Careers in Agricultural Business and Management

Truck Driver

Job Description

Truck drivers primarily hauls freight from one location to another. They operate and perform general maintenance on trucks, maintain logs of driving times, and deliver and pick up shipments. Truck drivers may or may not load freight onto trucks, depending on the job description and union regulations. They may transport materials to destinations within a state or deliver goods between states.

Skills

• A truck driver should possess good communication, customer service, and judgment skills
• A truck driver must have excellent hearing and vision and be in good physical condition, especially if the job requires loading and unloading freight
• Truck drivers must have the ability to sit for long periods of time and adapt to changes in driving conditions

Preparation

No formal education is needed to become a truck driver, though a high school diploma is often preferred. Completion of a training course at an accredited truck driving school is helpful. A truck driver must obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL). Some states require completion of a truck driving skills and safety course before issuing a CDL. In some cases, special license endorsements are needed, such as air brakes endorsement or hazardous material (HAZMAT) endorsement. Employer training programs may also need to be completed.

Source: Education Portal