With all due respect for boats, planes, and trains, trucks have truly taken over today’s proverbial ‘driver’s seat’ within the hauling/transport industry. We couldn’t manage without packages, food goods, machinery, vehicles, etc. It’s no exaggeration to say trucks are essential to life as we know it.
But what are trucks without the people who drive them?
Unfortunately, many big empty rigs are parked in crowded lots around the country—graveyards begging for resurrection. The undeniable fact is that we need truckers. And the good news? Trucking companies are hiring.
Full load trucking is a career choice with very little market competition, solid benefits, and predictable longevity. It’s a lifestyle built on interesting relationships, scenic drives, and unique experiences. It’s not always easy, but it never fails to reward.
So, how does one take steps to become a truck driver in today’s ever-changing, unstable world? As someone in the industry might say, “It’s easier than you think, good buddy.”
Below are a few clear-cut steps to become a truck driver that you can begin taking as soon as today, provided you’re at least twenty-one years old.
1 – Make Sure Your Regular Driver’s License is Current
This one might seem obvious, but it’s worth listing. Before earning your commercial driver’s license, you must have a current driver’s license. With a regular DL, you may even be able to start your career driving delivery trucks while studying for your CDL!
2 – Get Your Diploma
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that most long-haul employers, including Super K, expect applicants to hold at least a high school diploma or GED credential. In most states, you can earn your GED in around four months for $80 to $140.
3 – Start Your Training
Community colleges and private truck driving schools host truck driver training programs that qualify you to take the CDL exam. Some states have their own process of auditing and accrediting programs, so make sure you know your state’s BMV or DMV regulations.
Driver training programs may last up to a year. Private schools and community college programs can range in cost from around $1,000 to $10,000.
Community colleges may provide financial aid to students in truck driving programs. Some may even offer a one-year degree related to truck driving or the commercial freight business. This is unnecessary to drive, but it can be a great option if you want to get a college degree.
Company-sponsored programs usually last four to six weeks and cost around $6,000. Most offer discounts, financing options, and sometimes full reimbursement to graduates who stay with the company for a set amount of time.
4 – Earn Your CDL and Other Relevant Endorsements
At a minimum, you need to have a CDL. CDLs come with different classifications (A, B, and C), depending on the size and weight of your vehicle. The CDL-A is the most versatile for drivers of oversized freight.
Your CDL application, test, and license will incur a fee in many states’ BMV or DMV systems. The most expensive fee will be the license fee, which ranges from $20 to $120.
5 – Hit the Road with Us
Super K is currently hiring drivers for long-haul trucking jobs who already have proven experience, but this will soon change. As our company grows and needs increase, we will be actively recruiting new truckers, ready to take on all the adventures that the road holds for them.
So invest in tomorrow by getting started today. We’ll be here, and so will the trucks. And like we said before, what good are trucks without the people who drive them?
People like you.
