by Pride Transport | Nov 14, 2022
Everything you need to know to get behind the wheel of your own big rig.
Are you not sure what you want to do after high-school? Are you a retired veteran, or even just wanting to make a career change? If you’ve thought about becoming a truck driver, and becoming a part of one of the most lucrative industries in the nation, you’ve come to the right place!
We are going to give you everything you need to get behind that wheel and get your career on the road! From what it takes to get your CDL (Commercial Driver’s License), to what salary to expect, we have all of the resources you need!
Why become a truck driver?
Truck driving has many benefits that come with being behind the wheel! You can travel the country and earn a great salary while doing so. The trucking industry is what makes our country’s wheels turn and the job security for this industry will never deplenish. Whether it be the freedom that comes with the job, the feeling of being essential to your country, or even the benefits and pay that comes with the gig, trucking just might be the perfect career for you!
Your Guide to Getting on the Road:
1: Schooling For Truck Drivers
Learn how to pick the right driving school for you, and how much getting a CDL could cost.
2: Pay Expectations
Money makes the world go round! Found out how much you could be making as a truck driver!
3: DOT Testing
Be prepared and learn what to expect from DOT testing and physical exams:
4: Company Training
What happens after you land a driving gig? Here's what to expect from company training, finding a trucking mentor, and additional tips for new drivers!
5: Owner Operator or Drive With a Company?
Are you trying to decide whether to drive with a company or buy your own rig and do it all yourself? Here are the pros and cons of both:
Section 1: Schooling For Truck Drivers
The first step is always the hardest! Starting a new career is full of unknowns, and plenty of questions. How do I choose a truck driving school? Do I need a CDL? What does it cost? All common questions that you'll need to answer before you get behind the wheel. Below are resources to help you find the right CDL School for you, and answer any questions you may have.
- What does it cost to get your CDL?
- College VS. Trucking School: Which is Right For You?
- How To Find The Right CDL School In Utah For You
- Picking a Driving School: 10 Things to Consider
- Can You Get a CDL Without Going to Driving School?
- CDL Career Paths: The Road to Success
Section 2: Pay Expectations
Did you know that you can be making as much as someone with a four year college degree! With over 500,000 trucking companies in the United States, each company has their own method of paying their drivers! Whether that be CPM (Cost Per Mile), Per Diem, Percentage of Load, Hourly or Salary, you can earn a great living as a driver! Learn how much truckers make and the job growth predictions for the industry!
- How Is Pay Calculated In The Trucking Industry?
- How Much Do Truck Drivers Make?
- Pay Increases and Job Growth Within The Trucking Industry
Section 3: DOT Testing
All truck drivers are required to take and pass the DOT Physical Examination in order to receive their Commercial Driver’s License. This exam determines if the truck driver meets specific health criteria, set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSSA), and to ensure the driver is healthy and able to operate such large vehicles.
- What to Expect From The DOT Exam
- Preparing For Your DOT Physical Exam
- Health Tests Truck Drivers Should Expect to Take
- Why Truck Drivers Need a DOT Physical to Check Their Blood Pressure
- What is the DOT 16-Hour Extension Rule?
Section 4: Company Training
You decide driving is for you, you go through the necessary schooling, you get your CDL, and now you want to know what happens next! We have the inside scoop about what happens after you get your CDL and what is to come with company training!
- What to Expect From Your Pride Training
- What to Expect as a New Driver in Utah
- Tips For New Truck Drivers
- Veteran Tips For First Year Drivers
- Just How Important Is It To Have a Trucking Mentor?
Section 5: Owner Operator or Drive With a Company
Now that you are a CDL holder, you have to decide whether or not to drive with a company or to handle your own operations! We may be biased, but driving with a company takes a lot of stress off of your shoulders, and here is why: