There are many reasons that people consider a career in trucking. The freedom of the open road, the opportunity to earn more than $66,000 a year*, and the short time it takes to train are all benefits of this industry. If you are debating whether or not to become a truck driver, this article lists some signs that it might be time to earn your commercial driver’s license (CDL).
1. You Love the Open Road
As an over-the-road (OTR) trucker, you will get to travel the nation while earning competitive pay. You will often wake up in a different place every day. If you enjoy the idea of seeing the country and love driving, hitting the open road as a truck driver could be a great career move.
2. You are Independent
Trucking is an industry that allows you to be relatively independent. While you will have to make sure you get to your destination on time and follow certain requirements in the process, you have a lot of freedom to make day-to-day choices without a boss looking over your shoulder. You can choose where to stop, what to listen to, et cetera. Even if you become a team driver, your days still won’t typically involve a lot of interaction since your driving partner will be sleeping while you drive and vice versa.
3. You are Motivated to Succeed
Truck drivers are typically paid by the mile. This means that your ability to deliver freight efficiently has a direct impact on your income. As you gain more experience, you will be able to build a strong reputation and learn how to get more miles, earning a bigger paycheck in the process. You may even choose to become an owner-operator, which is when you purchase or lease a semi-truck and run your own trucking business. Overall, trucking is a career that rewards individuals who are committed to their own success.
4. You Want to Make a Difference
For many people, it’s important to know that their work is making a valuable contribution to society. Without truckers, our nation’s economy would stop functioning. Hospitals would run out of supplies, grocery store shelves would be empty, and gas stations would not have any fuel. Every day as a trucker, you will know you are making it possible for many other industries and individuals to get the items they need.
How to Get Started
If you are interested in a career as a truck driver, the first step is earning your CDL. To do this, you will need to pass a written exam as well as a skills test that evaluates your ability to drive a semi-truck. Attending truck driving school can help you prepare for and pass these tests and many companies prefer to hire CDL school graduates.
Our Programs
At Phoenix Truck Driving School, we can get you on the road and earning in as little as four weeks. We have locations in Arizona and New Mexico, as well as a location for military members and their families at Fort Bliss in Texas.
If you are ready to become a truck driver, contact us today.
*Professional truck drivers earn a mean annual wage of $46,370. The top 10% of truck drivers make more than $66,840 per year according to the 2019 Bureau of Labor Statistics.
