I am 17 and want to become a trucker?

Question

I don't have my license or anything. How do I get better at reading the road so i can get where i want to go. Is there any program where you can ride with truckers.

Answer 1

Not really, I beleive you start by driving small trucks like Staples Delivery trucks. Building hours and keeping a safe driving record then you can apply to a larger company. Are you sure this is the occupation you want.

Have you considered the fuel prices? But yeah it a good career, trucking supports the backbone of America.

Answer 2

No, you jhave to pay to go to truck driving school.  

You have to have a regular license first.  

But in the real world, no one will hire a trucker under 25, because the insurance costs are too high.  So you've got a few years to go - you need a plan B for the next 8 years.

Answer 3

You'll need to be 21 before you can get your CDL and drive across state lines.  There *are* companies that hire 21 year olds, right out of trucking school.  Werner, Swift, Schneider and Covenant will hire you at 21, Stevens Transport will hire you at 22.  Your age will limit your choice some, until you're 23 which is a more common minimum age....and by the time you're 25 you will have the age AND the experience to qualify for virtually any trucking job.  

You can start now, researching schools in your area.  Many community colleges and vo-tech centers offer commercial vehicle driving courses.  This is often your best bet- the tuition and curriculum is state-controlled; you get better teaching for a better price.  If there are none near you, there are schools which are run as a "business" such as Roadmaster.  The cost is higher and since there are no "controls" over the curriculum, your quality of instruction may vary.  But, regardless of where you attend school, you will be sent on the road with a trainer, for about a month, when you get hired for your first job.  Schooling is basically designed to get you your CDL and get your foot in the door.  

And don't concern yourself too much with fuel prices- if you are a company driver, YOU don't pay for fuel, the company does.    They have bulk fuel purchase discounts & the size and stability to stay in business even in the face of high fuel prices.  YOU will get paid per mile, for every mile you drive....regardless of how high fuel prices go.   Owner-operators are struggling in this economy, but company drivers can still make quite good money out here.  

For now, if you really like driving, consider getting a job as a courier or as a parts runner for a body shop or car dealership.  Flower shops often hire people as young as 18 to do deliveries.  Your options to drive any sort of large commercial vehicle will be limited, mostly due to insurance reasons.  Still, you can get yourself a good map, take a defensive driving course, and practice maneuvering around in traffic, giving yourself ample space, and driving courteously around trucks.  All of it is experience that will help you out as a truck driver.  

Don't be afraid to put a CB radio in your car, so you can communicate with truckers on the road.  Let them know when it's clear to merge in front of you- and then ask them a few questions about driving!  You've basically got 3 years to learn, so take advantage of it.  

As for riding with a trucker, there's no "program" that I know of, but you can ask around your friends and family, if anyone knows any truck drivers.  If you find a driver you know, and trust- and who's willing to take you on his/her truck for a couple of weeks, you can certainly ride along.  A truck is regarded as the driver's "home"....it is where he/she sleeps, gets dressed, relaxes, and sometimes even cooks and eats.  So in order to ride along, you've got to find someone willing to share that space with you.  

I went to school & started driving when I was 21....I am 26 and don't regret a thing....I love this job :).

Answer 4

Look if you want to become a trucker you must obtain your cdl licenese. There are a lot of community colleges that offer this course in becoming a truck driver and obtaining your cdl license. The cost for these courses are about $1500 - $2000.