Truck driving school consists of a rigorous program that teaches qualified applicants how to operate and maneuver large “Big Rigs” on the open road through cities, highways, and severe traffic conditions. Depending on certain state regulations most programs require 40 hours of basic tractor/trailer classroom training and 120 hours of field training before receiving a certified diploma.
Upon attending truck-driving school, students have the option to select from one of three programs were graduates will receive either a Class A Commercial Drivers License, Class B Commercial Drivers License, or a Forklift Certification License. Each license corresponds to a particular truck that the student desires to operate when he/she graduates. Classes are issued to drivers depending on the type and weight of a vehicle.
1. Class A
An individual may drive any combination of vehicles under Class B and Class C and may tow any single vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of more than 10,000 lbs.
2. Class B
An individual may drive a single vehicle with a BVWR of more than 26,000 lbs, a 3-axle vehicle weighing over 6,000 lbs, a bus with endorsement, and any farm labor vehicle. However, he/she may only tow a vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or less.
3. Forklift Certification
An individual may operate and inspect any type forklift including:
- High lift trucks
- Counterbalanced trucks
- Cantilevered trucks
- Rider trucks
- Forklift trucks
- High lift Platform trucks
- Low lift trucks
- Low lift platform trucks
- Motorized hand trucks
- Pallet trucks
- Narrow aisle rider trucks
- Straddle trucks
- Reach rider trucks
- Single side loader trucks
- High lift order picker rider trucks
- Motorized hand/rider trucks
- Rough terrain trucks
There are currently 3.5 million truck drivers in the United States, with total industry employment at over 8.7 million. This implies that one out of every 15 people working in the United States is employed in the trucking industry. Most truck driving schools have a full-time placement professional that assists students with their job search upon graduation.
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