Are you looking to pursue a career as a truck driver?
You’ve certainly made a smart decision. Long-haul truck driving isn’t just about being out on the open roads, traversing the country and beyond. Truck drivers have a great starting salary and there’s great job demand across most of the United States.
However, before you start taking steps to become a truck driver, it’s essential to have a good grasp of what the job entails. This way you’ll know what to expect and how to handle any surprises.
Continue reading this truck driver job description for all the information you need:
What Does a Truck Driver Do?
The primary duty of a truck driver is to transport goods from one place to another. The distance between delivery locations largely depends on whether you’re a light truck driver or a long-haul driver. Light truck drivers usually transport goods between locations in the same state while long-haul drivers cross state and even national borders.
On the road, a truck driver is responsible for the safety of the goods in their truck.
Generally, this entails ensuring the truck’s carriage is locked up during transit and parking the vehicle in a secure place during stopovers. Although most trucking companies have maintenance and repair specialists, truck drivers have a responsibility to ensure the truck is in sound condition at all times, especially when on the road. If there’s a problem, they have to respond appropriately and inform their dispatchers.
Other duties include following traffic rules, planning out routes using GPS software, and maintaining a positive attitude with the company’s clients.
What’s the Typical Work Environment for Truck Drivers?
Truck drivers spend most of their time behind the wheel, which means you’ll be sitting during most of your work time. Long-haul drivers spend several days, weeks, or even months on the road, which keeps them away from their families and friends.
Truck driving is a dangerous job. Truck accidents are common, killing about 5,000 people a year and injuring many more. Equipment and ergonomic-related injuries are also common.
Truck Driver Qualifications
Perhaps the most attractive thing about truck driving is you don’t need college-level education to get the job. You just need to be licensed to drive a commercial motor vehicle. This means you need a CDL.
Qualification requirements vary from state, but you generally need to:
- Be an American citizen or permanent resident
- Be at least 18 years (21 in some states)
- Meet medical and driver requirements
- Schedule a CDL test and pass it
- Pay CDL fees
There are other qualifications to meet if you want an enhanced CDL.
It’s important to ensure that the CDL testing facility meets the standards set by the Federal Motor Career Safety Administration (FMCSA). Be sure to learn more about the FMCSA before proceeding.
Now You Know the Truck Driver Job Description
This truck driver job description fleshes out the duties and responsibilities of truck drivers, as well as what it takes to become one. If you were on the fence about being a truck driver, you now have the information you need to make a sound decision.
All the best and keep reading our blog for more tips and insights.
