Truck Driver Training

If you’re one of the growing numbers of men and women looking for a career change, truck driving can prove to be one of the best decisions you ever make. Beyond being a rewarding and well-paying profession, being a truck driver is also a relatively easy field to get into and has a great job outlook.

As you learn the ins and outs of the trade, you’ll find that truck driving can open the door for other job opportunities. You can use your experience to leverage your way into higher paying driving positions, better companies, and even supervisory positions.

In this comprehensive guide to becoming a truck driver, we’ll cover everything you need to know—from salary, requirements, and education to training and licensing.

1 Is A Career in Truck Driving Right For Me?
2 How Much Do Truck Drivers Make?
3 How Much Do Oil Field Truck Drivers Make?
4 How Hard Is It to Get A Job As A Truck Driver?
5 How Do I Get Accepted into a Truck Driving School?
6 How to Choose the Right Truck Driving School
7 5th Wheel Training Institute Courses Overview
8 How Long Does Truck Driving School Take?
9 How Much Does Truck Driving School Cost?
10 Paying for Truck Driving School
11 Setting A Plan for Your Truck Driving Career
12 Conclusion

Is A Career in Truck Driving Right For Me?

It’s always a good idea to understand a new career path before committing to it fully, as you likely don’t want to end up changing your mind later on down the road (pun intended).

The most obvious component of commercial truck driving is—you guessed it—driving trucks. If you have ever watched massive semi-trucks making their way down the highway with awe, wondering what they’re hauling, where they’re going, and most importantly, how it feels to be driving a vehicle with that much power behind it, then this might be a career worth considering, especially if sitting at a desk or behind a computer screen or standing in a store dealing with the public in retail sales all day doesn’t quite excite you.

If you are on the fence, there are some questions you can ask yourself to determine if it’s the right job for you. Before diving into things like compensation and training, it’s important to understand the lifestyle of a truck driver. You’re going to be spending a lot of time alone. For some, this isn’t an issue (and is even a perk), but it’s certainly not for everyone. While you’ll have the opportunity to travel the country and see the world in a new light, you might be doing so without much human interaction.

You should also be the kind of person who enjoys driving. If you find yourself constantly frustrated by how much time you spend in the car or are always passing the wheel to someone else every chance you get, then making a career out of driving trucks probably isn’t the ideal move.

Truck driving may be suited for you if:

You’re comfortable with long hours on the road
You look forward to traveling
You are self-sufficient and good at solving problems
You want a career that does not experience recessions
You are looking for a career with great medical and retirement benefits

Like any career, there are pros and cons to being a commercial truck driver. Keep in mind that the longer you stay in the field, the better it will get. Not only will you learn how to deal with and counteract most of the negatives, but you’ll also have more control over your schedule and hauls.

First-year drivers typically end up with the loads that no one else wants to haul. As you work your way up, however, you can expect more preference from your employer and, with enough time, you’ll have a schedule that best suits your needs.

How Much Do Truck Drivers Make?

One of the most important things to consider when making a career choice is salary. When it comes to truck driving, however, there isn’t exactly a fixed number. There are many factors that play a role in how much you can potentially earn, such as what kind of driver you want to be, how many miles you’re willing to go, your education, and so on.

What kind of truck driving do you want to do?

Some options include over-the-road, regional, local, or oil field. Over-the-road drivers will make more than regional drivers, and regional drivers will make more than local drivers. 5th Wheel Training Institute offers a resource section with more information on the different kinds of truck driving positions you could potentially work to help you get a better idea of the differences.

There are other factors that determine pay as well, such as what kind of haul you’re carrying. A general delivery driver won’t make as much as a specialty driver who is hauling livestock, hazardous materials, or refrigerated items.

Let’s Talk Numbers

In general, a first-year truck driver is likely to make around $35,000 to $40,000 annually. As you make your way up, you can work your way into the $40,000 to $60,000 range, usually within your second year. And like any job, the more experience you gain and the longer you work the job, the better your pay will be.

If you stick with it long enough, you could even make your way into an owner-operator position making an average of $184,000 a year. Bear in mind owner-operators have a truck and its maintenance to pay out of that salary. What you can earn all depends on your ability to leverage your experience and position into a better paying role. Keep in mind that figuring out how much you’re going to make as a truck driver depends largely on your personal priorities, availability, and ability to work your way through the industry.

Drivers that are willing to stay late, work harder, and go the extra mile (literally) will be the ones to bring in the most hard-earned cash. It’s a competitive job that rewards the best, so the more committed you are to it, the more you will get out of it.

Leveraging Your Position as A Driver

The driving company you end up working for will also play a big role in the size of your paycheck. Some simply pay better while others will be able to land you more miles—resulting in more pay—even if you aren’t making as much per mile. Knowing which company to work for is something that will come with experience. As you network with other drivers and learn the ins and outs of the industry, you’ll start to get an idea of which direction to take your career in.

Truck drivers are also able to land pretty solid benefits along with the steady pay. Health and life insurance, retirement plans, and paid vacations are all easy to come by in this line of work.

How Much Do Oil Field Truck Drivers Make?

One avenue of truck driving that we haven’t touched on yet is working as an oil field driver. Working on an oil field as a commercial truck driver involves hauling materials to and from the site, like crude oil, wastewater, and frac sand. These positions usually have a fairly high turnover rate, so you could land a position as an oil field driver straight out of commercial truck driving school. The pay starts out much higher than other truck driving positions—at an average of $74,000 per year.

That said, working as an oil field driver is no walk in the park. It can be messy and exhausting work with long hours. Most commonly you’ll be hauling waste water. It’s not for the faint of heart, but if you’re up to it, it’s a fairly easy first driving gig to land with a big payout.

The best places to land a job as an oil field driver are northwest and southeast Canada. So if you’re already in one of those areas, don’t mind a little dirt under your nails, and are looking for the biggest salary, then oil field driving may be the commercial driving route for you.

How Hard Is It to Get A Job As A Truck Driver?

One of the biggest pros of starting a career as a truck driver is the abundant job opportunities available. You can graduate from a truck driving school in Ontario and have more job opportunities than most people with a college degree.

The industry has a high turnover rate due to the challenging nature of the job, meaning there are always positions available no matter where you are located. Additionally, the industry is growing! As e-commerce and online shopping services grow, so too does the demand for truck drivers.

While there are some companies that won’t hire commercial drivers straight out of a truck driving vocational school for insurance reasons, there are plenty that will. Once you have your foot in the door, it’s much easier to work your way into a better position. After a year of safe-proven truck driving experience, you can easily get a job working with just about any trucking company in the country. These companies are always on the lookout for new, hardworking drivers, so your commitment to the position will not go unnoticed.

Pre-hire Potential

You could even qualify for a “pre-hire,” meaning that if you apply for a truck driving position during or before the start of your truck driving training, employers may still agree to hire you upon the completion of your training. It’s possible for companies to change their mind on pre-hires, of course, but there’s no reason you can’t obtain multiple offers before starting school. Doing so will give you the peace of mind that you are investing your time and money wisely. Many companies now leverage the Canada-Ontario Job Grant to train new hires and have the government pay for their new employee’s training.

Your Record Matters

That said, there are a few things that could potentially impact your ability to land a job as a truck driver. For instance, a questionable driving record, history of DUIs, felony convictions, drug charges, and the like, can all reduce your odds of being hired.

It’s not necessarily impossible to get a job with a problematic record, but it will be an uphill battle for sure. So long as you drive safely and responsibly, you should be in a prime position to begin your career in truck driving.

Requirements for Becoming A Truck Driver

Every job will have slightly different requirements for their truck drivers, but the basic requirements are:

A commercial driver’s license (CDL)
Graduate from a private career college, community College or company with a driver certification program recognized by the MTO
Clean driving record and a solid resume
Pass a drug and alcohol test in some instances
Undergo a physical
Be at least 18 years of age

A good rule of thumb to ensure that you get hired by the trucking company of your dreams is to check ahead of what they require from their employees. The last thing you want is to put in all the work to get the job only to find out that you’re stuck waiting on some paperwork or incomplete test. Not only that, but communicating with an employer beforehand to ensure you have all the requirements prove

How Do I Get Accepted into a Truck Driving School?

Just like becoming a truck driver, the requirements will vary depending on which school you choose to go to. In general, though, it isn’t too difficult to be accepted into one of these schools, so long as you have a few things:

High School Diploma or GED

More often than not, truck driving training courses will not accept applicants who do not have a diploma or GED. While not a legal requirement of becoming a truck driver, most companies will not accept individuals who do not have a high school equivalent education. So to avoid wasting their students’ money and time, training courses require that applicants have their early education squared away.

Be At Least 18 Years of Age

Since you can’t get your CDL if you’re under the age of 18, schools usually don’t accept any students younger than that. It also helps if you are older than 25, as the insurance premiums will be significantly lower for the companies hiring you.

Physical Examination

Before putting you in the driver’s seat of an 18-wheeler, the Ministry of Transport in Ontario want to make sure that you’re healthy enough to drive the vehicle. While you might think that driving a truck is easy enough, it’s actually a pretty stressful gig. Not only are you hauling a heavy load in a dangerous vehicle, but you’re also working long hours, going long distances, and have to meet strict deadlines. It’s important for employers to know that your health won’t be a liability for them.

Tuition

Lastly, you need to be able to pay the tuition for the training you receive. The training school you end up deciding on will most likely give you a contract to sign upfront, confirming that you will pay the full amount of the course. Make sure that you read the fine print and fully understand what it is that you are agreeing to.

How to Choose the Right Truck Driving School

The last thing you want is to spend months saving up for a truck driving school only to realize after you’ve signed all the papers that the course isn’t as robust as it was promised to be. When shopping for a school, there are a few things to be on the lookout for that will help point you in the right direction.

Choose A School with a Comprehensive Program

The goal is to learn how to drive trucks, so make sure that at some point in the class you’ll be receiving some hands-on training. While it can be tempting to take the shortest course possible, sometimes opting for a slightly longer course with a more thorough curriculum is a better way to go. Just like with traditional colleges, the better education you receive, the better your job outlook will be.

Look for High Job Placement Records

The goal is to get hired, right? So, look for schools that boast high hiring rates for graduates. After a few weeks of taking their course, you’ll be one of the doe-eyed graduates looking for a job, so it’s good to know what your odds will look like. Some schools even partner with trucking companies, making it easier to secure a position.

Visit the School

You can get told a lot of things over the phone and by email talking to schools. Don’t just take their word for it, visit them, meet the instructors and campus administrators and talk to them directly. If there are students available, talk to them too. If you are only talking to the sales team you might be only getting ½ the story. Talk to the people on the ground. Have a look at the equipment you are training on. Ask questions about what happens if there is an equipment failure, will you be learning to shift transmissions in a truck or just on a simulator. How much time is spent backing up. Driving on the highway is only 1/3 of the job, backing into weirdly configured docks is another 1/3. Will you be prepared? You have to ask the important questions.

5th Wheel Training Institute Courses Overview

For a highly-rated and well-established truck driving school, consider one of 5th Wheel’s truck driving training programs. 5th Wheel Training Institute takes pride in providing motivated individuals with the tools and education they need to succeed in the field.

AZ – 200 hour

The AZ – 200 hour program teaches students the laws and regulations governing the trucking industry and the responsibilities of a truck driver. They will also be prepared to pass the Ministry of Transportation’s Class A Road Test and Air Brake Endorsement (Z). The class lasts for six weeks for a total of 200 hours and will prepare drivers for roles in many fields, including landscaping, pipeline, and demolition.

AZ

The AZ program teaches students the laws and regulations that impact a truck driver’s daily activities and operating practices. They will also be prepared to pass the Ministry of Transportation’s Class A Road Test and Air Brake Endorsement (Z). This program meets the MTO’s Class A Mandatory Entry-Level Training Standards (MELT). The class lasts for 4 weeks for a total of 150 hours and will prepare drivers for roles in many fields, including delivery, landfills, and road construction.

DZ and Mechanic’s Assistant

The DZ and Mechanic’s Assistant program teaches students how to maintain equipment, diagnose malfunctions and perform minor repairs. They will also earn all necessary wallet card certifications. The class lasts for 10 weeks for a total of 380 hours and will prepare drivers for roles in many fields, including refineries, energy services, and private contractors.

DZ

The DZ program teaches students the laws and regulations governing the trucking industry and the role and responsibilities of a truck driver with lighter weight restrictions. They will also be prepared to pass the Ministry of Transportation Road Test and the Air Brake Endorsement (Z). The class lasts for 3 weeks for a total of 102 hours and will prepare drivers for roles in many fields, including fire departments, recycling, and transportation.

Truck Driving and Heavy Equipment Combination Courses

5th Wheel Training Institute also offers truck driving courses combined with heavy equipment certification. This means that in a similar amount of time you can greatly expand your career horizon and increase your value to potential employers.

DZ and Heavy Equipment Certification: 8-piece

The DZ and Heavy Equipment Certification: 8-piece program helps students obtain the Class DZ driver’s license and learn the skills, knowledge and safe work practices to operate heavy equipment. Graduates will have the flexibility to operate equipment and become a professional truck driver. The class lasts for 6 weeks for a total of 232 hours and will prepare drivers for roles in many fields, including underground mining, airport operations, and restoration.

AZ – 200 hour and Heavy Equipment Operator: 7-piece

The AZ – 200 hour and Heavy Equipment Operator: 7-piece program helps students obtain the Class AZ driver’s license and learn the skills, knowledge and safe work practices to operate heavy equipment. Graduates will have the flexibility to operate equipment and become a professional truck driver. The class lasts for 12 weeks for a total of 480 hours and will prepare drivers for roles in many fields, including refineries, road construction, and oil pipelines.

AZ – 200 hour and Heavy Equipment Operator: 6-piece

The AZ – 200 hour and Heavy Equipment Operator: 6-piece program helps students obtain the Class AZ driver’s license and learn the skills, knowledge and safe work practices to operate heavy equipment. Graduates will have the flexibility to operate equipment and become a professional truck driver. The class lasts for 10 weeks for a total of 400 hours and will prepare drivers for roles in many fields, including landscaping, forestry, and private contractors.

AZ – 200 hour and Heavy Equipment Certification: 4-piece

The AZ – 200 hour and Heavy Equipment Certification: 4-piece program helps students obtain the Class AZ driver’s license and learn the skills, knowledge and safe work practices to operate heavy equipment. Graduates will have the flexibility to operate equipment and become a professional truck driver. The class lasts for 10 weeks for a total of 400 hours and will prepare drivers for roles in many fields, including recycling, drilling services, and agriculture.

AZ – 200 hour and Backhoe-loader

The AZ – 200 hour and Backhoe-loader program helps students obtain the Class AZ driver’s license and learn the skills, knowledge and safe work practices to operate a backhoe-loader. Graduates will have the flexibility to operate equipment and become a professional truck driver. The class lasts for 7 weeks for a total of 305 hours and will prepare drivers for roles in many fields, including airport operations, energy services, and transportation.

AZ – 200 hour and Bulldozer

The AZ – 200 hour and Bulldozer program helps students obtain the Class AZ driver’s license and learn the skills, knowledge and safe work practices to operate a bulldozer. Graduates will have the flexibility to operate equipment and become a professional truck driver. The class lasts for 7 weeks for a total of 280 hours and will prepare drivers for roles in many fields, including landscaping, paving, and quarries.

AZ – 200 hour and Excavator

The AZ – 200 hour and Excavator program helps students obtain the Class AZ driver’s license and learn the skills, knowledge and safe work practices to operate an excavator. Graduates will have the flexibility to operate equipment and become a professional truck driver. The class lasts for 7 weeks for a total of 280 hours and will prepare drivers for roles in many fields, including drilling services, demolition, and transportation.

AZ – 200 hour and Grader

The AZ – 200 hour and Grader program helps students obtain the Class AZ driver’s license and learn the skills, knowledge and safe work practices to operate a grader. Graduates will have the flexibility to operate equipment and become a professional truck driver. The class lasts for 7 weeks for a total of 280 hours and will prepare drivers for roles in many fields, including landscaping, paving, and quarries.

How Long Does Truck Driving School Take?

A typical truck driving training program will take anywhere from three to six weeks to complete. These kinds of programs usually have a fixed amount of hours that their students need to complete before the end of the course which determines how long it will take to graduate.

Classroom time typically only accounts for 30%-40% of the time you spend taking the course—the rest involves more hands-on training. If you would prefer to go the college route, many schools offer part-time truck driving programs that last longer than non-college alternatives.

Which kind of school you choose ultimately depends on your personal needs and goals. If you’re looking for the best education possible, then attending a college program will make sure you’re all set. However, if you’re more concerned with affordability and speed, independent training programs will be better suited for you. Whether you plan to continue working during the duration of your training will also determine which route you are able to take.

How Much Does Truck Driving School Cost?

Because the duration of these programs is shorter than a traditional education, most will require that you pay for the entire course upfront rather than per semester or year. The tuition of a truck driving school will fall somewhere between $3,000 and $6,000.

It may seem like a big investment up front, but compared to other types of education, it’s actually a pretty sweet deal. On top of being much faster and cheaper than most college degrees, landing a truck driving job will give you the ability to earn back that money in a matter of months, sometimes even weeks.

Paying for Truck Driving School

While a truck driving training program is much more affordable than most college plans, it’s likely still a lofty price for many prospective drivers. Don’t let the price tag discourage you too much. There are a few ways to ease the cost of an education that will help you get your career started.

Financial Assistance

If you are unemployed then there may well be grants available to you for retraining. Employment agencies are put in place to help people get back on their feet and since getting an education is a great way to do that, they’ll likely be willing to help with your situation.

Banks are another source of funding, many people don’t realize that vocational training like truck driver and heavy equipment operator training are eligible for student loans and the use of Registered Education Savings Plans for financing.

Some truck driving schools partner with credit and loan providers to help students with financing. Loans—so long as they’re paid back on time—can be a great way to meet short-term financial goals and build up your credit score. Having a good credit score will increase your chances of being hired and help you secure the lowest interest rates available. Since trucking offers a relatively quick payout, you won’t be held down by the loan for very long.

Lastly, while a little less common, some trucking companies offer tuition reimbursement once you’ve been hired. Because the trucking industry is in high demand, some companies are willing to offer financial aid to potential drivers that prove their commitment through an education. Just make sure to read the fine print.

Research

If you do need assistance with paying for trucking school, the best thing to do is to make a list of all potential employers and schools, read through their requirements and see if they have any financial support systems in place. Compare them thoroughly before making a final decision so that you get the best deal possible.

Setting A Plan for Your Truck Driving Career

“Without a goal, you can’t score.” The best way to set yourself up for success in your truck driving career is to make a solid plan before jumping in. Getting everything organized—from finding the school you plan to attend to the type of driving you want to do—will help you know which steps to take and when to take them.

It’s also important to be open-minded about your pursuit into the world of trucking. You won’t know everything there is to know about the field until getting your foot in the door. Talk to other drivers and students, don’t be afraid to ask questions, and keep your eyes on the prize.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you’ve had any questions about starting a career in truck driving answered! While it may seem like a lot to take in, the process is actually pretty simple:

Find a trucking company you’d like to work for
See what the requirements are and if they offer any financial assistance
Find a truck driving training school that meets those requirements and see if they have any financial assistance options as well
Make a rough outline for your career in truck driving, including any money you need to invest in tuition
Be open-minded about changing that plan as you learn the inner workings of the industry

As a final piece of advice, one of the best things you can do for yourself in this field is to speak with seasoned drivers. Experienced drivers will be able to offer you a wealth of information about the different roles in the industry, how to work your way up, which companies you should and shouldn’t work for, and how to get the most out of your job.

A good way to meet experienced drivers is to hang around popular truck stops. If you see a driver with a flatbed that you like, don’t be afraid to ask them for advice! Trucking is a fairly solitary job, so they’re likely to welcome conversation.

If you’ve thought over the pros and cons, considered the different roles in the industry, and feel sure that this is a career for you, consider 5th Wheel’s very own truck driving training program. 5th Wheel Training Institute takes pride in providing motivated individuals with the tools and education they need to succeed.

Links:

Truck Driver Training – Ultimate Guide