Should I Become A Truck Driver?
Topic 17314 | Page 1
Most trucking companies require a minimum age of 21. What you could do is try to get a job working the docks and spotting trucks and in a few years you'll have a leg up on most other people at the driving school you attend.
You should wait til you are 21 to get your CDL. You will not be able to run interstate until you are 21. Between now and then do not get any tickets, and don't use any illegal drugs. This includes pot even if it's legal where you live. Do not worry about backing, you will be taught that. You will also be taught to drive a manual. However, more and more trucks have automatic transmissions. I suggest you start here.
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road Training Program
Then look at these, Paid CDL Training Programs
- Trucker's Career Guide: Choosing A Truck Driving School
- Article Category: Choosing A Truck Driving School
- Forum Topics Tagged "Choosing A Truck Driving School"
Then put any questions you have into the search bar at the top of this page. With that said. Good luck. Take your time and learn.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Two things jump right out:
First, you may be able to drive for a local interstate (in-state) firm, but are too young for intrastate commerce (crossing state borders.) Most companies that accept brand new drivers are intrastate companies, and you have to be able to go OTR. It's not an insurmountable obstacle, but you might be better off looking for a class B job in your state first, then moving up to class A when you are 21/22 (can't remember the age limit.) Unless you have some sort of connection, getting into the industry before you are 21/22 might lead to you working for a sketchy company that asks you to do things that might severely impact your future as a driver.
Second, unless you are over seven feet tall and more than 500 pounds, any modern sleeper cab truck will fit you just fine. However, if you are a very large individual because you are very obese, you are almost certainly going to get flagged for sleep apnea , and required to wear a CPAP machine. In addition, even drivers who deal with no-touch cargo have to climb into their trailers regularly to tend loads. If you have difficulty climbing into the back of a trailer, that WILL be a problem. However, if you are more pear-shaped than Shaq-shaped, you have a couple years, most likely, to work out a bit and lose some weight.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
Intrastate Commerce:
The act of purchasers and sellers transacting business while keeping all transactions in a single state, without crossing state lines to do so.
Intrastate:
The act of purchasers and sellers transacting business while keeping all transactions in a single state, without crossing state lines to do so.
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.
CPAP:
Constant Positive Airway Pressure
CPAP is a breathing assist device which is worn over the mouth or nose. It provides nighttime relief for individuals who suffer from Sleep Apnea.
Inter is between; intra is within. But other than that bob has some great points. Another possible idea is the various dock to driver type scenarios.
Well, I live in Kansas so there ain't many options. I do live 30 mi south of Wichita, but I can't really find anything there. I know I can't drive interstate until I'm 21, but it's 18+ for intrastate. I know patience is a virtue but I don't necessarily want to wait 3 years lol. May not seem like a long time, but boy howdy it sure is to me. Especially when it comes down to career choice.
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
Intrastate:
The act of purchasers and sellers transacting business while keeping all transactions in a single state, without crossing state lines to do so.
I'm not sure if they take "youngsters" <21, but check intermodal , or drayage companies. They are mostly local, hauling the containers.
Intermodal:
Transporting freight using two or more transportation modes. An example would be freight that is moved by truck from the shipper's dock to the rail yard, then placed on a train to the next rail yard, and finally returned to a truck for delivery to the receiving customer.
In trucking when you hear someone refer to an intermodal job they're normally talking about hauling shipping containers to and from the shipyards and railyards.
Most of your concerns have been answered. I drive a manual pickup truck and it didn't help with driving this big truck during school, I mean understanding the concept of shifting helped, but during training we were required to double clutch and that is different from shifting a small vehicle. Driving manual in a big truck is easier than a small car or pickup. I drive an automatic and it's pretty awesome. Regardless it isn't something to be scared of and a lot of us never pulled a trailer before.
Some options would be to get your class A license with combinations, air brakes, etc, but get a class B job during your time you have the intrastate restriction. If your in a more rural area you could try getting on grain hauling. The other option is to drive a yard dog at a warehouse. By the time you become an actual driver you would have a good understanding of backing and how the trailer moves.
If anything learn as much as you can. This job is great, but know what you are getting into. Don't let age worry you I am 22, got my cdl at 21.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Intrastate:
The act of purchasers and sellers transacting business while keeping all transactions in a single state, without crossing state lines to do so.
Double Clutch:
To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.
When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.
This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.
Thank you all for the great information. I got two questions, Can I get a class B cdl whilst having a class A? And, if I have a class A cdl, can I operate class B cdl vehicles? Or do I still need a class B?
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Class A includes class B includes class C.
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Alright. I'm just going to get right down to it. For as long as I can remember I've wanted to become a truck driver. I love big rigs. I love seeing them on the highway, and while it probably doesn't count for much, whenever I play video games, it's almost always American Truck Simulator. I love American trucks. I love the idea of being out on the road, traveling, meeting people. Now, main reasons why I'm conflicted are: I've never driven a vehicle with a manual tranny. I have only driven automatics, and I know that 80% of trucks are manual so I'm at a disadvantage there. Another thing is, I'm a pretty big fella. I have talked to a couple truckers and they've told me that it wouldn't be an issue, just that Freightliners have more room. Another issue is that I've never backed up a trailer. I've never even hauled a trailer. Sadly, I haven't had the opportunity to. I'm 17 years old and will be 18 in April. I plan to get my cdl that month, my only main concern is; out of everything I've said here, do you think I should pursue this career? I am fully prepared to make whatever necessary sacrifices I need. I know this is what I want to do.
If so, can you provide some guidance, like the steps I should follow to becoming a truck driver at my age? Thanks for the help, Jalon
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: