Life on the road as a long haul truck driver can provide a good career with rising pay and freedom from office life. In an article for Cosmopolitan, former long haul trucker Lindsay Slazakowski said, “For the right person, there's a lot to appreciate: You get to be in charge of your own schedule and how you spend your time in the truck. You can save a lot of money, since your living expenses are minimal while you're on the road. And the views from the driver's seat beat any office window.”
Job Responsibilities
Being a long haul truck driver involves more than just driving. Long haul drivers need to be safety minded and professional. Some of the job responsibilities include:
- Safely transport freight over long distances.
- Promptly report traffic violations, accidents, and vehicle issues
- Hook and unhook trailers
- Secure freight
- Install and remove tire chains as needed
- Cover and uncover freight on flatbeds depending on the type of job
- Load and unload trailers and perform lifting, pulling, pushing and carrying freight.
- Maintain electric and paper records, including e-logs required under state and federal laws
- Perform routine inspection and preventative maintenance on assigned equipment
- Represent your company in a professional manner.
Beneficial Skills
- Route Planning
- Reporting
- Time Management
- Stamina
- Verbal Communication
Job Requirements
To get a job as a long haul truck driver you need to first earn your commercial driver license (CDL). Requirements to earn the CDL include:
- Provide a picture ID
- Provide proof of citizenship
- Pass a physical exam
- Read and speak English fluently
- Pass a written exam
- Pass a hands-on skills and road test
- Meet the minimum age (the minimum age is 18 or 21, depending on the state)
Most drivers will earn their CDL after attending a trucking school, but that doesn’t fully prepare you for day-to-day life over the road.
In her Cosmopolitan interview, Lindsay Slazakowski said, “This is not the kind of job where you'll be home for dinner every night. You stay out, driving shipments back and forth, for weeks at a time, and then you get a couple days off back home. It's impossible to have a real life because you're always on the road. Even on the days off, when you want to spend time with your family or your friends, you have to sleep and do your laundry and go to the grocery store to get snacks for the road and then, before you know it, you leave again.”
Pay
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the average pay for truck drivers in 2023 was $55,990, with the top 10 percent of drivers earning closer to $76,780 or more. Demand for truck drivers is expected to remain steady by 2032, with a about 241,200 additional job openings available each year.
If you’re ready to hit the road toward your new career, DriverWave is your top resource for hiring events, job listings, and insider information on making the most of your trucking career.