CDL trucking careers can be incredibly fulfilling from a personal and financial standpoint—as long as you choose the right company to work for. However, you might have questions about where to begin if you are considering starting your CDL trucking career journey. The good news is that you do not have to navigate the world of truck driving jobs on your own.
Today, you’ll learn everything you need to know about CDL trucking careers—from the benefits of this career path to how to choose the right company and beyond.
What Is CDL Trucking?
CDL stands for Commercial Driver’s License. To get a Commercial Driver’s License, you need to complete specific coursework to ensure that you are up to certain standards and know how to drive vehicles that are larger than average.
To successfully get your CDL, you will have to pass both skills and knowledge exams. Think of it this way: Would you prefer not to have someone driving a large commercial vehicle that does not meet safety standards and requirements?
That is exactly why the CDL is so crucial.
That being said, there are a few different types of CDL licenses—three classes, to be exact. The type of driver’s license you will need depends on the type of vehicle you anticipate driving. The classes are Class A, B and finally, C.
With a Class A CDL, you can operate any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more. However, this is only if the towed vehicle weighs over 10,000 pounds. An example of this is a tractor-trailer or a flatbed truck.
Next up is the Class B CDL, which you will need to successfully operate a vehicle not hitched to a trailer. Some examples of Class B trucks include large buses, box trucks and dump trucks.
Finally, Class C CDLs are required if you want to operate a vehicle with a gross combination weight rating of under 26,001 pounds. Or, you can drive a vehicle that’s towing another vehicle under 10,000 pounds.
Alternatively, you can drive a vehicle transporting 16 plus passengers (including the driver) with a Class C CDL. Examples are double trailers, buses and tank trucks.
CDL truck drivers are crucial to the economy because, without drivers, companies wouldn’t be able to get their goods and services from one place to another. This would have a massive impact on the national and global economy. Whether looking for over-the-road trucking opportunities or team driving careers, you contribute to something important.
Steps to Starting Your CDL Trucking Career
So, you’ve decided to get your CDL and begin your trucking career. Congratulations on your decision to do so—you’ll love the benefits associated with a career in trucking.
Before you can begin, you will have to get your commercial driver’s license. And yes, you'll have to adhere to several commercial truck driving license requirements.
To do so, you must take several steps. For starters, you will have to get your state’s Commercial Driver Licensing Manual.
Once you have this, you will better understand each of the steps you need to take, as this varies from state to state. From there, pick what type of vehicle you want to drive and determine the different classes of CDL you will need.
Then, you will get your commercial learner's permit, allowing you to learn firsthand how to drive these types of vehicles. You’ll also complete entry-level driver training and take the test to get your license.
Another decision you will have to make is where you want to complete your training. And no, commercial driver’s license classes aren’t the same as those you take when getting your license at age 16.
There are training programs that help make the entire experience more digestible, and it is a great idea to complete one. You can figure out which training course is worthwhile by asking for recommendations from friends who work in the industry and have had a great experience with their training.
The best CDL training programs will have good reviews, so do not settle for one that doesn’t. Your truck driving school can start your career on a great (or bad) note—so be thoughtful when choosing.
Benefits of Advancing a Career in Trucking
There are plenty of benefits associated with advancing a career in trucking. Like any career path, the longer you are on the job, the more benefits you will experience. Seniority goes a long way with trucking, just like in any industry.
That said, you can find a logistics provider hiring truck drivers for a competitive salary and outstanding benefits with just a year of experience (like GP Transco). Your truck driver's salary potential varies depending on your experience, but you should seek a company that pays fairly from the start.
If you want to work with GP Transco, you will need a minimum of a year of trucking experience. Joining GP Transco is an excellent idea because of the growth opportunities, competitive salary, excellent benefits and work-life balance opportunities.
Furthermore, as with any trucking job, there’s a lot of independence and freedom associated with working at GP Transco. This is one of the main benefits of trucking careers. If you enjoy traveling, moving around and seeing different parts of the country, you certainly will have the opportunity to do so with a career in trucking.
Choosing the Right CDL Trucking Job
When beginning a CDL trucking career, many drivers don’t realize that there are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a company. You have many options because there’s such a high demand for drivers. This can be overwhelming.
When choosing a company, consider the intangible benefits, such as how well a company maintains its fleet. You want to work for an organization that prioritizes safety. Furthermore, you want a company that offers the type of trucking you want to do—whether that be dedicated, team or solo.
One of the best parts about CDL trucking careers is that because of that high demand, the possibilities for growth are virtually limitless. This is especially true if you join an organization that values its drivers, like GP Transco.
You get a base pay of approximately $70-85,000 in your first year, full W2 benefits, health, vision, life and dental insurance, as well as a 401k and 4% company match. The best truck driving jobs—like those at GP Transco—will offer this.
Preparing for Life on the Road
You’re preparing for life on the road and are feeling slightly overwhelmed. That’s understandable—there is a lot to think about.
When finding truck driving jobs, you want to select a company that supports new truck drivers. This means prioritizing work-life balance and figuring out ways to streamline life on the road.
For instance, when you work with GP Transco, you can access the company’s handy mobile app. This makes it incredibly easy to accept or reject loads, scan bills of lading, stay up to date with push notifications and even view your weekly mileage and earnings.
Another tip to prepare for life on the road is to prepare your vehicle. Make sure there is no clutter, and make sure you know where everything is in case you need it, such as emergency equipment.
Success Stories From the Road
Before you commit to working for an organization, check out testimonials from drivers who worked with the company. These testimonials from GP Transco drivers demonstrate exactly what you have to look forward to when you join the team.