At a time of widespread shutdowns, truck drivers are the lifeline of our economy. They are the frontline of the pandemic, delivering essential medical supplies to hospitals and stocking the shelves of grocery stores who have fallen victim to panic buying.
Described by the President as “the heroes of our nation’s great struggle against the coronavirus”, truck drivers leave their homes for days, or sometimes weeks on end, to deliver essential supplies that American families rely on during these unprecedented times. They connect every farm, hospital, business, and manufacturer as a nationwide community.
Although not even the heroes of our nation are immune to difficulties caused by the virus, almost all truckers are trying to navigate a new wave of challenges on highways and at loading docks. Many truck-stops, restaurants and dining rooms have closed down or have switched to take-away only. They have done this to comply with the health orders that are in place to control the spread of coronavirus.
The American Trucking Association (ATA) has submitted a letter to President Trump with the purpose to seek exemptions from certain restrictions for truckers who are delivering essential goods. The ATA also requested that rest stops remain open and that the government provide guidance on driver health, including the possibility for more COVID-19 testing amongst the trucking community.
Demand from retailers and manufacturers has significantly increased since the start of the pandemic and trucking capacity is beginning to run thin. According to online freight marketplace DAT Solutions, since February 29th, the average price to hire a truck has increased by 6.1% to $1.89 per mile including fuel.
Before the pandemic, the American Trucking Association estimated that there was an existing truck driver shortage of 35,000 to 40,000 drivers. Demand is even higher now, meaning that there has never been a better time to join the industry.
How to become a truck driver
So how do you join the industry that’s keeping America moving? It’s as easy as 1,2,3!
Obtain a CDL
To obtain a Commercial Driving License (CDL) through your local DMV. To get started, you will need to meet the state/federal requirements and company qualifications.
Find a truck driving school.
Once you have met the requirements, you’ll need to find a truck driving school such as RTDS Trucking School in Las Vegas. RTDS will provide full CDL training which will prepare you for the CDL knowledge and skills tests.
Find a job
Attending a reputable trucking school, like RTDS, is your key to new and exciting opportunities!
Already thousands of truck drivers are reaping the benefits of their chosen career. As a trucker, you can decide if you want to travel local, long-distance or even drive across regions. It’s the perfect way to see most of the US while earning a competitive wage. But perhaps the most important benefit is the high level of job security during a time when so many people are losing their jobs and becoming unemployed.
At a time when there is so much uncertainty in the world, there is one thing that will always remain certain in The United States: truck drivers are always in demand. You’re never too old to join the truck driving community and it’s so easy to get involved.
Contact RTDS Trucking School to make the first step towards your new career. Our goal is to provide students with the highest level of education that will enable them to become a professional truck driver. There are a variety of study options available, taught by industry experts with over 10 years’ experience.
