Things to Consider Before Becoming a Truck Driver

You may be considering trucking as a means of getting paid, but what you should be asking yourself is, “Is it worth it in the long run?”. We will help you answer this question by giving you a list of things to consider before becoming a truck driver.

Things You Need to Become a Truck Driver

By now, you know that before you can become a truck driver, you need to have a special driver’s license/ classification known as a CDL. The requirements may vary from state to state, so be sure to check your state site for requirements for such a license.

What is a CDL?

What is a CDL? CDL stands for a commercial driver’s license, and there are three types of classes of CDLs you can get. However, before you can get a CDL you first need to get your Class C CDL Driver’s License.

CDL Class A

The first type of is Class A, which means you can drive/operate big rigs, 18-wheelers, tractor trailers, all of which can be 26,001 lbs or more in gross vehicle weight and what is being towed exceeds 10,000 pounds. The beauty of a Class A CDL is that you can operate the vehicles that Class B and C are licensed to operate. But the opposite isn’t the case for a Class B or C Driver. Basically, a Class A drivers license means you can operate vehicles that tow trailers, or other vehicles with a GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) over 10,000 lbs.

CDL Class B

Second, Class B, which says you are able to operate a vehicle that is 26,001 or more pounds; however, the unit being towed needs to be less than 10,000 pounds. A Class B driver can also operate motor vehicles that a Class C driver can operate. Applicants must have a Class C Driver’s license before getting a Class B driver’s license and be at least 18 years of age.

CDL Class C

Third, Class C, which means you are approved to drive vehicles carrying hazardous materials in small quantities, passenger vans, and small buses. In order for this classification of driver’s license is issued, you will need to take and to pass a written test and a skills test, that includes a basic control skills test, pre-trip inspection, and an on-road driving test.

So, “Class C” licensing means you can operate vehicles of a GVWR under 26,000 lbs that would not usually require a CDL; however, being that they are vehicles that are designed to transport 16 or more persons, driver included; or can carry 15 or fewer people, including the driver. These vehicles also include school buses as well as vehicles that carry hazardous materials in small amounts, but are materials that requiring placarding. For such vehicles the appropriate required endorsements are needed to be certified to drive them.

What it Takes to Get a CDL

Here’s what it takes to get a CDL – first you must get approved CDL training from a properly licensed training facility. This could get costly, but there are facilities that offer free training with some requirements.

Second, you must take the required tests and make the required minimum grade in order to pass and be approved to be classified as a CDL driver.

Third, as a commercial driver, you have extra regulations you must follow. In order words, the rules of the road are slightly different for you than the average driver.

Benefits of a CDL

Benefits of a CDL – a CDL will open doors for you if your intent is to be a driver and you are open to delivering goods and all it can entail like touching freight, using forklift to offload trailers, ensuring reefer trailers are up to mandatory temps, etc.

Pros

Pros of getting a CDL are numerous. One of the main pros depending on how well you truck works, i.e, you truck is not in the shop getting fixed every other week… is that you can take commercial driving to the next level by truly becoming your own boss so to speak.

Become your own boss by purchasing your own semi truck to run loads. Some opt for leasing, but if you don’t read the fine print and understand what you are truly signing to, you can find yourself in some dicey situation that ties you to a truck for years and years and when you finally are able to pay it off, if that day comes, you will find yourself needing to purchase another truck and the cycle continues on and on.

Another pro is that you can acquire endorsements like doubles, triples, tanker, and Hazmat. These endorsements will open up doors to higher pay, since you will be certified to transport Hazardous goods which can range from fuel to caustic chemicals in dry or wet states. Through getting your endorsements you can acquire various CDL truck driving positions that are some of the highest paying CDL jobs: hazardous materials driver, a.k.a Hazmat; over-the-road driver, a.k.a. OTR, and owner-operator jobs.

Getting a job through your endorsements, you can expect to earn on the low end, $80,000 per year, and on the high end up to $250,000 per year. Remember, don’t sell yourself short; after all, you are hauling harzadous materials, and your safety is that much more at risk compared to hauling non-hazardous materials.

Cons

Of course, as with most things there are cons to becoming a truck driver. One of the main cons is long hours on the road and time spent away from your family, if you have started one…but more on that later. Another con is the costs that come with trucking, i.e., initial startup costs such as CDL Training costs – this cost can range from $2500 up to as much as $7000. Fingerprint and Background Check (most companies will cover this when they hire you, unless you are an owner operator, then this cost may be on you to cover.

This one is not so much a con, but can easily become one if you lead an unhealthy lifestyle. And this is acquiring of a DOT physical exam / Medical Card. This is a Physical or Medical Certification to determine that you are in good enough health to continously be on the road – this cost may or may not be paid by your employer.

Physicals performed will test to see if you have high blood pressure and if you do, you will be rejected or best case scenario be given a medical card that lasts for only 6 months, or a year versus a medical card that last for TWO years. The time frame for validity will vary based on the state you are operating in, as well as, the findings of your medical exam.

The Physical will also take into account past injuries you have had and can also determine if you have injuries or and preexisting disease that may make you a danger on the road as a commercial driver, in other words, an unfit driver. Eyesight is also part of the test, so make sure you wear corrective lenses (glasses or contacts) to prevent any issues. Check out this site for more information on getting a medical card.

Long hours on the road with all sorts of drivers from the flagrantly rude to the absent-minded and or distracted drivers.

If you are a parent or have a family, the time lost that you can never get back. Long days, even when they were supposed to be short, i.e., days that could have been simple if “Murphy’s Law” was NOT in full effect that day…everything that could go wrong goes wrong.

You must and should do a daily check of your truck and make sure it is able to do the job at hand. Pre-trip inspections for every delivery or load you are running is a must to avoid issues that can be costly in more ways than one. This includes each and every trailer YOU CHOOSE to pull…. After all, it is your CDL that is at stake when it comes to tickets or fines for trucks and trailers in violation of operation regulations.

You must drive at least five miles under the posted speed limit of the road you are on; however, this may vary from state to state. A good seven is best to avoid any flukes or potential oddity with your trucks’ speedometer.

No matter if you are an owner-operator or work for a company, there will be slow periods when work will barely trickle in or stop all together, so make good use of those busy time frames to avoid money flow issues during the slow times.

If your trips are between states, you should be aware that Federal and State regulations apply and could affect you.

Summary

There are three classifications of CDLs – Class A, Class B, and Class C to choose from so do your due diligence and research, explore, and determine which classification you would like to specialize in to achieve your goals as a truck driver. All in all, these are some of the things to consider before becoming a truck driver that we thought were worth highlighting. If we missed any you feel are worth adding, feel free to comment and let us know.