Although the job market can be unpredictable, trucking is a great career, especially when the market is strong and your company is humming along. Whether or not you’ve thought about it before, working as an owner-operator or for a carrier in the trucking industry could be a fantastic professional fit for you.
A little over 3.4 million truck drivers are employed by the American Trucking Associations (ATA), who say that they transport goods from point A to point B to keep the nation moving.
So, you might be asking yourself, “Should I train to drive a truck?” This article will discuss the benefits of working in the trucking industry, the reasons to consider becoming a truck driver, and how to do so.
Should I Become a Truck Driver?
Income Potential
In 2018, the average salary for truck drivers was $43,680. At TanTara, the average flatbed driver makes $72,000 per year and the average van driver makes $58,000 per year—both significantly more money.
In the first year of employment in the trucking industry, a new driver typically makes around $35,000. However, signing bonuses—some up to $5,000—as well as bonuses for safety and retention can increase that salary amount. As for an owner/operator, you can average about $184,803 per year.
You can also take into account the tuition costs you’d avoid by not having to pay for a two- or four-year degree since you don’t need one to be a truck driver. The company that hires you will frequently offer training for driving trucks. You can start trucking as young as 18 if you do it in your own state. You must be 21 years old to drive across state lines. While your friends rack up student loan debt, you’ll receive free training and make a good living.
Read about How Much Money Do Truck Drivers Make?
Trump’s Tax Plan
Knowing how crucial this sector is to Americans’ daily lives across the nation, President Trump has even taken the time to address it. On October 11, 2017, President Trump addressed hundreds of truckers in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania about the effects his tax plan will have on the transportation sector.
He started off by praising and acknowledging the industry saying, “Without the hard-working men and women of the trucking industry, nothing gets done in America. You provide America with the energy that fuels our automobiles, the food that sustains our communities, and the stunning steel that supports our tallest skyscrapers.”
President Trump continued by describing how the trucking industry would be impacted by the tax reform plan. One White House representative claims that truckers will rank No. 1 beneficiaries of The tax strategy of President Trump.
The corporate tax rate will be reduced, a repatriation plan will be in place, and the Trump tax plan will alter how pass-through business income is taxed, which the President claims will help a lot of truckers. These factors have all been cited as reasons why the plan is advantageous to business.
To sum up, the trucking industry has a very bright future.
Truck drivers are safe, dedicated individuals who help provide our daily goods,”
Our company, TanTara Transportation Corp., concurs., we’ve been hiring, training, and supporting our truck drivers for 38 years. Our team at our trucking company in Iowa is devoted and devoted to our customers. We consider our drivers to be family. In fact, to honor their ten years of service, we send each employee on an expense-paid vacation to a location of their choice. Because we only work with the brightest candidates, we have very high retention rates.
TanTara is a dependable associate in the trucking business and is familiar with the advantages of being a truck driver. We advise you to think about trucking if you’re looking for a new job, a new career, or employment during retirement. The following nine factors, in addition to Trump’s tax plan proposal, support our belief that a career in trucking is a wise choice right now more than ever.
Veteran’s Apprenticeship Program
TanTara Transportation, which was founded by a veteran, has always valued the discipline and work ethics exhibited by members of the armed forces. In fact, about 30 percent of our workforce are veterans. We offer a veteran’s apprenticeship program to make Commercial Driver’s License (even simpler and more reasonably priced CDL) training.
To ascertain what benefits you are qualified for, we’ll consult with the Veterans Administration. Many people can get up to $1,400 per month through the GI Bill while also getting paid by TanTara. We value your service to our nation and are confident you will value our kind veteran’s apprenticeship program.
Travel
A career in truck driving is ideal if you enjoy traveling. Being behind the wheel of a big rig, according to many truckers, is the best way to see the nation. Join a trip to see the United States if the thought of a desk job makes you queasy. How many jobs allow you to look out a window and see Grand Teton National Park, Lake Tahoe, the Florida Keys, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Rocky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, the Texas Hill Country, Joshua Tree National Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, Mount Rainier, or any of our other breathtaking American landscapes? Oh, and did we mention that all of the views are free?
Many of the highways and backroads in our country, in our opinion, are breathtakingly beautiful. For many truck drivers, each night’s rest stop is in a different region of the nation. You’ll leave from a different region of the US every morning. No two days are the same, and you have a front-row seat to admire the splendor and diversity of this wonderful country of ours. While relaxing in a truck, you can earn money while seeing the nation. Get a job driving trucks right away.
Read about How Many Hours Can A Truck Driver Drive?
Community
Due to the peculiar nature of your work, you stand out from other truck drivers. Many truckers describe their job as a “lifestyle.” Another truck driver is the only person who truly comprehends what you go through on the job every day. We believe that military training is the ideal background for a truck driver because, much like a military unit, truck drivers develop a close and strong camaraderie with one another. TanTara is a veteran-owned business and we were an early supporter of Home Base Iowa. We take great pride in assisting veterans with their reintegration into civilian life.
We also give back to the people who supported us and made our success possible. We think our truck drivers have big hearts and generous spirits. Every year, TanTara volunteers gather food and gifts for the Salvation Army and deliver them to the war memorial in Washington, D.C., and we contribute our time and talents to more than 20 local, state, and national organizations, including:
- American Cancer Society
- American Diabetes Society
- Cub Scouts
- Farmer & Hunters Feeding the Hungry
- Hospice of Central Iowa
- Iowa Special Olympics
- Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
- Muscular Dystrophy Association
- National Child Safety Council
Job Stability
The majority of owner-operators also enjoy excellent pay and easy access to loads.
Currently, capacity—the ratio of drivers to goods that need to be moved—is particularly constrained, but this varies by market. Throughout your career as a truck driver, there will be numerous opportunities for growth as the demand for truckers increases.
Careers as truck drivers can last a lifetime. Jobs are plentiful, and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that there is no sign of a decline in the demand for them. According to BLS predictions, employment will increase by 6% by 2030.
Job Security
Considering the nationwide shortage of truck drivers, those who succeed in the industry may experience unprecedented job security. Why? According to the ATA, the need for truck drivers could grow to 175,000 jobs over the course of the next ten years. Some trucking companies have a turnover rate of 100%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that heavy-duty truck driving jobs may grow by six percent in the next ten years.
A quick glance at the news reveals that while many businesses in America are downsizing and terminating employees, this is not the case for CDL truck drivers. No other sector provides this level of job security. You can always find work no matter where you are, and if you want to move, trucking is a dependable profession.
Easy Access to Training
Classes to earn a Class A CDL are available across the nation through trucking companies, community colleges, and commercial programs. Many programs offer tuition assistance and assistance with job placement after graduation, and the entire training can frequently be finished in as little as four weeks. Depending on the license class you want and the endorsements you want, trucking school fees can be anywhere between $3,000 and $7,000. With over ten different truck driving schools spread out across the state of Iowa, job seekers are spoiled for choice.
Would you rather pay for four years of college or complete just four weeks of training? The average 2018 college graduate leaves school with $29,800 in student loan debt; that’s close to the $35,000 that new truck drivers earn in a year; you don’t have to wait four years to begin earning income.
If you don’t want to pay for training, you should be aware that many trucking companies offer paid training after they hire you, sometimes in exchange for a fixed work commitment. Your driving and employment history, as well as a background criminal check, are taken into account when approving you for driving programs. Your chances of getting approved for training are very high because there is such a great need for truck drivers.
Contact TanTara so we can describe the details of our training needs. We are very picky about who we hire because we only want the safest, most responsible drivers operating our trucks.
Benefits
Even entry-level positions in the field of truck driving frequently come with benefits. You might be qualified for life insurance, health insurance, dental and vision coverage when working for a small, medium, or large carrier if you are a full-time employee.
Additionally, some carriers offer 401(k) or other retirement savings plans, bonus incentives, referral bonuses, and other advantages. These benefits can include vacation time, paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, and overtime, depending on your position and the trucking company.
Freedom
You shouldn’t work in trucking if you like punching the clock, going to long meetings, working at a desk, responding to emails, and dealing with office politics. However, if you enjoy having flexible schedules, getting to know new people, seeing new things every day, and being your own boss, trucking is the profession for you.
As a long-haul trucker, you’ll observe the road from the comfort of a vehicle that has been updated for your convenience, as well as stunning sunrises and sunsets. While you do have to follow “hours of service” rules, you’re also in a position to set your own schedule. What desk or manufacturing job gives you that kind of autonomy? You decide whether you want to operate a large truck or a pencil.
Because truckers transport so much freight, they provide freedom to Americans, including the freedom to have clean drinking water, access to money, and medications and healthcare.
A noble career and way of life in America is truck driving. We are confident that you will appreciate the freedom truck driving affords you. Contact us right away to discuss your options for getting behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler.
Career Change
It’s possible that you lost your current job. Maybe now that your kids are adults, you want to try something new. Maybe you’re just ready for a change. Regardless of your motivation, working as a truck driver is fantastic.
Open Road
Looking out at the length of the highway between you and your destination, a truck driver is a hero of the road, a road warrior. Some people are passionate about long-haul trucking.
TanTara gives you a variety of driving experiences as you clock up the miles thanks to our modern fleet and extensive inventory of vehicles, which includes sleeper trucks, Conestoga trailers, day cab trucks, regular or oversized flatbed trailers, liquid tankers, and dry van trailers. People like our own Jeff Lauber are appreciative of the pride we have in our team and fleet.
How to Become a Truck Driver?
The basic steps for get started in trucking:
- First you will choose a truck driving school. Normally, a month long truck driving school is required. There are basically two types of truck driving schools, paid CDL training programsand private truck driving schools.
At Trucking Truth we prefer paid CDL training over private CDL training for a long list of reasons. For more information on why, click on that link.
- During the initial phase of schooling you will have to pass a DOT physicaland go to the DMV to take a series of written exams for the CDL permit and CDL Endorsements. You will be able to operate trucks on the highway with a CDL-holding instructor thanks to this.
- After spending a few weeks learning how to back up, drive, and do a pre-trip inspection you’ll take your driving exam and your pre-trip inspection Once you pass both of those tests you’ll have your CDL licenseand you’re now on your way to becoming a paid professional driver.
- You should now start your job search if you did not enroll in a paid CDL training course. If you did attend a paid CDL training program you already have a job and you’ll head out on the road with a trainerto run team for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months before going solo and being a full-fledged truck driver.
For more tips on how to be a truck driver, click here!
How Do I Know If Trucking is for Me?
How can I tell if a career in trucking is right for me? This is the crucial query for anyone thinking about a career in the trucking sector. I mean, how many people have ever experienced being a truck driver? How are you supposed to determine if it’s for you when there is essentially no one?
To say “try it and see” isn’t realistic. You need schooling. I’ve heard “ride with a driver for a week and see if you like it.” Oh, OK, let me take the truck driver I have out of my pocket and we can go for a ride together. In all seriousness, the majority of us do not know any truckers who would be willing to take us on a cross-country road trip. How can you ascertain whether it is right for you then?
A long-time practitioner is the best person to consult for advice. Similar to me, who has traveled nearly 15 years and 1.5 million miles. I absolutely love driving truck. Looking back, I think there are primarily two reasons why I have loved it so much: it fits both my personality and my lifestyle.
I’m going to tell you one thing right away – if you want to be successful and make really good money driving truck, it is not an easy job. The hours are very long, it takes a lot of self-discipline, and you spend the vast majority of your time alone.I’ve written other articles about the truck driving lifestyle and never will you hear me say that Because it is simple, I adore driving a truck. Even if you are cut out for it, trucking is rarely easy, and I would dare say that it is not for most people.
I’ve always been a self-sufficient, diligent, and risk-taking guy. I don’t like people looking over my shoulder, I don’t like routines, and I love a challenge. I yearned to get a thorough understanding of this nation and everything that made it tick. I didn’t just want to learn about it from watching television; I wanted to actually experience it by meeting the people and visiting the locations. And what a wonderful adventure driving a truck is!
Being in five different states in one day is not unusual. It’s not uncommon to speak with hundreds of new people in one day.I’ve left Los Angeles in the middle of the afternoon when it was 72 degrees out only to find myself way up in the mountains of Utah late that night and the temperature was 15 degrees below zero! I’ve visited the majority of the well-known sites in our nation as well as a million others that are completely unknown. I’ve had countless priceless moments, such as watching the Wyoming sunset over the mountains as the elk grazed on the high plain. Or the sun rising over the ocean while traveling south along the Florida coast while the gulls fly overhead on a muggy, salty morning. Moments that I considered priceless because I knew that many people would never get the chance to experience the same level of happiness in their daily lives or in the moments that I have. That’s just me, though, so see.
When you’re traveling, you’re essentially by yourself. When your car breaks down, you can certainly call a tow truck driver. And if you want to have a conversation and eat, you can certainly walk into a truck stop. But when you’re trying to get some shut-eye at night and you’re by yourself in the middle of the Nevada desert, no one is there to reassure you that tomorrow will be better. If you’re feeling a little down, nobody is there to console you. There isn’t really anyone around who cares when it’s time to get up three hours later and it’s still pitch-black outside, just like when you went to bed. That wasn’t at all bothersome to me.
There are no greater blessings on Earth than to have accomplished those two things, in my opinion. I have loved the adventure, I have loved not having a boss watching over my shoulder, and I have loved the peace of my home on the road. I have gotten to know this country from coast to coast and I have gotten to know myself inside and out..but ya see, that’s just me.
Anyone thinking about becoming a truck driver undoubtedly has many questions. Questions that will not be covered in tests at any educational institutions or discussed by recruiters at any trucking companies. Questions that each person must determine for themselves. However, the issue is that the majority of people lack knowledge on which to base their decisions. If one wants to make the right choice, there are many things about life on the road that they must be aware of—things they might not even think to consider if they had never been out there. Consequently, how can you learn?
Browse the site to see all the great resources we’ve gathered, including a ton of free articles, blogs, jobs, schools, and trucking directories. If you’re looking for information on anything related to the trucking industry, use our search engine to find it quickly. Please email me if you have any questions as well. Purchasing my book would be well worth the money if you really want all the information you can get from someone who has been traveling for a very, very long time. Because I know how valuable the information in that book is, there is a money-back guarantee included. You won’t want your money back, I’m confident of it.