“How do I know if truck driving is for me?” It’s a complicated question and up to your individual needs, career goals, and lifestyle.
If you’re thinking about becoming a truck driver, here are a few things you should know about:
- Professional Training
- Being On The Road
- Trucking Regulations
Professional Training
Before considering professional training and starting your career, keep in mind that you’re required to be at least 21 years old to legally operate commercial motor vehicles. You’ll also need to pass your state’s regular driver’s license exam and complete high school or the GED.
Once you meet those requirements, you’ll be able to attend a commercial driver’s license program. Typically, a trucking school program lasts about three weeks while a program at a community college lasts about six weeks.
Next, you’ll need to get your commercial driver’s license which comes with three classifications (A, B, and C) depending on the size and weight of your vehicle. In general, state law, such as in Tennessee, defines a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) as any vehicle or combination of vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds.
Being On The Road
Most truckers start their career as on-the-road drivers, often working long hours and being on the road for days or weeks at a time. On average, they spend about 300 days on the road. As you gain experience, you can transition from being an on-the-road driver to working a regional or local truck driving job. As you think about how much time you spend on the road, you’ll also need to consider how it will impact other aspects of your life. This includes time away from your family, being on your own for long stretches of time, and knowing how to communicate effectively.
However, there are many benefits to life on the road. If you love traveling and experiencing new places, being a truck driver can take you to many places across the country that you might not see otherwise. On average, professional drivers drive 2,000 to 3,000 miles a week. You’ll also have job security as trucking is a rapidly growing industry with a high demand for new drivers. According to the American Trucking Association, the trucking industry is expected to grow by 35% by 2029.
Trucking Regulations:
As more trucking regulations are implemented each year to keep you and other drivers safe, it’s important to constantly educate yourself to avoid violating a regulation. If you do, it can be costly and result in a warning, fine, or even being terminated by your employer.
Other things to consider include restricted parking and layover time. As many businesses don’t allow trucks to be parked overnight, you may need to plan ahead to find rest stops and other areas where you can take a break. As stated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, property-carrying drivers are allowed to drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. For passenger-carrying drivers, you’re allowed to drive a maximum of 10 hours with 8 hours off.
Start Your Nashville Truck Driver Career with Drive M&W
Interested in working with Drive M&W? Our team is growing and looking for truck drivers in various locations in and around Tennessee.
Contact one of our recruiters today to learn more about our transportation jobs and join our award-winning team of truck drivers.