Several big reasons that many people decide to pursue entry level truck driving jobs include the ability to travel, great job stability, and the possibilty to earn between $35,000 and $40,000 in the first year. But actually finding a job can be frustrating if you don't know where to start. The key to finding an entry level truck driving job and starting your career on the right foot is to choose the best truck driver training program.
Before you jump into any commitments, you need to decide if you are ready for an entry level trucking job, and should ask yourself several questions:
Are you willing to spend 3 weeks at CDL school to get the specialized training you need?
If you answered yes to all of these questions, you may be ready to start your truck driving career. But now you may be wondering, where can you find the CDL training you need AND job opportunities?
At Driver Solutions, we work with a network of the top trucking schools and trucking companies to offer great CDL training and help students start their careers succesfully. Through our company paid CDL training program, we will work with you to get the best CDL training possible. Best of all, Driver Solutions qualifies you for a job opportunity BEFORE you begin CDL training. Driver Solutions reviews your information, qualifies your application, and makes sure that you’re qualified for an entry level trucking job all BEFORE you begin truck driving school.
When you complete your truck driver training in as little as 3 weeks, you will be qualified to earn your CDL license. You'll be on the road in no time!
Let Driver Solutions take the stress out of finding an entry level driving job. Complete our online application to schedule a time to speak with a Driver Agent about your options for getting started.
At some point during truck driving school, you're going to be faced with mastering the pre-trip inspection in order to get your CDL. This is a very important piece to training and is something that has been known to create a setback for some students.
With over 100 items to remember, it's no wonder it takes some truck driver training students awhile to become confident in their abilities to complete a pre-trip inspection properly.
So, how do you master this important part of CDL training?
In addition to using pre-trip inspection videos and pre-trip cheat sheets, students form groups to learn this together. Driver Solutions asked some of our Facebook fans (a group that includes past graduates and other truck drivers) to share their top tips.
Let's check em out below (note: spelling is corrected in some entries):
Practice for the real world. Always check that nobody pulled your 5th wheel while your sleeping and always check the trailer axles that they're locked, especially if you have auto-slide. - Adrian Hoesli
Study it in sections. Not all at once. And you cant study it enough. Thats alot to learn in a short time. - Richie Gray
Acronyms helped me the most - WACOFOE, PASS, SSS, ABCDEFU, and MARKS PJ GAP, the rest I broke down in sections and practiced on our pretrip truck. - Steven McGraw
I agree. The acronyms are the best way to go but also make sure you look at the photo pages and know where the parts your talking about are located at. The state instructor failed someone for not knowing where a part was at. - Doug Shaffer
Study with a group of 3 or 4. practice with your group every day. why?.. your group can help you if your struggling and in return you help them. My group passed pti easily because we practiced as a team. - Rodney Chalfont
Repetition. Get a small group and start from the beginning. If you forget in the middle have someone there to coach and hint. Then, start back from the beginning. Eventually it'll be stuck in there. Took myself and two others a week to have it down. That was only two hours every evening. Grab a flashlight and let your future be your motivation. - Joe Moore
Make a game out of it with a small group at the hotel. - Clay Williams
Do you have any tips for mastering the pre-trip inspection? If so, share them in the comments section below!
Driver Solutions would like to thank you for this entry in our Truck Driver Appreciation Contest. We're glad your husband was able to get a career going as a truck driver. When know the time away from home isn't always easy, but it sounds like he has plenty of people that care and support him. We wish you and your family the best. - The Driver Solutions Team
My husband lost his job after 19 long dedicated years at a paper mill. He always talked about becoming a truck driver but never wanted to leave his family. Now his boys are 18 and 15, the oldest, Corey is leaving for the Air Force and Kyle still in school, he has pursued his dream but with big consequences, he is missing all of Kyle's football, basketball and baseball games.
He has always said he would do anything for his family and he misses us so much out on the open road, he is a wonderful husband and a great father, he is a man that would give you the shirt off his back if you asked him. His uncle was told that he has 6-12 months to live, he has terminal lung cancer, John is very close to him, he lives down the street from us, it is very difficult for him to be gone and not be able to see his uncle George during his dying months. I am holding this family together the best way I can, but I know John is doing his part out there and I know he is thinking about us always.
Your Name: Tracy Walczak Truck Driver: John Walczak
The Driver Solutions team would like to thank Thomas for sharing his story below...
I haven't been driving long. But I love it it's a great feeling knowing that with every load I carry someone somewhere benefits. Whether it be my friends or family myself or even a stranger everyone benefits. I'm away from my friends and family ALOT but at the end of the day it is all some how all worth it. I would be very proud to win but either way my story gets told.
Your Name: Thomas Cummings Truck Driver: Thomas Cummings
My brother Eric, is the oldest of 6 and has taught all of us younger siblings more abot life's virtues than most parents could in a lifetime. Eric has led a busy life, with taking care of his daughter, going school and being a big brother to 5 of us siblings ranging from 31 years old to 11 years old.
Eric deserves this package because he is known by everyone around him that he is the one person that would drop everything to help you out the second you need it. He would and has, given others the shirt of his back. He fixes everyone's car in the family, and our family friend's without asking for any money for his time or labor. His daily goal is to help others in need, and even though he has helped many who have taken from him, he never ceases to turn anyone down. My brother Eric is a blessing sent to our family, and I thank God for his caring personality and giving nature, daily.
Your Name: Autumn Meyers Truck Driver: Eric Meyers
Hi Autumn,
Thank you for sharing the story about your brother, Eric. It sounds as though he does a great job taking care of others and is very appreciated. We wish you and your family the best!
The human body is amazing. The circulatory system as its crowning glory. A system of pathways, crowded with so many components and somehow it finds its way to the appropriate place to get its respective work done. Cells are the workhorse of that system. They carry nutrients, medicine, enzymes and other critical components so the body can remain healthy, or help repair itself.
We have a nearly perfect representation of that in the world of professional semi truck driving. Truck drivers are the cells that attach to components that need transport to certain areas of the country. We run through the vessels (roads) of a large circulatory system (America's interstates and towns) and keep a body (the nation) supplied with food and other goods to keep us running. If this country ever shut down its trucking industry there would be massive complications. That is why truck drivers need to be appreciated. Truck drivers actually do 8 jobs in one:
The first is that they overcome the fear of losing control of an 80 thousand pound vehicle every day.
The second is that they have to be a watchful participant on the road to make sure that they do not negatively impact the lives of others through their mistakes and others neglect.
Thirdly, they are mini-mechanics. They make sure a truck and the trailer are up to "snuff" for safety so there are no mistakes down the road.
Fourthly, they are accountants. They have to calculate and weigh and record numbers and times and places in order to make sure they comply with government regulations.
Fifth, they are protectors in a way. They interact with other semi truck drivers to make sure accidents are avoided by flashing lights, flashing to pass and other hand signals and CB radio communication.
Sixth, they are good samaritans, they stop to help motorists and other truckers in the cold and the heat and in other dangerous and diverse situations.
Seventh, they are the Ultimate laborer; they will drive for up to 11 hours a day for up to 7 days straight. It's a tedious, dangerous, tricky, cautious game that has to be played EVERY DAY and the skills must be in place to make sure that is done safely.
Finally, we are Highly Trained Technicians. In the middle of an any type of weather storm, we have to gauge times, distances, ratio's, parameters, temperature, moisture levels, capacity of the van, stoppping power, equipment condition and a host of other factors.
I as a driver will stop my semi if I think something will have a negative impact. However, I know how to make the best time to the place my goods need to get to. I am appreciative of my driver manager and the planning department when they do a good job. It makes me perform well. My level of safety concern as I grow my skill set will keep me cautious, but efficient while I make PAM Transport a name that customers love with my clean appearance, friendly attitude towards my clients and the low risk I am to my employer. That is worth it
Driver Solutions received this great entry from Mike Tinsley about the process of moving up within a company like PAM Transport. Check it out!
I grew up around trucks... all my family members were either company drivers or owner operators. Driving is in my blood. 7 months ago I upgraded to 1st. Seat. I was a team driver for 6 months. And now recently upgraded to be a trainer with my company. I think I could use the gift certificate not for myself but for my new co drivers coming into the industry. I'd use it for supplies to give the new driver as they upgrade to 1st seat drivers after their training.
Your Name: Mike Tinsley Truck Driver: southern rider
I have known Roger for a couple of years now and never have I seen anyone who loves his job more than him. When driving, he takes into consideration others on the road. He drives safely and has a spotless driving record. He loves to travel and get to know the people and the communities wherever his job might take him. Roger actually feels the most relaxed while driving the open road. He always has a smile on his face and is ready to assist anyone who might need help on the road. Without a doubt Roger definitely deserves the ultimate truck driver convenience package.
Truck Driver and Convenience in the same sentence, wow you don't see that often as there is not much convenience when it comes to family and OTR truck driving.
I want to nominate my husband Paul. Paul is 37 and we have two girls -one is 16 a junior at Kennedy Catholic High School in Manchester, MO and the other just turned 3. Yes BIG gap and nothing in between.
Last September 29th, I got that dreaded phone call that all truckers' wives fear. Paul was in Denver and admitted into the hospital with a 99% blockage and an 81% blockage in his heart. On that night, Paul received 3 stents, and to date, just 19 days over a year, he now has a total of 7 stents. Paul has not stopped driving, has taken no time off and just keeps pushing day in and day out to provide for his family. He stays out 5-6 weeks at a time, when he comes "home" it is for a 34 hr break and sometimes just long enough to eat dinner, wash clothes throw the baby up and down a few times, ask the oldest what her name is and pat me on the behind(if I'm lucky) and off back to the road again.
Even after each and everytime he was admitted into the hospital they would keep him 24-48 hrs and he was back in the truck. Paul has guilt because of having had to have these things done, always on emergency basis but he feels that because of that we are so far behind in our bills and daughters tuition, so he just won't stop.
Paul will never get anything for himself and when he has to have something like shoes because you can see his toes, he feels that he is taking away from the girls. We are owner operators, therefore as you all know, we pay for EVERYTHING!!!!! Having to carry our own insurance what we did was put all the bells and whisltes on the girls and just basic of the basic on us. At the time I never thought in a million years that at 36 something like 7 stents in a year would ever happen. Needless to say we are stuck because no one will even consider covering him now. So with all of this Paul goes to work every single day, will not buy a thing for himself, puts aside his daily pain just to be able to provide for his family and for this reason, Paul is my Ultimate Driver, my Ultimate Package.
Your Name: Angela Matthews Truck Driver: Paul Matthews
My husband, Steven, deserves the trucker package because he is simply the best! Not only has he sacrificed spending time with me, but with our two children ages 6 and 8 to take care of his family through driving for USA truck. He is careful considerate driver to all on the road, and with his willingness to go anywhere and do anything he is simply the best.
Your Name: Telinda Wilson Truck Driver: Steven Wilson
Hi Telinda,
Thank you for submitting your entry nominating, Steven. It sounds like he's doing well at USA Truck and providing for your family. We appreciate you sharing this story.
My husband recently became a truck driver in April 2011. He has been dreaming about this job for as long as I've known him and even before then.
When we first starting dating, he left on my birthday to go to truck driving school. Once out on his own, he only lasted about 3 months. Now that we are married, he decided to give it another shot. And he is doing much better this time around.
I am extremely proud of my husband going after and achieving his dreams. He says he couldn't do this without my support and I am happy to give it to him.
He loves to drive. Plain and simple. He can't imagine himself at another dead end job, not enjoying life. Being a truck driver is a way for him to both, make a living and see the world.
Of course there are tough times, like when your truck is out of commission for days and days, but once he gets back on the road, he knows it was worthing waiting for the repairs instead of just giving up. Being away from home for long periods of time is rough too, but as his wife, I assure him we are doing just fine and always looking forward to him coming home for a few days.
My husband deserves to win this contest because he drives with the most important thing.. His heart. It's what he loves to do and he has achieved his dream.
Your Name: Sheyanne Paige Truck Driver: Jeremy Paige
Hi Sheyanne,
Thanks for sharing the story about Jeremy. We're glad he was able to follow his heart and even more appreciative of the support you give to him!
As a wife of a trucker, I know what Roger and his family go through on a daily basis. The long hours behind the wheel, dealing with 4 wheelers who dont think when they cut in front of them, causing truck drivers to slam on their breaks and risk jack knifing or destroying their trucks.
But I think the things they give up that others dont notice are important. The parent teacher interviews, concerts, dance recitals. Or not being home Christmas eve to tuck their little ones in because they are making sure that the stores have their loads for us average people to be able to purchase for our kids.
Without people like Roger, the stores would be bare. Suppliers can ship by train, but you still need truckers to get it to the stores.
So the next time you are shopping, stop to think about what the trucker who delivered that product was missing out on to make sure the store had what you needed on time.
YourName: Joan Buck TruckDriver: Roger Simmons
Hi Joan,
Very well said. At Driver Solutions, we're always trying to educate others on the importance of those working truck driver jobs each and every day to make sure we have what we need. You pretty much summed it all up in this entry. Thank you!
PAM Transport truck driver trainers are talking, and the company is listening. On September 15th 2011, PAM Transport held its first ever Driver Trainer Round Table at the Holiday Inn in Tontitown, Arkansas. The purpose of the round table event was to create an open dialog with some of the company's top drivers in an effort to continue to improve the company and move forward with making positive changes that will enhance the trucking careers of PAM Transport drivers.
The Round Table event lasted several hours and covered topics that affect drivers of every experience level within the company. Company executives hope the round table is the first of many to come in the future. If you're interested in starting a trucking career with PAM Transport, go ahead and complete our online application to get started today!
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.
I am nominating my trainer who is the best trainer for USA truck. He is helping me figure out the ins and outs of trucking. And he is a down to earth man who is self taught and never looked for any handouts and worked his butt off for what he has
Your Name: William Smith Truck Driver: Paul Ashman
Hi William,
Thank you for nominating USA Truck trainer, Paul Ashman, in the Truck Driver Appreiciation Contest. We're glad he's helping you get your trucking career started and we wish you the best of luck.
I am nominating Roger Simmons as the Ultimate Truck Driver because I love reading all of his status updates, seeing his photos from the road, and reading all of the interesting facts about the places he is going to, and the places he has gone. He really makes you want to be a trucker....what amazing adventures he must have.
Your Name: Terri Baker Truck Driver: Roger Simmons
Hi Terri,
Thank you for the nomination for Roger Simmons. We agree, he's been very helpful in providing information about becoming a truck driver!
If you are thinking about starting a trucking career, it’s vital that you have the right tools to help you learn and find success. The first thing you need to do is look for an effective training program that can teach you the skills and information needed to earn your CDL.
The best CDL training schools should have trainers with several years experience in the trucking industry, and should provide opportunities for students to learn rules and regulations in a classroom as well as get hands on driving experience.
Another great way to learn is from other drivers' experiences. We’ve put together a few quick links to some of the most helpful interviews of students that have gone through the Driver Solutions company-paid CDL training program.
Check out these articles and interviews to get some great tips on what to expect from trucking driving school:
Driver Solutions is devoted to providing drivers with the right tools to start a successful career in the trucking industry. Our hassle-free training program offers an environment that fosters learning, allowing you to get your CDL and find great opportunities for your career.
If you’re ready to jump into the driver’s seat, take a few minutes to complete our online driver application and learn more about your trucking career options.
It started when I was young, about 6 or 7. On a family trip. There was a truck show where we were vacationing and I begged my grandparents to take me to it. I was amazed at the size of the trucks and what did all those switches do? As I grew older, I met some people in my town (Clarksville, TN) who were part of a CB radio group and quickly learned everything about it and when I got my 1st car, I installed a CB. I have never went without one since. Around that time I had gotten a job in Nashville, TN. I could either drive or ride a bus. When I got grounded, I had to take the bus, which I hated, cause I loved to drive. When I rode the bus, I would daydream of me driving "Big Trucks". Once I moved out on my own, I kinda put that dream on hold for a while... I was "trying to find myself". Well, needless to say, I found myself several times over, and not in a good way. When I finnally came to my senses, I remembered my dream and now I'm living it and never want to stop. I love traveling and meeting all kinds of different people and seeing all the beauty God created over this land. I wouldn't have it any other way!
Your Name: Nicole Reeves Truck Driver: Nicole Reeves
Hi Nicole,
Driver Solutions would like to thank you for entering our Truck Driver Appreciation Contest. What a great story! We're glad you were able to live your lifelong dream. You've also been a great supporter of the Driver Solutions program and it's very appreciated.
Truck drivers at PAM Transport received special thanks from executives and employees at company headquarters in Tontitown, Arkansas during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Employees of PAM organized a cookout to invite truck drivers in the area to take a break and enjoy a free lunch.
Several employees stopped by the cookout to show appreciation for those in truck driver jobs with PAM who work hard to keep American moving each and every day. PAM Transport CEO, Dan Cushman, was also at the event to thank drivers directly for their efforts. Over 50 drivers were provided with a free lunch during the appreciation cookout. In addition to recognizing its drivers during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, PAM also regularly holds other events at additional terminal locations throughout the country.
I used to live in Southwest Florida where I held a job in the pest control industry and gave kayak fishing trips for extra income. I had never taken into consideration that I would one day be without my money or fishing. When the BP oil spill happened my business went under. Oil in the Gulf scared almost everyone from going fishing, yet alone, in a kayak. I took it in stride and kept on. The next loss was the economy in SW Florida. The company I worked with for seven years started losing customers at an alarming rate which led to the layoffs. With three kids and a girlfriend, it was time to find a career choice that would provide regardless of changes in the world. I knew I needed a skill I could use anywhere in the country. I needed something that would allow me to give my family everything they needed and alot of the things they wanted. Well, truck driving was the answer I was looking for. I knew I'd be sacrificing my time with my family, time in paradise, and time fishing but there's no better reason than to give a family it's support.
Your Name: Joe moore Truck Driver: Joe moore
Hi Joe,
First of all, thank you for sharing this story. We're glad you were able to find a career in truck driving that will allow you to provide for your family. Sometimes, it just takes a bit of a journey to end up where you're supposed to be.
The Driver Solutions team wishes you the best in your trucking career!
Several big reasons that many people decide to pursue entry level truck driving jobs include the ability to travel, great job stability, and the possibilty to earn between $35,000 and $40,000 in the first year. But actually finding a job can be frustrating if you don't know where to start. The key to finding an entry level truck driving job and starting your career on the right foot is to choose the best truck driver training program.
Truck Driver and Convenience in the same sentence, wow you don't see that often as there is not much convenience when it comes to family and OTR truck driving. 
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