With a lot of uncertainty in the world, there is one thing you can count on – the daily necessities of food, toilet paper, water, and other common household goods are on the shelves of big-box retailers, and you can thank a truck driver for that. These heroes are face the challenges we face with resilient bravery, going into work every day and keeping the life-blood of America alive. Is this something you’d like to become a part of? Even though these drivers are getting paid well, there is a massive shortage of them and carriers are looking for professionally trained drivers to fill the seats and keep America open by delivering goods. Let me give you a quick list of reasons to become a truck driver.

Short Training Time & Affordable

One of the most popular things that are taught today is that you have to go to college for 2-4 years to obtain a degree and take on large amounts of debt to complete it. Even when completed, there’s a chance that the job you want out of college isn’t available and you have to take on something that doesn’t pay as lucratively as you like. Class A CDL Programs normally take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks, and the price range is equivalent to one semester at an in-state college. For example, CDL Academy offers a 5-week, 160 hour course. No experience driving trucks? No problem. This program is designed for students of all levels wanting to gain entry into the trucking world quickly and efficiently.

You’re In The Driver’s Seat of your Success

Being on the road, you are essentially your own boss and don’t have people looking over your shoulder telling you how to do your job. Truck drivers’ primary concerns are just making sure the shipment is there on time and don’t have to worry about the average stressors your ordinary 9 to 5 would entail.

Higher Pay and Always In Demand

The number one thing that people always talk about when joining the trucking industry is that drivers get paid quite well. Starting out as a recent CDL School graduate, you can expect to make close to $40,000 a year, with potential to make much much more. Most companies offer lucrative benefits packages and tuition reimbursement as well for any of the cost you had to pay to go through CDL School. As you become more experienced on the road, the potential to become an owner-operator can greatly increase your income as well. If you are not having a great time with the current company you are with, almost every carrier in the industry is always looking for drivers, and the more experienced you are, the more you can earn, as there is currently a shortage of drivers in the labor market.

You Are the Captain

As a truck driver, you will encounter various scenarios ranging from severe weather conditions to heavy traffic or road construction. The job description includes delivering your load in a safe and secure manner, on time, as well as  reading maps, using a GPS, and having the freedom to decide when you want to drive to make your deliveries on time. At the end of the day, you are the captain of your ship and the responsibility of your job entirely depends on how you perform.

See the Country

Some people absolutely hate having to sit at a desk, do terrible jobs for little pay, or just do not like to have the same scenery around them every day. With trucking, you can travel the 48 continental states, plus Mexico and Canada if you want, and get paid for it. Plus, if you time it right, you can choose to take your days off in a location you’ve never been to before and explore. Most trucks also offer fridges, comfortable beds, as well as mounts for gaming systems and TV’s to give you the comfort of home while travelling the country.

These are just a few of the benefits of becoming a truck driver, and CDL Academy is here to help you start your career. Carriers have a large shortage of drivers that are needed to help keep the life-blood of the American supply chain alive, and we’re here to help put you take that next step in your career and get you the proper training needed to get you on the road. We help with getting you in contact with some of these great carriers, and recruiters will visit you while attending the class to show you what their company can offer to you before you even finish school. Feel free to give us a call at 479-259-1806 and speak with a Career Specialist today to take your first step.