11/05/2021 02:16
A lot of
people are interested in starting a new career as a professional truck driver.
Well, there are a lot of institutions out there. Most training programs offer
the necessary training to obtain your commercial driver's license (CDL) after
passing your state's licensing exam or CDL exam. A CDL Training Course is
streamlined to help prepare you for passing the state licensing exam. You will
surely receive teaching experience from industry professionals. They will help
you obtain a CDL and help you start driving a truck as quickly as possible. A
CDL Training Course usually offers both day and evening classes.
The CDL
Training Program is 20 days long and consists of 168 clock hours, broken down
as follows:
For a
deeper dive into the ins and outs of truck driving, there are longer and more
comprehensive Professional Truck Driving Programs.
These
programs usually last 20 weeks of job training and cover:
Graduates
may be qualified for a long list of transportation-related careers, including
truck driving. Ready to get ahead of the training as a professional truck
driver? Continue reading some training essentials below.
The type
of license you need for a career in truck driving largely depends on the trucks
you will be required to drive. Most training to be a truck driver training will
prepare you to earn a CDL Class A license. Here are some class-to-class guides.
CDL Class
A: The CDL
Class A license legally allows you to operate any combination of vehicles
totaling a gross weight of 26,001 lbs. or more, including class B and class C
vehicles with proper endorsements.
Class A
vehicles include:
CDL Class
B: The CDL
Class B license allows you to operate a single vehicle of up to 26,001 lbs. or
a vehicle towing another vehicle weighing up to, but no more than, 10,000 lbs.
Class B vehicles include:
CDL Class
C: The CDL
Class C license covers other large vehicles not included in class A or B,
including:
Beyond
the time spent in the Truck Driver Training Program or CDL Training program,
here are a few other things that may affect the amount of time it takes to get
your CDL:
Commercial
learner's permit (CLP): Before you can take the test for your CDL, you must first acquire your
commercial learner's permit and complete any necessary driving miles. Additionally,
you must have your CLP for at least 14 days before applying for your actual
license.
If you
proceed through training and pass all licensing exams, here are a few things
you can expect in the trucking industry:
Salary: While no job or salary is ever a
guarantee, the U.S. median annual wage for heavy truck and tractor-trailer
drivers was in May 2020.
An
industry that's in high demand: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
the trucking industry is expected to grow 2% from 2019 to 2029.
Flexible/shifting
schedules: While
traditional hours are available, many routes and jobs have hours that can vary.
Acquiring a CDL helps provide opportunities for those looking for variety in
their work schedules.
The
chance to travel: Truck
driving, by its very nature, is traveling. Drivers may have the opportunity to
travel across the country or within the local area. Some shipping routes could
also include international travel into Canada or Mexico.
If you
like the idea of seeing the U.S. through the window of a truck cab, truck
driving might be a great career path for you. Training for the CDL test is the
first step.
Let's
simply say that the transportation industry needs you. The supply chain
continues to suffer due to the pandemic, a truck driver shortage factored into
the mix is adding to supply and shipping delays.
And
within the past decade, the trucking industry has constantly struggled with a
driver shortage. Driving job is more open to more professionals.
Pandemic
supply-chain issues now mean a shortage of glass jars and bottles
According
to the American Trucking Associations, trucks move roughly 72.5% of the
nation's freight by weight carrying items such as oil, food, clothing, paper
products, and vehicles to name a few.
An ATA
study found that in 2015, there was a need for 48,000 truck drivers.
As of
2021, the industry is short 68,000 drivers that are needed on the roads as 25%
of current truckers have reached retirement or are close to the age of
retiring, according to Lindsey Trent of the Next Generation in Trucking
Association Trent, who serves as co-founder and president of the nonprofit
trucking association, says that if the shortage of truckers continues to grow,
by the year 2028 the shortage could exceed 100,000 drivers.
But
hiring younger students with training across class sizes could potentially
solve this issue.
Yes, this
requires hands-on experience and sometimes financial assistance due to the cost
of training or program costs. Even just for an entry-level position with a good
track record from a comprehensive training program, a young pro could fill the
need.
Entry-level
drivers will now gain more hours of service added to their trucking career
records right away after the certification exam.
Earnings
truck drivers vary with the industry and the type of truck operated and are
affected by mileage and/or the number of hours worked. Many trucking companies
will pre-hire students and successful completers of the program are able to go
to work immediately.
A career
in truck driving offers both men and women fun and adventure as well as a
secure future in an in-demand career field. You wouldn't regret getting into a
truck driver training program. Again, the transportation industry needs you.
You have a career as a professional driver for commercial vehicles
specifically, for trucks!
A
professional truck driving program prepares individuals with little or no
commercial driving experience for a career in this industry driving.
Individuals
who have a passion for driving locally and/or traveling across the country
would be suitable for a career in truck driving. Ready for your first CDL truck
driver job?
Take note
though that it doesn't end on just passing the Training Program. After that,
you will encounter a lot of DOT Compliance concerns.
With
that, If you have basic questions or common questions on DOT or FMCSA compliance, we can support you at Labworks USA. Feel free to reach out to us today.