It’s no doubt that truckers work long hours. Over the road (OTR) truckers travel long distances and put in a lot of miles — that’s how they get paid, after all. But what does a truck driver do to pass the time when not driving? What is a “day in the life” of a trucker like?
Plenty of growth opportunities in your truck driver career path exist. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), an over-the-road (OTR) trucker’s average annual truck driver salary is around $48,000. The job outlook looks bright, increasing by six percent over the next decade. The BLS projects about 231,100 openings for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers each year.
It’s like being an independent contractor in any other industry. If you have your own truck, a commercial driver’s license (CDL), and an established business, you can be a freelance truck driver, or owner-operator. The trucking industry is full of them as well as trucking companies who are happy to offer jobs to drivers who have good driving records.
You passed your CDL training, got your license, and scored a truck driving job. Life is sweet, but you’re not the “king of the road” yet. There’s still a lot to learn in your first year out. Here are ten truck driving tips that will make you a better truck driver.
Maybe you’re a new driver who just earned your CDL (commercial driver’s license) and want to make the best choice for your first OTR trucking job or you’re an experienced driver looking for a better way to spend your working hours. Whatever it is, starting with a good company is a way to ensure you’ll have a positive career in the trucking industry.
The hazmat endorsement is a certification added to your CDL that allows you to drive trucks carrying hazardous materials, such as toxic chemicals, fuels, nuclear waste products, and flammable gases. Any substance that poses a reasonable risk to health, property, or the environment qualifies.
If you are here it is because you either have completed the necessary steps to get your CDL, in which case congratulations! You may also be thinking about getting your CDL and want to know what your options would be, in which case welcome!
There are many types of jobs you can get with a CDL. The truck dispatcher, or freight dispatcher, role doesn’t require one, but it does play an important role for any trucking company or owner-operator. It can also be a great place to start if you want to learn more about the transportation industry or a specific trucking company. The education requirement is generally a high school diploma or GED.
People from all walks of life can find stable jobs in the trucking industry. However, if you have been convicted of a felony, getting a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and choosing to be a truck driver can be much harder.
