Is Driving School Required to Become a Trucker?

The vast majority of companies have a vested interest in their truck drivers pursuing various certifications and training. For example, many distinct companies require truck drivers to have either an official high school diploma or an equivalent certification. Virtually all long-haul truck drivers must also have a commercial driver’s license and be official CDL truck drivers. However, the distinct qualifications for obtaining a commercial driver’s license can vary by state, and most lists of qualifications to obtain a commercial driver’s license include passing both a driving test and a knowledge test. Driving school is among the most popular avenues for increased truck driving education and experience. Owing to the investment of time and effort that most driving schools require, it’s natural to wonder if driving school is required to become a trucker.

The excellent news is CDL truck drivers often receive endorsements for their CDL that show their ability to drive a specialized type of vehicle safely. CDL truck drivers transporting various hazardous materials are generally also required to have a special hazardous materials endorsement. Many prospective drivers attend a professional truck driving school for their certifications. At these professional truck driving schools, truck drivers take various training courses to learn how to maneuver their large vehicles through crowded streets or on highways. During these practical classes, commercial truck drivers also have the opportunity to learn the federal regulations and laws that govern truck driving on interstates. In this article, we’ll discuss how to become a truck driver, answer “How long does it take to become a truck driver?” and explore the benefits for truck drivers of driving school while answering, “Is driving school required to become a trucker?”

How to Become a Truck Driver

Commercial truck drivers work to haul a wide assortment of products, including among them automobiles, food, and other goods around the nation. These certified professional drivers are thus an essential part of the global supply chain we know and rely on daily. According to the American Trucking Association, commercial truck drivers transport upwards of 11.8 billion tons of freight annually. Commercial truck driving is an important activity of the global supply chain and a wholly worthwhile and lucrative business to be a part of. Learning how to successfully and efficiently earn a commercial driver’s license, complete a truck driving program, and get hired as a commercial truck driver are helpful and often essential or required activities to have a successful trucking career. You can earn a solid salary as a commercial truck driver, but how do you begin?

There are numerous options available for training to become a commercial truck driver. These options include private driving schools, programs at local community colleges, and training with transportation companies. These companies most often also pay truck drivers by the mile. You can begin your career as a commercial truck driver as early as age 21 with either a high school diploma or an equivalent and a commercial driver’s license. Learning how to become a commercial truck driver generally includes learning how to inspect your vehicle for safety, manage and plan out more extended trips, and secure freight. The essential steps to becoming a truck driver include passing your state’s regular driving exam, completing high school or the GED, earning your CDL and other relevant endorsements, and undergoing professional training. Your company may also require undergoing a finishing program.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Truck Driver?

Successfully receiving your commercial driver’s license is one of the first essential steps to having a professional truck driving career. Once you learn the essential tasks to become a commercial truck driver successfully, it’s natural to wonder, “How long does it take to become a truck driver?” Successfully receiving a commercial driver’s license can often take as little as three weeks or potentially as long as six months. However, on average, receiving a commercial driver’s license can take around seven weeks if you resolutely attend a full-time driver’s training program.

Five essential factors have the potential to affect how long it takes you to receive your commercial driver’s license. These potentially affecting factors include the particular type of CDL you’re pursuing, any additional endorsements you add to your CDL, if you are attending a part-time or full-time training program, how much time you spend in the classroom and out on the road, and how quickly you can schedule your commercial driver’s license test. Once you successfully receive your CDL, it can last for four to eight years, depending on your state. However, additional endorsements can last a different amount of time and potentially require more frequent renewal.

Benefits for Truck Drivers

In answering “Is driving school required to become a trucker?” much can depend on the company you end up working for. Different trucking companies can have different requirements and necessary certifications you must pursue to work for them. Your given trucking company will likely require you to attend some form of driving school, but driving school isn’t always required. However, once you complete or otherwise satisfy the various specific requirements of a given trucking company, you can enjoy all the impactful benefits. There are numerous considerable benefits for truck drivers to be a part of the industry consistently. There are also numerous benefits to attending a driving school and pursuing other similar educational opportunities. You can potentially earn more income, have increased and more frequent opportunities for career advancement, have more traveling opportunities, and more.

Buy Your Truck From Handshake Fleet

While not always required, there are numerous benefits to pursuing driving school and similar. Once acquired, there are even more benefits to buying the vehicles of Chicago’s Handshake Fleet. Connect with us today!