Truck Driver Training Schools

Truck Driver Training and Skills Development

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So you have decided to be truck driver, huh?

Well, truck driving is not really as simple as it sounds. Before the implementation of the CDL Program, you may be able to use your regular driver’s license to drive most kinds of trucks, but now driving a truck requires you to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

Having a CDL is a pre-requisite before you are able to roll down the highway with the big boys.

A CDL can be obtained by enrolling in a technical or vocational school. Here, certified trainers and mentors will be able to help you learn most of the things that you will need to know when driving a truck.

You will learn how to drive huge and bulky tracks along highways and streets amidst the traffic.  You will also learn how to take care of your truck. You will learn how to inspect for any damages that may potentially cause accidents in the future and conduct necessary repairs. You will learn about regulations regarding truck driving and the laws that bind it.

However, small companies that offer hauling or freight services really don’t put too much attention on CDLs. Sometimes, training a new recruit simply consists of informal instructions from one of the company’s senior drivers. In addition, the recruit may be asked to join the experienced driver in one of his trips, so that the recruit may observe and get a feel of the actual work atmosphere.

When you do route trucking (delivery and “some” sales), you may be asked to attend a few days of company trainings and seminars, which includes lectures about basic truck handling and operations, loading and unloading of goods, and even doing some paperwork. Sometimes, you will also receive additional training on sales and marketing. The company will also give you a background on the product you are delivering, so that should a customer ask, you know what to say.

When you are just a newbie, you will always start with the small trucks, after all, you can’t expect them to trust you with the big guns just yet. But don’t worry, as you grow older and more experienced, you are sure to handle larger trucks.

There are trucker’s organizations organized nationwide. Along with the transportation department of the government, they work hand in hand in educating drivers about the right and proper driving and handling of trucks. They formulate rules and guidelines that ensure the safety of drivers, goods, as well as other motorists and pedestrians. When you apply for a CDL, you might just need to learn all these rules and regulations by heart. This is to avoid disputes with baby bears and city kitty’s.

A trucker’s life can be fun at times. Speeding down the highway and riding off into a different state is sure a lot more fun than having to sit at the office all day in front of the computer. Being away also gives you a reason to appreciate and miss your better half, and makes going home a much more exciting experience.

 

What are the Types of Trucks Licenses?

In most cases, an ordinary driver’s license is enough to allow you to drive any vehicle. However, if you are planning to drive a truck, you will need an altogether different license. There are basically three types of truck licenses: Class A, Class B, and Class C.

Although the government has its own set of standards, the different states are also allowed to set their own based on and according to the aforementioned classes. As such, each state has its own requirements and procedures in procuring a commercial driving license.

However, there are generally three classes of licenses, which are standard among all the states.

Class A License

This is what you need if you plan to drive combination vehicles like tractors and trailers. It is awarded to truck drivers driving trucks that exceed 26,000 pounds of gross combination weight rating (GCWR) and a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or more.

If you have a class A license, you can drive all types of vehicles classified under class B, C, and D.

You can drive refrigerated trucks, flatbeds, tankers, feed beds, livestock carriers and car carriers.

Class B License

This license allows you to drive single truck vehicles like passenger busses and straight trucks that exceeds 26,000 pounds. However, unlike in the class A, the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle being towed must not go over 10,000.

Drivers holding this class of license may drive all vehicles classified under class C or D.

As a holder of a Class B license, you can drive box trucks, city busses, or dump trucks with small trailers.

Class C License

If you plan on moving people rather than goods, then the class C license should be enough for you. Having a Class C license allows you to drive passenger vehicles that can load 16 passengers including you. You may also drive vehicles carrying hazardous materials as long as they are placarded.

Holders of Class C license may drive all vehicles under class D. You may drive limousines, ambulances and vans.

Requirements

Requirements may differ from state to state, so you may want to confirm with the local transportation office first. However, here are the basic requirements that you will need to fulfill before getting your CDL.

• Driver’s license check – owning more than one CDL is against the law. If you want a new one, you must return your old CDL before getting another.
• Medical certification – drivers are required to pass a medical examination proving that they are fit and able to do drive.
• Knowledge test – this test measures how much you know about driving. A general test is always the first, followed by specific knowledge tests that will allow you to get endorsement on your CDL.
• Skills test – This checks your actual on-the-road driving.

Getting a CDL is the first thing you need before you can engage in trucking. Whether you choose to work for a company or be an independent trucker, you will always need to have a CDL.

Truck Driving As A Career

Many people are having the notion that truck driving as a career will not give you a good and stable future. Well, one thing is clear, that you are underestimating the field of truck driving. Here is one fact: The United States of America are experiencing a shortage of skilled and professional truck drivers. This simply means that once you pursue truck driving as a career and you dedicate yourself in it, you will become a part of a demanding work force. As a result, you will surely be granted of high and stable income.

Requirements

Unlike any high paying jobs, truck driving does not call for any degree. As long as you posses professional driving licence and good driving methods and attitude, you are a good candidate. Truck driving is a serious career. Just imagine industries without truck drivers who deliver their goods from place to place for trading. Thus the role of truck drivers should not be underestimated. Aside from professional driving licence, truck driving as a career also requires their truck drivers to become sensitive from time, for it is a very crucial factor in the trading industry.

Furthermore, additional requirements in the truck driving include general knowledge about truck trouble-shooting, familiarity of the road and traffic rules, and different ways of defensive driving. Truck driving company will surely hire any potential candidates who posses all of this entry level requirements. Also, truck driving as a career doesn’t favour those who are driving recklessly because we are talking about transportation of valuable goods. So be sure that you can drive safely within the time frame.

Open For All Gender

Truck driving as a career can be pursued by both male and female, and it is not gender restricted. As long as you have the capability of driving professionally, and you pass all the entry level requirements, truck driving can be your lifetime career.

The Long And Sometimes Winding Roads

If you are planning to take truck driving as a career, expect that you sit in your truck for long hours driving at long and sometimes winding roads. If you love to travel from place to place, it is the career that suits you best. If you are having fun driving while listening to your favourite music, it is the job for you. And lastly, if you are a heavy caffeine drinker, look forward to having a thermos of coffee beside you in your every trip.

Compensation And Benefits

At the entry level, a truck driver can earn $40,000 to $45,000 a year. If you gain experience in truck driving, expect that your salary will increase annually. Aside from experience, your performance can also raise your annual salary, plus other company bonuses if they find high quality in your work. When it comes to benefits, if you are under the contract of a truck driving company, you are entitled with benefits such as medical, insurance, and retirement. Expect that your company will do almost anything just to retain their best truck drivers.

Truck driving as a career can be very tiring but it will be compensated equally. It is a very promising career that you can depend on in the rest of your life. It will surely deliver you to a good and steady future.

Truck Driving Job Opportunities

If you choose to make a living out of driving trucks, then there are many opportunities that you can take advantage of. Depending on your preference (and of course your license), you can either drive huge and large trucks to anywhere in the country or small trucks within your state.

Long-haul Trucking

In long-haul trucking, you will be driving huge trucks like tractor-trailer rigs, driving them across different states and cities nationwide. As long as your truck carries 26,000 pounds of weight, you are considered to be driving a heavy truck driver.

As you are driving a heavy truck, you don’t need to follow a pre-determined route. Instead, you are free to choose any route that you want to, as long as you meet the deadline and bring the goods on time and undamaged. Since you need to meet a deadline, you might need to drive ‘round the clock. This can be very difficult, so you need to look for someone who can substitute you during the drive.

Delivery Trucking

Unlike long-haul trucking, delivery trucking follows a set of pre-determined routes to follow. However, your route is set within the local boundaries. In this type of trucking job, you will pick up your stocks from your company or warehouse and deliver them to the company’s clients, like business establishments and retail stores, as well as homes.

Although the drive won’t kill you, other things that the job requires will. Here, aside from driving, you may be required to load and unload your company’s items upon delivery. It may also include having to deal and interact with costumers directly. The training even includes doing paperwork and payment processing.

Route Trucking

This is similar to delivery trucking in the sense that you will still be delivering items to business establishments. You also need to follow a specific route and you still will be carrying goods to and from your trucks.

The main difference is that you will also need to be a good salesman, because that is part of your job. You need to look for new businesses whom you can bring into your clients list. That’s why delivery truck driver’s undergo days of training in sales and marketing, so that they can answer the clients’ questions and persuade them to try their products.

Specialized Driving

Specialized driving requires you to transport specific goods to specific locations. When we say specific goods, we are talking about things like livestock and even hazardous materials. That is why companies are looking for specialized truck drivers with long experience and extra qualifications.

One requirement to be a good specialized truck driver is the ability to know how to carefully bring your cargo to the client. If you are delivering livestock, you must learn how to deliver the goods properly in order to avoid any untoward incidents from happening. This is why they receive higher pay compared to other truckers.

These are just four of the different trucking jobs that truckers can apply for. There are others out there, but this four jobs are by far the most common and popular of all trucking jobs.

Four Truck Driving License Restrictions

Truck driving license restrictions differ from state to state. However, almost all (if not most) of them may carry one or more common restrictions that apply to all commercial truck drivers as outlined by the government. As such, your commercial drivers license (CDL) may bear one or two of the following restrictions.

No Tractor-Trailer Restriction

The No Tractor-Trailer Restriction (No/Trctr/Trlr) keeps drivers from operating tractor-trailer trucks whose gross vehicle weight rating goes beyond 26,001 pounds, and where the towed unit has a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more. As such, seeing this in your license means you are not able to drive heavy combination trucks. If you wish to have this restriction lifted, you must pass a CDL skill test in driving Class A vehicles.

Passenger Restriction

This restriction applies to passenger trucks, usually school busses, city busses and tour busses. Having a passenger restriction means you are not allowed to drive a passenger truck that is higher than the one you tested in. For example, if you passed the passenger test in a Class C vehicle, you cannot drive a passenger truck categorized under Class B vehicles.

To lift the passenger restriction on your license you need to pass the passenger test that includes the following:

• Proper loading and unloading of passengers
• Proper use of emergency exits
• Proper procedures to take at crossings and drawbridges
• Proper braking procedures

Air Brake Restriction

Some trucks are designed with an air brake system. If you tested in a vehicle that is not equipped with an air brake system, then you can expect your license to have an air break restriction, depriving you the chance to drive commercial trucks equipped with an air brake system. This type of restriction applies to truck drivers who do not have sufficient knowledge or do not have experience in air brake systems and its parts. Inspection and even dual air brake system are also tested in this skill test.

Medical Restrictions

This applies to all truck drivers and common drivers as well. Driving a commercial truck can be dangerous if you have medical insufficiencies and handicaps. Thus, the medical restrictions ensure that all drivers are physically fit to drive commercial trucks. The medical examiner will interview you about your medical history, and check for any past medical conditions that may affect your driving. In some states, medical restrictions apply to certain conditions such as diabetes. People with such kinds of diseases and illnesses are restricted to driving certain vehicles only.

Intrastate Restriction

This type of restriction states that commercial truck drivers are not allowed to drive outside the specified state. Going outside the specified state can cause your license to be confiscated, aside having you penalized accordingly.

Truck driver license restrictions were adapted to ensure that all truck drivers are well-trained and equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Ignoring such restrictions imposed by the government as well as the different states may result in the suspension or revocation of your commercial driver license.