Driving Yourself to Six-Figure Success

Truck driving has become highly popular in the U.S.—more than three million Americans now drive trucks full-time.  And, believe it or not, it is possible to earn as much as $75,000 a year or even more driving a commercial rig. The biggest plus of all is the fact that the academic requirements for driving a truck (yes, even those massive rigs) are minimal by today’s educational standards. 

You simply have to have a high school diploma or a GED, at least 18 years of age and with a driver’s license issued by the State where you reside.  Most employers also require a clean driving record. While it may be possible to obtain a job without a diploma, the sheepskin certainly will give you an advantage when applying for a position. 

Duties and responsibilities of truck drivers will depend on the industries they are involved with.  Basically, truck driving can be categorized into light driving where there is a specific route and drivers are also oftentimes expected to sell their company’s wares as well as deliver them.  There is the long distance driving which usually means hauling deliveries to various places which will usually take the driver a day or more.  This type can either be operating small trucks/vans or maneuvering big rigs across the country. 

Still, even if you think driving a truck may be the field for you, you may not know what qualifications are needed in order to secure a high-paying job.  Securing a valid driver’s license might be the beginning of your professional career as a truck driver but in order to advance to the bigger buck, drivers of trucks designed to carry 26,000 pounds or more are required to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) from the State where you live.

Applicants for a CDL must pass a written test on rules and regulations and must have a clean driving record (there is a national database where the authorities can easily check if one has a bad driver record or worst was already issued a CDL but was revoked for violations).  You must also demonstrate to an examiner that you can operate a commercial truck. 

Armed with a commercial driver’s license, you are qualified to drive big trucks and trailers as well as operate vehicles that haul special cargo like hazardous materials for commercial and industrial use.  The CDL plus other requirements can also be your ticket to bigger hauling projects like interstate commercial driving.

States allow 18 year olds with CDL to operate within the state border but driving a commercial vehicle between States requires older individuals (at least 21 years old) who passed a physical examination once every two years as required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations—published by U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

The minimum physical requirements for interstate commercial driving include first-rate hearing ability, at least 20/40 vision (with or without glasses or corrective lenses), and a 70-degree field of vision in each eye and in good health.  Drivers are also expected not to use controlled substances unless prescribed by a physician.   

Added conditions for driving interstate are a spotlessly clean police record and ability to read and speak English.  Violation of any traffic rules and regulations especially a conviction involving the use of motor vehicle is a great drawback and detriment in obtaining CDL for interstate driving. 

Necessary proficiency in the English language is at the minimum.  As long as you can understand the language well enough to read road signs, prepare reports, and communicate sufficiently to be understood will be enough.

It’s also important that you maintain a good driving record at all times.  If you have had too many speeding tickets or have been convicted of driving under the influence, you may have difficulty holding on to your CDL.  A safe driving record shows that you are a responsible individual who can be entrusted with a large vehicle.

You should also be aware of the fact that you’ll have to pass periodic drug testing in order to secure a job and to keep it. The testing is usually demanded by employers to ensure the safety of their staff as well as the cargo they are transporting.  

More and more Americans are lured into this kind of business now that truck driving has become less physically demanding and there are many modern conveniences a truck driver can enjoy even when staying on the road for days.