Trucking Industry Information

Trucking Industry Information

The trucking industry is responsible for transportation of raw materials and finished products. It is an important and essential branch of any economy. Their job is transportation and distribution of industrial goods as well as commercial goods. The goods are transported with the help of commercial motor vehicles and trucks like box trucks and dump trucks are used.

Operators of these vehicles are called truckers. In order to be eligible for this career, one must be at least 21 years of age in order to be permitted to drive commercially from state to state. Also, the Department of Transportation mandates that drivers pass a physical test, as well as a drug and alcohol test.

A trucker should be able to read traffic signs and also make entries in Department of Transportation reports. He needs to clear a written exam and driving test for getting a commercial driveras license. A trucker must have a commercial driveras license to drive trucks across states. Truckers have to adhere to the rules regarding the safety of interstate commercial driving which are issued by the transport department.

There are a set of rules that regulate the amount of time a trucker may spend behind the wheel. aHours of Servicea requires drivers to have rest periods to prevent accidents due to exhaustion. A truck operator is permitted to drive for 11 hours, and then is required to rest for a period not less than ten hours. It is mandated that all commercial drivers keep records in a log book where the day is broken into 15 minute segment, and make entries for how they spent their time that day.

Wages of truckers vary according to job and their experience in the field. Different companies have varying wages for long haul and they are based on experience, safety record and commercial driveras license endorsements. Drivers having two or more years of experience earn at least $50,000 to $60,000 every year. An entry level driver with no experience earns around $30,000 a year. Bonuses and extra benefits are given by some long haul companies. Many trucking companies offer benefits like paid vacation, medical insurance, life insurance and other benefits.

Trucking industry is facing an acute shortage of long haul drivers. Trucking companies have started recruiting retired military veterans, minorities, women and people who want a second career. There are many openings for class a truck driving job as well as otr driving job listed on the net. Due to the shortage of truck drivers companies are coming out with new ideas to lure more people to driving jobs.

To help with this shortage, some trucking companies have begun to change their rules. Instead of driving alone, truckers are now often allowed to bring a pet, or even a spouse along for the ride. Couples in their middle age or early retirement are frequent new hires as driving as a team eases the long drive and keeps families together. This arrangement has benefited both the companies and the drivers.

Trucking industry is a vital part of any economy. Any restriction on truck travel will have serious implications on the economy like decrease in availability of medicines, food, vegetables, consumer goods, fuel, cash from ATMas, waste disposal and raw materials for manufacturing companies.