Women Truck Drivers: Are You Cut Out For Life on the Road?

The trucking industry, like many blue-collar industries, historically has been comprised of men. This is especially true when it comes to long-distance, multiple-day trucking jobs. But times, they are changing and trucking jobs for women are not only on the rise, but many women finding driving a truck to have unique and outstanding benefits for them.

So if you have ever been interested in this career, then now is the time to jump in and get started by enrolling in a qualified program. If you are not quite sure if you could cut it as a truck driver, consider the following quick overview of what it is like being a woman on the road:

The Basics and Benefits of Being a Female Truck Driver

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, female drivers are still a minority, albeit a growing one, currently making up just 6.2 percent of the truck driving occupation. Yet, those who join up with long-haul trucking companies enjoy some pretty significant benefits like a respectable starting salary and often being employed by one of the 90 percent of fleets that give drivers paid leave and a 401k plan. Whether you are single or married, those are some pretty significant financial incentives to join up as a truck driver.

However, for many women truck drivers, this is only part of the incentive to join this industry. For many women, it is the job itself that was the attraction. As a truck driver, you could enjoy paid travel across the country and you enjoy largely being on your own.

If you appreciate your independence and are looking for a career that affords you time to yourself and away from the more common customer service and other customer-facing careers, then trucking might just be the ideal career choice for you.

Basic Requirements of Becoming a Truck Driver

According to a recent analysis done by the American Trucking Association, the trucking industry is anticipated to be short as much as 175,000 drivers by 2024. There are several issues causing this, including the fact that many of the current experienced drivers are entering their retiring years and continued low enrollment in existing trucking schools. Thus, now is an outstanding time to enroll in a qualified truck driving school and fill one of those vacancies to enjoy a rewarding career as a truck driver.

While there are some fleets who will train new employees and help them earn their necessary licensing onsite, more and more fleets are relying on trucking schools to send them qualified individuals. However, before you enroll in such a program, you will need to meet some basic federal requirements.

Regulations and Physical Requirements

To begin with, all truck driver applicants must have either a high school diploma and a GED. To drive within state borders, you must be at least 18 years old with a clean driving record and to drive across state borders, you must be at least 21 years old.

Additionally, federal regulations require truck drivers to be in good physical health with the ability to hear a whisper from five feet away and 20/40 vision with a 70-degrees field of vision in each eye. Additionally, it is recommended for applicants to be able to lift at least 75 pounds and to be able to climb in and out of a truck and its trailer multiple times a day. To ensure that you meet these federal requirements, many trucking schools will have to pass a physical exam before they enroll in the program.

Once enrolled in a truck driving school, students will learn a variety of skills and practical information related to operating a truck and working with a trucking fleet. For example, practical skills include learning how to work with different signals with different types of trucks, operating trip planning logs and map reading, and how to turn, back-up, and uncouple a trailer.

Enroll Today at Advanced Technology Institute and Become a Women Truck Driver Today

So are you ready to take hold of your career and enjoy all of the independence and career benefits being a truck driver offers? If so, then contact our team at Advanced Technology Institute today! Our professional staff is here to answer all of the questions you might have about enrollment in our commercial driver course and becoming a truck driver.