3 Must-haves Before Embarking On Truck Driving Jobs

1. 3 Must-haves Before Embarking On Truck Driving Jobs Truck driving may sound easy at first. It may seem like you would merely drive a truck and deliver the goods from one state to the other. In reality, truck driving requires skills and resilience. You have to sit for long hours with the main goal of delivering goods in safe condition. This also includes planning your route and inspecting the vehicle for safety issues. Others resort to this type of means of living because without a doubt, truck driving can provide a decent living for many. Now you might be thinking of getting into the truck driving business. Before you start, you might want to check out this list so things will run smooth with your career: 1. Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Operating heavy vehicles is a big deal, which requires skills and a professional attitude. This is the main reason why the government requires you to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL). The United States Department of Transportation has a minimum age requirement of 21, although some states allow those aged 18 to 20 to apply. Acquiring a CDL undergoes a step-by-step process. Commercial motor vehicles are divided into three classes, and keep in mind that requirements vary from state to state. For one, California has a threshold for a Driving Under the Influence citation from 0.08% to 0.04% Blood Alcohol Content. 2. Personal needs Getting into the nitty-gritty of truck driving, Jack Paulden, a commercial truck driver from Ohio, says this may sometimes require of up to 11 hours of driving in a day. The truck is now your home and you have to put your essentials in it. “Meals on the go or time to eat at a restaurant is a variable thing,” Paulden says. Carrying around 6-8 no-iron clothes, two jackets, and a raincoat is also advisable. Remember, light travelling is best. 3. Your best-buddy, something that will keep you company Lindsay Slazakowski, a long-haul truck driver for three years, says that getting used to audio books may come in handy. Long trips might get you bored, so it is best to find some leisure time while driving. “I listened to audiobooks all day long — series are the best, like Harry Potter or Stephen King novels — because it made the day go by a lot faster,” says Slazakowski. She says that listening to the radio is okay, but the tricky part is not listening to one radio station as you pass through different states. Audio books may not be applicable to all, so it would be best to find what would keep you company for the long drive. You see, being a truck driver is not just a “job”, but also a change of “lifestyle.” You have to put your mind into it. As stated earlier, being a truck driver does not only require your skills in driving, but also resilience. There are many challenges you might face, and common drivers do not typically meet these. Getting a nice shower, having a hot meal, or even going home to your

2. family is now a luxury; and these are just some of the things you might consider before getting into this business. The things listed above are your survival kit.