If you enjoy traveling to new places and love to explore the vast network of highways, then truck driving could be just the career for you. Truck driving is one of the most growth-oriented careers in America, because of the rapidly growing use of trucks to transport perishable and non-perishable goods. Favorable job opportunities and good remuneration has increased the popularity of truck driving as a profession. However, before you make driving a career choice, take a close look at the training and safety guidelines.

To become a truck driver, you need to pass the CDL exam. Truck drivers may get a CDL class A, B, or C license depending on the type of cargo and towing capacity of the trucks, which they will be driving. Public and private driving schools offer training programs for CDL. High school level truck driving and automotive mechanics courses are also a good means of getting CDL training. However there are some general prerequisites before you opt for a full-fledged CDL training to drive a truck. The federal government has formulated these training guidelines.

The guidelines require an individual to be over 18 years for intrastate truck driving and over 21 years for interstate truck driving. Possession of a clean valid drivers license and the ability to converse, read and write in fluent English is mandatory. It is also required to clear the physical exam conducted by the Department of Physical Examination, and comprises of eye checking, and other critical medical conditions that may affect driving. It is important to pass the drug-screening test and to remain drug free throughout the tenure of truck driving employment. It is critical to maintain a clean driving history, as the training schools for CDL often perform background checks to ensure safe and responsible truck drivers on the roadways. The federal government requires that drivers be medically fit before they go in for the CDL exam.

When you are through with these prerequisites, the CDL training is the next step to build your career as a truck driver. It is advisable to enroll for the CDL training from a certified institute by the PDTI (Professional Truck Driver Institute), as this NGO ensures that training standards meet industry norms and federal government regulations. Drivers learn to handle trucks and maneuver them on highway traffic and through crowded streets. Driving under different conditions, handling turns, parking and backing, gear shifting, and serpentine turns are all the techniques that drivers master and refine.

Apart from practical driving skills, it is critical to learn training on safety guidelines complying with individual and national state norms. These are helpful to avoid potential risks. Before driving, you learn to inspect the truck's engine, oils, fuel tank leakages, windshields, brakes and so on. Make sure that you comply with the federal government norms of 11 hours continuous driving and 8 hour breaks between shifts. When you reach stops, especially after a long drive, walk around or lie down if possible as this improves your blood circulation. Adjust the seat and steering wheel to get into a comfortable position to prevent cramps. Use machinery to load and unload goods from the truck. Be alert, when fatigue sets in and take a timely break to avoid excess exertion. Drive slowly to prevent rash accidents due to speeding, and maintain optimum distance from other vehicles.

Keep all these guidelines in mind and then embark on the journey towards your successful truck-driving career.