Let App WinIt fight your ticket.

Truck drivers in the United States are subject to a different set of licensing requirements and traffic laws than other drivers. In addition to needing a commercial driver license (CDL), they often can’t drive in the left lane on highways, can’t take certain side streets, etcetera. This article will cover everything you need to know about becoming a licensed truck driver and avoiding tickets.

How Old Do You Need to Be to Drive a Truck?

To get an interstate commercial driver license, you must be at least 21 years old. However, you can obtain the learner’s permit version of a CDL three years prior (when you turn 18). Doing so would give you three years of experience driving trucks with supervision prior to taking your tests to obtain an official CDL.

Steps to Becoming a Truck Driver

Truck drivers are often considered to have an “easy” job, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Not only can being a trucker take a considerable amount of skill, the process of becoming a trucker can also take serious time and dedication. The five-step process is outlined below:

Step 1: Have Your Driver License

The very first step of becoming a professional truck driver is to obtain your standard driver license. You are required to have this license before you can obtain a CDL. The process for getting a driver license varies from state to state but typically requires you to take both a written and road test. This will cost you between $20 and $90 (more or less, depending on a number of factors).

Step 2: Complete High School or the GED

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most employers of long-haul truckers require their drivers to have at least a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) credential. The former can be obtained by graduating from 12th grade. The latter can be obtained by adults later in life who previously dropped out of school.

18-year-olds and older can obtain a GED at any point in their lives. In most states, earning a GED will take roughly four months and cost around $80 to $140.

Step 3: Start Professional Training

In order to obtain a CDL, you must first have a considerable amount of professional training. That training typically takes the form of an apprenticeship, private school, or community college program designed to grant you a certificate. These programs vary in cost, ranging from around $1,000 to as much as $10,000.

Step 4: Earn Your CDL

After completing the three preliminary requirements, you can begin testing for your CDL. The minimum requirement for finding a job in the trucking industry is having a basic CDL; however, having greater CDL certifications can increase your chances of success in the industry. 

CDL-A, CDL-B, and CDL-C are all viable options in the industry. The types of trucks you can drive with each of these certifications depends on the size and weight of the vehicle. In general, the CDL-A is the most versatile certification for drivers of large freight.

For some jobs, you will also need to have an endorsement code from a reliable institution. Endorsements indicate what you can legally transport (in terms of shipping) and are essential for specialty vehicles like school buses and tankers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) explains the different classes and endorsement codes on its website.

To get your CDL, you will need to pay a few relevant fees:

• Application fee.
• Testing fee.
• Licensing fee.

The most expensive of these fees will typically be the licensing fee, which can cost upward of $100 (usually between $20 and $120).

Step 5: Find a Job

Once you’ve satisfied all of the requirements of being a truck driver, all that’s left is to find a job. Large companies like Fedex, Old Dominion Freight, and XPO Logistics post openings quite often. Alternatively, you can lease/purchase your own truck and learn to haul freelance.

How Much Do Truck Drivers Make?

According to taxpayer and labor statistics, truckers in the United States make an average of $66,196 each year. That’s almost double the median personal income measured in 2019 ($35,977).

Driving with Trucks on the Road

With more and more trucks on the road each year, it’s important to know how to drive safely around them. The following tips and tricks will help ensure you steer clear of accidents, injuries, and tickets.

Pass Trucks with Caution

Make sure to double or triple check that you are out of the way of a truck before merging back into their lane. Use your best judgment and be cautious.

Use Your Signal Early

The longer your turn signal is activated, the longer the trucker will have time to view it and acknowledge you. This makes it safer to make your turn or merge lanes.

Make Sure You Have Enough Room When Merging in Front of a Truck

Never cut off a truck, especially if it’s carrying a large load. The sheer weight and inertia of the truck requires a much longer stopping distance. If you cut off a trucker before a red light, for example, it is quite likely that the truck will not stop in time and will impact your vehicle.

Stay Alert

Keep your eyes open and on the road at all times. If you find yourself drifting off to sleep or driving drowsy, it might be time to get a hotel. Driving without remaining alert is a serious hazard that poses a serious risk to everybody around you.

Give Trucks Turning Space

Large trucks cannot “turn on a dime” like smaller vehicles. Oftentimes, they have to turn across the entire intersection, taking up multiple lanes while they do so. Give them space to avoid an accident.

Drive the Speed Limit

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding is the leading cause of accidents in the United States. Drive the speed limit to avoid potentially fatal accidents.

Allow Truck to Merge on Highways

If a truck is attempting to merge into your lane onto a highway, scoot over. If there are only two lanes and the truck is attempting to merge into your lane, slow down to let it in front of you.

Be Cautious of Truck on the Shoulder

If there is a truck pulled over on the shoulder of the road, merge over to leave an empty lane between you and the shoulder. This will prevent you from accidentally hitting somebody while they work on their vehicle.