If you’re thinking about a career change right now, it might be the time to explore becoming a truck driver. Getting behind the wheel helps the economy by delivering essential goods while you get to see the world.

After enrolling in a full-time training program, it takes the average person about seven weeks to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL). [[1]]

The time it takes you to pursue a CDL involves several personal factors. Some people have finished training programs in as little as three weeks, while others have taken six months or more to get their license.

What Is It Like to Work as a Truck Driver?

Some truck drivers haul cargo across the country, staying away from home for a week or more with each trip. Others are home each night because they drive locally for an employer.

With truck driver shortages impacting multiple industries, you can choose almost any job type once you earn a CDL. That means you can pursue a career you’ll love while getting to travel or be home each night with your family. [[2]]

Drivers operate massive motor vehicles after earning their license. When you see a 16-wheel trailer or tanker on the road, the person behind the wheel has a CDL to operate that rig legally.

It isn’t always easy to work as a truck driver. You’re often exposed to the elements, required to meet specific deadlines, and usually out there for more than 40 hours per week.

You must be at least 21 years old in the United States to legally operate a commercial motor vehicle. Learner’s permits are available in some areas at the age of 18, and some military and pilot programs will put younger drivers to work right away. [[3]]

Before you can pursue a commercial driver’s license, you’ll need to have a regular one that lets you legally operate a car, light-duty truck, van, or SUV. Once you’ve achieved that step, you can sometimes start your career in a delivery truck while working toward your CDL.

It’s usually less than $100 to earn your initial driver’s license in the United States. That cost doesn’t include any separate training you might need to qualify for the initial test.

What Factors Impact the Time It Takes to Get a CDL?

Before you enroll in a CDL training program, you’ll want to consider the following factors to ensure this career opportunity is suitable for your needs.

1. What type of CDL do you want to obtain?

CDL classifications let you drive trucks that have different weight ratings. The most common option for new drivers is a Class A license, which is required for anyone driving a vehicle with a GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) of 26,001 pounds or more. [[4]]

That includes a towed vehicle with a weight greater than 10,000 pounds in the current regulations.

You have the option to pursue a Class B or a Class C CDL based on the different materials and GVWR choices you prefer.

2. Do you want to attend a full-time CDL program?

When enrolling in a CDL program, you can choose from a full-time training curriculum or a part-time option. Depending on what is available near you, classes could be offered on weekdays or weekends only. Some community schools only meet a few times per week over a couple of months to help you earn your license.

You’ll need to consider how much time you have available for the mandatory training when enrolling in a licensing program. It’s faster to get the CDL in a full-time program, but it’ll be a lot of hours to manage in a short time.

 

3. How do you handle classroom instruction?

Classroom time is essential to become qualified as a CDL driver. The amount of time necessary to earn your license varies by program, but it is typically 80 hours or less.

When you have more time with an instructor and learning materials, it’s often easier to be prepared for the eventual exams you’ll need to pass to obtain your CDL.

You’ll take the classroom outside with driving hours behind the wheel. The best programs provide a generous amount of time to work with a rig so that you can set yourself up to have a successful career.

4. How much testing availability do you have?

Some jurisdictions authorize third-party providers to administer the skills portion of the CDL test. Employers, private drivers, or even the school that taught you how to drive might be able to issue the license on behalf of the local government agency.

You’ll want to contact the local DMV or a similar office to determine what is necessary in your area to obtain your license.

5. How comfortable are you driving stick?

If you’ve never driven a manual transmission in the past, it’ll take longer to get used to using the clutch when going through the CDL course. A manual truck is often the easiest route to take, but it might limit your employment options in some areas. You’ll want to think about what will advance your training toward a successful skills test to maximize the chances you’ll have.

6. What endorsements do you want?

You can pursue six different endorsements to have on your commercial driver’s license. The ones you prefer can impact how long your training will be or the job opportunities that are available to pursue.

Here are the endorsements you can get right now. [[5]]

• The (H) endorsement allows you to transport hazardous materials.
• With the (N) endorsement, you are authorized to drive a tank vehicle.
• With a (P) endorsement, you’ll have the option to ferry passengers.
• The (S) option allows you to drive a school bus or another passenger transport.
• When you earn the (T), you have a double or triple tanker endorsement.
• The (X) endorsement is a Tanker and HAZMAT combination for your CDL.

 

FAQ About Working as a Truck Driver

If you’re exploring options to become a truck driver today, here are the answers to some of the frequently asked questions that people have about this career choice.

 

What Are the Critical Skills a Truck Driver Needs?

When you get behind the wheel of a rig with your CDL, you’ll discover that a little common sense goes a long way toward having a successful experience. You need to be on time, whether you’re working as an independent contractor or for an employer. It’s also necessary to offer clear communication by email, text, or having a conversation with someone.

 

What Is the Primary Challenge of Being a Driver?

Learning how to drive a truck is only the first step toward having a successful career. You must respect the equipment you’re operating. Not only does your pay depend on how well you care for the equipment, but it also keeps you safe when you’re driving at higher speeds. If you work for a company, it depends on everything working to earn a profit. Maintenance investments, repair costs, and other influences can all impact your paycheck.

 

What Is It Like to Drive a Truck?

Driving a large truck is a lot different than getting behind the wheel of a passenger car. You have a lot more to observe, and there’s more responsibility backing the choices made on the road. The best way to describe this answer is that you should expect hard work.

 

What Are the Hours Like as a Truck Driver?

If you’re looking for a job that only requires you to work on weekdays from about 9 AM to 5 PM, you won’t find many options with a CDL. One of the biggest surprises that first-time drivers have when learning how to drive is that you can have multiple 14-hour shifts across consecutive days when you’re within your hours of service. [[6]]

Those long hours apply to almost everyone, although cross-country long-haulers have the reputation for dealing with them the most. Even when you come home after a shift each night, your first urge is to get some sleep.

If you have kids at home, it’s not unusual to be out the door before they wake up. You won’t always get back until after their bedtime. That schedule can be demanding on a family, so earning a CDL isn’t always an individual decision.

It impacts everyone you care about at home.

 

Do CDL Training Programs Offer Financial Aid?

When you have a commercial driver’s license, you’ll never be out of a job unless you want to take a break. Many students like to get a full year of learning to have a college-like experience, so you can sometimes find programs that offer certificates or degrees in commercial freight industries.

Some programs provide scholarships or tuition reimbursement if you’re not hired by a company that pays you to get trained. If an employer gives you a salary and pays the cost of your CDL, you’ve found the best of both worlds.

If you must pay all the costs privately, it can be up to $10,000 to obtain your CDL.

 

Are Benefits Available to Truck Drivers?

Some employers provide benefits, such as health and life insurance. Others treat drivers more like independent contractors. You’ll need to review the company’s policies for hiring CDL workers before agreeing to anything.

If you’re a self-employed driver, it might be necessary to purchase private insurance through an exchange or affiliation. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association offers several excellent resources to review if that’s the path you want to follow to your new career.

 

How to Become an Owner-Operator Truck Driver

 

Some truck drivers find formal employment with their CDL through a traditional employer. Hundreds of companies hire drivers each day, allowing you to obtain a secure job and a fair paycheck for your services.

You also have the option to become an owner-operator with your CDL.

When you work as an owner-operator, you’ve essentially created a business where you’re the employee. It is up to you to forge contracts, build relationships, and execute jobs.

You can own or lease a rig to become an owner-operator. That means you’ll need to manage insurance costs, equipment maintenance, and other overhead needs related to your operations. With those expenses comes the freedom to accept jobs at your discretion and work with people you prefer.

If you want to become an owner-operator after earning your CDL, you’ll need to obtain a USDOT number in the United States. This step requires a visit to the Unified Registration System, filling out your info, and submitting the required payment. [[7]]

You must also have an MC number if you want to haul regulated commodities in the United States. The filing fee is non-refundable. It typically takes four to six weeks to receive the information so that you can start working. [[8]]

An owner-operator might be subject to a heavy vehicle use tax. This annual fee lets you operate a commercial motor vehicle equal to or more than 55,000 pounds. You’ll need to complete Form 2290 when filing your taxes if your rig qualifies, although you’re exempt from the cost if you drive less than 5,000 miles for the year.

 

Should I Become a Truck Driver Today?

 

Is it worth earning your CDL to become a truck driver? That depends on what you hope to accomplish with this investment in yourself.

Driving delivers an independent work environment, but you’re also the one responsible for a load that could be worth millions of dollars.

It can be fun driving across the country while earning a paycheck, especially when you have someone in the cab with you. It’s also not easy to have access to a kitchen, which means you’ll need to be careful about your eating and exercise habits while on the job.

The biggest challenge is to abide by industry regulations while balancing the demands of your contracts. You have hours of service rules, cargo securement, drug screening, CDL classes, and more to consider.

If you can find a happy balance between the positives and potential negatives of earning a CDL, you’ll find that this career option can be advantageous! With driver shortages persisting, there has never been a better opportunity to find a good-paying job.

 

 

[[1]] https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license

[[2]] https://www.trucking.org/news-insights/ata-chief-economist-pegs-driver-shortage-historic-high

[[3]] https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/commercial-drivers-license/cdl-under-21-pilot/faq-program-background

[[4]] https://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/cdltypes.html

[[5]] https://www.cdl.com/trucking-resources/experienced-truck-drivers/available-endorsements

[[6]] https://www.samsara.com/guides/how-many-hours-can-a-truck-driver-drive/

[[7]] https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/getting-started

[[8]] https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/get-mc-number-authority-operate