With the demand for goods to be transported around the country, the demand for truck drivers has increased. People are able to sit at their computer, click a product, purchase it, and receive it in 48 hours. Truck drivers make this possible. There are lots of benefits to being a truck driver. As a truck driver, you can make your own stop and start time, but you just have to make sure you get your deliveries to their locations on time.
This is a great career for someone right out of high school looking for a dependable career. Salaries can range up to $100,000 a year. Truck drivers usually work up to 70 hours over 8 days. Once they hit 70 hours, they receive over a day and a half off.
As a driver, you spend most of your time in the truck. They also have beds for resting or catching sleep. They can drive for long hours and don’t always get to choose where they are picking up or dropping offloads. Many drivers shower at truck stops but have a fridge and microwave on board.
Rules:
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), an agency of the United States Department of Transportation (DOT), is the regulatory authority for the number of hours a driver may work during the week.
As a truck driver, you may work 70 hours on duty over eight days or 60 hours over seven days. You also get a reset after 34 hours of off-duty. Transporting materials that have to be at a place at a certain time makes the driver schedule longer driving hours to get the job accomplished.
Some materials have a longer due date so that the truck driver can take their time. Rules over each state vary because only transporting in the same state has different rules than transporting over state lines. Once you travel over state lines, you are following the federal rules. You must follow CDL driving rules, enter weight scales, and record your driving in your log. You must be a safe driver, maintain speed limits, and be able to handle all types of weather, from rain and snow to ice and fog.
In cases of emergency, you need to be able to handle the experience with professionalism. As a truck driver, you are working for a company and are the wheels on the road for their product. You must also maintain communication throughout your trips.
Becoming a truck driver offers a good income and a quiet lifestyle. As demand in America increases, the need for more drivers increases too.
