Truck Driving Jobs
Big Wheels Keep On Turning
How to become a Truck Driver
More people are employed in the transportation industry than any other industry in the U.S., as it is the largest domestic industry. The trucking industry is short approximately 500,000 truck drivers every year according to Labor Department figures, causing a serious disruption to the distribution of American goods. An experienced over the road driver averages $38,000 to $45,000 per year. First time drivers can expect to earn $25,000 to $30,000 per year.
It can be a little intimidating to get behind the wheel of an 18 wheeler. They are called “18 wheelers” due to the fact that they actually do have 18 wheels between the tractor and trailer. So, a truck driving course runs approximately 16 weeks, offering training to drive defensively while operating all types of trucks, including dump and semi, in close quarters and highway driving.
If you want to be a truck driver, you have to pass a Department of Transportation physical examination, a drug test and have a valid driver’s license free of serious violations.
In the Alexandria Technical College, a member of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System, a truck driving course earns you 20 credits.
Tuition at $134.64 per credit: $2692.80
Estimated Book Costs: $125.00
Fees: $240.00
Course Fees: $400.00
Other: $300.00
Total: $3757.80
This gives you an idea of what truck driving classes can run, and how long they can run. ATC anticipates graduating approximately 40 truck driving students and 35 diesel students this year. This is according to Bill Fath, truck driving instructor at ATC and President of the National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools. He is also a Commercial Drivers License third party tester for the state of Minnesota. To drive a commercial truck, you must have a CDL. This is different than our regular driver’s license.
If you like to drive, you can get paid doing it by becoming a Professional Truck Driver for your career.
|
