Truck Driver Career

Many people seek a truck driver career because they love the idea of the freedom it offers, and being able to travel across country certainly does have appeal. While this job may seem ideal, and for many individuals it is the perfect way to earn money, it is not without some drawbacks.

What is a Truck Driver?

A truck driver is an individual who is hired by a trucking company to move merchandise from one location to another. Most truck drivers are required to haul the load across state lines, and they spend hundreds of hours behind the wheel during the course of their career. This means that a truck driver will spend much of his or her time on the road and away from family and friends. Long haul drivers usually manage to be home on weekends but drive continually during the week.

Truck Driver Job Duties

It is the job of the truck driver to make sure that the load he or she is hauling arrives at the destination by the appointed time of delivery. Getting the merchandise there as quickly and as safely as possible depends on the experience of the driver. There are many things that can occur on the road that the driver has to deal with such as hazardous road conditions or mechanical problems. A seasoned truck driver will be able to handle and deal with any problem that crops up, and still deliver the load on time if at all possible.

Truck Driver Skills

Choosing a truck driver career means that there are many variables that are going to depend on the skills of the driver. For one thing, the truck driver must be able to make sure that the truck he or she is driving is in top mechanical condition before it leaves home for the long haul. A truck driver must also be calm and collected and have the ability to endure driving for long periods at a time. In addition, a truck driver must have solid knowledge and experience when it comes to the handling and loading of their cargo or merchandise.

Truck Driver Education

Many trucking companies are willing to hire someone to drive short trips within the state once the individual is at least 18 years old and has a clean driving record. Crossing state lines requires a driver to be 21 years old. Professional drivers, however, must obtain a CDL, or commercial driving license, to be eligible for a professional long haul truck driving job. Although it is not necessary in most cases, it is a very good idea for the potential driver to attend a truck driving school for training. Obtaining the CDL means that a written and a driving skill test is required by the DMV in their state.

Truck Driver Salary

The size of the trucking company someone is driving for, cargo, and the distance the load is being taken will affect the salary earned. On average, a truck driver can expect to earn $32,000 to $42,000 a year. Companies that are owner-operated will make much more than this figure, but again, operating costs must be figured in. Fuel, mechanical repairs and more will reduce the amount earned by about 40 to 50 percent. Being an owner-operator means that the owner is responsible for all costs pertaining to the maintenance of the truck. On a side note, drivers such as the ice road truckers who tackle tough conditions could earn an average year´s salary in just one season.

Truck Driver Job Outlook

Currently there is a high demand for skilled truck drivers who are not adverse to spending days at a time on the road away from home. This demand is expected to rise considerably in the future as more and more merchandise will be shipped from state to state as retail businesses open new stores. A truck driver career has its challenges, but is a very rewarding form of employment for anyone who loves to “hit the open road.”

Perhaps a career as a professional truck driver is in your future? Young people find this especially appealing because they don’t have to spend a long time in school to get an education and can begin earning a potentially good income early on. The appeal of traveling across country is often just what it takes to put someone in the driver’s seat. However, candidates need to be willing to work hard and have the ability to think fast in difficult situations.