OWNER OPERATOR JOB FACT:
"Fewer than 1 out of 10 truck drivers were self-employed. Of these, a significant number were Owner Operators who either served a variety of businesses independently or leased their services and trucks to a trucking company. Taking driver-training courses is a desirable method of preparing for truck drivers and Owner Operator jobs and for obtaining a commercial driver's license. High school courses in driver-training and automotive mechanics also may be helpful. Many private and public vocational-technical schools offer tractor-trailer driver training programs. Students learn to maneuver large vehicles on crowded streets and in highway traffic. They also learn to inspect trucks and freight for compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations. Some programs provide only a limited amount of actual driving experience, and completion of a program does not guarantee a job. Persons interested in attending a driving school should check with local trucking companies to make sure the school's training is acceptable.
Some States require prospective drivers to complete a training course in basic truck drivers and Owner Operators before being issued their CDL. In Maine, for example, prospective applicants must complete an 8-week course at a school certified by the Professional Truck Drivers Institute (PTDI). PTDI-certified schools provide training that meets Federal Highway Administration guidelines for training tractor-trailer drivers.
Truck drivers and Owner Operators must get along well with people because they often deal directly with customers. Employers seek driver/sales workers who speak well and have self-confidence, initiative, tact, and a neat appearance. Employers also look for responsible, self-motivated individuals able to work with little supervision.
Training given to new drivers by employers is usually informal, and may consist of only a few hours of instruction from an experienced driver, sometimes on the new employee's own time. New drivers may also ride with and observe experienced drivers before assignment of their own runs. Drivers receive additional training to drive special types of trucks or handle hazardous materials. Some companies give 1 to 2 days of classroom instruction covering general duties, the operation and loading of a truck, company policies, and the preparation of delivery forms and company records. Driver/sales workers also receive training on the various types of products they carry, so that they will be effective sales workers. " |
|
