The trucking industry is responsible for transportation of raw materials and finished products. It is an important and essential branch of any economy. Their job is transportation and distribution of industrial goods as well as commercial goods. The goods are transported with the help of commercial motor vehicles and trucks like box trucks and dump trucks are used.

Operators of these vehicles are called truckers. In order to be eligible for this career, one must be at least 21 years of age in order to be permitted to drive commercially from state to state. Also, the Department of Transportation mandates that drivers pass a physical test, as well as a drug and alcohol test.

To obtain this commercial license, a candidate trucker must take both a written and driving exam to demonstrate the following: ability to read and follow traffic signs and signals; ability to complete Department of Transportation forms; comprehension of rules and regulations pertaining to the safety of commercial truck operation.

There are a set of rules that regulate the amount of time a trucker may spend behind the wheel. aHours of Servicea requires drivers to have rest periods to prevent accidents due to exhaustion. A truck operator is permitted to drive for 11 hours, and then is required to rest for a period not less than ten hours. It is mandated that all commercial drivers keep records in a log book where the day is broken into 15 minute segment, and make entries for how they spent their time that day.

Compensation for truckers varies from specific job to job, and increases with experience. An entry level driver can usually expect to make $30,000 a year, quickly increasing to $50,000 to $60,000 a year with only a couple of years of experience. As in any industry, different companies offer varying wages based upon driving record, recommendations, type of truck, and difficulty of job. Some companies offer full benefits or bonuses.

Right now this industry is in great need of new drivers. Companies have branched out in their search, and have begun recruiting new groups of people: women, retired military personnel, and those in search of a second career. They are using new ideas and techniques to attract new drivers. One can find many job listings on the web.

To hire more truck drivers some companies have started allowing the driveras spouse or pet for the ride. Middle aged husband and wife teams are getting popular as teaming up eases the grind of long haul and reduces the time away from home. This is working out well for the companies as well as the drivers.

Trucking industry is a vital part of any economy. Any restriction on truck travel will have serious implications on the economy like decrease in availability of medicines, food, vegetables, consumer goods, fuel, cash from ATMas, waste disposal and raw materials for manufacturing companies.

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