Welcome to Trucking

• Welcome to Trucking

  In the United States truck drivers are required to have a Commercial Driver΄s License (CDL) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) weighing in excess of 26,000 pounds.

  Most commercial drivers are tested through a third party organization. Acquiring a CDL requires a skills test (driving test), and knowledge test (written test) covering the unique handling qualities of driving a large, heavily loaded 18-wheeler, and the mechanical systems required to operate such a vehicle (air brakes, suspension, cargo securement).

  The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) spells out the various classes of CDLs and the requirements to obtain one.

  Class A – Any combination of vehicles with a GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) of 26,001 or more pounds provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

  The five-axle tractor-trailer (semi) combination that is most commonly associated with the word “truck” requires a Class A CDL to drive. The driver΄s employer (or shipping customers, in the case of an independent owner-operator) generally specifies what endorsements their operations require a driver to possess.

  Truck drivers are considered technical professionals because they are required to obtain specialized education and professional licensure.

  At National Truck Drivers School, the required training can be completed in two phases.

  The home study phase is a self paced instruction similiar to this one you are doing now.

  The Resident Training phase is conducted in as little as three weeks or eight weekends.

  

• Objectives and Main Points

  Objectives

  When you have completed this lesson, you should be able to:

  • State who developed the first truck
  • Examine the trucking career paths
  • Define the types of trucking categories
  • State the reasons for choosing a career in trucking
  • List the requirements for becoming a trucker

  Main Points

  1. History of Trucking
  2. Careers in Trucking
  3. Categories of Trucking
  4. Requirements for a Class A CDL

• The History of Trucking

  We are pleased to present this short sample course on the trucking industry. It is our sincere hope you find this lesson and a career in trucking interesting and enjoyable.
  
  
  The first motor truck was built in Germany by Gottlieb Daimler in 1896. Gottlieb Daimler, later to become Mercedes, produced their first commercial vehicle, described as a “motorized goods vehicle”, in 1896.
  
  
  This is reputed to be the world’s first truck, arriving ten years after the invention of the motor car.
  
  
  It had a massive 4 horse power engine with two forward gears and one reverse.
  
  
  These gentlemen are standing by the first motor driven Coca Cola truck in 1936. The truck replaced a very ornery horse. (That was supposedly tamed with a 2 x 4.)
  
  
  During the first World War the use of trucks increased dramatically.

  Truck transportation began in the United States about 1900.

  In 1904 there were 700 trucks in use. By 1915 the number had grown to 158,000.

   

  Who built the first truck?
  	Gottlieb Daimler		Al Gore
  	Henry Ford		Chevy Chase

• The Trucker’s Life

  Being a truck driver offers career benefits like no other. Experience adventure, freedom and a drive to succeed everyday you’re out on the open road.

  
  
  There is camaraderie among drivers binding them in a friendship and this friendship will be evident through the years.

  Your Employer As a driver, you’ll join a trucking company that knows the secret to success—treating drivers with much-deserved respect.

  You will find a schedule that fits your lifestyle. You are a professional truck driver. Trucking companies are always in need of high tech professionals that glide across the highways today.

  
  
  Trucking companies (Carriers) that never would have accepted a new truck driver are now doing so. These carriers are discovering that they just can΄t get enough drivers if they don΄t.

  Carriers that used to demand a driver stay gone from home for several weeks on end have shortened those requirements to make their companies more attractive. More and more local jobs are popping up for new drivers, as well as regional and dedicated fleets. Yet other companies are coming up with strategies like “truck sharing” to get as many as possible in a truck if those people are good, qualified, well-trained drivers.

  
  
  Exploring the Country
  Truck drivers are going places. From Atlantic to Pacific, if you have a desire to see it, your truck can take you there. Imagine the freedom to see the diverse landscape of the country—while you work. There’s no need to take time off to explore; travel America and collect your paycheck!

  Be Your Own Boss
  Tired of being micromanaged? As a trucker you set your own course. It’s just you and the open road. You will still be part of a team of drivers and report to a driver business leader, but you won’t have anyone looking over your shoulder. You determine the driving schedule that best suits you.

  
  
  The Balancing Act: Work vs. Life There are many different career paths as a truck driver such as a Local Driver or an Over-the-Road Driver. Both are very different careers and will impact your lifestyle in different ways.

  With some work on your part to do the required homework and research, there΄s few reasons why you can΄t find a job that “fits” in the trucking industry. The more informed you are about what you΄re getting into, the better choice you΄ll make. If you enter this industry blind, you may be shocked and disappointed when it doesn΄t conform to the wandering cowboy image that it΄s often portrayed as being in the movies.

   

  Trucking companies rarely hire new truckers.
  	True		False

• Categories in Trucking

  The trucking industry plays a vital role in this nation΄s economy. Almost anything you can think of is delivered to your local retailer by truck.

  Trucking is still a multi-trillion dollar a year industry that continues to grow even in hard economic times and fierce competition.

  Projections by the U.S. Department of Transportation indicate that trucks will carry more than 1-trillion tons of freight by the year 2010.

  
  
  Categories of Trucking Include: Local: Involves mostly loading and unloading at local businesses. Pay is usually hourly and drivers are home every night. Long days are typical (8-10 hours).

  An example of a local driver is a food service driver that delivers food products to area markets.

  
  
  Over-the-Road (OTR): These drivers deliver freight in all or part of the 48 states and Canada. Pay is usually by the mile, with 2,500 miles per week a reasonable expectation.

  Drivers are limited driving/working 70 hours in 8 days, with a maximum 10 hour work session before an 8 hour break.

  
  
  Short Haul: These drivers are employed by companies that haul LTL (less than truckload) freight terminal to terminal (hub to hub). Pay may be mileage based or hourly.

  Time away from home is usually one or two nights at a time. Some of the best pay and benefits are found in this type of trucking but hiring is very selective and some OTR experience is normally needed.

  Short haul companies include UPS (doubles on the highway) and Roadway.

   

  Hub to hub trucking is typically associated with ______________ trucking.
  	local			short haul
  	OTR			All the above are correct

• Types of Trucking

  The different types of trucking that exist today are vast and varied. You may discover a desire for one particular type or you may “play the field.” Below are some of the more common types of trucking you will see on our highways.

  
  Freight Trucker

  Freight Truckers provide trucking services for commercial and residential shippers. They specialize in container services. They move cargo to the desired destination and often by using state of the art information systems.

  
  
  Construction Trucker

  Construction Truckers are usually dual role, multi-skilled individuals having both the skills and talent to drive the tractor-trailers to and from construction sites. Not only to deliver or pickup the construction equipment but, they can even operate the equipment as well.

  These types of drivers have much more to offer employers by having both a Class “A” CDL and the skills to operate the equipment.

  Many of our students often opt to take our heavy equipment training program in order to become a well rounded and highly sought after employee.

  The more skills you have the more options you will available when it comes time to find a job.
  
  
  
  Hazardous Materials Trucker

  Hazardous Materials Truckers transport plastic containers, flammable waste, acid waste, solvents, alkaline waste, oil and aerosol containers, laboratory waste and industrial chemicals, including unknowns and most compressed gas cylinders are also trainsported by hazardous materials truckers.

  
  
  
  Tank Trucker

  A Tank Trucker carries liquefied loads or gases on roads. The largest such vehicles are similar to railroad tank cars which are also designed to carry liquefied loads.

  Many variants exist due to the wide variety of liquids that can be transported.
  
  
  
  Flatbed Trucker

  Some shipments require that the main deck be free of walls or ceiling constraints and require a flatbed trailer for loading or unloading ease and speed.

  Flatbed trucking also serves the needs of customers transporting special equipment such as: the wide load, the long load, the oversized load, the heavy haul load, or any other type of trucking which can legally move by highway.

  
  
  Lowboy Trucker

  A Lowbow is a type of flatbed in which the load floor is as close to the ground as possible.

  Most commonly used to haul heavy equipment, cranes, bulldozers, etc.

   

  What type of trucking typically utilizes containers?
  	Freight			Construction
  	Tank			Flatbed

• The Trucking Career

  A truck-driving career is one unlike any other. Truckers do not have someone looking over their shoulders. They must be able to get the job done with their own skills.

  Although drivers must be able to safely operate tractor-trailers, the primary requirements to being a true professional and succeeding is the driver must have a fierce sense of independence and absolute self reliance.

  By becoming a trucker you will enjoy:

  Job Security

  If job security is what you need, trucking is a choice field. The American Trucking Associations reports a serious shortage in some segments of the industry that could disrupt the US distribution system.

  It΄s not a shortage of freight or equipment; surprisingly, it΄s not enough men and women qualified to drive trucks.
  
  
  Trucking is a good choice for men or women interested in being able to move around the country and always find a job.

  It΄s also a good choice if you enjoy meeting people and can work well under deadlines.

  A Cure for the Common 9-to-5

  A trucker can legally work 70 hours a week, but because no trip is ever the same, time spent getting there makes each trip eventful. The view outside your “office” changes daily too!

  
  
  Good Pay

  Did you realize that most truckers, their first year out on the road, earn an average of $35,000 a year? And, that after just a few years out, those same truckers are making an average of $45,000-$50,000 annually?

  Veteran drivers who own their own trucks make average salaries that are over $100,000 a year. What other profession can you get into, where the pay is that good?

  There are husband-and-wife tandems in the industry who earn more than $100,000 per year, because they can log more miles and take shifts driving.

  Safety First

  We cannot over emphasize the importance of having a relatively clean driving record. With rising insurance costs, premium trucking companies can΄t afford to hire employees who are risks.

  Being able to qualify for a Class “A” CDL does not guarantee a driver will safely operate an 80.000 pound vehicle traveling at highway speeds. Trucking companies seek individuals that are fully qualified and know how to get their rigs from point A to point B in one piece without incident. Companies are not keen on irresponsible drivers. Trucking companies prefer a person that has demonstrated a record of responsible driving, has received proper training, and shows a high maturity level. At National Truck Drivers School we place a great deal of emphasis on teaching our students all of the skills and traits successful truck driver’s posses.

  Trucking is a good choice for men or women interested in being able to move around the country and always find a job.
  	True			False

• Become a Truck Driver

  

  If you’ve set your heart on becoming a truck driver, the first thing you need to do is obtain a Class A Commercial Driving License (CDL), which qualifies you to drive semi tractor-trailers.

  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require drivers to be 21 years old and pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination. A person can be 18 and earn a Class “A” CDL however they will not be permitted to driver over state lines.

  
  
  The main physical requirements include good hearing, at least 20/40 vision with glasses or corrective lenses, and a 70-degree field of vision in each eye.

  Obtaining a CDL entails first sitting for written exams held by the concerned authority of your state.

  This written exam covers a whole range of tests including an Air Brakes test, the Combination Vehicle test and a General Knowledge test.

  Taking the optional endorsement tests for Tankers, Double and Triple Trailers (“Doubles/Triples”) and Hazardous Materials certifies you for operating those particular vehicles and carrying those particular materials.

  The endorsement is stamped onto your permit.

  With a permit is issued, a student driver is allowed to drive a tractor-trailer when accompanied by a CDL-licensed driver in the passenger΄s seat. This permit is usually valid for six months and only allows you to learn how to drive a truck, for which you will need to attend a truck driving school.

  Truck Driving School

  The primary objective of a truck driving school is to ensure that you can successfully maneuver an 18-wheel semi tractor-trailer and satisfactorily complete the driving skills exam. There are several different types of truck driving schools. A person needs to research each school before making a decision on which to choose for training.

  A good school is one that:

  • is certified,
  • well established,
  • has a good reputation,
  • has quality equipment,
  • has highly qualified and industry experienced instructional staff,
  • has an adequate training facility for students to safely learn how to operate the tractor-trailers,
  • has a program that meets the needs of the student,
  • is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  WHAT DOES ACCREDITATION MEAN TO YOU, THE STUDENT? Click here

  DO NOT make the mistake of choosing a school because it is fast and cheap. Choosing the wrong school can lead to some very bad consequences later on in your career. There are many places that offers CDL training that do not give a student the proper training at all and in some cases a license that is invalid as well. These are what are known in the industry as CDL mills. A CDL mill will offer fast and cheap training sometimes costing a person hundreds of dollars and even their job. Truck Driving Skills Exam

  When you have completed the necessary tenure in the driving school you will have to undergo a driving skills exam where you will be required to demonstrate your knowledge on how to conduct an inspection of the vehicle prior to operating it and how to carry out an air brake test.

  Then you will need to demonstrate your driving skills, which includes reversing and basic parking. This driving skills test is conducted first on a secluded, private driving range and then on the public roads.

  If a truck driving school meets the training standard of the trucking industry it is said to be _____________.
  	qualified			certified
  	justified			deep fried

• Happy Trucking

  In order to drive Class A equipment commercially, you are required to obtain a Class A driver΄s license. This is also called a Class A Commercial Drivers License, abbreviated CDL.

  Nearly everyone who gets a Class A CDL attends a truck driving school. There are various options for driving school. Certified schools are the best choice.

  Because of the desperate need for new truck drivers tuition reimbursement can often be worked out with trucking companies that recruit new drivers from their graduate pools.

  Most commercial driving schools break their training down into three areas – classroom training, range training, and road training.

  Typically, classroom training is designed to help students pass the written part of their state CDL test.

  
  
  The purpose of Range Training is to teach you to maneuver a 53 foot trailer in a parking lot. Types of maneuvers generally taught are straight backups, backing up starting from a 45 degree angle, lane changing while backing up, and parallel parking.

  Some students initially find backing up to be challenging, because the steering wheel movements to turn a trailer are opposite those in a car, but with enough practice, everyone eventually masters the maneuvers.

  
  
  Road training teaches the following skills:

  • gear shifting,
  • turns,
  • lane changes,
  • highway driving, and
  • dealing with road hazards and unexpected situations.

  Once you have completed classroom, range, and road training, and passed the driving school΄s tests, it is time to take the state CDL test.

  Typically, if possible, you would like to take the state CDL test on the same equipment you have been practicing on in driving school. Driving school policies vary on this, so it is a good idea to ask before selecting a driving school. National Truck Drivers΄ School has state certified third party testers on staff. Their exam is included in the tuition. You can take the skills test with the same truck that you trained on in school.

  Most companies who hire driving school graduates will not simply put a fresh graduate on the road alone in a truck. New graduates who hire on with a trucking company must complete a mentorship period, typically three to six weeks.

  Trainees are paid a weekly salary during their mentorship period; but are paid by the mile, once they complete the mentorship period and have their own truck.

  
  
  In summary, if you are interested in becoming a truck driver, you should evaluate whether you will like the lifestyle, evaluate your salary requirements versus what companies are offering, then make inquiries of schools and trucking companies to find a good match.

  Happy Trucking!