According to the U.S. Department of Transportation,in 2002, the trucking industry transported over $9 trillion worth of shipments, weighing over 11 billion tons and generating about 1.5 trillion ton-miles

Between 2004 and 2014, it is expected that Nationwide there will be 507,000 job openings for heavy or tractor trailor drivers and 259,000 openings for drivers of light or delivery truck drivers. Many transportation companies have a hard time filling jobs for truck drivers -- especially for those that driver long-haul.

Requirements

Drivers are required to be 21 or over. Drivers 18 or over can only transport property--not people--within state lines. You must have a minimum one year of driving experience as a licensed driver, a good driving record, pass a Department of Transportation physical and have a Commercial Drivers License or CDL.

Some of the requirements for passing the DOT Physical are 20/40 corrected vision, no impairement to hearing, no imairement to the use of limbs, no uncorrected high blood pressure. You cannot be an alcoholic, have a seizure disorder, heart condition or diabetes.

The type of CDL you need is based on the type of vehicle you drive.

CLASS A - This classification applies only to "combination" vehicles (semi, tractor-trailor) with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) exceeding 26,000 pounds.

CLASS B - This class includes single or combination vehicles where the GVWR of the single vehicle exceeds 26,000 pounds.

CLASS C - Vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, and vehicles placarded for hazardous materials, that do not meet the criteria for Class A or B above fall under this classification.

CDL Endorsements are required for double/triple trailers, tanker vehicles, passenger vehicles and vehicles placarded for hazardous materials.

Women in Trucks

More women are driving trucks these days. As of 1998, there were 160,000 women truck drivers, representing 5.3 % of the 3,012,000 truck drivers in the U.S.and the numbers are growing. Modern trucks with adjustable seats and automatic transmissions have removed some of the physical limitations and the wages for women are very good. Often, husbands and wives drive as teams. Since trucking companies like to promote from within and require driving experience for many other jobs, driving can lead to careers in dispatch, warehousing, recruiting and management.

Wages

Depending on the employer and the type of driving, truck drivers can be paid by the hour,by the mile, a percentage of the load, or a combination. Drivers may also receive payment or reimbursement for the cost of meals and expenses while on the road. If not, these may be tax deductable.

Nationally, the median wage for heavy truck drivers in 2004 was $16.28 hourly, $33,870 annually

In Indiana, the average hourly wage for heavy truck drivers was $15.38 an hour.

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