How to Become a Truck Driver with Eagle Logistics

Are you thinking about changing a career, or are you someone who is just embarking on the journey of finding their first job? Have you ever considered becoming a truck driver? If you’re wondering how to become a truck driver, then you’ve come to the right place; Eagle Logistics offers Class A driving jobs right here in Purdy, Missouri.

What exactly do you have to do to become a truck driver, you ask? Well, there are certain steps you should follow in order to be a licensed commercial driver. We recommend the following: 

Research Typical Salaries in Your Area

First thing’s first when you’re looking for a new career path - is it something that you can make a good living doing? The best thing to do is to research the average salary of truck drivers in your area. Of course, some of this depends on what type of freight you’ll be hauling (i.e. those who are transporting dangerous goods may get paid more than those who are hauling something safe). However, being aware of your potential income is definitely something we recommend. 

Talk to Experienced Truck Drivers

There’s no better way to weigh the pros and cons of becoming a truck driver than to talk to, well, those who are in the field already! Experienced truck drivers will be able to answer all the questions and address any fears or concerns you may have prior to making the leap into the next steps. Try to speak to different types of truck drivers and hear what they have to say. 

See if You Qualify 

Of course, there are certain qualifications you need to meet before learning how to become a truck driver. You’ll want to do some research on what your particular state requires for those who want to earn a commercial drivers license (CDL). For example, most states require that you are 21 or over to apply for a CDL. Other common requirements include a clean driving record, proof of legal eligibility to work in the United States, and more.

Truck Driving School

The next step in how to become a truck driver is to sign up for a program at a truck driving school. Each school is different, so be sure to do extensive research into each to see which will be the best fit for you. Once you’ve completed the classes that you need, then you’ll have to take the CDL exam provided by your state. 

Pass Your CDL and FMCSA Exam

The biggest thing that you’ll have to do before you can start applying for trucking jobs is to pass your CDL and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) exams. While each state varies with how they test for CDL, most often you’ll have to take a written and road test. For the FMCSA exam, you’ll have to pass a written test as well as a physical exam that includes hearing and vision tests. 

Apply for Jobs

The last stage for how to become a truck driver is to apply for jobs! That’s right - once you pass your exams, then you’ll want to start searching for companies who are hiring. Of course, if you’re searching for Class A CDL careers in Missouri, Eagle Logistics would love to hear from you! Be sure to check out our post about Things CDL Companies Look for in a Driver, and then head over to our career page to fill out an application.

As always, feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have and we’ll be glad to help.