With a truck driver shortage impacting the industry in 2014, individuals who are ready to hit the road and make money driving a semi truck have the right idea. First, however, they must become qualified to obtain a Class A commercial driver’s license, or CDL. Like other driver’s licenses, these are issued by states, so a resident of Illinois must obtain his CDL in Illinois. To become qualified, he may consider attending a truck driving school where he receives classroom instruction and plenty of hands-on practice. If he is interested in working in the Chicago area, he benefits from additional hours of training compared with the standard program.
Completing a program with an organization such as Star Truck Driving School gives an individual a competitive edge in the hiring process. A person can qualify to pass the written and road Class A CDL exams by picking up experience through a variety of jobs. However, many organizations will not hire a new driver unless he has at least two years of independent semi-truck driving experience or has completed training at a school. Their insurance carriers may not even allow them to hire someone without at least one of these credentials.
A shortage of truck drivers means good employment opportunities and job security once an individual is hired. After completing a program at a truck driving school and obtaining a Class A CDL in Illinois, the program graduate can use placement services at the school to help him find the ideal position. Some drivers are paid by the hour, some by the mile and some by the load. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the average hourly wage for drivers of heavy trucks in 2013 at about $19.70 per hour. A full-time truck driver could expect to earn about $41,000 per year.
Illinois, with its large population, also has a large number of truck driving positions. In fact, the greater Chicago area has the highest employment level for heavy truck driving in the nation. An Illinois resident who graduates from a truck driving school is ready for a rewarding job with good pay and is likely to be hired quickly. Follow us on Facebook!
