flexible Freight.
Good Income
The median salary for truck drivers is around $40,000 per year. This is just an average, though. Corporate companies like Walmart pay their drivers upwards of $73,000 per year. As we mentioned, your income is based on a variety of factors — but you have control over these factors! This means that you are able to control how much money you make from one month to the next.
Low-Impact
Other than loading and unloading — for which you will use proper equipment to complete — becoming a truck driver is a low-impact job. Truck driving is a perfect career choice for those who are unable to stand for long periods of time, lift or move heavy objects, or those who’ve sustained an injury and have limited mobility.
It’s important that when you become a truck driver that you take time out of your day to stretch. Sitting for long periods of time can be just as harmful as standing too long or making too intense of movements. So, while becoming a truck driver ensures that your job takes less of a toll on your body, it’s important to keep moving to maintain the mobility that you do have.
Flexible Schedule
One of the biggest benefits to becoming a truck driver is the control you have over your own schedule. As an independent contractor, you’ll be able to decide which jobs to take on and how far you’re willing to travel.
If you work best when you’re in charge of your own schedule, then becoming a truck driver could be the perfect option for you.
How to Become a Truck Driver
Now that you’ve done your research on the basics of a career as a truck driver and the benefits of becoming one, you’re probably curious about the process and how to actually become a truck driver. With Flexible Freight, you’ll have all the resources and tools you need to become a skilled and experienced driver for a variety of companies. Learn more about the requirements and training process below, then contact us to register for our commercial driving school.
The Requirements
In order to become a truck driver, you must be able to complete the following:
- Obtain your CDL
- Attend a commercial truck driving school
- Ensure that your driving record and work history is clean and reliable
- Be at least 21 years old
- Pass a drug and alcohol screening
- Clear a background check
- Pass a physical
Once you’ve reviewed the requirements and have established that you can meet all the requirements, it’s time to enroll in a commercial driving school.
Enroll in Commercial Driving School
Depending on where you are, you may have access to a variety of different commercial driving schools. Convenience isn’t always the best option though, so consider looking around the country for schools that offer the most in-depth and experienced training.
At Flexible Freight, our instructors have years of experience in the industry, offer thorough training for Class A CDL certification and endorsements, and also provide connections to help get you a job faster after you finish your courses. Contact us today to get started.
Course Payment Options
As a student in commercial driving school, you may qualify for different types of financial aid or you may opt to pay for courses yourself. Take time to research grants, scholarships, loans, and reimbursement programs available for truck drivers.
If you have questions on how to find these resources, feel free to contact us. At Flexible Freight, we are dedicated to your pursuit of becoming a truck driver with the best training and experience — without the strings of student debt.
Get Connected with a Company
Once you’ve finished your commercial driving school, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test! Flexible Freight works closely with different driving companies and truck retailers to either find you employment or a truck to start your own business.
With years of experience in the industry, we have connections that other truck driving schools don’t, and we’re committed to your success once you complete your training. Contact Flexible Freight today to register for a course or for information about job placement.