Driving a tractor-trailer can be a great way to make a living.—The pay is good, and the job offers a great deal of freedom and flexibility. Before you can get behind the wheel you have to get your commercial driver's license. Once you've passed the required tests, you can work for a company or as an independent driver.
1.Knowing the Basics before You Get Your License
1).Understand how to start a truck. To start the truck you let the gauges reset and the glow plugs warm up by turning the key to the first "click." You'll learn more about starting a truck from an instructor in truck driving school.
2).Familiarize yourself with the gear shifting pattern of a tractor. Driving a semi requires shifting gears more often than driving an automatic car does. Each truck is different, so plan to learn how to shift using the type of truck you intend to drive professionally.
3).Learn about how to make turns and park. Driving such a large vehicle requires a higher level of mindfulness about making right turns and left turns, backing up, and parking. Again, it's important to take a training course to learn how to properly maneuver and park the specific tractor-trailer combination you intend to drive.
2.Attending Truck Driving School
1).Find a truck driving school in your area. Check your local Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) website for listings of reputable truck driving schools near you. Look for programs that have been approved by the Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI). Attending truck driving school is the best way to learn how to properly drive a semi truck.
You can also take CDL classes through a community or technical college in your area.
Some schools offer several driving courses with only one that has been approved by the PTDI, so do research before deciding which one to sign up for.
2).Enroll in a training program. Truck driving schools offer programs designed to prepare you to get your class A or B commercial driver's license. If you want to be a professional truck driver, plan to complete about 350 hours of training over a period of several months.
You can take training courses with fewer hours, but these are generally meant for people with some experience under their belts who need a refresher course.
Training programs that have been approved by the PTDI average $4,200, in addition to the cost of books, license fees, and other expenses.
3).Gain skills and knowledge during the training program you will learn how to inspect a semi truck to ensure that it’s safe to drive as well as how to operate a semi truck and handle real-world situation. Skills you will learn include how to:
Make controlled turns without putting cars and other vehicles in danger.
Shift gears.
Stay in your lane or switch lane or switch lanes.
Manage your speed on the highway.
Handle obstacles in the road.
Navigate narrow city streets
Back up and reverse the semi truck
Park the truck
4).rain on how to operate as a truck driver.In addition to learning how to operate the vehicle, you will also learn how to be a responsible driver. Here are examples of specialized knowledge you'll gain to prepare you to get your commercial license:
How to keep a logbook to record your hours on the road.
Knowledge about Department of Transportation requirements you must follow.
How to safely transport hazardous materials.
How to operate air brakes.
Other behind-the wheel instruction.