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To become a commercial truck driver, you’ll need to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) through your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. Before you can pass the required exam, you need to enroll in a certified truck driving school, which takes on average 7 weeks to complete. Depending upon whether you want to obtain a Class A or Class B license, the cost can range from U.S. $3,000 to $7,000 in the United States. Generally, the more time you have to spend training to earn your chosen license, the more you will likely invest in tuition.
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If you’re ready to pursue a career as a professional driver, the first step is earning your Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Driving a commercial motor vehicle requires a higher level of skill than a typical non-commercial vehicle. To obtain your CDL, you must pass a CLD exam that includes rigorous skills and knowledge testing. You must acquire a commercial learner’s permit, which authorizes you to drive on public roads with a qualified CDL holder (a trainer). After an adequate number of hours in training, you then must take your CDL exam, which is comprised of three parts: vehicle inspection, backing skills, and road test. Once you pass the exam and obtain your CDL, you’re likely ready to become a professional driver!
You do not need to have a spotless driving record to become a truck driver. If minor infractions and misdemeanors have been handled and you’ve put them behind you, it should not affect your ability to obtain your CDL. Motor Carriers will have to review your MVR with insurance to ensure that insurance can cover you.
It is also possible to acquire your CDL and attain employment as a truck driver with a felony on your record, depending on the felony committed and how long ago. If a commercial vehicle was involved in committing the felony, you would be prohibited from getting your CDL or have a waiting period. If the felony on your record was not related to using a commercial vehicle, you generally would not have an issue obtaining a CDL license and employment. The number of felonies on your record could also be a contributing factor. Additionally, many carriers hire convicted felons and will give you a chance to get back into the workforce.
You need to determine to attend a private or company-sponsored CDL Training School (Super-regional or mega-carriers usually own and operate their own truck driver training schools). While private CDL schools may charge thousands of dollars upfront, the fees of sponsored truck driving training schools can vary from low-cost to no-cost.
In the United States, you may qualify for federal student aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) program. You also can apply for a scholarship through the .
Beyond the financial aspects of choosing the right school for you, other questions you should be asking include: Is this school certified or state accredited with proper licensing to operate? What’s the trainer to student ratio? What’s the length of the program and at what times are classes held? What are the qualifications of the instructor (are they former drivers with driving experience or inexperienced CDL drivers)? Can the licensing test be repeated if you don’t pass it for the first time (if yes, how many times can it be repeated and is there a cost)?
There are several options from which to choose. You can become a professional driver for a for-hire carrier or asset-based third-party logistics company, or you can drive for a private fleet of a company (typically a manufacturer, retailer or wholesaler). Corporate culture, flexibility in hours and work requirements to accommodate family/life balance, competitive compensation and benefits, training and continued professional development, and career advancement opportunities are important to many women drivers. You may want to consider working for a company that consistently ranks on WIT’s Top Companies for Women to Work For in Transportation.
Here are some questions that can be helpful as you assess the companies you’d be interested in working for: What’s their corporate culture like? What’s their fleet size, average age of equipment, and maintenance/service schedule for equipment? How do they value safety and what’s their safety score? Do they emphasize training – and what’s their formal onboarding, new driver training process, and length of OTR training? What are their policies important issues such as harassment, same-gender training? For drivers, what’s their compensation and benefits, such as medical, maternity, retirement?
There are many factors that go into compensation. Some drivers are paid by the hour while others are commonly paid by the mile. Another key factor is whether they use a company truck or if they own and operate their own. The average salary for a driver is approximately $75,000 per year in the U.S., although depending upon load type, mileage, and experience there are opportunities to make six figures!
There are several different driver options from which to choose, based upon your career goals and interests. First you can choose between being a “solo driver” or a “team driver.” Oftentimes team drivers are comprised of married couples, partners or friends. Team drivers can log more miles because the truck never stops moving (your partner drives while you rest and vice versa), and they can split the compensation. Another option is to be a “dedicated driver,” which means you drive for a single company and typically spend more time at home (or work as a driver trainer once you’ve had a chance to gain experience). Another option is that you can be an “Owner Operator,” which means you own the truck you drive, which places all ownership responsibilities entirely on you (insurance, maintenance, etc.)
Of course, there are a multitude of driver jobs available (too many to mention here) and they can vary in nature. For example, drivers can be involved in hauling local and regional where you’re home daily; intra-state and over-the-road (OTR) that could require over-night stays; freight of different nature, such as hazmat (hazardous materials), bulk, intermodal, flatbed, and heavy haul (oversized), expedited, and less-than-truckload (LTL); and different industries such as construction, food and beverage, retail, animal transport, sanitation.
Professional drivers in the United States are limited to a total of 11 hours of drive time during each 14-hour period, and they’re required to have 10 or more consecutive hours off between each 14-hour period. The 14-hour window begins when any kind of work starts, even if it’s not actually driving. Known as “Hours of Service” these are rules set forth by U.S. government and are focused on keeping everyone on the road safe (and minimizing the dangers of driver fatigue). The work week for drivers is limited to 70 hours and then the driver must shut down for 34 hours.
Most professional drivers find the responsibilities of managing and driving a large commercial truck to be more than enough to keep them engaged behind the wheel. That, combined with regulated limitations on drive time, mean that most drivers have no trouble remaining alert while driving. Some drivers also invest in satellite radio, audiobooks or podcasts to listen to on the road to keep their minds engaged.
A majority of over-the-road (OTR) commercial truck cabs feature a twin-size bed that pulls down from the wall of the cab so drivers can sleep wherever they can park. Some cabs even have power generators, microwaves, mini refrigerators, and televisions to help drivers to be more comfortable.
There are many issues involving such complicated issues ranging from trailer interchange coverage on cargo to how to have DOT physical inspections on your truck. One of WIT’s members is the Motor Carrier Insurance Education Foundation, and WIT provides you access to “Ask Tommy,” a 24-hour response e-helpline that provides direct access to Tommy Ruke (Founder and Education Director of the Motor Carrier Insurance Education Foundation) and the organization’s knowledge base. Submit your inquiries pertaining to motor carrier coverage, underwriting, claims or regulatory matters and receive a response within 24- business hours. If you are a WIT member, make sure when you submit your question that you indicate so.
"I love truck driving. Every time I see a female, I just smile and give them the thumbs up because we have a lot to offer to this industry."
Professional drivers are responsible for moving more than 70% of goods in the United States – making individuals with a commercial drivers license (CDL) a vital part of the American economy. There’s an incredible demand for professional drivers. As a result, professional drivers are able to earn competitive compensation and routes that offer a great work/life balance.
If you’re looking to become a professional driver, it all starts with obtaining your Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP), and then earning your CDL. Some truck driving schools may require GEDs or high school diplomas from their students – but not all of them. You will also need to meet the following requirements:
Another important consideration you should make when pursuing your training and CLD requirements is which class of license you need. There are three classes: A, B, C:
This type of license is considered to be the most comprehensive option, and many employers seek out Class A certified drivers for their versatility. Class A is the ideal option for heavy duty vehicles. It’s not just about tractors and livestock carriers, you can operate tankers too! Class A gives you access to many types of commercial trucks, including tractor trailers, and flatbeds.
Those who hold this type of license drive school buses and public transit vehicles. If you’ve seen trucks driving around town delivering goods to various businesses, or picking up trash at construction sites, you’ve seen a Class B driver.
If you’re looking to operate a more compact vehicle, this is the option for you. It accommodates passengers and cargo in smaller packages while still maintaining safety features like airbags.
There are several driver options from which to choose, based upon your career goals and interests. First you can choose between being a “solo driver” or a “team driver.” Oftentimes, team drivers are comprised of married couples, partners or friends. Team drivers can log more miles because the truck never stops moving (your partner drives while you rest and vice versa), and they can split the compensation.
Another option is to be a “dedicated driver,” which means you drive for a single company and typically spend more time at home (or work as a driver trainer once you’ve had a chance to gain experience). Or, a last option is that you can be an “Owner-Operator,” which means you own the truck you drive, which places all ownership responsibilities entirely on you (insurance, maintenance, etc.)
Over-The-Road (OTR) refers to hauling freight over long distances, spending 3-4 weeks at a time on the road, typically driving across the country.
Regional trucking, which refers to the part of the country a driver moves goods and materials. Typically, it’s broken up into divisions like Midwest, and usually within a 1,000 mile radius.
Local trucking involves routes that are local (typically within a 200 mile radius) and usually requires the driver to navigate smaller roads on a regular basis. Local drivers are usually home every night.
Dedicated refers to a route where a motor carrier regularly services the same company and/or location.
Intermodal trucking involves the transportation of freight by a driver to and from a rail or port for the next leg of the trip. This is the first and last mile in a container’s trip from one destination to another.
Dry van hauler. The most common type of truck driving job out there, dry van haulers operate semi-trucks with rectangular trailers and deliver shipments of easy-to-transport goods packaged on pallets or in boxes. These drivers are typically not required to unload the goods themselves.
Freight hauler. This encompasses all types of cargo not delivered by dry van hauling, and may involving hazardous, liquid, or oversized cargo.
Flatbed hauler. This involves transporting dry products or machinery on open-air trailers. The cargo is typically too large or awkward to fit into a dry van trailer and transportation is longer and riskier. As a result, flatbed haulers typically earn more than dry van haulers.
Tanker hauler. As one of the most dangerous, in-demand, and well-paying type of truck driving, tanker hauling involves transporting both hazardous and non-hazardous liquids. Drivers are required to know how to respond in case of an emergency.
Refrigerated hauler. This freight must remain at a certain temperature while being transported. Some hauls have freezer shipping containers and drivers are required to meet certain time and distance requirements. Since the freight is temperature controlled, drivers must know how to set and check the temperature of their trailer. This skill commands higher pay for refrigerated haulers than dry haulers.
Less than truckload (LTL) haulers. These drivers typically operate locally, hauling small loads and loading and unloading their own shipments. These drivers earn less than long-distance drivers, but may deliver several loads in one day.
Local/regional haulers. Similar to LTL, local and regional freight haulers can take multiple loads per day and typically come home every night.
Hotshot haulers. Drive a Class 3 or 5 truck paired with a small trailer and deliver goods as quickly as possible, often taking multiple loads per day. These drivers may deliver goods locally or regionally.
Auto haulers. These drivers are specially designed for carriers transporting cars. Their heavy weight requires great skill, and therefore pays more than semi-truck driving.
There are five critical criteria you should use in selecting the truck driving school that fits your own personal needs.
Find a professional truck driving school in your area. The Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA) is the largest association representing commercial truck driver training programs in the United States. CVTA represents nearly 200 training providers in 42 states that collectively train more than 50,000 commercial drivers annually.
The Women in Trucking Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports ambitious students, drivers, and professionals in the trucking industry who seek to grow their skills through classroom and vocational training. The foundation accepts applications for scholarship awards twice in the calendar year, Spring and Fall.
The Women In Trucking Career Center provides the information and resources you need to either start your career in trucking or find a more suitable employer for you. Check out our featured jobs, employers and truck driving schools; advice from women in the industry, and more!
Be Your Own BossThrough a collaborative initiative with ES, the 150 Women-Owned Business Challenge is opening the doors of opportunity for women professional drivers who have the desire to become owner-operators and fleet owners. “I believe it’s in the DNA of ES to help women become truck owners and start businesses in the trucking industry. The success of the 150 Business Challenge proved that, and we are excited to see where ES can take this initiative as they continue to promote opportunities for women in the future," said WIT Founder Ellen Voie
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