From childhood, people are asked what they want to be when they’re adults. By the time teenagers graduate from middle school, they’re encouraged to seriously consider their career plans to ensure they choose appropriate courses in high school to prepare for that career.

While many students opt to attend college, others are interested in trades or the road transport industry. The U.S. trucking industry is worth over $732 billion and employs more than 900,000 truck drivers. Continue reading to discover what you should know about becoming a trucker.

Truckers Must Complete Postsecondary Training.

Although some people may classify truckers as unskilled, truckers need training and credentials to work in their field. Anyone driving tractor-trailers or heavy trucks must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

Earning your CDL involves completing a CDL program. There are multiple CDL program options to consider, depending on the type of work you wish to pursue. It takes 160 to 200 hours to earn a Class A CDL, depending on whether you want to learn to operate a forklift during your training. The course focuses on essential skills drivers must have when taking their CDL test, such as pre-trip and in-cab inspections and performing an airbrake test. Students also learn how to parallel park and perform other maneuvers.

CDL programs require students to have an 80-percent attendance rate to pass. In addition to yard skills, truckers need road skills. Road skills CDL courses cover using a double-clutch and an asynchronous transmission. Students also learn how to complete wide turns and drive on different roads, including highways and rural roads.

Truckers Need Several Skills.

Truckers need excellent hand-eye coordination to handle vehicles safely and navigate different roadways. Braking and shifting gears involve using eyes, hands, and feet simultaneously and may not be an ideal career for people with coordination issues.

Truckers need excellent communication skills to interact with other truckers, vendors, and clients. Clear communication can prevent misunderstandings and save time performing duties.

Truck Drivers Must be in Good Health.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) outlines medical requirements for commercial truck drivers. Truckers must have a medical examination completed once every two years. People with medical conditions such as epilepsy may not qualify to work as truckers.

Truckers need exceptional hearing, and people with even moderate hearing loss can’t work as commercial truck drivers. Hearing is crucial for safety on roadways and in yards. Drivers should be capable of hearing approaching vehicles to ensure they aren’t in the way when a vehicle’s backing up. It’s also crucial truck drivers are aware of emergency vehicles approaching as soon as possible because it takes longer to stop heavy trucks and these vehicles need more room to pull over.

Truckers Need Practical Clothes.

Male and female truckers need practical clothes suited to their regular tasks. Jeans are comfortable, durable, and look professional without inhibiting your ability to perform inspections and climb in and out of your cab. Female truck drivers can wear straight jeans, bootcut jeans, petite jeans, or skinny jeans in various colors but should avoid the ripped jean style because the threads can catch on chains, ropes, and other items. Male truckers should also opt for jeans without rips.

Truckers may pack a pair of sweatpants they can wear when resting. Long-haul truckers may sleep in their cab, and sweats can come in handy when they need to nap between driving shifts.

Trucking is a Lifestyle.

Truckers work long hours and can be away from home for several days at a time, making it challenging to maintain relationships and engage in regular activities. You may not join sports leagues or volunteer for some activities, so you may be frustrated working as a trucker if community engagement‘s essential to you.

Truckers use large vehicles to deliver goods. They must have a CDL license, good health, and essential skills to succeed in this field.