Top 5 Questions New Drivers Ask (& Their Answers)

Since our founding, TSI has been committed to helping recruit and train individuals interested in becoming truck drivers. No matter your reasons for choosing to become a truck driver, we know that you have a lot of questions because starting any new job can bring some anxiety.

Through our years helping new drivers transition into their careers, or determine if a career in trucking is even the right move, we’ve had to answer these five questions most often:

1. Can I Be a Truck Driver If I Take Medication?

Yes, but with some caveats.

Your physician or psychiatrist can prescribe non-Scheduled I medications that do not interfere with your ability to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle. Before starting your new job, you will need to consult your healthcare provider and discuss whether the medications you’re currently taking will become a problem.

If you get the green light, always carry your documentation and prescription bottle, including the pharmacy’s label and refill date.

Understanding Schedule I Substances

A Schedule I controlled substance is commonly referred to as a narcotic. This class of drugs generally impedes an individual’s cognitive and motor skills. Schedule I medications can have an effect similar to alcohol. Although legally acquired to treat conditions, truckers may not be able to properly operate a large commercial motor vehicle at the level required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Operating a big rig while a Schedule I controlled substance is in your system puts others at risk. It’s also essential for a new truck driver to understand that marijuana is not federally legal. Just as you cannot drive drunk, you cannot drive high or impaired.

2. Where Do I Find Training?

There are truck driver training schools in every state. That being said, it’s important to enroll in an accredited organization that is staffed by experienced professionals. When deciding where to enroll, consider:

• Is the organization accredited?
• What is the student-to-instructor ratio?
• How much experience do the instructors possess?
• Does the school have modern equipment?
• Does the truck driver school help students find employment after they pass the CDL test?

Keep in mind that once you have obtained your CDL, a reputable employer will likely require you to undergo supervised training.

3. Do I Have to Do OTR As a New Truck Driver?

No.

Once you’ve passed all the required tests, you can apply your CDL to a variety of jobs. The current truck driver shortage hovers around 80,000 in the U.S.; that figure is expected to skyrocket over the next five years. With so many unfilled trucking positions, CDL holders are in the driver’s seat in terms of employment prospects.

There are plenty of local and regional freight hauling routes. These include working for supermarkets, big box chain stores, logging companies, intermodal operations, and more. It’s also feasible for a new truck driver to secure a construction sector job. For instance, driving a cement mixer, dump truck, and other heavy equipment normally requires a CDL. The same holds true for working with the transit authority. While you don’t necessarily have to do over-the-road work, the pay for OTR drivers ranks among the highest.

4. Are There Health Qualifications?

Yes.

A new truck driver will need to pass a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) physical.

The DOT requires a minimum of 20/40 vision in each eye, with or without glasses or contact lenses. If you need corrective lenses, it will be noted on your driver’s license. A new truck driver must also have at least 70 degrees of horizontal field vision and can recognize red, green, and amber traffic signals.

Other health requirements include:

• The ability to hear a whisper in their better ear from five feet away. Hearing aids can be used.
• Blood pressure under 140/90, with or without medication.
• Cannot have epilepsy or diabetes that requires insulin shots.
• No conditions that may interfere with driving.

If a new truck driver has a condition that can be effectively treated to not inhibit the ability to operate a large commercial motor vehicle, the DOT can issue a waiver at its discretion. Waivers are decided on a case-by-case basis.

5. What Advice Would You Give to a New Driver?

• Don’t Give Up: “Early leaving” is common in the trucking industry. Sometimes, people quit their positions out of frustration. If you are a new truck driver, try not to let the learning curve overwhelm you. Earning a CDL means you possess the skills and decision-making ability to operate a large commercial motor vehicle. As you perform your duties, real-life situations will present themselves. Apply the concepts and practical knowledge you learned in your training, and always put safety first.
• Sign Up for Mentored Training: We recommend signing on with a company that offers mentored training because you’ll get real on-the-road experience with a certified truck driver, who can also answer any additional questions you have during your training.

Other tips that can help you ease into your new career as a truck driver include:

• Always pack healthy meals and nutritious snacks—you never know when you’re going to hit a food desert.
• Take time to walk and exercise during off-hours.
• Get a restful night’s sleep.
• Stay properly hydrated.
• Carry clothing for changing weather and temperatures.

Start Your Career at TSI

TSI offers a six-week, paid training program that prepares every new driver for a lucrative career in the freight hauling industry. We pair people with experienced truckers to bridge the gap between in-school training and the hands-on differences you’ll encounter. Contact us today to learn more about our program or visit our website to sign up.