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What You Need to Know Before Becoming a Commercial Truck Driver
Considerations Before Choosing a Career as a Trucker
You probably see an 18-wheeler on the road at least once a day. Many people underestimate the amount of work that goes into establishing a career as a semi-truck driver. The job requires long hours on the road and a fair amount of training. If you are considering a job as a commercial truck driver, you should consider the following five factors:
Whether or Not You Enjoy Driving
It seems obvious, but you should enjoy driving if you want to become a truck driver. If you don’t enjoy driving a regular car from place to place, you probably won’t enjoy the responsibility of a big truck. Ask yourself if you like driving for long periods. Take a long driving trip by yourself to see how it feels before you pursue the real thing.
The Demands of the Job
You may think that if you can sit behind the wheel, you can be a truck driver. However, driving for hours can be physically and mentally demanding if you aren’t used to it. Ask yourself how you feel when you’ve been stuck behind the wheel for hours. What about days?
Additionally, some companies require drivers to load and unload their trucks. If this is the case, you want to make sure you are physically capable of doing heavy-lifting.
Truck Driving School
Driving an 18-wheeler is a lot different than driving a car. You will need to go to driving school so that you can learn to operate a large vehicle safely. You also have to know the rules of the road that only apply to 18-wheelers. These are rules that many average drivers will never have to consider.
After completing driving school, you need to pass a written test to get a driving permit. Most states require you to have a permit before you can take a driving test to get a heavy vehicle license. Make sure you have the time and dedication to get your license and get one before you apply for a job.
A Non-Typical Work Week
Depending on your preferences and your company, you probably won’t work typical nine-to-five hours. Some truck drivers get their day’s work done and then go home. Others may have to drive long distances that keep them on the road for weeks. Keep this possibility in mind as you apply for jobs.
How to Find a Job as a Truck Operator
With these truck driver tips in mind, you can start looking for a trucking company. Some driving schools may offer job placement services. If not, you can look for commercial trucking jobs:
- On online job sites
- On billboards
- By word-of-mouth or recommendations from other drivers
- By calling contact numbers on trucks that you pass
Many companies will advertise jobs on their trucks, so don’t be afraid to talk to a driver you encounter on the road for more information. Overall, working as a truck driver is a rewarding career. Drivers are necessary to keep businesses afloat and move goods closer to consumers. Once you complete these steps, you will be on your way to success.
Injured While Driving a Truck? Call an Experienced Attorney
If you’ve been injured in an accident while operating a commercial truck, contact The Stephens Law Firm Accident Lawyers for help with your personal injury case. Joe Stephens has helped hundreds of Texans get compensation for wrongful injuries and he's considered one of the best 18-wheeler accident lawyers in the Houston Texas area.
Types of Trucking Accidents We Handle in Houston and Across Texas:
Wide Turn Accidents
Blind Spot Accidents
Read End Accidents
Brake Failure
Jackknife Accidents
Truck Rollovers
Tire Blowouts
Truck Driver DWI
Underride Accidents
Lost Load Accidents
Headon Collisions
T-Bone Collisions
Cases involving commercial truck wrecks can be very complex and present difficulty proving negligence of the truck driver, the trucking company, or both. Joe's experience with these cases allows him to get right to the heart of the matter, his clients rights and owed compensation.
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