TRUCK DRIVERS, HEAVY California Occupational Guide Number 255 Interest Area 5-C 1997
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.
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