Cran Career Spotlight: Truck Driver
Overview
A Truck Driver is a professional responsible for the safe transportation and delivery of all sorts of goods, whether food or livestock.
What is this career like?
Truck Drivers transport finished goods and raw materials over land to manufacturing plants or retail distribution centers. They must also inspect their vehicle's mechanical state and perform preventative maintenance on their truck. They must, in addition, plan routes that will get them there quickly.
A Truck Driver often works independently, rarely interacting with others on their delivery travels. However, sometimes they may work alongside Warehouse Workers, who unload and load items into trucks in which the drivers operate.
Some of the things a truck driver might do:
· Transport finished goods and raw materials over land to and from manufacturing plants or retail and distribution centers
· Inspect vehicles for mechanical items and safety issues and perform preventative maintenance
· Plan routes and meet delivery schedules
· Document and log work/rest periods and kilometres/miles spent driving and retain fuel/toll receipts
· Input “macros” into our automated system for each stage of the loading and unloading process
· Comply with truck driving rules and regulations (size, weight, route designations, parking and break periods) as well as with company policies and procedures
· Maneuver trucks into loading or unloading positions
· Collect and verify delivery instructions
· Report defects, accidents or violations
What skills are needed?
Great Truck Drivers should always be on the lookout for problems, no matter how small they seem. They should make sure that their skills and knowledge will never be out-of-date. This ensures that they can fix problems themselves when something goes wrong.
· Proven work experience as a Truck Driver
· Hands on experience with electronic equipment and software (GPS, AVL units, CB etc)
· Ability to drive long hours and travel regularly.
· Extensive knowledge of applicable truck driving rules and regulations
· No recent moving or driving violations.
· Adaptability and foresight to handle unexpected situations (traffic, weather conditions etc)
· Willing to submit to background/drug checks and provide employment recommendations.
· Trucking school diploma
· Valid truck driving license
What education is required?
Technically, no formal education is required to become a truck driver. No college degree is necessary, although a high school diploma or GED is typically recommended. You can also receive a certificate of completion from any accredited truck driving school. This will be extremely helpful during your hiring process, however it’s not a strict requirement either.
What is required is a commercial driver’s license, better known as a CDL. In certain states, a CDL can only be issued upon the completion of truck driving and safety competency courses. In addition to those, some jobs may require certain specific certifications such as a doubles or HAZMAT endorsement. Many companies will also have training programs specific to their company or open position that you need to pass in order to fill the position. While every job may vary, these are some of the basic education requirements you may face.
