Truck driving is one of the top-paying jobs in recent times. It is one of the fastest-growing jobs primarily because almost seventy percent of freights are transported by trucks.
There is a huge demand in the market for the transportation of goods and products. Places like the United States, Canada and parts of Europe that are big in the exporting and importing business greatly depend on transporting products through truck driving services.
Given that it is an important kind of work, certain requirements need to be complied with in order to engage in this type of business or occupation. Whether it be for an entire operation of a group of trucks as a business or the use of a single one to conduct personal services, the law must be complied with in order to participate in truck driving.
Requirements in The Truck Driving Venture
The primary requirement in engaging in the truck driving business is having a driver’s license. This is required by law and it provides for different standards in order to obtain it. These standards depend on the state where you live in and the type of goods or products that you will be transporting.
The type of driver’s license required is not just the typical license that you obtain in order to lawfully drive a vehicle. The law requires a Commercial Driver’s License or CDL comes that comes in three classes.
These classes are Class A, Class B, and Class C. Class A licenses are used in driving vehicles with a combination of gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more. Provided, however, that the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle being towed is more than 10,000 pounds.
Class B licenses are needed in driving individual vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more. Class C licenses are used in single vehicles that cannot be classified as Class A or Class B. Class C licenses are often used in transportation having sixteen or more passengers or vehicles that are transporting hazardous products.
The Importance of Having a Commercial Driver’s License in Truck Driving
Having a CDL is proof that you are capable of driving large vehicles and different kinds of trucks. It also shows your competence in handling certain types of products that you will be transporting especially if it will be on a day-to-day basis. These products include hazardous materials, products that are easily spoiled, heavy machinery, guns and the like.
Aside from the reasons stated above, a commercial driver’s license is required by law in order to operate certain types of trucks. It is mandatory a mandatory requirement that helps ensure the safety of the driver, the goods and society.
A CDL is also a type of certification that you can show employers in order to have a higher pay. Having a CDL means you have undergone the written exam and passed it.
Other classes of CDL are harder to obtain. Some states require a clean driving record, drug tests, written examinations, and other standards to be complied with in order for them to issue a CDL.
Jobs That Require CDL
Anyone can engage in the truck driving business. Whether it be a large company or a single person, the truck driving business is within grasp as long as the requirements for this trade are complied with. One could have as much as one to two trucks to engage in this venture.
Truck driving jobs that require CDL include tanker drivers, refrigerated freight drivers, flatbed drivers, freight haulers, and dry can drivers.
Liquid products like petroleum are transported by tanker drivers. This job almost always involves hazardous liquids and therefore, requires the driver to have a Class C license.
Refrigerated freight drivers transport goods that need a specific temperature. During transportation, the driver has the duty to constantly check the goods to make sure they don’t perish.
Flatbed drivers transport vehicles, military vehicles, and over-sized freight. This requires the driver to be knowledgeable in transporting certain kinds of items, therefore, making it a higher-paying job.
Drivers who transport refrigerated freight are often considered as professionals known as reefer drivers. They are required to have a certain set of skills to make sure the goods being transported will be done so without loss. These skills include being able to maintain the temperature of the truck, properly storing the items for maximum refrigeration and maintenance.
Any type of goods that are not considered dry van transportation is transported by freight haulers. This job often expects the driver to transport liquids, oversized or hazardous goods.
Lastly, the most common trucking job is being a dry van driver. A dry van driver transports large single trailer vehicles that are filled with non-perishable items and dry goods.
Employment in CDL Truck Driving Jobs
Engaging in truck driving jobs or hiring services provided by truck drivers is an important part of every business. It is the primary means of transportation of goods, products, and machinery in most parts of the world.
It is cost-effective and provides for a more reliable means of selling and buying products in large quantities. It is without a doubt that being employed in this type of venture is easy as long as you have the proper training and you obtain all the requirements.
A CDL is indispensable if you want to engage in commercial truck driving. Aside from being evidence of your capacities and skills, this license helps you earn more because of the additional training that you had to undergo to obtain it.
Other than the requirement of having your CDL, drivers are also expected to meet certain qualifications in order to get hired in CDL truck driving jobs. Standards to qualify as a truck driver varies for each company.
One of the primary requirements is education coupled with training and certification. This includes the driver’s license issued by the state they live in and a spotless driving record. Job training courses from bona fide truck-driving schools also look pleasing on the resume. Training in automotive mechanics as well is a good way to impress future employers.