How to be a Truck Driver in Virginia: What Education do I Need?

If you enjoy driving and dream about live on the open road, why not choose a steady career that will allow you to do what you love most? At this very moment, there are trucks moving from coast-to-coast hauling all essentials such as medical supplies, food, clothing, books, automobiles, and electronics.

Trucking is also important because it allows trade exchange between the US and two large trading partners, Canada and Mexico. However, over the years there has been an increase in the demand for supplies but there are not enough qualified truck drivers. In fact, researchers predict that there will be a shortage of nearly 250,000 truck drivers by the year 2020.

Trucking is a Great Career

Due to the shortage of truck drivers in Virginia, the industry is in need of new drivers. This means that if you receive your CDL (Commercial Driver’s License), you will find a job almost immediately.

VA Truck Driving Rules and Laws

Commercial truck drivers in Virginia have specific rules and regulations that are different from those for private and passenger vehicle drivers. The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) regulates this industry with assistance from other state entities.

For you to become a truck driver in Virginia, you need a commercial driver’s license or a commercial learner’s permit. Some of the requirements to obtain a CDL or CLP include:

Age prerequisites: You should be 18 or above for you to obtain your Virginia intrastate CDL and above the age of 21 to acquire a CDL.

Medical certification: As a CDL applicant you have to certify that you have complied with both Federal and Virginia motor carrier safety regulations. For you to meet the federal or the Virginia motor carrier safety regulations, you have to provide a legal medical examiner’s certificate from the Department of Transportation.

Identification and residency: In case you apply for a CDL or CLP in Virginia and the DMV records indicate that you don’t hold a driver’s license or ID card, you’ll have to present documents such as proof of legal presence, proof of your Social Security, and two proofs of Virginia residency to prove your eligibility.

Driver education: In case you’re above the age of 18 and you’re applying for your CDL, you should have a valid Virginia driver’s license or satisfy all other requirements to obtain your CDL. Additionally, you must:

• Successfully complete truck driver education from a program that is approved by the state and intended for commercial motor vehicles.
• In case you haven’t completed the recommended driver education program, you should hold a CLP for a minimum of 30 days before you take the CDL skills test.

Benefits of a Formal Course of Study to an Aspiring Truck Driver

Hands-on trucking education: Driving a truck is very different from driving an average car, and you need the best to train you how to operate one. Fortunately, a truck driving school will provide you with hands-on truck driving training to help you succeed in this profession.

Assistance in finding truck driving jobs: The main goal of acquiring formal truck driving education is to kick start your career, and trucking school will help you find a job. A good truck driving school in Virginia will provide you with industry connections to help you get a job with a remarkable company.

Get a truck for the CDL road skills test: According to the DMV rules and regulations, you cannot take a CDL road skills test without a truck, and now that you want to join the trucking industry you probably don’t own a truck yet. Fortunately, trucking schools in Virginia will supply you with a truck for your exam.

What you should expect from Your Truck Driving Course?

It can be a bit nerve-racking to get started in a new career path. However, truck driving can be particularly difficult since most people have little experience with the truck driving industry. When you get started in your Virginia truck driving school, there are two main things that you should expect, including:

Spending lots of time in the truck: This will be both sitting and driving time, and it will give you the opportunity to learn more about the truck’s controls even before you start the truck.

Learn the rules and regulations: This will include traffic laws that you have to abide by while on the road. From the lane you should operate to the right speed, and everything else there is about truck driving. Although some of the rules will be similar to those of other motorists, commercial truck drivers have additional rules that they have to adhere to.

In the current uncertain economic times, you need a formal truck driving school to provide you with the training you need. Begin your tractor-trailer driving course today at ATI and get the assistance you need to start a great career. Connect with us today for more information about this exciting class!