Last Updated on May 10, 2024 by Alaina Bullock
When most people think of truck drivers, they think of the long hours and distances they typically have. This can be intimidating for a parent learning that their child wants to embark on a trucking career.
As worrying as a trucking career can be at first, they are incredibly common roles that can offer some ideal benefits. However, it is good to educate and familiarize yourself with the role so you can provide support and logic to your child when necessary. With time and research, you both can become a united front to do what is best for them.
Familiarize Yourself With the Role
If you want to support to a child who wants to become a truck driver, the best weapon you can equip is the power of knowledge! Even if you’re apprehensive about this career choice, doing homework can help provide the right argument you’re trying to convey. You may even realize that your concern can be eased.
The Pros of Truck Driving
Truck driving may be challenging, but there are lucrative rewards for doing so. Compared to other careers that do not require formal secondary education, truck driving pays quite a lot. It can even earn $100,000 annually for some roles.
Trucking also provides valuable skills such as discipline, instruction following, meeting quick deadlines, and navigation. These skills translate well to other fields.
There is upward mobility in the role too, as experience can lead to management roles and possibly business ownership. While your child may be just starting, these goals are within reach.
The Drawbacks of Trucking
As you may have guessed already, there are some cons to a trucking career that can be pretty significant.
Long Hours
The hours can be long and distances can be quite far, depending on the role. Local truck drivers do exist, but the hours can still be quite demanding. Time spent away from family can increase significantly, especially with nighttime and holiday driving.
Driving Hazards
Driving a truck can also be quite dangerous. Your child will be highly trained to operate commercial vehicles, but large vehicles can be cumbersome in tight streets and during long hours. Other drivers can also drive recklessly around large vehicles such as trucks.
Types of accidents are more common in some areas than others. In Florida, heavy rains can contribute to accidents from low visibility and hydroplaning. Tight corners, large highways, and heavy traffic often contribute to speeding accidents in California. Urban areas like Chicago or New York City tend to see many collisions due to congestion. Even less populated states like Alabama or Tennessee have problems with congested areas, with 22% of truck accidents in Rutherford County happening at intersections in 2023.
Will Your Child Receive Training?
Of course! No truck driver can obtain commercial driving work without a commercial vehicle license. This requires various skills testing, driving tests, and inspection testing. It also requires clean driving records and licensed support. Optional driving classes can be beneficial for those who need more practice. They will be trained in various emergency scenarios and accident prevention, including defensive driving.
The Trucking Schedule
The schedule you can expect from a trucker will vary depending on the type of role. Long-distance truckers work long hours far away from home, driving all night if necessary with breaks only for sleep. Local drivers won’t be as far, but the hours are long to make all required deliveries on schedule. Holidays and evenings commonly require work, but this is highly dependent on the company and specific role.
Provide Support
Whether you’re excited or apprehensive about your child’s decision to take on a trucking career, it’s important to be supportive. Your child relies on you for strength, wisdom, and approval; if you’re unsupportive it may hurt your relationship or your child’s chances for success. Showing support can also keep your voice heard in important matters.
Research Classes
If you’re worried about your child having the right skills and safety for the job, you can do research on classes near your location to help hone their craft. It looks great on a resume, and it can give you piece of mind that your child has had every bit of training available to help avoid accidents and other issues. These classes typically aren’t very costly, either.
Keep in Contact
A great way of showing support and keeping your child safe is to keep reasonable contact. Have your child check in via text or call every once in a while on the road when they can. Just remember, these roles typically require lots of busy work, so they won’t be available too often for check-ins. However, just knowing they have your support can make all the difference when starting a new career.
Conclusion
Many parents may be apprehensive when their child expresses interest in a truck driving career due to long hours and road hazards. However, there is plenty of training available and commercial driving requires many skills tests and a license. Showing support can keep your voice heard, and can make all the difference in your child’s career. Doing research on the career and training required can put your mind at ease as well.