What is Commercial Truck Driving like in Virginia Beach?

Becoming a commercial truck driver is a big decision. It’s difficult but can be very rewarding work. It’s also a job that might just hold a lot of appeal for you. If you’re the type of person who enjoys long scenic drives on the open road, becoming a commercial truck driver might just be the right decision for you.

Why become a commercial truck driver?

There are plenty of reasons why you might want to consider truck driving. For starters, you can start this job without a college degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for a commercial truck driver is $42,480.

Although you will need to be licensed to drive heavy vehicles, you don’t need pre-requisite experience in any other fields to become a truck driver. Commercial truck driving can be an excellent career option, especially if the thought of driving for a living appeals to you.

What is being a truck driver like?

Commercial truck drivers spend long hours on the road, and jobs can take them away from home for weeks at a time. If you are thinking about becoming a truck driver, you should be prepared for a lot of alone time, and often working on weekends, at night, and on holidays. Truck driving also requires physical labor, such as loading and unloading trucks.

How do I become a truck driver?

Typically, truck drivers are expected to have a high school diploma. Although a postsecondary education isn’t necessary, most truck drivers attend classes to learn how to operate heavy vehicles. To operate a commercial truck, you need to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL). In Virginia, you have to be at least 18 years old to obtain an intrastate CDL and at least 21 years old to obtain a full CDL.

Are there any factors that will help me as a truck driver?

Being a safe driver is essential to driving a commercial truck. For your safety and the safety of the drivers around you, it’s essential that you stay alert and aware of the road as you spend hours at a time driving.

Maintaining your physical health is also important. Sitting for long hours as you drive can take a toll on physical fitness, and federal law requires drivers with hypertension to lower their blood pressure in order to maintain their certification.

What is commercial truck driving in Virginia Beach like?

With its ample coastline, driving in Virginia Beach will offer more scenic routes than you would expect to find in most of the rest of the country. Jobs might take you through the Chesapeake Bay Tunnel and into the Delmarva Peninsula, or down the coasts of the Carolinas. Long hours on the road can be hard, but it’s a beautiful area with plenty of lodgings.

Some of the largest companies that often hire truck drivers include Acosta Inc., CR England, and USA Truck.

If you are interested in becoming a commercial truck driver, Advanced Technology Institute might be the next step in your career. In our Tractor-Trailer Driving certificate program, you can learn how to operate, drive, and maintain a commercial truck, and get all the preparation you will need to become certified as a commercial truck driver.

No matter your level of experience, if you have a valid driver’s license, and meet other qualifications, you could earn your certificate in just eight weeks. If you want to become a commercial truck driver, don’t hesitate: contact us today!