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Truck Drivers, Heavy

THE JOB

For good economic conditions, it is important to have a transportation 
system that works well.  Today, most products are delivered by truck.  Truck 
Drivers deliver goods from the producers of goods to the person who buys the 
products.

HEAVY TRUCK DRIVERS operate gasoline and diesel powered tractor-trailers 
that weigh from 6,000 pounds up to 20,000 pounds per axle.  In California, 
the equipment can be no more than 75 feet long. Drivers may work for common 
carrier companies (they deliver goods to the general public), contract 
carrier companies (delivery of goods for a specific group of shippers) or 
private carrier firms that drive their own trucks.

Drivers in the local area work for various businesses.  They deliver 
products to construction sites, or deliver vegetables and fruits to 
canneries.  Sometimes the driver has to load and unload the product they 
are delivering.

Truck Drivers can also be considered truck brokers who act as go-betweens 
for shippers and receivers.  Truck brokers in most cases have their own 
trucks, but may hire other truckers to take cargo on the return trip back 
to their home base.

The Truck Driver's responsibilities depend on the kind of load to be 
delivered.  For example, if they deliver a product that needs to be cold, 
they need to check the refrigeration equipment.  If they deliver livestock 
(animals), they need to know how to feed and water the animals.  If they are 
delivering hazardous materials, they have to know how to handle it according 
to regulations.  The Truck Driver must also know how to operate special 
equipment on the truck for loading and unloading the product they are 
carrying.


WORKING CONDITIONS

Long distance drivers spend many hours driving behind the wheel of a truck, 
mostly at night.  Truck Drivers are responsible for driving big, expensive 
trucks.  They normally work the most number of hours that are allowed by law 
(federal regulations).  Many of the trips keep drivers away from home 
several days at a time.  Improvements have been made on the trucks so that 
Truck Drivers can drive safely and smart.  There have been many changes made 
in seating, circulation of fresh air and equipment for seeing, to make for 
safer driving conditions.

However, vibration, noise, poor weather conditions and the need to stay 
sharp and alert in heavy traffic or on long stretches of isolated roads can 
still cause physical and mental stress for the driver.

Truck Drivers who drive in the local area work more regular hours than long 
distance drivers, and sometimes work overtime.  They are faced with stop-and-
go local traffic, and the risk of safely driving such big trucks through 
narrow streets and alleys and backing into loading docks.

Drivers have to follow all traffic laws and rules for driving safely.  The 
driver is required to do a vehicle inspection of the trucks before and after 
every trip. Those drivers who drive out-of-state must keep a log of their 
daily activities and must complete all the reports that are needed.


EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK

The California Projections of Employment, published by the Labor Market 
Information Division of the Employment Development Department, estimates 
that the number of Truck Drivers, Heavy in California will reach 126,600 by 
2005, an increase in new jobs of 22,330 over the number there was in 1993.

There will also be an estimated 23,020 job openings due to people retiring 
or leaving the occupation.  Added to the 22,330 new jobs expected, this 
makes for an estimated total of 45,350 job opportunities through 2005.

(These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)


WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS

The pay for drivers without experience range from the minimum wage to $20.00 
per hour. Drivers with experience make from minimum to $22.00 per hour, with 
some making up to $27.00 per hour.


ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING

In California, Truck Drivers must have a Class A drivers license to drive 
heavy trucks. All applicants for a Class A license or for those that are 
renewing their license, must meet the following minimum requirements: have a 
good driving record; be at least 18 years old for driving within the state, 
or 21 years old to transport out of state cargo; pass a medical examination 
that requires good hearing, 20/40 vision, with or without glasses, normal 
use of arms and legs (unless one gets a waiver) and normal blood pressure.  
All drivers must pass written exams and road driving tests, and meet the 
State licensing and driving requirements for the truck being driven.

Drivers that drive out of the state are tested for drugs at least once every 
two years; and also must take a drug test before being hired to work and 
take a drug test after an accident.

There are no formal apprenticeship programs for Truck Drivers, but one is 
being proposed by the American Trucking Association and the Truck Driver 
Institute of America.  If adopted, it will create a new Licensed Apprentice 
Driver classification, which would team the Apprentice Driver with a 
Commercial Licensed Driver for on-the-job-training.  Some trucking firms 
have formal on-the-job training programs.

Classes in automobile mechanics and driver training, especially school bus 
driver instruction given by many school districts, improve chances of 
getting hired as a trucker.  Public schools do not usually train Truck 
Drivers because it is very expensive to have heavy trucks for students to 
practice with. A list of private schools certified to train Truck Drivers 
may be obtained from the Truck Driver Institute of America.


ADVANCEMENT

Chances for promotion for Truck Drivers are kind of limited, but some 
drivers become driver trainers, supervisors of warehouses, terminals and 
docks or company branch managers.  Commercial drivers expect to change 
employers a lot for more pay, different kinds of driving experience, more 
responsibility or better working conditions.

Some drivers buy trucks and set up their own business or become independent 
contractors.


FINDING THE JOB

The high cost of insurance makes it difficult to get a job as a Truck Driver 
if you are under the age of 25.  The best way to get started as a Truck 
Driver is to apply directly to companies for work as a driver-helper, 
warehouse-worker or dock loader.  The California Employment Development 
Department, Job Service, lists jobs for drivers and other workers in this 
type of work.

Information about union jobs may be gotten by contacting the International 
Brotherhood of Teamsters.


ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

American Trucking Association 
2200 Mill Road
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 838-1700

California Trucking Association
12251 Beacon Boulevard
West Sacramento, CA 95691
(916) 373-3500

Professional Truck Driving Institute of America, Inc.
8788 Elk Grove Blvd., Suite 20
Elk Grove, CA 95624
(916) 686-5146

RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES

Bus Drivers                                          No.   2
Garbage Collectors and Drivers                       No. 460

OCCUPATIONAL CODE  REFERENCES

DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1)
Concrete-Mixing Truck Driver (any ind.)          900.683-010
Dump-Truck Driver (any ind.)                     902.683-010
Tank-Truck Driver (any ind.)                     903.683-018
Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver (any ind.)          904.383-010
Truck Driver, Heavy (any ind.)                   905.663-014

OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System
Truck Drivers, Heavy                                  971020


Source:  State of California, Employment Development Department,
         Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
         (916) 262-2162.