America Needs More Drivers
A serious shortage currently exists in some segments of the trucking industry that could disrupt a significant portion of our fine-tuned distribution system. It's not a freight or equipment shortage; surprisingly, it's a shortage of men and women qualified to drive trucks.
To solve this problem, trucking companies are offering better compensation and benefits to attract and retain good drivers. In fact, the trucking industry expects to need 80,000 new drivers each year for the next decade. The prospects for a rewarding career as a professional truck driver have never been better!
According to a study conducted by the Gallup Organization for the American Trucking Associations (ATA) Foundation, the biggest truck driving opportunities will be for women and minorities in the future. The portion of the workforce segment which has traditionally provided most of the nation's truck drivers, males aged 20 to 24, will grow far more slowly than new truck driver job openings from 1994 to 2005, the study revealed. The population groups that continue to show the greatest labor force growth are women and minorities.
Types of Truck Drivers
Long-distance or over-the-road drivers operate heavy trucks and drive interstate (between states) or intrastate (within one state). Some long-haul drivers travel a few hundred miles and return the same day; others are away from home overnight or for several days or weeks at a time.
Specialized trucking involves operating trucks that handle unusual, oversized, or sensitive loads. Drivers cover local, regional, and long-distance routes, and need extra training to operate this equipment. Specialized trucking includes dry bulk carriers, tank trucks, dump transporters, and oversized and overweight (permitted) loads. Drivers who transport hazardous materials (HazMat) also need more extensive training, usually provided by the companies for which they drive. These drivers must know the content of the loads they haul, how to handle the load safely, and what to do in an emergency. Drivers who transport hazardous materials are required to take additional testing on HazMat regulations and safety precautions when applying for their Commercial Driver's License.
Independent Contractors
An independent contractor owns his or her own equipment, anything from a straight truck to a tractor-trailer, and leases this equipment, together with driving services, to a trucking company to haul freight on a contractual basis for compensation, often on a percentage of revenue basis. Husband and wife teams are very common.
Independent contractors make a good living, but, as in any small business, there is tough competition and there are some overhead expenses, such as fuel, insurance, and equipment purchases. Operating expenses, such as tolls and some maintenance, are also the responsibility of an independent contractor. Many independent contractors begin their careers as salaried drivers with a motor carrier before starting their own business.
Compensation
Pay rates and potential earnings vary considerably. In long-haul operations, drivers are usually paid a specified rate per mile, but may also be paid by the hour, or receive a percentage of the revenue the motor carrier receives for the load hauled. Long-haul drivers are expected to drive more than 100,000 miles per year. The starting salary is $22-$26,000. The average earnings of all drivers are $36,000 per year.
Primary Functions/Duties of a Long Distance Hauler
- Read and Interpret Control Systems
- Perform Vehicle Inspections
- Exercise Basic Control
- Execute Shifting
- Back and Dock Tractor-Trailer
- Couple Trailer
- Uncouple Trailer
- Perform Visual Search
- Manage and Adjust Vehicle Speed
- Manage and Adjust Vehicle Space Relations
- Check and Maintain Vehicle Systems/Components
- Diagnose and Report Malfunctions
- Identify Potential Driving Hazards and Perform Emergency Maneuvers
- Identify and Adjust to Difficult and Extreme Driving Conditions
- Handle and Document Cargo
- Deal with Accident Scenes and Reporting Procedures
- Deal with Environmental Issues
- Plan Trips/Make Appropriate Decisions
- Use Effective Communication and Public Relations Skills
- Manage Personal Resources/Deal with Life on the Road
- Record and Maintain Hours of Service Requirement
CONTENTS
The Trucking Industry
America Needs More Drivers
Driver Qualifications
Truck Driver Training
Checklist for Quality Programs in Tractor-Trailer Driver Training
North American Schools with PTDI-Certified Entry-Level Truck Driver Training Courses
Further Information on Careers in Trucking
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