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March 18, 2021

Long Haul Trucking

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Long Haul Trucking is when a trucker is driving for so long that they have no choice but to spend the night away from their home. When this happens, they can either spend the night at a motel, sleep in the back of the truck, or find another place to sleep. 


Long haul truck drivers drive from state to state and sometimes even to the end of the country. This can take as long as a couple of days to weeks or even longer. If a truck driver plans to drive for longer than a couple of weeks, it’s common that they will have another driver with them to get the supplies to their destination faster.


If you are going to be a long haul truck driver, you need to know about truck driving and cargo handling laws for each state you are planning to pass. You will also need to commit to being on the roads for long hours and work around that in your lifestyle as well. 


What are the educational requirements for a Long Haul Trucker?

There are several different requirements that you need to be a long haul truck driver. The U.S Department of Transportation set these requirements. To be one of these types of truckers, you need to be at least twenty-one years old and have normal blood pressure. You also must pass all physical examinations and have a 20/40 vision. This means with or without your glasses, whichever you prefer. You must also have good hearing to work on this job. 


You will also need to take all road tests about the type of truck you plan to drive, and you must pass all written tests as well. The state also requires you to have a state-issued commercial driving license. Some companies have a lot more requirements than those required by law. Some of these include having over two years of experience in long haul trucking and being at least 25 years of age. You will also find that you may be required to have at least two years of high school or even a high school diploma before you start. Talk to the company you intend to work for to know if this is a requirement for you. 


If you are lucky, you may find that your company might be willing to pay for your education in truck driving, as long as you have signed a commitment contract and promise to stay with them for a certain number of years.

Short Haul vs. Long Haul Trucking

Truck Driving jobs are everywhere, and it is a very popular job nowadays. And it’s mainly because of the significant need for drivers around the United States. Some of the leading trucking jobs involve short-haul trucking and long haul trucking. Even though they don’t have specific definitions for this type of trucking, Short Haul trucking usually involves driving within a 150 miles radius, and Long Haul drivers typically have a driving radius of 250 miles or sometimes even more. 

Long Haul trucking involves staying on the roads for multiple days at a time and sometimes even months. It also means that you will usually only be home with your family during the weekends because you are often spending most of your time on the roads. It’s a big sacrifice for a trucker to make, but the pay is really good and usually means that they can support their family financially without any problems with bills. 


Short Haul trucking, however, usually means you can be home with your family even at night. Sometimes you may be gone one or two nights in the week, but most of the time, you get to go home to your family at the end of your long day.


Thank you for reading this article. If you are interested in working for a trucking company with your best interest at heart C.T.C Trucking is the place for you. We do our best to give you time with your family and happiness in your workspace. To apply for a job you can call us at (801) 461-9746 or contact us online.