Driving a large truck such as a semi-trailer is not a simple matter of getting a job and settling in behind the wheel, there are a number of very special skills that are required first. Truck drivers are tasked with hauling and delivering freight to companies and warehouses, these can be across town or on the other side of the country. Many people are drawn to truck driver training because it can be completed in as little as 120 hours and jobs are abundant. Many truck drivers enjoy their life on the road, travelling to new and interesting locations and meeting many interesting people along the way. When an individual; and the jobs are just as applicable to women as they are men, sets his or her sights on truck driving it is important to be physically fit, get full training from an authorized training center and successfully sit the exams for a commercial drivers license (CDL).
To ensure safety many jurisdictions actually set a minimum standard for physical fitness; this is to ensure that the drivers are up to the arduous tasks of transporting goods. The United States Department of Transport sets a minimum age of 21 to drive a semi-trailer interstate, the driver must have at least 20/40 vision regardless of whether it is with corrective lenses or not and have good hearing. A physical exam must be taken to ensure the driver applicant does not have any potentially dangerous conditions such as diabetes or abnormally high blood pressure.
If the potential driver meets the physical expectations then the next stage is to enroll for truck driver training at an accredited truck driving school. These schools are found in the telephone book, on line or by calling a large local trucking company. These schools, some of which are accredited as vocational training schools while others are private, all offer the same training which includes classroom instruction and behind the wheel training in the presence of a skilled driver. New drivers must fully understand the safety rules and regulations that pertain to trucking, the laws that govern the transport of goods and driving strategies.
Practical training is a combination of being a passenger and a driver in true to life settings. The students graduate well versed in all aspects of driving large trucks safely and legally.
Smith & Solomon driver training schools provide training programs in truck driving, bus driving and forklift operation. Their licensed instructors are professional drivers and teachers with proven experience!
