Considering becoming a truck driver? Then here are 7 more things you should consider before you choose commercial truck driving as a long-term career option.
Options.
We all love them.
There are so many things to choose from.
But when it comes to choosing a profession like ‘commercial truck driver’ as your full-time career, it’s important to base your decision on practical circumstances and knowledge.
You can make this decision by weighing the pros and cons.
Your passion to become a truck driver for a commercial fleet company is a good start.
But passion, too, needs direction and consistency.
So, ask yourself the following question.
How prepared are you for this role?
If you’re under the assumption that truck drivers are mostly driving around, crossing states, unloading orders, and enjoying the scenic view, you’re not wrong.
Truck drivers do get to do all that.
But there’s more to this job than just driving.
Just like any other job, truck driving tests your driving skills, people skills, time management skills, and other skills.
But how?
By the end of this read, you’ll find answers to this question.
Let’s look at commercial truck driving with a logical sense.
The Job Pays Well
Just wanted to start off this read with a positive note. Yes. Truck driving pays well. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay of an average truck driver in the U.S. is around $48,000 in 2021.
The more experience you add to your profile, the higher the pay. The highest-paid truck drivers were only 10%, yet they were paid $72,700.
Of course, this kind of pay comes after you’ve completed regulatory training and tests. But after that, the pay basically takes care of you in the long term.
And to be realistic, not every truck driver is promised a 48K pay range in a year. Some truck drivers get paid less than $30,000 a year. That’s pretty decent if you’re just starting out and if you have no prior experience.
It’s essential to note that truck driving is all about how well you manage your time and hone your skills as you’re on the job. The more you train and the more alert you are when you drive, the more trucking companies will rely on you for commercial transportation, improving your pay within years.
This just shows how professional and mindful you have to be on your job, all day, every day, in order to get paid that much.
The Trucking Industry Is Booming
The trucking industry is here to stay. Be it manufacturing, retail, construction, or any other industry.
They all depend on commercial transportation on some level.
In fact, statistics show that the U.S. trucking industry’s revenue in 2021 is valued at $732 Billion.
When the world was sinking in revenues during the peak of the Covid-19 global pandemic in 2020, the trucking industry in the U.S. was making record revenue at $791.7 Billion.
The current employment growth rate is at 6% annually with an average of 200,000+ jobs being projected every year, over the next decade.
So, it’s safe to say that commercial truck driving jobs are here to stay for the foreseeable future.
If you plan on becoming a truck driver, you’re looking for a job that pays you well and secures your future.
That’s a win-win.
Timing Is Everything
When we say truck driving tests your patience, we really mean it.
You’re looking at starting your job at, say, 7 AM, and reaching the location destination by 1 PM. Most trucking companies are pretty strict about these deadlines and require the loads to reach the destination by pre-determined timelines.
Now, this doesn’t seem so bad!
Well, when you consider other factors, which are interconnected with this one, you’ll see how this may not be so easy.
Keep reading.
All That Driving Has An Impact On Your Health
When you’re a commercial truck driver, your dispatcher will connect with you to make sure that you’re taking the best route to reach the destination on time.
You can’t stop for breaks longer than 5-10 minutes because longer halts prolong your timeline, making you miss the intended deadline.
You have to weather through annoying traffic in order to get to highways.
And then there are nature calls, which require you to hit the brakes in the middle of nowhere.
Most importantly, you’ll be constantly driving for long hours, which will have an impact on your cognitive functions.
You can’t drink too much water because it will lead to frequent halts. And if you don’t drink enough water, you’ll be dehydrated.
The constant vibration for prolonged hours takes a toll on your muscle health and neuro health.
And if you’re not big on fitness, just a one-way trip could easily tire you out – and this is not a good thing for a truck driver.
But then, you did not sign up for this job for one day.
You will have to do this every day.
So, you will have to get better at handling your health and time while managing your job.
Hygiene Concerns
You’re driving inside a small space for long hours. Your body will naturally sweat through the day, and you will have very little time and means to take care of your body.
Most drivers prefer taking the next load instead of jumping in for a quick shower at the trucking facilities (because more loads and trips mean bonus pay).
This, combined with minimal availability of public toilets, could impact your hygiene and eventually, your health.
This is especially bad during winters when most public spaces are closed down or blocked due to heavy snowfall.
Elements & Traffic Are A “Normal” Part Of Your Job
We all drive through the elements. But this is not the same as driving a truck that is loaded.
Accelerating, decelerating, controlling the speed, and braking through damped roads can be especially complex for truck drivers.
It’s even difficult when there’s an unprecedented downpour or early snowfall.
And the traffic maneuvering is different from a truck driver’s perspective. You can never be too close to “regular” vehicles on the highways, and you always have to maintain a safe distance from other trucks.
Driving a truck won’t be the same as driving with a companion. You won’t have friends or family to accompany you on your long journeys.
Technically, every day is a long road trip but with a deadline.
The best policy when on the road is to avoid accidents at all costs.
Compliance Is Your No.1 Priority
Getting a valid trucking driver’s license, registering the truck, maintaining all the necessary paperwork, and taking the training necessary to qualify for the job. These are all a part of the regulatory compliance protocol.
You cannot drive a truck that weighs 55,000 pounds or more (plus loading weight) and maze it through the national highway without prior experience or training.
That’s just a very bad accident waiting to happen.
So, it’s important to comply and carry all the paperwork, certificates, license, registration, and other permits with you at all times. The fact that you have all these permits and licenses is testimony to your professionalism, training, and expertise.
And if you’re a self-employed truck driver, it’s essential you prepare and file your 2290 returns online to pay your HVUT tax and get Schedule 1 (also known as “proof of payment”).
You have to take a few quick minutes out of your busy schedule to pay your HVUT taxes and eFile 2290 forms to the IRS.
With EZ2290, you can do all this on the go in just a few quick steps.
Follow this guide to file and pay your HVUT taxes before the deadline.
Go paperless for your next 2290 filings with EZ2290.
Get Started Now & eFile Form 2290 For 2022-2023 Tax Period
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