How to get into the trucking business

To get into the trucking business you need to meet the basic requirements of the field, obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL), and complete a course at a truck driving school. Here are some details on these steps and others you can take to get into the trucking business:

• Meet the basic requirements

  You must be at least 21 years old to enter the trucking industry. You also must have a valid driver's license, and be able to pass a drug and alcohol test.

• Obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL)

  To get a CDL you need to go through your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This typically involves passing a written knowledge test, a skills test, a driving test, and a medical exam.

• Complete a course at a truck driving school

  To get the proper training you will have to complete a course on truck driving at school. This will teach you how to operate a commercial truck. Keep in mind that some trucking companies also provide free truck driving courses to new employees, so you should do your research if you want to avoid paying for this step.

• Gain professional experience

  Once you have met all of the requirements covered in the previous steps, you can then attempt to gain some professional experience by applying to different trucking companies. Most companies require one to two years of experience. You can gain this by working for a trucking company in another capacity, or by becoming an owner-operator.

• Finding a job

  You can perform your job search by looking at online job boards, trucking industry publications, or by reaching out to specific trucking companies directly. Just make sure you do the proper amount of research on the companies.