Getting Started in the Trucking Industry

So the need for new truck drivers is huge, but how do you get the necessary training to get started? The greatest problem is how to get started without any experience. If you already have experience and a CDL license, skip to the next secion Finding Trucking Jobs. The rest of this section will concentrate on how to get started in the industry.

How to break into the truck driving industry
If you don't want to or can't go to trucking school, you can try to work your way up by getting a job driving a small truck or van. Then move up to a step-van or small straight-truck. After awhile, try to get a job driving a small tractor-trailer. Keep trying to move up to bigger and bigger trucks. After a year or two, you will have the experience and training to get an over-the-road, long-haul driving job.

Obviously, the quicker rout is to go to truck driving school. If you cannot afford to pay for it yourself, there are companies that have their own driving school or that offer pay for or reimburse tuition. If you can pay for the training yourself, you will have more job opportunities since you will not have to work for the company that paid for you.

In either case, make sure you attend an accredited driving school that has been in business for some time. Above all, maintain a clean driving record! Traffic violations can disqualify you at many companies. A DUI conviction will also disqualify you at any trucking company and may get your CDL suspended.

To find trucking schools in your area, visit the trucking school sites by searching truck driving school, trucking schools or CDL school in any search engine. To find companies willing to pay for your training, check out the trucker job sites and note that you need training. They will send your application only to companies that will provide and/or pay for training.