Truck Drivers Career

Truck drivers' career is one of the good options for those who like to deal with transportation business. Their work is to deliver a variety of goods. There are many firms which rely upon truck services to transport goods. Businessmen who transport their goods by train, ship, or airplane have to use truck services in between to carry out materials to the planned destination.

Job Prospect
The job of truck drivers is to check the oil and fuel level in their trucks before starting their shift from the warehouse or terminal. They examine the trucks in order to ensure that windshield wipers, lights, and brakes are in working order. They also inspect trucks to make sure flares, extinguisher, and other safety equipment are functioning properly.

Truck driver job is the most demanded in the area of transportation. Truck drivers need to ensure that their cargo is secure. They adjust mirrors of right and left sides so that they can see other vehicles while overtaking them. It is responsibility of a truck driver to report the dispatcher when equipment that is missing, inoperable, or loaded improperly. Truck drivers have to keep a record of their activities as that is required by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Heavy tractor-trailer and truck drivers operate vans or trucks with a capacity of approximately 26, 000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight. They may transport goods comprising of livestock, cars, and other materials that may in loose, packaged, or liquid form. Many truck drivers cover long distance everyday. Some of the firms may hire two drivers on very long runs.

The job of delivery or light services truck drivers is to operate trucks and vans. Their work is to pick up and deliver packages and merchandise within a particular area. Truck drivers have to use electronic delivery tracking systems in order to track the location of the packages or merchandise. Delivery and light services drivers generally load and unload the goods at the business place. When a load requires heavy moving, drivers may perform the tasks in coordination with a group of helpers.

Some drivers cope with cash-on delivery arrangement where they take customers' sign on the receipts for goods. They may collect balance due on the merchandise from the customers. When drivers complete their routine work, at the end of the day, they submit payments, receipts, records of deliveries made and other important reports to the concerned department.

The responsibilities and assignments of a truck driver may vary with the type of loads transported and size of their vehicle. The types of cargo and destinations determine the duration of runs. Generally, local drivers provide daily services for the particular region or route whereas other drivers make intercity, longer, and interstate deliveries. Intercity and intercargo may vary with the type of jobs.

Work Environment
The advanced modification such as ergonomically designed cabs, better ventilation, and comfortable seats has minimized physical efforts of truck drivers. In spite of these alterations, driving for several hours with loading or unloading cargo can be tiring. Local truck drivers may return from their shift in the evening. On the contrary, long-distance truck drivers may spend the majority of days away from their respective homes.

The working conditions and work hours of truck drivers who are engaged in interstate trade are governed by the U.S. Department of Transportation. A long-distance driver may serve fourteen hours a day including driving and non-driving duties. These drivers may drive approximately eleven hours a day. Many road line firms require drivers to record their time in a logbook. Drivers who work on long runs may experience fatigue, loneliness, and boredom. Many drivers travel holidays, weekends, and nights, to avoid traffic delays.

Training and Educational Qualification
A truck driving job requires driving licenses. For example, a commercial driver's license is mandatory to drive large trucks whereas a regular driver's license is required to drive other kinds of trucks. There are many public and private vocational-technical schools offering training in commercial driver's license (CDL). However, smaller trucks driving jobs require on-the-job training.

Candidates who completed driver-training courses and obtained a commercial drivers license are preferred. Candidates who have completed high school courses in automotive mechanics and driver training may help to get a good opportunity. There are many public and private vocational technical schools offering tractor-trailer driver training programs. These programs are well designed and tailored with the intention of providing quality education. These training programs incorporate extensive practical exercises. Upon completing driver training programs, candidates may get into truck drivers' career easily.

Licensure
Federal and state regulations govern the standards and qualifications for truck drivers. All drivers have to comply with state regulations and federal regulations, which are in excess of federal requirements. A truck driver should have a driver's license that is issued by the state wherein they live. Many drivers require clean driving records to gain a good truck driving job.

Advancement
Some drivers start their driving career as substituting or extra driver for regular drivers who are on vacation or ill. A truck driver may advance to driving runs, which may provide better earnings, good working conditions, and preferred schedule. Local truck driver may advance to driving specialized or heavy trucks.


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