Many people are interested in beginning careers as a truck driver, but having families to provide for and bills to pay, it’s understandable that they have some questions about getting into a new career or industry. You might happen to be one of those individuals. In this post, we will answer 5 of the most common questions that we find potential new truck drivers asking in the market today as they decide if truck driving is a career that they might wish to pursue in the future.

Question #1: What is the Job Market?

Answer: The job market for truck drivers right now is continually and steadily growing. There is quite a demand for truck drivers at present with ~60,000+job openings throughout the US right now; the industry is expected to grow a further 6% between the years of 2016 and 2026. Truck drivers are in high demand, and one of those drivers could very well be you!

Question #2: What Types of Jobs Are Out There?

Answer: There are a variety of different options for truck drivers. Jobs generally fall into three categories as follows:

  • Over-the-Road (OTR): These are long-distance truck drivers that drive throughout the entire country and generally work several weeks at a time. After those several weeks, the driver might get several days to a week off to spend at home. Most drivers start with this kind of work and move to more regional or local driving after they get a couple of years of experience.
  • Regional: Regional truck drivers usually drive throughout one segment of the country such as the Northeast or Southwest. At this level, driving will entail driving throughout several states or often between large metropolitan areas. An example of a regional route may see you drive between two cities such as Phoenix and Los Angeles or Dallas and Oklahoma City. Most of these drivers work during the week and have weekends off, but some jobs may require weekend or holiday hours.
  • Local: Local drivers are those that drive throughout a local city or town. Most of these drivers have 7 am to 3 pm, or 8 am to 4 pm “standard” work days and go home each night and have weekends off.

Question #3: How Much Do They Pay?

Answers: The average truck driver’s salary when they are hired to run at about $40,000. Veterans can find that they can make up to $71,000 as a truck driver. A few management positions in the industry can get in the pay range of up over $100,000. Most truck driver jobs also provide a variety of other benefits such as healthcare, retirement benefits, and opportunities to potentially have some of your tuition paid back.

Question #4: How Can I Get Started?

Answers: You can get started by contacting us and we will be happy to help you get enrolled in the DriveCo CDL Learning Center so that you can earn your CDL. If you want to talk about your options, we are also happy to do that. Our staff is happy to help you with that as well as you ensure that truck driving is the right career choice for you.

Question #5: What’s An Average Day Like?

Answers: An average day for a truck driver really depends on what type of driving job the truck driver has. For those that do the OTR trucking, you can expect to drive 8 to 10 hours per day, but you can be on duty up to 14 hours per workday, then you will have to take a minimum of 10 hours of rest time before you may drive again. Drive time during that shift may not exceed 11 hours. During your downtime, you will generally do whatever you choose. Getting plenty of rest is important so that you are refreshed to safely drive the next day. Other activities that many drivers enjoy participating in can vary from reading a good book to going to a local gym while they’re on the road or even watching movies on their laptop or tablet at the rest stop.

Updated July 2022

Maybe you’ve always dreamed of driving a truck or just simply wanted to travel the world.  Maybe you’re looking for a new career and truck driving seems like it could be a good fit.  Whatever your reasons for wanting to become a truck driver, you’ll need a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to do it.  It’s not difficult to get a CDL, as long as you have proper training. Located in Northern Indiana, DriveCo CDL Learning Center prides itself on it’s hands-on Class A CDL Training. If you’re interested in getting a CDL, there are training programs at our DriveCo campuses, no matter what kind of experience you have driving. Are you ready to get started? We’ve laid out the steps to getting a CDL, which you can read about below.

Get Financing: Know Your Options

A CDL is a good investment.  Considering drivers who have a CDL can earn around $1,000 a week according to Indeed, the price of training shouldn’t scare anyone off.  Especially since there are multiple ways to pay for training.  DriveCo CDL Learning Center offers the following types of tuition assistance:

  • Indiana Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
  • Indiana Trade Adjustment Agreement
  • Military Benefits
  • Sponsorship Training
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Financing Through DriveCo

With all these options for payment, anyone can get a CDL.

Get Ready to Learn

In Indiana, you need to have a driver’s license and be 21 years old before you obtain your CDL and drive across state lines.  If you have a valid driver’s license and over 21, then you can get your CDL learner’s permit.  With that in hand, you’re ready to start practicing.

ELDT Certified Schooling

If you’re looking to obtain your CDL any time after February 7, 2022, you will need to attend an ELDT-certified school. The ELDT driving mandate was established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) to create a uniform set of requirements for CDL training programs. To qualify, a school must provide an acceptable mix of classroom education and behind-the-wheel training. If you do not attend an ELDT-certified school, such as DriveCo CDL Learning Center, you will not be eligible to take the CDL test at the DMV.

CDL Training

Once your financing is straightened out, you’re ready to start the course.  In the DriveCo Class A CDL Training Course, you’ll learn what you need to know to take the test.  The test has a written component and a driving component, so the training course does too.  You’ll get the hands-on experience you need to pass the test.

Taking the CDL Exam

CDL exams have written and practical components, and you’ll need to pass both. DriveCo courses are licensed by the state, so if you took the training course before your test, you’ll definitely be prepared.  There’s also a physical exam to pass before the State will approve a CDL, so make sure you’re in the clear with your health before it’s too late!

Get a Job

DriveCo offers job placement assistance.  Once you pass the test, you’ll be ready to start working right away.  It doesn’t matter where you are in Indiana, either. DriveCo has multiple locations, check them out here.  For more information about getting a CDL, contact us.

Attending CDL training classes is just one step to earning your license. After training, you’ll need to pass the exam to officially start your trucking career. Oftentimes, the idea of studying for this exam can feel daunting, as the manual alone is almost 200 pages long, and test questions can come from any part of it. Although passing is important, staying calm and following these study tips can help to ensure you ace the exam on the first try!

Remember Studying Basics

As with many other tests, cramming right before is not an optimal plan. To avoid this, be sure to plan ahead and schedule times to prepare and study. Study guides and flashcards are simple ways of learning and recalling the knowledge you’ve gained over the course of your training. The DMV has a free study guide as well as an online glossary of terms that may be on the test.

Studying in a distraction-free environment and taking breaks can also be helpful, keeping you from getting burned out too quickly. You may also want to keep yourself motivated by creating checkpoints and earning small rewards for reaching them.

Use the CDL Manual

Get your study materials straight from the source: the CDL manual. Exam questions will come straight from there, so using it to create your own study guides can only help. Reading through it during your downtime will also help to solidify what you’ve learned during training.

Take Practice CDL Exams

Find your weak spots by taking practice exams as soon as you start studying. This will save you time, figuring out where you need to focus your energy rather than studying things you already know.

Thankfully, there are multiple sites that have practice exams available. Driving-tests.org offers a free general knowledge practice exam that can be customized to your state. Another available resource is UnionTestPrep, which contains practice quizzes on many different topics, including:

  • Air Brakes
  • Combination Vehicles
  • Doubles/Triples
  • Hazardous Materials
  • Passenger Transport
  • Tankers

When in Doubt, Trust your Instincts

Your first instinct is usually the best. If you’re stuck on a question, go with your gut. Second-guessing yourself has been shown to result in more incorrect answers and lower test scores.

For more studying tips or to get started with your Class A CDL training, give us a call at 219-336-8722 and we’ll have you driving toward your future in no time!

Updated August 2023