Udemy
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
Turn what you know into an opportunity and reach millions around the world.
Learn More
Your cart is empty.
Keep shopping
Truck Driving - An Introduction to Professional Trucking
Highest Rated
Rating: 4.6 out of 5(56 ratings)
283 students

Truck Driving - An Introduction to Professional Trucking

What You Should Know Before You Go to Truck Driving School
Last updated 7/2023
English

What you'll learn

  • What a career as a professional truck driver actually entails, and how to ask the right questions to the right people and get better information
  • The main objective of this course is to give the student enough information to make better decisions as they build a trucking career or trucking business
  • Make an Informed decision on whether to continue researching trucking as a career - or decide that its's not right for you at this time in your life.
  • If you are taking the course for other interests you will have a better idea of what entry level trucking really looks like

Course content

5 sections43 lectures3h 20m total length
  • Introduction to The Course and Section 1 Overview2:58
  • Realistic Pay Expectations5:01
  • Time Away From Home and Time At Home4:26
  • Other Reasons Why People Quit and How to Avoid Them3:52
  • How to Successfully Prepare For Your New Lifestyle4:04
  • Driver Qualifications6:47

    Driver Qualifications

    There are  many limitations and specifications on requirements that limit who can qualify for a CDL and drive in interstate commerce. 

    The best place to get this information is directly from the source itself - the FMCSR's or Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations - which is where you will find the individual requirements and interpretive guidelines as well.

    Before you invest too much time and money toward getting a CDL and becoming a truck driver it would be a very good idea to carefully read and study these regulations and be sure you meet all requirements.

    In years gone by I have met several drivers who somehow got into and graduated from truck driving schools (and had the debt to prove it) but who were not employable because they did not meet requirements. 

    One that comes to mind was an insulin dependent diabetic.

    Another was a 20 year old a few months shy of his 21st birthday. For interstate commerce you must be 21 or older - NOT ALMOST 21 - in his case its was a minor irritation and he just had to wait a few months and do a refresher class at his school.

    In the case of the diabetic - he was unable to start his new career and it was a devastating blow to his plans, not to mention a massive expense.

    These are just two examples - there are may other potential issues.

    Please read carefully through the regulations and be sure you meet all minimum requirements. If you have any doubts discuss your concerns with the doctor you select to do your DOT physical and with the truck driving school you are thinking of attending, and with any motor carrier you are looking at applying to as well.

    Finally - if you still don't have the answer you need ask the FMCSA directly for clarification.

  • Initial Training Overview – Truck Driving School and Beyond13:47
  • Selecting Interviewing and Applying to Your First Trucking Company3:47
  • Trucking Company Road Training4:28
  • Equipment Types and Considerations2:26
  • Section 1 Summary3:25

Requirements

  • There are no prerequisites for this course - However there are many mandatory qualifications to become a professional truck driver in interstate commerce. You need to be over 21, have an acceptable driving record, and be able to pass both a medical exam for a DOT physical and a DOT pre employment drug test for starters and meet many other regulatory requirements as well as insurance company requirements and finally trucking company internal criteria as well - However ANYONE can take this course.
  • This is a basic overview course designed for people looking to better understand the realities of entry level truck driving.

Description

Truck Drivers Wanted!

Great paying entry level truck driving jobs are available right now and companies are searching for drivers just like you.

Before you can get started you need to learn some things about the trucking industry, make sure it is a good fit for you - then if it is - go to a Truck Driving School (often called a CDL School) and get your Commercial Drivers License Class A.

Commonly called a Class A CDL.

Every year thousands of hopeful people enter the trucking industry excited to start their new careers as truck drivers. Every years thousands of broken disillusioned and angry people also leave the industry within their first few months. 

Some barely make it even a few weeks!

Why Does That Happen?

There are many reasons, but two of the main ones is not having enough accurate information and therefore having incorrect expectations - and another major reason is failing to make sure that what trucking offers is in alignment with what the new drivers needs and wants.

Sometimes it is and for some it just isn't a good fit.

This course is designed to give you a good idea of what to expect as a new entry level truck driver.

It is a no-nonsense serious look at why so many people repeatedly fail in trucking so quickly - why this happens again and again - and more importantly what you can do to make sure it doesn't happen to YOU!

The hard cold truth is that very few of the people just starting out in trucking have anywhere near enough accurate, realistic and pertinent information to understand what it really is that they are about to get themselves into.

Neither do most family members or others who will also be affected in many different ways by their loved one choosing a career in trucking. Everyone that is going to be affected needs to have an accurate expectation of what is coming and be prepared to deal with it properly as it happens. 

This course is designed to help you do just that. 

If you complete this course you will have a very good understanding of what a career in trucking is and what it is not. That way whatever you decide - you will be making an informed decision with eyes wide open. 

If you complete this course you will be better prepared to begin a career as a professional truck driver if you decide that is the right path for you. 

You will know how to continue your research and where to get the rest of the information you need to make important decisions that will help you begin to build a successful career in trucking and a better life for yourself and those you care most about.

Trucking Career Success and Trucking Business Success

When you have good information and know that trucking is indeed the career that you want to pursue - you are off to a better start already!

Then combine that with getting training and support which you will use to set and work toward specific goals from day one and you will be able to make a great living, earning more money than most people in other jobs ever will - and you will also have a great life.

That is if you put in the work and effort to learn what to do and then do it all consistently.

Trucking can offer you a great career, great pay and benefits, unlimited opportunities to advance your career in multiple ways and - a great lifestyle if it's the right one for you. If this sounds like what you are looking for, then hit the button and I will see you inside the course!

Who this course is for:

  • Anyone interested in the possibility of becoming a professional truck driver or working with truck drivers in other positions within or outside of the transportation industry.
  • For Example: If you are thinking about going to truck driving school, are interested in owning a trucking related business and want a better understanding of what truck drivers deal with in their careers so you can better provide your products and services to them, say for example as a freight broker, or a truck accessory dealer (Chrome Shop etc.)