You’ve heard about the income you can earn by becoming a truck driver. Stop by any truck stop and you’ll notice that there are countless trucking job magazines filled with advertisements from trucking companies looking to fill entry level truck driving jobs. Many ads promote the possibility of making up to $100,000 per year as an owner operator. This is true; you can make a very good living with a trucking job. Search for one on our job board.
Why are entry level truck driving jobs lucrative? For starters, there is a growing shortage of truck drivers in the country. With the growth of imports of goods from overseas, there is an added need to get these products to their destination. This also creates a higher demand for manufacturers to get goods delivered to their customers quickly. Furthermore, there is a decline in the number of people that are entering the trucking field. They are opting for college instead. This has created an environment in which you can make a very good living in a job that has less competition.
Entry level truck driving jobs come with a unique lifestyle. You will be able to travel as much as you like depending on the jobs to pick. You are responsible for your keeping your own schedule and records. With many companies you can take your spouse or even your pet on the road with you. This kind of freedom is the reason that many people choose trucking as their preferred method of making a living.
There are three types of trucking jobs that are available. Owner Operators: A trucker that owns or leases his own semi truck and is paid to move goods for a single company for their customers at a set amount per mile. This is usually the highest paying and most desirable type of truck driving job because the driver will be paying off his own truck, will have steady work, and has some control over the profits he or she can make. An owner operator is usually responsible for buying some or all of his fuel, and paying his own repair costs for his truck. The second type of truckers is Company Drivers: A company driver is a trucker that is an employee of a trucking company. A company driver earns by the hour, a flat rate per week, or by the mile, and is usually not responsible for purchasing or repairing his own truck. A third type of trucking job is Independent Truckers: An independent trucker owns his own truck and moves only the loads that he finds for himself. He can find and bid on jobs on the internet. He is generally not obligated to any one company, and has all of the risks and responsibilities of running his own business.
What do you need to get started in an entry level truck driving job? The most important thing you’ll need is a CDL (Commercial Drivers License) which will be issued by the state. Standards for the license are set by the federal government, but are issued by your state licensing bureau. The CDL test consists of a written as well as a driving component. Most truckers attend a truck driving school where they will receive training on how to drive a rig, as well as preparation for the written portion of the exam. Many trucking companies offer their own training programs for new drivers, so you may be able to complete your job search and then get immediate work.
When searching for an entry level truck driving job, there are steps you can take to success. You can rely on your driving school for job placement; however, finding your own contract will give you the greatest choice of schedule, pay and location. Start looking at truck stops. There will be many advertisements there in magazines by companies looking for drivers. You can also call some local trucking companies in your area. Finally, the internet has become one of the best ways to look for a trucking job. There are websites that specialize in placing truckers with trucking companies. Online a prospective trucker can search through currently available jobs by location, and more.
To conclude, entry level truck driving jobs can lead to a very rewarding career choice, both financially and emotionally. They offer freedom to travel the country, while making more money than you could with most college degrees.
