Truck Drivers: Who They Are and How to Become One

Truck drivers have many names around the world. They are called truckers in the United States and Canada, lorry drivers in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Nepal, India, Pakistan, and Malaysia, HGV drivers in the European Union, and truckies in Australia and New Zealand.

However, despite the differences in their names, all truck drivers serve the same purpose. That purpose is to get something from one part of the nation to another. Truck drivers are some of the most important parts of the supply chain from production to purchase and our modern economy would not be the same without them.

Without truck drivers, our shipments and supply chains would be heavily reliant on train travel, boats, and air shipping. All of which are much more expensive than shipping things by truck. Truck drivers are often overlooked and underrated as members of our society, but it is very important to recognize them for the crucial work that they do to keep our supply chains and economy functioning properly.

In this article, you will get all the information you need to know about who truck drivers are and what they do for a living.

Who Can Be A Truck Driver?

Anyone can become a truck driver as long as they meet certain requirements and fulfill certain obligations. To legally operate a commercial motor vehicle, you must be at least 21 years old in most states. However, in some states, you can obtain a learner's permit or an intrastate commercial driver's license at 18.

An intrastate driver's license allows the holder to operate commercial motor vehicles within the state where they permanently reside. Once they turn 21, the intrastate restriction will be automatically lifted and they can drive interstate, which means they can cross state lines.

Some of the criteria that you must pass to become a truck driver are as follows.

Pass the Regular Drivers License Exam for Your State
To be in, you must already have a valid driver's license in the state where you have a permanent residence before you can apply for a commercial driver's license. With some programs for commercial driver's licenses, you may be able to start driving delivery trucks while you study.

Have a High School Diploma or GED
Another requirement is that you must have completed high school or have a GED. Most long-haul trucking employers want to see that their employees have some sort of education that they have completed.

Complete Professional Training
Next, the truck driver must complete their professional training in some sort of truck driver training program. Many community colleges, trucking companies, and private truck driving schools have programs that you can enroll in before you take the CDL exam.

This is one of the most expensive parts of becoming a truck driver and can cost an individual between $1,000 to $10,000. You must have completed a truck driving program before you take the CDL exam.

Pass the CDL Exam
Next, you must pass the CDL exam and get the CDL itself. Depending on what you need to use for your commercial driver's license, make sure that you are applying for the right class. The three classes are A, B, and C.

Once you get hired by a trucking company and have completed the steps to get a CDL license, you have to complete any training or programs required by the trucking company. Once that is done, you are officially a trucker and can begin working!