Class A Truck Driver Jobs

For Driver Solutions, this type of feedback makes everything we do worthwhile.  To hear time and time again that we've allowed someone to live a better life by giving them the tools (training) they neeed to start a new career is our goal. 


Considering a Trucking Career?
Finding a stable job in today’s economy isn’t easy.  In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find an industry as stable as truck driving.  If you’re ready to bring home a steady paycheck, we invite you to get started by completing our secure online application.  Submitting your application will let you schedule a time to speak with a Driver Agent to discuss your trucking career options.

If you're just starting to explore a career in truck driving, you might be wondering where an entry-level truck driving job can take you. What if we told you that you could travel across several countries - including some across an ocean? In this series, we're introducing you to our guest video blogger Jerry Ott, also known as "Bullfrog" among his friends and peers.

Jerry has a YouTube channel and video series called Big Rig Talk where he talks about and showcases his long career on the road. In the next few posts, Jerry will be talk about his background in truck driving -- and his unique experience overseas as a truck driver in Iraq! Watch the video to get acquainted with Jerry, and check back soon for the next part of this video post series.



Jerry has been in the truck driving industry for over 25 years. He started out with driving heavy tow trucks and wreckers and eventually grew tired of those vehicles and desired to drive a tractor trailer. With a little help from his family, he went to truck driving school and got his Class A endorsement on his drivers license. As a Canadian, his drivers license holds everything relating to his truck driving privileges including the Class A, Z air brakes endorsement, and medical card. In Canada, there is no such thing as a "Commercial Driver's License", and the drivers license can be upgraded or downgraded at any time by the Ministry of Transportation.

In 1993, Jerry got the opportunity to do "cross-border" truck driving and has been doing it ever since. He's been to every province in Canada except Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland, and all the lower 48 United States, many times over. He's hauled every kind of trailer, from reefer to flatbed. He's driven over two million miles, accident-free! He believes one of the things that makes truck driving jobs so great is the travel - you're essentially a paid tourist.

Jerry currently works with flatbed trucks on a semi-dedicated lane. He's home every weekend, but his routes somewhat vary between different customers which he prefers since it mixes up his routine. While he's on a dedicated route with plenty of home time now, he started out like all other new truck drivers start out: by paying their dues and spending a couple of years out on the road. But Jerry thinks new truckers shouldn't be discouraged - there's a lot of opportunity out there, and the trucks they'll be getting placed in these days are very comfortable and well-equipped.

Jerry is a great example of how approaching an entry-level truck driving job with hard work and a positive attitude can open up a wealth of opportunities from extensive travel, great benefits, and the perfect position for you.

Check back soon to learn more about Jerry's experience driving a truck overseas in Iraq. If you have any questions for Jerry, leave a comment and he'll answer them in a future video.

Thousands of new truck drivers hit the road every year to deliver the things we want and need.  In order to help make the holidays just a little bit easier, Driver Solutions created a Free Truck Driver Holiday Survival Guide to help these truck drivers make it through the ever so busy holiday season. 

We understand that there's a lot to do to become a professional truck driver, including meeting Department of Transportation minimum requirements, getting CDL training, and earning your Class A CDL license. If that isn’t a challenge enough, once you're on the road you have to adjust to the trucker lifestyle and get used to spending time away from your family.

This survival guide was written for trucking students, new truck drivers, and even experienced drivers as a tool full of practical holiday tips to make trucking during the holidays less stressful for both drivers and their families.

The survival guide includes tips for:

• Trucker gift ideas
• Money saving tips
• Safe driving tips
• Tips for reducing stress
• Places to see
• New Year’s goals.

If you need a little extra holiday advice this season, just take a few seconds to fill out this simple form to get the FREE Truck Driver Holiday Survival Guide right away. As a bonus for filling out the form, we’ll keep you updated regularly by email with more free CDL training information and the latest info on truck driver jobs.

Truck drivers help make the holidays special by hauling the many products we give as gifts all across the country. Make sure you share this survival guide with a trucker this season to help keep their holidays bright as well.

It is not uncommon for someone to search out company paid CDL training in order to begin a first, second, or even third career path. Luckily, many companies are willing to train drivers at almost any age because the trucking industry is always looking for dedicated, qualified individuals.

At Driver Solutions, we see people come through our company paid CDL training program that are well into their 50s in age (and even older). Company paid CDL training can help lead to job security, as you're entering a stable and steady industry. Even though the Driver Solutions network of trucking companies do not have an upper age limit, in order to qualify for a class A CDL, you do have to meet some basic criteria.

Just a few of the requirements include:

• being at least 22 years of age
• having the ability to be away from home for at least 1 week at a time
• passing a DOT drug screen and physical.

If you’re looking to pursue something new or finally follow through on your dream, a trucking career might be right for you.

We recently set up a poll on our Facebook page to find out what age many of our fans got their CDL, and 29 of our fans responded. Though the majority of the Facebook fans started in their 20’s, many drivers did not start their trucking careers until well into their 30s, 40s, and 50s. If you are worried about going through company paid CDL training with Driver Solutions, just remember there is truly no age limit to become a truck driver.

Here are the results from the Facebook poll mentioned above:


 


















No matter what age you are, if you meet the minimum requirements and are interested in company paid CDL training, just complete our online driver application. Upon receiving your application, you can contact us to speak with a personal driver agent about your trucking career possibilities.

The National Truck Driver Appreciation Week was September 11^th-17^th, and to celebrate Driver Solutions announced a special contest in partnership with eGears to show recognition for all the great truckers out there.  We reached out to our Facebook, Twitter, and blog readers so we could learn about first-class truck drivers, the sacrifices they make, and how they help make a difference.

To show the nominees how much we appreciated them, we initially offered a $200 gift card toward the Ultimate Truck Driver Convenience Package.  This Wal-Mart gift card could be used on truck tools, a GPS, comfortable clothes, or whatever a truck driver needs. Last year we received over 30 entries in the contest and were very impressed with the response.  This year, we received a record breaking amount of over 75 entries! Nominations came in from parents, siblings, spouses, and friends and we truly enjoyed reading and sharing the stories about so many extraordinary truck drivers. 

Originally, we were only going to announce one winner from this contest, but choosing from 75 entries was just too hard! After receiving so many amazing entries, we decided to extend the contest, raise the prize amount to $250, and give not just one, but THREE drivers a chance at winning the grand prize.

This year we had so many great entries that it was extremely difficult choosing the winners. We decided to pick three grand prize winners and one honorable mention. To read all of the nominations from this year, take a look at our Truck Driver Appreciation posts.

Here are the winners from our Truck Driver Appreciation Contest:

Grand Prize Winner #1 ($250 Wal-Mart Gift Card) - CJ Rimmer

CJ provided us with one of the most creative entries this year. He skillfully expressed the representation of how the job of professional truck driving can be related to how the human body works. It is clear that CJ is proud of being a truck driver and works hard to make a good name for all truckers.

The Lifeblood of America

Grand Prize Winner #2 ($250 Wal-Mart Gift Card) - Roger Simmons

Roger had the most nominations with 11 entries! His family and friends put together a great list of reasons as to why Roger deserves the Ultimate Truck Driver Package. Check out just a few of the entries that were submitted on Roger’s behalf:

• Sharing Trucker
• A Truckers Life
• On the Road Again
• Shelves Would be Bare

Grand Prize Winner #3 ($250 Wal-Mart Gift Card) - Paul Deeter

Paul was nominated by his wife. Paul has overcome homelessness, taking care of sick family members, and making many sacrifices. He went through the Driver Solutions program and has been working with PAM Transport for over a year.

Honorable Mention ($100 Wal-Mart Gift Card) - Terry Zuber

Terry also received several nominations, showing that he is truly appreciated by his family and friends. In his 50’s, Terry recently went through Driver Solutions to start a trucking career. Here are just a few of the nominations Terry received:

• Terry is my Truck Driver!
• He Never Expected to Live His Dream of Being a Trucker…
• Sacrifice One for the Team

 

Truck Driver Appreciation Week may only last one week each year, but it’s clear that truckers are valued year round!

 

There are many others who perhaps are more deserving of this prize. But in these hard times any one who changes careers at 55 should receive something for their efforts. First I give my Lord, Jesus Christ, the credit for the ability to accomplish this task.

You see I had two jobs; driving a school bus and doing maintenance work for the church where my wife and I attended. The economy turned sour, people lost jobs, decreased income, as a result I need to leave the church, the major source of our income. Still left with a mortgage, credit card bills, as well as utilities; I needed to find a job that would span the gap of two incomes. Any job that I got would require me to stop driving a school bus, that is why I say one job for two. My wife and I thought about utilizing my CDL's.

Since I had a class B I thought it wouldn't be a problem to find a job, but the only thing is, it needed to bring in enough for two. In searching out the market I was told that Propane Truck Delivery Drivers earn around $17hr, so I study, get my background check done, finger printed again (already for the school bus job), take my test, and await the background check to clear. Everything comes together just right, but still I needed a job, every one told me to call around October, but this was July. My wife and I had discussed the over the road truck driving, but really didn't want to go there because I would be gone so much. Here we were facing this decision once again.

I got in contact with Driver Solutions and set things up to attend school at Littel Rock, AR, at C1 Truck Driving School. Now here we are almost three months later. I am employeed by PAM Transport, had my first three week out on my own, still working on getting everything co-ordinated. I am thankful that my wife has got a raise at the school where she works, that is helping to bridge the gap. We are going to make it with the Lord's help. We do have our house for sale for any one looking for a good deal on a 1612 sq. ft. home, built in 2006. Double car garage, brick 75%, landscaping, basically take over the payments. There are many others out there in my same shoes and I respect every one of them for their efforts.

Your Name:  Richard Curry
Truck Driver: Richard Curry

Hi Richard,

Thank you for sharing your story about becoming a truck driver.  We know it's not always easy to switch careers at age 55.  That being said, we're glad you were able to get started and we wish you the best of luck in selling your house.

- The Driver Solutions Team

Deciding to become a professional truck driver is one of the best career choices you can make today.  A career as a professional truck driver can open the door to many opportunities that can positively impact your life - including great pay and a stable environment.

You have probably found yourself asking, what exactly do you have to do to become a professional truck driver?

First, you must meet the basic requirements of the US Department of Transportation and hold a Class A CDL license. The DOT requires you to pass a physical exam to make sure you are fit enough to handle the responsibilities of truck driving. The CDL ensures that truck drivers meet the minimum requirements for the safe operation of a tractor trailer. In addition to a standard general knowledge test, truck drivers must also obtain endorsements by passing the combination vehicle and air brake knowledge tests.  Potential truck drivers need to learn not only how to operate a truck, but they must also learn the rules and regulations that truck drivers must follow.

To get started, you should contact the best truck driver training school in the country and ask for career options based on your skills, background, and goals. Finding a program that can accommodate your needs is vital. A truck driving school should not only help you learn all of the information needed to get your CDL, but should also help you find truck driving jobs after graduation.

What do I do next?

Just like any career path, a trucking career is going to have its challenges. Driver Solutions provides the tools to potential truck drivers to help them overcome some of the challenges they may face. Driver Solutions uses a proven method of training that brings out the best driver in students, then works to match students up with a company in the Driver Solutions Network.

Starting your CDL training and a trucking career with Driver Solutions can happen in just 6 simple steps:

1.       Review our trucking career opportunities

2.       Complete the online application

3.       Speak with a Driver Agent to discuss the Driver Solutions program

4.       Driver Solutions qualifies your application

5.       Attend CDL training at a Driver Solutions-approved truck driving school

6.       Begin driving for your new trucking company

Once you qualify and complete these six steps, you'll be on the road to success! Complete our online driver application today to schedule a time to speak with a Driver Agent about your career options.

As an aspiring truck driver, you should check out these FREE CDL training resources to help you become familiar with the industry:


Tips for New Truck Drivers - Get several CDL training school and OTR tips you can follow. These tips will help you prepare for your CDL exam and help you obtain your license quickly.

Looking for a Class A Truck Driver Job - There are many employment opportunities in the industry today. One of the opportunities many aspiring drivers want to get into is a company sponsored training program. Knowing how to take full advantage of these opportunities will be very helpful in your career. 

My Wonderful Experience at Truck Driving Training School. Be inspired by a story of a Driver Solutions graduate. Learn how truck driving has given him another chance for a better future not only for himself but also for his family.

Join us on Facebook and stay connected with us on Twitter to know more about our programs, promos and contests.

First day jitters are normal. As a rookie driver, you may experience feeling anxious a few more times after that initial driving day. To decrease your anxiety, here are some tips to help you get through your first day out on the road.

Be Safe!
Keep in mind that you're a rookie driver. No matter how good you were when you were in training, remember that you were in a controlled setting then. You are out on the road now with real traffic and real driving problems to deal with. You cannot take risks. One of the many things you will learn in a truck driver training school is to always be safe. If this means taking time to turn on a narrow road or getting out to look as you back up, then do so. There is nothing wrong with being careful, especially when lives are at stake.

Being Alone Doesn't Mean Being Lonely
Saying you can take the loneliness truck drivers face on the road is easier said than done. Getting long haul Class A truck driver jobs doesn't mean you have to accept the loneliness that goes with truck driving. To decrease the feeling of isolation and loneliness, take advantage social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter to connect with other drivers while you have breaks. 

Is truck driving for you? Driver Solutions can help you get started on this great career. Join us on Facebook and be our Twitter follower to learn more about truck driving.

Many studies indicate that the average American changes fields or industries at least five times in the course of their working life.  But with the economy in the position it is in, not many Americans can leave work upon retirement and well, actually retire.  This is a leading reason why more retirees today are entering truck driver training school.  And for those that are seeking entry level trucking jobs, retirees are often leading candidates.  Why?

One reason is proven responsibility and work performance.  A driver that has been working at steady employment most of their adult life has demonstrated that they will be reliable to perform Class A truck driver jobs.

Retirees typically have more freedom than the average student attending trucking school. These drivers can literally be on the road for weeks and nobody in their family feels the crunch, because they’ve all left the nest already.  Some retirees are even attending trucking school with their spouses and hitting the open road in team truck driving jobs and living a very happy. fullfilled life by doing so.

If you are thinking about a second career, the tax benefits, income benefits, and freedom and flexibility in retirement are all ahead of you in trucking. 

Despite the fact that the economy has been sluggish at best in the past three years, the Bureau of Labor Stats in America is saying, “keep trucking”.  While it is true that goods are not being produced and moved as quickly as they have in previous decades, the trucking industry still stands firm as a more effective means of transporting goods than any other transportation service.  As well, trucking requires less security compliance and customs clearance than flight or sea transportation, and ultimately, costs companies less.  There simply has never been a better time to begin researching truck driver training school.

Do you need more proof that the trucking industry is one of the most stable industries?  There are few recession proof jobs out there, but truck driving jobs are one of the few that will always be around  To come back from this recession, our economy IS demanding the movement of goods and services.  This means new drivers are needed TODAY. 


Another key factor in the increased demand for Class A truck driver jobs is in the retirement rate.  Optimum health is required for this position, and so retirement in trucking does come earlier than average jobs.  Simply put, it has never been a better time for students looking for a bright career in truck driving.

Go ahead and start your trucking career by completing our online driver application.  This will allow you to schedule a time to speak with a Driver agent about your options in this booming industry. 

So, you're looking to find a truck driving job...but you have no experience.  It's not an easy thing to do. 

Sure, everywhere you look you will find articles about the increasing demand for truck drivers  and read about plans that carriers have to hire thousands of drivers.  But still you find yourself at a dead end. 

At Driver Solutions, we talk with people every day that are in this position.  They want to enter the truck driving industry, but are having difficulty finding a job.  Others have their Class A CDL, but no recent experience.

It's for this reason that we work with all of our applicants to find a trucking job opportunity BEFORE they start training.  Trucking companies want to see recent training experience to make sure they are hiring the most qualified drivers available.  By going through a company sponsored CDL training program, the companies know they are getting a driver that has been trained properly and the driver has a job opportunity waiting after completion of training. 

If you find yourself in this position, just complete our online driver application.  This will allow you to schedule a time to speak with a Driver Agent about your trucking career options.  Just click on the "Apply Now" button to get started.

How do you find trucking companies that offer CDL training? 

One way to start is by filling out our online application.

When you submit an application via the Driver Solutions website, you will be assigned a personal Driver Agent.  He or she will start working for you immediately to help answer any questions you have about truck driving.  The goal of your Driver Agent is to help you find a trucking company that will sponsor your CDL training. 

This means, they will work to find a trucking company that will cover the upfront tuition costs that come with the truck driver training needed to get a Class A Commercial Driver's License and qualify for a trucking job.  Your Driver Agent will also coordinate with the trucking company to make your training arrangements.  This enables you to get started regardless of credit history or current financial situation. 

By allowing Driver Solutions to help you find the training school and the job opportunity, it means you can focus on the main things that will allow you to be successful.  These are: learning as much as you can about the trucking industry and training to become the safest driver possible.  

If you are looking to find a trucking company that offers CDL training, let Driver Solutions save you some time and headaches by doing the search for you.  Complete an online application by clicking on the Apply Now button. 

For 2010, the state of our economy was a one of benchmarks for the availability of entry level truck driving jobs. Economists and analysts from the American Trucking Association agreed that employment rates rose as manufacturers slowly regained their foothold on trade and industry.

Fleets and carriers are now at a position of taking on too much freight but without enough professional truck drivers to help them move the goods. By the middle of 2010, trucking driver jobs offered a lucrative career choice. Warehousing companies also joined truck companies with an additional 15,000 job openings to be filled at the soonest possible time.

Our country's economic recovery endeavor in 2010 paid off. The market is creating a need for drivers due to several factors like recruitment for new drivers is not aggressive enough and existing drivers are getting older. The demand for new Class A trucking jobs has spilled over into 2011.

If you are looking into starting a truck driving career, the next step is to take advantage of a CDL trainin gopportunity now. Simply complete our online application form to get your new career started. 

In 2011, many workers are searching for job stability.  With layoffs all around, finding a job that provides a steady paycheck adds a great sense of security in life.  Right now, trucking jobs are among the top choices for a number individuals searching for a new career.  You'll find few industries that offer the stability that comes with truck driving.  To illustrate, here are three scenarios that shows how with Class A truck driver jobs, you are in a more secure profession:

• Stable and steady industry- Some work can be listed as seasonal or even contractual but there is always a demand for truck drivers to haul goods from point A to Point B.
   
• Redundancy in your current industry- Nowadays, companies lay off employees to cut losses and save expenses. In other words, workers whether new or tenured, are at risk of losing their jobs anytime.
   
• Age-limiting choices- If you find yourself suddenly unemployed, your age becomes a factor that may provide fewer choices for finding a new career.  In trucking, as long as you are over 22 years old and meet the basic driver requirements, you can apply for a truck driver position.

Driver Solutions can work with you to find trucking jobs that can help you meet your needs while providing for a family. Simply fill out our online application form to begin the process.

The lifestyle of a truck driver because of Class A truck driver jobs is a combination of both the old and the new. New cargo, new routes, new places and even new companions on the road. Existing truck stops, 18-wheelers being driven by seasoned truck drivers and travel plaza jaunts are all a part of the lifestyle of a trucker.

As per the Herald Journal, one of those established places where truckers converge is the L W's Truck Stop in 1020 W 200 North, Logan, Utah. It is currently equipped with a laundry area, spacious showers, wifi hotspot, a deli shop, grocery, grill, satellite television and trucker supplies. There is also an option for truckers to hook up their own TVs and cooking ovens.

Whether you're looking for team truck driving jobs or solo entry level truck driving jobs, truck stops and 18-wheelers become part of a truck driver's life.

On keeping the truck stop in operation since 1989, Brent Miller, General Manager of L W's adds, "My favorite part is just seeing what we've made of it over the years. Seeing the same faces everyday, over and over, tells us we're doing something right."

Are you ready to start your own adventure? Apply for CDL training to start your trucking career using our online application form.

PAM Transport has extended the eligibility date deadline of the $1,200.00 sign-on bonus for new drivers completing CDL training.  The new deadline is December 27th, 2010.  So, if you are thinking about attending the Driver Solutions truck driver training program, here's a great incentive to be enrolled in CDL training with a class start date of December 27th or before to ensure you will have the opportunity to receive this additional bonus money. 

The holidays are upon us and PAM Transport is still in need of truck drivers heading into 2011.  This sign-on bonus extension gives those looking to start a trucking career one more reason to get started before the holidays.  Imagine being able to kick off a new career at the start of 2011 and receiving a bonus just by starting now rather than later.  What better gift to give your family this holiday season?

Are you tired of working a dead end job?  Do you want to earn a consistent paycheck to provide for your family?  If so, now is the time to make the career change.  Time is money.  If you put this off, you may cost yourself a nice sign-on bonus payday.

To make sure you can take advantage of this limited time bonus, just complete our online driver application.  This will allow you to set up a time to speak with a personal Driver Agent who will answer any questions you have about a trucking career with PAM Transport and help you get started with CDL training. 

Two of the top trucking companies currently hiring drivers, PAM Transport and USA Truck, work with Driver Solutions to offer the option of a company sponsored CDL training program. If you are looking to get into the trucking industry, this is an opportunity you should look into further. 

Have you ever wondered how much truck drivers get paid to haul goods out on the open road?  Did you know that truck drivers can make up to $40,000 in their first year? That's right, newly hired truck drivers can earn from $35,000 to $40,000 as an over-the-road truck driver.  However, you need to have a CDL license to qualify for Class A truck driver jobs. 

Through our truck driver training program, we provide our students with the CDL training needed to earn a truck driver job. 

We work with USA Truck and PAM Transport to provide you with company paid CDL training and pre-arranged trucking job opportunities BEFORE you start training. This means taking out the hassle of searching for the best trucking jobs in the market. We offer the training and the job opportunity in just one package deal. 

When you combine that with the potential to make $40,000 in the first year, you can see why it makes sense to go with Driver Solutions for your CDL training. You don't have to worry about the details and you can focus on being the best driver you can b

Contact us by filling out our online application form to learn more about truck driving as a worthwhile career.

If you are looking for a stable career choice where you can make some great money, it is of no surprise that you would consider looking at truck driving jobs. However, you may choose between solo truck driving or team truck driving jobs.

If you are wondering which one is a better fit for you, there are some important factors you need to first consider. First and foremost, you need to be qualified for the position.  For entry level trucking jobs, a CDL license is a must and the best way to get started is through truck driver training. Some trucking companies even require more than just Class A license. A HazMat (hazardous materials like aerosole cans) certification may be asked from you although there is the possibility of reimbursement for the certification by the company that hired you.

Next, think about whether or not you prefer having someone around to talk to while out on the road for weeks at a time.  Some people are more keen to select a team trucking job because they feel it offers a new sense of safety and gives them the ability to have company out on the road.  Being part of a team will also result in a higer income as you will be paid per each mile the truck travels and in a team setup the truck is moving more miles. 

Jobs in trucking depend on how you fare with these considerations when you are deciding if a team trucking job is right for you.  Ultimately, it will be a matter of personal preference when you apply to start your truck driving career.