Commercial Driver

Being a commercial driver really doesn't require a lot of physical work. Which is why I became one. That and the fact that there isn't a lot of qualifications that you have to possess. If you know how to read English and is able to keep from flipping the bird to drivers who seem to have lost all driving ability, then you're well on your way to becoming a world class commercial driver. I personally have a class B commercial driver license, which would be a second level commercial driver license. Class A, being the first. It's very elementary, can you guess what would be third? If you guessed class C, you have moved up to the head of the class.

A class A commercial driver license means that you can pretty much drive anything on the road. Now don't get the classes mixed up with the endorsements (which I will go over in the next article) you can have endorsements with almost all of the classes (almost being the key word). A class B commercial driver license lets you drive vehicles with air brakes. Most large vehicles that carry passengers have air brakes, like buses, but there are some trucks that you can drive as well.

But before you get into all of the technical aspects about commercial driving, ask yourself if this is something that you want to do. There are some very good reasons for becoming a commercial driver.

1. If you move out of state, your commercial driver license goes with you. You don't lose your class or endorsements. When you transfer your license over you may have to take some tests or answer a few questions depending on that state bureau of motor vehicle laws, but the inconvenience is minimal compared to having to get your commercial driver license' all over again. And less expensive.

2. You can almost always find a job. It's not guaranteed that you will get a job especially if you have speeding tickets and D U I's. That might make it a little difficult for you but all in all, someone or something has to go somewhere and if it can't get there by plane, train, or automobile then there's a need for a commercial driver.

3. Good first job, great second job. What other job can you get that doesn't require a high school diploma? (Although most companies require that you at least have a General Education Diploma). Driving requires minimal physical activity (but if you don't work out at least a couple of times a week, you will develop what I call the "Bus Driver Booty", that's when you discover that your booty is as big as the seat it's in).

There are commercial drivers all over the roads 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The best way that I have found to obtain the training needed to get your commercial driver license' is to work for a company that will train you. Going this route is a lot cheaper, you get on the job training, and you get paid while learning. I have found that bus transportation companies do a lot of their own training. Like public transportation, school districts, and motor coach companies.

You will have to interact with people at some level and you will have to do paperwork at some level. But if you need a job and you don't have the time, energy or resources to go back to school but you want to make more than minimum wage then maybe driving is for you.

Information provided by Ms. Reese which she has obtained from being a class B commercial bus driver.