Working as a truck driver is not always easy. Most truck driving jobs come with long hours away from family with little pay or benefits. At M&W, our truck drivers are more than numbers. We offer only the best for our truck drivers to make sure each driver is well taken care of and happy being part of our family.
On the other hand, we know the truck driving life isn’t for everyone, which is why we have written this post to walk you through (1) the process of becoming a truck driver, (2) the lifestyle of a truck driver,and (3) the benefits of being a M&W truck driver.
If you are an independent, adventurous and durable individual who loves the idea of hitting the open road, the trucking life may be for you. Still interested? Let’s look at the process of how to become a truck driver.
The Process of Becoming a Truck Driver
Earning a CDL
In order to be a qualified truck driver, you will need your CDL (Commercial Driver’s License). A CDL is normally given to anyone who completes a program at a truck driving school. Although a CDL can be obtained without going to trucking school, the process is incredibly difficult and leaves you less qualified to drive than if you had gone to trucking school.
Basic Qualifications
After obtaining your CDL, evaluate your personal and academic records. Typically, logistics and trucking companies look for the following when hiring truck drivers:
- A CDL
- A high school diploma or GED
- No criminal record in the past 10 years, especially felonies and alcohol-related charges
- No tickets or accidents for at least 3 years
- Generally, truck driving companies look to hire drivers between the ages of 23 and 60, but anyone over the age of 21 is qualified to drive.
If you have a CDL, a high school diploma/GED and no recent history of traffic violations or criminal charges, you should be good to go. With regards to criminal or traffic records, it is possible to get a truck driving job if you have recent violations. Just know you will have more trouble in the job search. Obtaining a truck driving job with recent moving violations and criminal charges more recent than 5 years is nearly impossible. If you have charges between 5 and 10 years old, just be ready to explain the situation, and you may find success.
Obtain Pre-Hire Letters
Pre-hire letters are given by trucking companies to acknowledge that a potential employee meets their hiring standards and that the student is welcome to attend their orientation for free once the student has their CDL.
Pre-hire letters are a great way to reach out to truck companies and see if you are qualified. You are not required to have a CDL or even be in truck driving school to fill out applications and obtain pre-hire letters. We recommend getting as many letters as possible, so you have a higher chance of being placed into a truck driving company after you have obtained your CDL.
Know that a pre-hire letter is not a guarantee of employment. You will still have to attend a trucking company’s orientation and go through their employment process once you have your CDL. However, a pre-hire letter is a good step to take if you want to be placed into a trucking company straight out of trucking school.
The Lifestyle of a Truck Driver
Truck drivers will tell you their job is more of a lifestyle than a job. Becoming a truck driver has its rewards, but the life of truck driver is not for everyone. The job usually requires time away from family, long hours on the road and nights sleeping in truck cabins. However, for all the challenges that come with truck driving, there are just as many rewards. Good pay, work benefits and adventure on the road are only a few of the many benefits.
Weeks on the Road
Most truck drivers start out as OTR (On the Road). This means you could be delivering cargo anywhere in the United States. The pro? Driving across the country is an adventure! The con? You will more likely than not spend weeks away from home.
Although spending week away from home can be difficult, keep in mind that more options will become available to you as you gain more years experience as a truck driver. After a few years within a company, most truck drivers transition into a local role, allowing them to come home to their family every night. The first few years of driving can seem lonely, but more opportunities will be available to you as you progress through your career.
Sleeping Schedule Change
One of the adjustments you will have to make as a new truck driver is sleeping on the road. Truck drivers do not work by day and sleep by night. Truck drivers will drive for X amount of time, sleep Y amount of time, and then repeat.
A truck driver’s work week typically looks like this:
- No more than 70 hours per week
- A 34 hour break resets the work week
- No more than 14 hours drive time after 10 hour off-duty. At the 14 hour mark, a driver must take an 8 hour break.
- No more than 8 hours drive time after a 30 minute sleeper berth. A driver may take a 30 minute break and continue driving after, but that 30 minute break counts toward the 14 hour limit.
Because truck drivers have to split up their time on the road in this way, truck drivers do not have a regular sleep schedule. Sleep could range from 30 minutes to 10 hours, and that sleep could be at any time of the day.
Why Should I Be A M&W Truck Driver?
At M&W, our drivers are family. Your safety, family and livelihood are our priority. Our drivers will tell you that here you are more than a number. Our drivers know all of our dispatchers and top management on a first name basis. We are large enough to offer you excellent pay and benefits, and we are small enough to know and understand your needs. Interested in becoming a part of our family? Apply today!
Still want to learn more? Contact one of our recruiters!
