The German Car Blog

Can You Break Free from the Mundane by Becoming a Truck Driver?

12 July 2019 by Yvonne Carter

Do you like to take responsibility for your own actions and work well under pressure? If you're looking for a change in career then this is an important question to ask yourself. You're looking for something more challenging, but also something diverse and so long as you can cope with the additional demands, then you may be cut out for a career as a truck driver. What do you need to know about this type of position?

Challenging Times

If you want variety and quite a lot more pressure, truck driving is worthy of consideration. You will have a degree of independence when you are on the road, but you will also have a greater responsibility because you are driving a very large and potentially dangerous vehicle. You may also have cargo on board that's worth a lot of money, and you will need to answer to your boss who will, in turn, have to answer to the paying client. The buck stops with you when you are on the road somewhere, in the middle of the night, and you come across a problem.

Down to Detail

You've also got to be happy around paperwork as you will need to account for your load when it is in your possession. You will need to complete your driving logbook as well to make sure that you are always road legal and must be able to keep track of receipts for your end of month accounting.

Fit and Ready

If you like to look after yourself and exercise daily, then you can tick another box. You certainly don't need to be Arnold Schwarzenegger to drive a truck, but this job can be mentally tough and quite physically demanding. Depending on your job description, you may also be required to load or unload your vehicle and some of these products could be quite heavy.

The Road Ahead

So if truck driving is for you, the next step is to get that licence.

The process does differ depending on your location, but generally, for a light rigid, you need to have had an ordinary licence for at least a year. If you aspire to drive a larger or more complex vehicle, then you will have to step up or have held a car licence for longer.

Once you have learned the technique, you will need to apply in person for ID and sight tests. You will then need to pass a theoretical and practical test. For the latter test you will need to provide both the vehicle and an accredited instructor, so plan (and budget) accordingly. Look for a place to get a truck licence near you if you think you'd make a good truck driver. 

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