What do truck drivers need?
Requirements to Become a Truck Driver in California
- Possess a high school diploma or GED.
- Preserve a good driving record.
- Have a Class D license for at least 1 year and in good standing.
- Be at least 18 years old to drive in-state, 21 to drive state-to-state.
- Possess proof of California residency.
What are the rules for being a truck driver?
The rules layout several limits that each commercial vehicle must comply with. First, truck drivers must comply with the 14- hour driving window. The 14-hour driving window allows truck drivers to work in 14-hour windows.
What happens in the first year of truck driving?
First year truck drivers have the opportunity to see the country, but will also be developing their driving skills. There are both positive and negative aspects to driving a truck and in the first year of driving, each trucker is sure to become acclimated with these different situations.
What to expect as a new truck driver?
This way, when you start your first truck driving job you won’t have to put up with snow, slippery conditions, air lines freezing, brakes freezing, and sub freezing temperatures that make driving and sleeping uncomfortable.
What’s the driving window for a truck driver?
First, truck drivers must comply with the 14- hour driving window. The 14-hour driving window allows truck drivers to work in 14-hour windows. During the 14-hour time frame the driver is allowed to drive for up to 11 hours. The remainder of the time is supposed to be dedicated to rest and breaks.
What should I know about my first year as a truck driver?
This information is not meant to scare you away from a job as a trucker. It’s meant to equip you with straight up information and knowledge for that first and important year of your new truck driving career. I’d like to connect especially with the new truck drivers as well as the guys and gals who are just entering the trucking industry.
Is it good to be a truck driver?
A lot of drivers see a glorified version of truck driving in movies or in their own head that is just flat out inaccurate. Driving a truck is not a way to see the world or to get away from problems. If you want to see the world you should do it on your own time, not from the windshield of a truck.
When is the best time to start truck driving?
As difficult as winter driving can be there are a lot of truck drivers that would tell you to start driving in winter so that you can learn to drive in the worst possible conditions. It is during this time that having a good trainer with you can be invaluable.
What was the worst part of being a truck driver?
With several million miles under my belt as an experienced truck driver, I still remember after all these years, my first year as a truck driver. The worst part of that year for me was finding some of the delivery locations and maneuvering the truck into some of the older areas of big U.S. cities with narrow streets and low bridges.