Getting Started In Commercial Truck Driving

For a great and steady career and good salary, consider a life long association with commercial truck driving. Did you know that trucks move to and fro the major part of goods and services in the U.S.? And the field is poised for excellent opportunities and is growing? But unfortunately, there is a dearth of trained drivers, yet to qualify themselves. This, in spite of the fact, that the future for drivers, who succeed in the profession, has never been so good. For getting started in commercial truck driving, you need to pay heed to the following:

. Your age: Depending upon the state you live in, some permit 18 year old to drive inside the state. Federal rules need drivers doing inter-state runs to age at least 21 years.
. Your health conditions: The Dept. of Transportation needs drivers to be physically tested each two years. A driver should not have lost any body part or have any other defects or illnesses that can interfere with driving safety. You should not have diabetes that needs taking insulin injections.
. Eye Sight: You need a minimum of 20/40 visions in your eyes. You can or cannot have correcting lenses and not to forget a 70 degree area of vision in both eyes. Color blindness is disallowed.
. A Hearing test will be given, where a whisper within five feet must be heard with a hearing aid or not.
. You must have a basic knowledge of English speaking and reading to understand all traffic instructions and speak with police officers and the general public. You also need to write reports.
. Drivers have to learn to follow the Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations.
. Drug and Alcohol abuse: There are four reasons, why police officials or your company can check for drug and alcohol abuse, which are 1) before employing you 2) after an accident 3) If they suspect you 4) Spot checking at any time. You should have no alcohol problem i.e. be diagnosed as an alcoholic. You must abstain from any form of drugs, which are not legal.
. Your driving history: You should not have a conviction of being involved in a felony using a motor vehicle, or a criminal offense after drug usage. Not having driven under the control of drugs or alcohol or have a conviction in a case of hit-and-run causing harm or fatalities.
. A Valid License: All truck drivers must possess a proper, valid commercial driver's license or CDL given by a State. You can possess a license issued by one State only.

TYPES OF TRUCK DRIVING

You should know and prepare for the kinds of trucks; you will be driving in this career. Briefly they are:

1) Longer distance driving or over the road. Here you'll drive heavy trucks and it is for a longer period. You'll do a couple hundred miles and come back the same day. Some drivers are needed to stay away for many days and even weeks.
2) Local Driving: Here you drive light, medium, or heavy trucks and do shorter routes or just pick and drop type of deliveries. This type of driver also needs to be a salesman.
3) Special truck driving: This driver handles rare, very heavy or goods of a sensitive nature and needs special training to handle this equipment. Also you do double or triple trailers and car transportation.
4) Dangerous Materials: More training is needed here in that you must know the content you're carrying, the safety factors, and handling an emergency.

Finally, you can also operate and own your truck and transport freight on a contract agreement. Gains are better, but it's a business and has its own pros and cons.