In a recent interview, a recruiter for Roehl Transport remarked, “We experience it every day. The job market for truck drivers is what I would call hyper-competitive.” There is indeed a huge need for truck drivers, and it has been for many years. I don’t foresee anything that will alter this shortly, even self-driving trucks, which I don’t think will materialize anytime soon.
Also, there has been a pattern in recent months where truck drivers’ pay and sign-on incentives for new drivers have increased. According to FleetOwner, even truckload freight volumes and freight costs have increased lately.
According to current figures, truck drivers’ salaries have increased recently. Maybe it is a bit of a stretch to say that salaries have “jumped,” but at the very least, they have steadied and seem to be improving somewhat.
All of this is fantastic news for new truck drivers entering the market. Yet, the reality is quite dismal for people who want to start a career in trucking. In reality, many inexperienced drivers give up trying to make a living as truck drivers. Most individuals never realize how difficult it is to drive a large rig. Therefore many people enter the field with the incorrect mindset and are woefully unprepared for the difficulties they will soon encounter.
Regrettably, there is some further unfavorable wage news. In the past, truck driver salaries have decreased after accounting for inflation. Why? One explanation holds that since the height of the post-World War II industrial boom, the number of well-paying blue-collar employment in America has consistently decreased.
What, then, is the truth of the need for truck drivers? Top Tier Professional Drivers are in great demand, but there aren’t many around. Certainly, most trucking businesses will give any street smartass a chance to show they can be a valued asset, but very few do.
What does it take to make it through your first year as a new driver on the road and eventually become one of those Top Tier Drivers?
Three suggestions for launching a successful trucking career
- Discover More About The Trucking Industry
The trucking business is a peculiar creature. In terms of how training is carried out, the requirements placed on drivers, or the range of talents necessary for success in this sector, I have never encountered anything like in any other industry.
To comprehend the trucking profession and be ready for the difficulties that lie ahead, use our Truck Driver’s Career Guide.
- Prepare early for the CDL exams.
Don’t wait to start your studies until you start truck driving school or paid CDL training. If you’re at home, get a head start to study when convenient.
- With the help of our High Road Training Program, get ready for your CDL permit test.
- Use our CDL Practice Tests to evaluate your understanding.
- Use our Pre-trip Inspection Study Guide to prepare for the pre-trip inspection.
Aim to remain with your first business for at least a year.
Rookie drivers often think their employer is to blame for the difficulties they encounter at the beginning of their careers. This doesn’t happen very often. Large carriers that take on fresh drivers have been in existence for years. They are at the top of their pitch. They are skilled at what they do.
Learning to operate in this field and become a safe, effective driver takes time. Listen to this podcast I produced to learn why sticking with your first company for a full year is crucial.
If you want to succeed in this field, you’ll need to put a lot of effort into your job, maintain a positive attitude, and adhere to the principles I stated above. No matter how high the salaries or the need for drivers is, it doesn’t matter if you are fired immediately away, it doesn’t matter.
Let me share with you a grim statistic. After chatting with one of the company’s founders, I found out that 50% of the drivers a big carrier sends to their school don’t get their CDL. 25% of those who are successful in obtaining their CDL never complete their time traveling with a trainer.
So how challenging is this profession? Around 90% of those who try trucking don’t stick around a year later, which should serve as a depressing reminder of how well-prepared you must be if you want to succeed as a driver in this field. Pay attention to what I say. Study hard, have a positive attitude, learn about the business, and commit to working for that first firm for a full year. It is the fundamental approach to driving success for a novice.