Commercial truck drivers transport goods in commercial vehicles, navigating through city streets, highways, and rural roads to ensure timely deliveries across different regions. Beyond driving, these truck drivers also operate truck equipment, perform vehicle inspections, and ensure cargo safety, among other activities.
Becoming a commercial driver involves a clear path, each step designed to ensure readiness and compliance with industry standards. With a commercial driver's license (CDL) in hand, entry-level drivers can enter a welcoming job market across diverse sectors.
The first step is entry-level truck driver training, required for individuals looking to obtain a Class A or B CDL. Class A and Class B CDLs permit individuals to drive various commercial vehicles, with limitations based on vehicle weight (over 26,001 pounds) and vehicle type. Entry-level driver training is also required for individuals looking to upgrade their license or those seeking specific endorsements like School Bus (S), Passenger (P), or Hazardous Materials (H).
How to Get into Commercial Truck Driving
Initially, candidates must satisfy basic qualifications such as being 21 years old, having a good driving record, and in many cases, holding a high school diploma or GED. Next, attending a quality truck driving school can be a crucial path to gain both theoretical knowledge and practical driving experience. Commercial driving programs vary in length, offering training on laws, regulations, and the hands-on operation of commercial vehicles.
After training, candidates must pass their state's commercial driver's license exam, which assesses their understanding of road laws and their driving skills. Following this, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) exam is required, testing knowledge of federal laws and physical fitness for driving.
Securing an starting job as an entry-level commercial driver is the next step. New hires often undergo orientation and training to familiarize themselves with their employers’ policies, routes, and procedures. The final hurdle is passing the company's road test, after which drivers are assigned a truck and route, marking the start of their career as a truck driver.
What Will You Learn in Entry-Level CDL Driver Training?
The entry-level driver training (ELDT) curriculum equips new drivers with essential skills for a safe and successful career in truck driving. It includes topics on basic operation, safe operating procedures, advanced practices, understanding vehicle systems, and handling non-driving responsibilities.
ELDT's structure ensures drivers are well-prepared, focusing on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The theory portion covers critical safety and operational aspects, requiring an 80% minimum score for proficiency. Practical training encompasses vehicle inspection, maneuvering, and over-the-road instruction, emphasizing real-world driving scenarios, safe behavior, and compliance with hours-of-service regulations. Instructors assess behind-the-wheel performance, ensuring readiness for the challenges of truck driving.
This rigorous approach, validated by inclusion in the FMCSA's Training Provider Registry, underscores the program's commitment to safety and excellence in training. Upon successful completion, records are uploaded to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Training Provider Registry, formalizing certification.
3 Entry-Level Commercial Truck Driving Jobs
Exploring entry-level truck driving jobs reveals ample opportunities for newcomers looking to build experience in the trucking industry. The following positions can serve as a career foundation to advance from entry-level driver roles to more experienced roles driving commercial vehicles such as tractor trailers, tank vehicles, dump trucks, and more:
Delivery Truck Driver
Delivery truck drivers handle package transport and delivery within local regions. They typically use small trucks or vans from distribution centers for deliveries. These drivers generally operate commercial vehicles under 26,001 pounds, potentially qualifying for a Class C CDL. This role can serve as a stepping stone for those aspiring to obtain Class A or B CDLs and pursue higher-level commercial driving roles involving heavier vehicles.
Yard Hostler
Yard hostlers help maintain order and efficiency in cargo yards, preventing congestion. They use yard tractors to maneuver trailers within docks or truck yards. Since yard hostlers typically operate on private property and without having to travel outside the carrier’s premises, a CDL may not be required. But knowing basic trailer maneuvering is essential, a skill that can be acquired through entry-level driver training.
Carriers may hire yard hostlers with little to no commercial driving experience, including those working toward or who have recently obtained a Class A or Class B CDL. It’s important to note that not all companies, however, may hire without a CDL.
Bus Driver
Bus drivers shuttle individuals to locations like schools, workplaces, and malls, even crossing state and national lines. Their duties encompass picking up and dropping off passengers at set places, adhering to a timed route, assisting all passengers including those with disabilities, complying with traffic and transit laws, maintaining passenger safety, communicating delays, conducting basic bus maintenance, and ensuring the vehicle's cleanliness. This profession includes school, local transit, intercity, and charter bus drivers, each requiring adherence to specific regulations.
CDL requirements vary depending on the size of the bus. For any bus operator carrying 16 or more passengers or driving a bus over 26,001 pounds, a CDL of the appropriate class with additional endorsements for passenger vehicles (P) and school buses (S) is typically required. A CDL is required even when driving an empty bus over 26,001 pounds on public roads.
Get on the Path to a Career as a Truck Driver
In 2022, 8.4 million people were employed in trucking-related jobs, according to American Trucking Associations (ATA). This rewarding career offers flexibility and significant independence, but it also demands long hours on the road, so safety and proper training are important. Entry-level driver training encompasses hands-on learning and critical safety practices, equipping drivers for entry-level positions while laying the foundation for a successful journey in the truck driving industry.
The commercial driving training program offered by All-State Career in Baltimore, MD is an excellent starting point for individuals seeking to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and preparation to safely operate commercial vehicles and pass the CDL examination.
Ready to prepare for a career as a truck driver? Discover more about the commercial truck driving training program options at an All-State Career school location in Baltimore, Philadelphia or Pittsburgh (each with link please), and take the first step toward a fulfilling career in various sectors of the transportation industry.