Commercial truck drivers are in demand. But drivers need specialized skills and a state-issued license to qualify for most truck driving jobs. CDL training programs prepare prospective commercial drivers for these jobs.
What are CDL training programs? CDL training programs at commercial driving schools teach students road skills and prepare them for the commercial driver’s license (CDL) exam. These programs cover tractor-trailer operation, road safety, and driver regulations.
With a diploma from a commercial driving school and a CDL, graduates are well-qualified for truck driving jobs with a CDL requirement.
Benefits of CDL Training
Driving a heavy tractor-trailer or a straight truck requires specialized road skills. CDL training programs prepare drivers for the CDL exam and careers in trucking. Benefits of CDL training include the following:
- Gaining specialized skills: Commercial driving programs help students build specialized road skills, including hands-on driving abilities. Students learn how to operate heavy vehicles safely while following state and federal regulations.
- Preparing for the CDL exam: Driver training programs prepare students to pass the CDL exam. The exam includes a written and a driving test. During a driving program, students study operation guidelines, safe transportation rules, and federal regulations. They also practice their road skills in preparation for the CDL driving test.
- Qualifying for in-demand jobs: CDL training helps students qualify for in-demand jobs. For example, light truck driver jobs are projected to grow 11% from 2022 to 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
After completing CDL training, graduates can obtain their commercial driver’s license and then pursue work in any of several in-demand truck driving jobs.
7 Truck Driving Jobs With a CDL
Most jobs in trucking require a CDL. Whether they’re making deliveries to homes or hauling freight across the country, truck drivers draw on their technical knowledge and behind-the-wheel skills to keep the roads safe.
Here are seven truck driving jobs that require a commercial driver’s license.
1. Owner-Operator Truck Driver
When it comes to independence, owner-operator truck drivers have an edge. That’s because these drivers own their rigs, meaning they’re both drivers and business owners. While owner-operators haul freight, they also negotiate contracts with clients and plan their own routes and work schedules.
Owner-operators need a CDL to operate their business. They also typically complete a commercial driving program and gain road experience before investing in a rig.
2. Delivery Driver
When comparing truck driving jobs with CDL training requirements, delivery drivers are in the highest demand. These drivers carry packages, groceries, and fragile items from warehouses to customers’ homes. To operate straight trucks or delivery trucks, these drivers typically need a Class B CDL.
Delivery drivers need strong organizational, communication, and moving skills, since most load and unload their trucks. Since they often operate on city streets and narrow roads, they also need strong driving skills, which they can build during a commercial driving program.
3. Over-the-Road Truck Driver
Once commonly called long-haul truckers, over-the-road truck drivers cover routes of over 1,000 miles. These drivers operate from coast to coast, even making deliveries across international borders.
OTR drivers need a Class A CDL, which requires specialized training. For example, they must know how to operate semitrailers, heavy trucks, and tankers. Attending a commercial driving school builds the knowledge and skills required for a career as an OTR driver.
4. Construction Equipment Operator
Operating construction equipment such as bulldozers, excavators, and pile drivers often requires a CDL. Construction equipment operators use heavy machinery to build roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. They move building supplies, prepare roads for paving, and drive piles into the ground.
The requirements for construction equipment operator jobs vary depending on the heavy machinery and the state. For example, most construction equipment operators need a CDL, while some states require an additional endorsement to operate a bulldozer or backhoe.
5. Terminal Manager
Businesses in many industries rely on transportation operations. Terminal managers oversee a company’s transportation network by dispatching vehicles, communicating with drivers, and scheduling maintenance for vehicles.
Terminal managers often have a CDL and bring experience as a driver to their jobs. Attending a commercial driving school can help terminal managers learn about truck driving regulations and laws.
6. Regional Truck Driver
With routes that are longer than those of local truck drivers and shorter than those of over-the-road truck drivers, regional truck drivers haul freight within a 1,000-mile radius. The “hub and spoke” nature of trucking logistics has resulted in opportunities for regional commercial drivers. They may have a regular route or transport materials on multiple routes within an interstate region.
Regional drivers must secure their cargo, maintain safety on the road, and inspect their vehicle. Because they cross state lines, these drivers must follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations, which include holding a valid CDL.
7. Local Truck Driver
The routes of local truck drivers are generally in a specific city or area within a 200-mile radius. Unlike regional and OTR drivers, most local drivers return home at the end of their workday.
Local truck drivers haul packages, furniture, retail goods, and other goods. Compared with regional and OTR drivers, local drivers are more likely to work typical business hours with more consistent shifts. Whether they are operating a tractor-trailer, a straight truck, or a delivery truck, local truck drivers need a CDL.
Prepare for Truck Driving Jobs With CDL Training
All-State Career offers Advanced Tractor Trailer Driving, Class A CDL, Class B CDL and Commerical Truck Driving programs that prepares students to obtain their license for most entry-level truck driving jobs.
Offered at each All-State Career campus, our CDL programs help students build range and road driving skills as well as technical knowledge. Students explore mechanics, truck driving laws, and safety procedures while gaining practice behind the wheel. With a diploma from All-State Career commercial driving schools, you can earn your commercial driver’s license with specialized endorsements.