Are you ready to change careers? Are you a new high school
grad who doesn't want to spend the next four or more years in college? Whether
you've worked in another industry for decades or this is your first job as a
young adult, take a look at what you need to know about a career as a delivery
truck driver.
What Are Delivery Truck Drivers?
Like other truck drivers, delivery workers operate
commercial vehicles. These specialized drivers primarily transport goods in one
local area and may need to load and unload cargo from the vehicle.
How Do You Become A Delivery Truck Driver?
Do you already have a valid driver's license? If you
answered yes, you've taken the first step towards this new career. Even though
your current license shows that you understand the rules of the road and can
operate a motor vehicle, you aren't ready to get behind the wheel of a delivery
truck yet. You will also need a commercial driver's license (also known as a
CDL) to work as a delivery truck driver.
Truck drivers who live and work in California must meet the
federal Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements. You will need to
choose a registered training provider from the Training Provider Registry (TPR)
to complete the ELDT. According to the state of California Department of Motor
Vehicles, truck drivers must also complete at least 15 hours of
behind-the-wheel training before they earn a CDL Class A or B license.
Instead of directly applying for a CDL, you will need a
commercial learner's permit (or CLP). The state of California requires CLP
applicants to submit a 10 year history record check (driver's record check), a
medical examination report and medical examiner's certificate, proof of your
social security number, proof of identity, proof of residence, a vision exam,
an application fee, and a thumbprint scan. You will also need to pass a
knowledge test before you get a CLP.
All CLP applicants must already hold a valid California
driver's license. You can apply to take the CDL skills test 14 days after you
receive your CLP. You must have a driver with a valid state-issued CDL in the
commercial vehicle at all times while you train for your own CDL as a delivery
truck driver. A registered driving school will provide you with the knowledge,
skills, and training necessary to take your CDL test.
Are Delivery Truck Driver Jobs Easy To Get?
Delivery driver jobs are growing at a much faster than
average rate of 11 percent, according to the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This projected increase includes the
addition of 174,200 jobs nationally between 2021 and 2031.
How Much Do Delivery Truck Driver Jobs Pay?
The amount of money you make as a delivery truck driver
depends on a few factors. These include where you live/work, your total driving
experience, and the employer's rates. According to the BLS, the national median
pay for a delivery driver is $36,660 per year. But this doesn't necessarily
mean that you couldn't or wouldn't make more or less than this average.
Delivery drivers with several years of experience typically
make more than entry-level workers. This means you would need to stay in the
industry to get the maximum financial benefits.
Is This a Physical Job?
Even though driving itself is not a physically demanding
job, the rest of the delivery tasks may include manual labor. Along with
transporting goods, you may need to load and load the cargo. This makes
delivery driving an ideal option for people who enjoy physical work and don't
like to sit still.
How can you start your career as a delivery truck driver?
Contact the Commercial
Trucking School
for more information.
