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Truck Driver Training to Improve Your Driving Skills
Most heavy haul companies like all trucking companies have various qualifications and requirements you must meet before you are eligible to apply for a driver job. Every company has it's own set of standards, qualifications and rules. Below are some tips and information to hopefully help you in getting the driver qualifications you need to get into heavy haul. Truck drivers must be at least 21 years old to drive over state lines. Some states allow truck drivers 18 and over to operate within the state. If you are in this situation be sure to check with the state you intend to operate in to make sure you are eligible. Most heavy haul trucking companies prefer you have no felony convictions or positive drug tests. Like any other perspective employer they expect you to pass a drug test before they’ll hire you. A truck driver must have no current clinical diagnosis of alcoholism, and must not use any illegal drugs. Every truck driver must have a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) issued by any state. Specific endorsements, such as for heavy haul loads, may be required depending upon the company's needs and the type of equipment you will be operating. Having a CDL does not mean that the person is a trained or experienced driver. It means the bearer has passed minimal skills and knowledge tests concerning the type of vehicle the driver proposed to drive.
The U. S. Department of Transportation requires drivers to have the following:
- A complete physical examination every two years.
- A truck driver or heavy haul driver must have a minimum of 20/40 vision in each eye, with or without corrective lenses, and have a 70 degree field of vision in each eye.
- A truck driver or heavy haul driver may not be colorblind.
- A trucker may have the use of a hearing aid.
- A truck driver is required be able to read and speak the English language well enough to understand the traffic signs, keep logs and other reports and be able to speak with law enforcement authorities as well as the general public.
Some companies may even have additional schooling requirements or levels of truck driver training. The U. S. Department of Transportation sets safety rules for interstate truck drivers such as truck and trailer inspection as well as hours of service.
Strict regulations forbid the use of alcohol or drugs prior to or while operating a commercial vehicle.
Criminal Driving Record: A trucker and heavy haul carrier must not have been convicted of a felony involving the use of a motor vehicle; a crime involving drugs; driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or a hit and run accident which resulted in injury or death of another person.
A driver must successfully complete a truck driver road test and be issued a certificate that states successful completion.
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Different states require varying levels of experience and/or qualifications, so make sure you check with the state which the company you want to drive for is located in before applying for the job. There are a number of decent truck driver training schools that can teach a potential driver all they need to begin their trucking career and then you can advance to heavy haul, but if you can find a mentor/sponsor to help you in your training your probably going to not only advance quicker but you’re going to be a better driver from the experience which means advancement into SUPERLOADS. If you’d like to start training for a heavy haul truck driver job or find a mentor/sponsor there is no other better place to put an ad than in the Classifieds section of our Forum if you are serious.
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