With a median salary of more than $16 per hour, according to 2004 figures, truck drivers drive cargo, such as finished goods or raw materials, to where it’s needed. Earnings are based on the number of miles driven and the number of hours worked. Cargo can also determine pay: drivers transporting hazardous materials usually earn more money.
Every country has a specific license requirement that must be fulfilled in order to be a truck driver. For example, in the United States, truck drivers are required to have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in order to operate a commercial motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds.
Depending on the specific trucking company, truck drivers have several responsibilities, including, but not limited to operating the vehicle safely, maintaining a truck log that’s in accordance with state and federal regulations, knowing the necessary rules and regulations of the roadways they’re traveling on, making sure the cargo in the truck is secure for transport, keeping a record of materials and products transported, and assisting in loading and unloading the truck at its final destination.
Drivers should have large amounts of patience, especially since they can easily get stuck in traffic or be forced to wait at a loading bay for a shipment. They must also be able to adapt to other motorists on the road who could suddenly dart in front of their trucks. Large vehicles have the ability to cause a lot of damage so a driver must make every effort to stay safe and focused on the roadway.
In addition to the responsibilities of driving safely, and often transporting highly valuable materials, for long distances, truck drivers need to be prudent in planning the most efficient route of travel. They need to be able to understand highway systems and signage in order to avoid becoming lost or getting caught in other unsafe situations, such as low underpasses or truck restricted roadways. Especially since drivers have a lot of independence when it comes to their workday, this planning goes hand in hand with proactive time management so that pick-ups and deliveries will be completed in a timely manner.
Interstate drivers, also known as long-haul drivers, can drive thousands of miles to make their deliveries. Often, they will drive at night when the traffic isn’t as heavy. They also make stops every few hours to rest, or on very long trips, two drivers will alternate driving the truck. Some trucks even have a bunk built into the cab where the off-duty driver can take a break. Because a driver must often work through fatigue or stress, they need to possess strong mental strength to work through the difficulties of the job.