1. Experience Requirements

Many trucking companies are willing to hire new drivers with little or no truck driving experience, those companies will usually have an "in house" truck driving school and train those individuals as needed for employment.

Other companies will require verifiable class A driving experience, as required by the D.O.T. and usually the trucking companies insurance regulations.

Truck Driver School completion and certification is usually accepted by most major carriers, and will allow you in the "door" to begin a trucking career.

Follow this link for more information on certified truck driving schools and CDL instruction .

2. Driving Record

You will need a "clean" driving record, insurance companies today dictate this, some minor infractions are allowed and MUST be disclosed on your application, a driver license history report is another D.O.T. requirement of any hiring trucking company. Questions pertaining to your driving record should be directed to your truck recruiter up front at the beginning of your interview. Some "infractions" are allowed, usually trucking companies have a tolerance for minor offenses.

3. "Traffic Lanes"

Something to consider and ask the truck recruiter about is, where are your customers located?, where will I be dispatched to and from? Some carriers are considered "short haul" or local carriers, these jobs work out well for someone seeking a trucking career but wish to be home on a nightly basis. Other carriers are "long haul" or "over the road", these trucking companies may run all 48 states and Canada too. Meaning you will be expected to remain "on the road" for extended periods of time. Usually no more than two weeks out, but this varies from company to company. Ask your recruiter up front. Normally time "on the road" earns "home time" 10 days out gets 2-3 days off duty, (as an example) again this will vary from company to company.

4. Types of Freight

Different types of freight require special skills and knowledge to properly load, secure, handle, require different physical abilities and knowledge to haul.

Your going to want to ask the truck recruiter the kinds of freight they specialize in and take into consideration your abilities to properly handle the required work.

Tarping a load of machinery is tough work, loading cars on a transport carrier is tough work, you want to be sure your up to these "challenges", there are trucking jobs available for most any physical condition. Finding one that fits your ability is the key to a long trucking career.

5. Types of Equipment

Types of freight often dictate the type of equipment you will be driving, there are many types of equipment that require special abilities and knowledge to operate. Often the hiring trucking company will train you these skills.

Ask your truck recruiter about the types of equipment his/her company uses, each type will teach you different loading and securement procedures and take you to different places "down the road".

6. Pay and Benefits

Trucking companies pay drivers different ways, some pay by the miles run or "mileage pay", Others pay by "percentage", that is your paid a percentage of what the freight pays the trucking company.

A new hire in today trucking world can expect to earn $35,000 to $45,000 in the first year, many making well better than that. I know several truckers earning $80,000 a year and more.

To make "good" money in trucking takes dedication and professionalism, you're not going to make "big" money sitting at home, that is just the short and long of trucking, You need to keep the wheels rolling, and be thrifty while away from home.

7. Insurances

Insurance is a major part of anyones life and should be given serious thought and consideration when speaking to a truck recruiter before making your decision to hire on with any trucking company.

Companies offer different insurance plans and benefits, be sure to pay close attention and compare each trucking companies health, optical and dental plans.

Benefits can include many things, Vacation pay being a major consideration, typically trucking companies will offer one week paid vacation for one year service, and that graduates with seniority, again companies vary, so ask your recruiter.

Personal days off, these are often included in your benefits package, and need to be confirmed with your recruiter. Uniforms, you might not think it is a benefit, but being able to turn your uniforms over to someone else to wash is a benefit I certainly enjoy. :) Meal allowances and motel rooms are a couple things some trucking companies provide. Ask up front.