Commercial truck driving is the profession of driving a truck for business or transporting purposes. Commercial truck drivers’ responsibilities include making deliveries to businesses or residences, transporting goods to retail establishments, picking-up packages from a transport center to deliver to a business customer, loading and unloading cargo, maintaining a logbook of their driving activities, ensuring their driving and resting periods comply with federal regulations, and performing general maintenance on trucks.
Students interested in pursuing a career as a commercial truck driver should encompass a number of skills and qualities essential in this field. Commercial truck drivers must have exceptional hand-eye coordination. They must always be aware of their surroundings when on the road and be able to act quickly to avoid obstructions which may get in the way...Read More
Commercial truck drivers should be in good physical health since certain medical conditions may interfere with their ability to operate a vehicle. They must have good eyesight and pass a number of vision tests which assess their visual acuity and color blindness. Commercial truck drivers must also have good hearing ability since there are a number of things that can be heard while driving on the road, before they can be seen.
Commercial Truck Driving Education Levels Available
Commercial Truck Driving CertificateObtaining a certificate in commercial truck driving will provide students with the knowledge and training needed to acquire entry-level positions in the commercial truck driving field. The certification program in commercial truck driving is generally a one-year program and students will take courses in areas such as log books, dangerous goods, mapping, safety regulations, fuel-efficient driving, and traffic and road management. Most certification programs also offer an apprenticeship program. This allows students to gain in-vehicle training experience and become familiar with the daily operations and responsibilities of a commercial truck driver.
Licensure as a Commercial Truck DriverUpon completion of a training program in commercial truck driving, students must acquire a Commercial Driver’s Licence (CDL). This entails passing an examination which assesses the student’s skills and knowledge in this industry as well as passing a driving test. In addition to the CDL, commercial truck drivers must also obtain endorsements which confirm that the commercial truck driver is permitted to drive a specialized type of vehicle. Commercial truck drivers who transport hazardous materials must have the hazardous materials endorsement (HAZMAT).This entails an additional examination, a TSA (Transportation Security Administration) threat assessment, and a background check from the driver.
Admission RequirementsFor most colleges and vocational schools, the admission requirements for a certification program in commercial truck driving include a high school diploma or its academic equivalent (i.e., GED), a transcript from the high school the student graduated from, SAT or ACT test scores, and an application form from the college or university the student wishes to attend along with the application fee. Volunteer and/or work experience in the truck driving field should be noted on the application form since this would benefit students during their application process.
Tuition and AccreditationThere are numerous factors which affect college and vocational school tuition fees such as public versus private institutions, distance education, government funding, etc. Therefore, a certificate in commercial truck driving may vary from $ 8,085 to $ 23,871 in tuition fees. (Source: the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics)
It is extremely important for students to attend an accredited institution. This tells employers that the applicant graduated from a college or vocational school which provides high-quality education and adheres to certain academic standards. Students who complete a training or certification program in commercial truck driving should enroll in a college or vocational school accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) or the Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI).
Average Annual Salary Range for Commercial Truck DriversThe average annual salary range for commercial truck drivers is $ 30,360 to $ 50,360 (according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). However, keep in mind that there are various aspects which determine an individual’s salary such as their level of education, the extent of their experience, their field of specialization, and who they are employed by. Therefore, salaries for the same profession vary from person to person.
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