Becoming a truck driver

by | Apr 11, 2014 | Business Services

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The are many opportunities for those people who possess their CDL license, not only are trucking companies recruiting drivers, there are ample opportunities for self employment. Regardless of why you want to possess a CDL license, the whole thing starts with a visit to your local office of the department of motor vehicles. Here you will learn the requirements and they may depend on the license class you want and the area in which you live.

In most jurisdictions it is a necessity that the applicant has a medical exam which is conducted by a qualified medical practitioner. In most states the legal minimum age to hold a commercial license is 21 but there are exceptions as there are some states which grant the license at 18 but the driver cannot drive inter-state, the driver must stay in the state until he or she reaches 21.

Most trucking companies expect their drivers to be at least a high school graduate or someone who has passed the GED test. Aside from having these educational qualifications it is important that the applicant for a driver’s position has a spotless driving record, if someone who has a number of moving violations or worse yet; been convicted of a DUI, the doors to employment as a truck driver will be closed.

Once the individual has a commercial driver’s license (CDL license) that person can drive a truck weighing over 26,000 pounds. The holder of a CDL license can also drive a vehicle that is transporting hazardous materials. A CDL license is granted only after the individual has passed a written examination as well as a driving test; both these tests must be passed as successful passing is indicative of the driver’s ability to handle a heavy truck.

Once the driver has successfully passed the CDL tests the next step is to pass the Federal Motor Carrier exam. This exam is administered by the Department of Transportation. To succeed in the test the applicant must pass a physical exam that includes a vision test and hearing teat. This test must be repeated every two years otherwise the driver will lose his or her license to operate heavy trucks.

To prepare for these tests many individuals prefer to attend a special truck driving school where they receive all the instructions necessary to pass the exams. Contact Business Name. They offer cdl license training and a refresher course with flexibility timing scheduled.

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