Is truck driving a good career? 6 pros and cons to consider

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Right now is the best time to start a truck driving career. Due to the huge amount of freight that needs to be hauled, truck drivers are more in demand than ever. This is creating a lot of stable, high-quality opportunities for trucking job seekers.

Before you invest your time and money in a Class A CDL training program, we suggest taking time to decide if truck driving is right for you. Continue reading to weigh the pros and cons for truck drivers to help you decide, 'is truck driving a good career for me?'

Pros and cons of truck driving

1. Having an independent work environment.

Pros:

One of the biggest differences between a trucking job and an office or factory job is the ability to be more independent in your work. Though you still report to leaders and get assigned to loads, there is less of that feeling of a boss looking over your shoulder and telling you what to do.

Cons:

When you are 1,500 miles away from home, hauling a load that is worth half a million dollars all by yourself, your job can feel overwhelming.

Solutions to the cons:

Most trucking companies, like Schneider, have a 24/7 support network that is just a phone call away. These support associates help company drivers solve whatever problems they’re facing in the moment.

Otherwise, a team driving job could be the perfect solution if you would prefer having a partner out on the road with you.

2. Seeing the country.

Pros:

Many people dream of traveling, but they lack either the time or money to do so. With truck driving, you get to see the country while getting paid to haul freight.

Cons:

Traveling across the country means spending less time at home, which is one of the biggest disadvantages of being a truck driver for a lot of people. If you’re a homebody or have a family, being away so much could be difficult.

Solutions to the cons:

Luckily, many trucking companies provide a huge variety of home time options for drivers to pick from. So, if you want to get home every day or every week, you should be able to find a company that offers an opportunity.

3. Living the truck driver lifestyle.

Pros:

Living out of a semi-truck can be a nice change of pace, as you have the mobility and freedom to visit more new places along your route and see the country like you never have before. You can also use this time to take up new hobbies, establish a workout routine or listen to your favorite podcast.

Cons:

One of the toughest parts about being a long-haul truck driver is not having easy access to a kitchen. Often, this leads to drivers developing unhealthy and expensive eating habits, as they buy most meals from a restaurant or truck stop.

Solutions to the cons:

More new trucks are equipped with mini-fridges, meaning drivers can make meals at home to reheat or buy their food from stores to keep cold. Features like this are why choosing a company that provides new, high-quality equipment is so important.

Otherwise, there are many great electric cooler options for drivers who do not have a fridge.

4. Abiding by industry regulations.

Pros:

While trucking jobs offer independence, drivers still need to follow regulations and rules. Some regulations include:

• Hours of Service (HOS) rules.
• CDL classes.
• Drug screening.

While these regulations may feel like a nuisance, they are meant to keep you and the motoring public safe.

Cons:

If you do not follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, you could lose your CDL and current truck driving job.

Solutions to the cons:

Make sure you follow all regulations by doing pre-trip inspections, trip planning and properly filling out your electronic log. If you have any questions or concerns about not properly following regulations, you can always talk to your leader.

5. Receiving CDL training.

Pros:

CDL training typically doesn’t take long to complete – about three to five weeks at a truck driving school or about six weeks at a community college. These programs typically provide a mix of classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training.

Cons:

Going to school to get your CDL most likely won’t be free, so you will need to figure out how you will pay for it.

Solutions to the cons:

The good news is, there are a lot of ways to pay for truck driving school. Some companies, like Schneider, reimburse company drivers for truck driving school tuition.

If you are a veteran, the Military Apprenticeship Program may be able to cover the cost of schooling.

6. Doing the work drivers are responsible for.

Pros:

Many people love being behind the wheel all day and find great satisfaction in hauling freight that people use on a day-to-day basis. This pride makes truck driving worth it.

Cons:

Prospective drivers often ask, ‘Is being a truck driver hard?’ and the answer they get depends on who they’re asking.

Many experienced drivers might say stress is what makes the job hard. From dealing with other drivers to keeping track of your hours of service to making it to a customer on time, truck drivers have a lot to juggle.

Solutions to the cons:

Learning how to manage the stress that comes with the job is an important part of being a healthy truck driver. Every driver should figure out what their most effective stress reliever is. These can be:

• Taking up a hobby to enjoy while out on the road
• Finding ways to work out inside or outside the truck.
• Listening to your favorite podcast.

Deciding if a trucking career is right for you

Now that you have reviewed the various pros and cons of truck driving, you should have a better idea if truck driving would be a good career choice for you.

If you’re still not sure, we suggest talking to other professional truck drivers about why they joined the industry and what they enjoy most about it. You can even ask them, ‘Is being a truck driver worth it to you?’