How To Become A Truck Driver In The U.S
For many immigrants in the United States, there is a common goal of working hard, saving money, and then one day owning a business. There are many ways to go about achieving this goal, but for many immigrants, the most direct route to achieving this goal is to first get a job as a truck driver.
In today’s 21st century, the job of truck driving can be very rewarding because it offers an opportunity to work hard and earn a lot of money. In fact, it allows you to travel and experience different parts of the country you might not have otherwise experienced. So, this article explains everything you should know about becoming a truck driver.
Becoming a Truck Driver as An Immigrant
Becoming a truck driver is a great way for immigrants to start a new life in the United States. There are many companies that are willing to hire immigrants with the proper credentials. But before that, you need to understand the process. Below are the things you need to know before becoming a truck driver in the United States.
Get a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
In order to drive a truck in the United States, you must have a CDL. This can be obtained by taking a class A, B, or C driving test at your local DMV. The test will vary depending on which state you are in, but generally, you will need to show that you can safely operate a truck and have a clean driving record.
Find a Trucking Company to Sponsor Your Visa
Once you have your CDL, you will need to find a trucking company that is willing to sponsor your visa. There are many trucking companies that are looking for drivers and are willing to help with the visa process.
Apply for a Visa
There are two main types of visas that you can apply for as an immigrant truck driver: an H-2B visa or an H-2A visa. The H-2B visa is for temporary work, while the H-2A visa is for permanent work. If you are only looking to drive for a short period of time, then you will want to apply for an H-2B visa. However, if you are looking to make truck driving your career, then you will want to apply for an H-2A visa.
Go Through the Application Process
The application process for both visas is similar and can be found on the US Citizenship and Immigration Services website. For the H-2B visa, you will need to fill out an I-129 form and submit it along with your application fee. For the H-2A visa, you will need to fill out an I-140 form and submit it along with your application fee.
Attend an Interview
After your application has been reviewed, you will be contacted for an interview. This is where you will need to show that you meet all of the requirements for the position and that you are eligible for the visa.
Pass a Medical Exam
Before you can be approved for either visa, you will need to pass a medical exam. This exam will ensure that you are healthy enough to drive a truck and that you do not have any conditions that would make driving unsafe for yourself or others on the road.
Understand the Truck Driving Requirements
Truck drivers need to meet certain requirements in order to drive a truck. First of all, you should check with your country’s consulate to find out what the requirements are for your country. In some cases, you may need a passport, visa and social security number. In other cases, you may only need a visa or passport.
Get Training if Necessary
Whether you are new to the United States or new to driving trucks, it is important that you get some training before starting to work as a truck driver. Most companies will provide training when you start working for them.
However, there are some companies that will not provide training for their entry-level positions. This way, you may need to find an outside source of training if this is the case with the company that hires you.
Having a Good Trucking Record
Getting a good trucking record is the first step to becoming a truck driver in the U.S. as an immigrant. And of course, to become a truck driver, you need to meet certain requirements. For instance, you may need to have a valid license, pass a background check and complete a health and safety course.
More so, you also need to be at least 21 years old to drive interstate and at least 18 years old to drive intrastate. If you’re an immigrant, however, you’ll need to wait until you’ve been granted permanent residency before you can apply for your commercial driver’s license (CDL) and start driving professionally.
Conclusion
In the United States, a truck driver is someone who operates a large motor vehicle designed to transport cargo. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that there were millions of commercial truck drivers in the U.S. as of May 2022. So, would you love to consider this as a profession? Refer to the information above for more!
