The trucking and transportation industry has been a staple in the United States for generations. It’s a crucial part of our economy, equips us with the products we need, and keeps the gears of the country turning. And now, with the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically affecting the way we live our lives, the importance of truck drivers and the work they do for us is perhaps more vital than it’s ever been before.
Here are five of the (many) reasons the importance of truck drivers and the trucking industry at large deserves an extra round of applause during this difficult time:
Without truckers, we wouldn’t have access to many of the products and services we rely on, and, as a result, our economy would run the risk of collapsing in on itself.
2) Employing Millions of Americans
Not only is the trucking industry responsible for a significant chunk of our country’s economy—all of the online retailers we rely on wouldn’t be able to exist without truckers, after all—but it’s also an essential career path for millions of hardworking Americans from all walks of life.
According to a 2019 report from the U.S. Census Bureau, the trucking industry now provides more than 3.5 million people with trucker jobs. And that doesn’t even take into account the millions of other trucking jobs the trucking industry generates!
“The American trucker sits at a vital intersection in society,” Trucking.com says. “They are the critical link between the valued goods we produce and the demands of our most pressing needs.” The importance of truck drivers is impossible to overstate, especially when it comes to keeping the businesses we rely on—both local and otherwise—active and afloat.
5) Providing the Country with the Goods it Needs
With so many brick-and-mortar stores currently closed on account of COVID-19, truck drivers are playing a crucial role in keeping our homes stocked with the supplies they need. Even when the rest of the world is hunkering down, “factories and meat-packing plants are still running at full operation,” and there are so many supplies (food, toilet paper, etc.) that need to get to stores and consumers. “That means drivers, as always, are needed on the road.”
When we talk about trucking industry trends, we could mean the newest technologies that are improving trucking safety and efficiency, or we could be talking about the continued emphasis on truck driver health. However, in 2020, trucking industry trends have been focused on one major thing: operating in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As huge portions of the country shut down to help stop the spread of this virus, it’s fallen on the brave men and women in the trucking industry to help keep our economy running and our homes stocked with the supplies we need. Things are constantly changing, though, and there’s so much new information going around that it can be difficult to keep track of it all.
So, to help you keep track of how the trucking industry is responding to the COVID-19 outbreak, here are some of the most important and relevant developments:
An extension for any CDL medical certificate valid for 90 days or more that was due to expire on or after March 1
A 180-day extension for any hazardous materials endorsements that were set to expire between March 1st and July 31st
Regulatory Relief
Our country’s truckers occupy an essential role in getting the valuable goods and resources we need to the people who need them most. Without them, we’d be facing even more dramatic shortages of the kind of supplies we need as we shelter in place until the COVID crisis has passed.
Here at Lily Transportation, we’re so proud of our drivers and are honored to have them in the Lily family. The work they do every day is nothing less than essential to our country, we are grateful to be a part of it all.
The truck driving lifestyle is as unique as they come. Whether you’re driving solo, in a team, locally, regionally, or in an OTR role, your time behind the wheel will look a bit different on a day-to-day basis. However, the trucking industry is changing and has been for quite some time.
With new technology, increased demand, and more new truck drivers than ever, the trucking lifestyle is transforming. While the pillars of this age-old industry remain firm—adventure on the open road, camaraderie amongst drivers, competitive pay, unique schedule, and much more—new trucking industry trends have begun to take root.
But with our decades of experience, Lily Transportation is no stranger to change. While the industry around us evolves, as a privately held, professionally managed organization, our principles remain unchanged. Since our inception in 1958, Lily has provided its drivers and customers with stability, industry expertise, and a fierce commitment to the job at hand.
If you’re interested in learning how to become a truck driver or are curious about what a career in truck driving looks like, then you’ve come to the right place. The truck driving lifestyle is unlike any other, and Lily Transportation is proud to contribute to its ongoing evolution in as many ways as we can.
Table of Contents:
A “Driver First” Mentality
Promoting Truck Driver Health and Wellness
Making Safety a Top Priority
Embracing Modern Trucking Industry Trends
Hiring Younger, More Diverse Drivers
Adopting Trucking Technology
How to Become a Truck Driver with Lily Transportation
A “Driver First” Mentality
Every company’s success is based on mutual trust. At Lily Transportation, our drivers aren’t only our greatest asset; they’re family. Promoting the continued health, wellness, and success of our driver is essential to the positive company culture we’ve built for ourselves.
Whether it’s the highest quality equipment, competitive pay, or a diverse range of employee benefits, Lily Transportation is committed to making sure the truck driving lifestyle is productive and satisfying. Here are just a couple of the ways we do that:
Promoting Truck Driver Health and Wellness
Truck drivers are one of the foundational pillars of our country. Without them, the ever-growing e-commerce industry could collapse, and the way-of-life online shoppers across the world rely on could be a thing of the past. This is why, among countless other reasons, promoting the health and wellness of our drivers is so crucial to Lily Transportation.
To ensure our drivers are the best they can be, whenever we take on new truck drivers, we have them take a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical. While the DOT requires drivers to undergo a physical as part of their CDL-certification, we want to ensure that our drivers are healthy from the very beginning of their time with us.
Health and wellness isn’t a one-and-done affair, though. It’s an ongoing process. Which is why we offer all our drivers plenty of benefits to keep them at peak health. Some of these benefits include:
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical and Dental Insurance
Paid Holiday and Vacation Time
Matching 401K
Safety Bonuses
Health and Wellness Program
Cell Phone Allowance
24 Hours Dispatch
Staying healthy while spending the day behind the wheel of a truck may sound difficult, but it doesn’t have to be! With the right truck driver accessories (like a seat cushion, dashcam, or a GPS), some healthy snacks (pre-washed fruits and veggies, nuts, greek yogurt), and a regular exercise routine, you can create a truck driving lifestyle that’s both productive and healthy.
Making Safety a Top Priority
When you spend most of your day on the road and behind the wheel of a big rig, there are few things more important than truck driver safety. Which is why Lily Transportation prioritizes safety in everything we do. Whether we’re hiring new truck drivers, acquiring or maintaining equipment, or educating our existing staff, Lily promotes and adheres to an extensive list of “safety-first” principles.
Here are just a few of the ways Lily emphasizes the safety of its drivers:
Requiring each driver to be fully CDL-certified
Driver physicals
Drug and alcohol testing (as required by the DOT)
Requiring drivers to pass a road test before hiring
Maintaining a fleet of brand new or late model trucks—including Kenworth, Volvo, and Freightliner
A Driver Safety Program that rewards drivers with bonuses for their safe operating practices
And much more!
There isn’t a single, one-size-fits-all approach to truck driver safety. But Lily Transportation has a detailed list of standards and regulations to help keep our drivers, and everyone they share the road with, safe. For example, part of the truck driving lifestyle we promote involves walking our truck fleet daily, training drivers to identify potential hazards, and prioritizing the repair of any hazards they find.
Embracing Modern Trucking Industry Trends
The trucking and logistics industry has been a staple in our country since gasoline-powered internal combustion engines first entered the scene in the early 1900s. It’s no understatement to say that the industry has grown a lot since then. With more demand than ever before, the transportation industry has become indispensable to the way modern business is conducted.
Statista reported that “796.7 billion U.S. dollars in revenue was generated by the U.S. freight trucking industry” in 2018. For an industry as lucrative and necessary as this one, it’s not surprising that jobs in the trucking industry have become more accessible (and needed) than ever.
Companies across the country are eager to work with new truck drivers who can bring new perspectives and skillsets behind the wheel. To accomplish this, carriers are making an active effort to adopt modern trucking industry trends and ideals. Here are two of the many trends companies like Lily Transportation are adopting:
Hiring Younger, More Diverse Drivers
With a large percentage of the truck driving population rapidly approaching retirement, the trucking and transportation industries are actively looking for and excited about opportunities to recruit new truck drivers. And like every industry, trucking is also in need of new and more diverse perspectives if it hopes to continue to grow and evolve alongside demand.
In the past, many trucking jobs were occupied by men. Thankfully, this stereotype is no longer as widespread as it used to be. As companies like Lily actively pursue women truckers, the needle is beginning to move toward progress. But there’s still work to be done, as Women in Trucking (WIT) reported in 2017 that “women comprise over seven percent of female over-the-road drivers and 23 percent of management.”
Those percentages are low, but in that same report from WIT, it’s explained how there’s “been a 19 percent improvement in those companies tracking the percentage of female drivers and managers. This means that more companies are actually monitoring these figures and can benchmark with other carriers in the industry.”
Additionally, Lily Transportation offers a unique training program for military veterans who are interested in a truck driving career. Unlike most companies, however, our Veteran’s Program will not deplete your GI Bill; it’s fully paid for by Lily. And if you have experience driving heavy vehicles, you may be eligible for a military CDL waiver. These are just a few of the ways Lily, and the industry as a whole, is reaching out to new demographics.
Adopting Trucking Technology
Technology in logistics and trucking is one of the most recent and fastest-growing trucking industry trends. According to Sandeep Kar—an expert in heavy truck systems and technologies—the trucks of the future will be “connected to the world outside, and the world outside will be connected” to our trucks. What does this look like, though? How will the technologies usually associated with smartphones apply to the trucking industry?
The better question to ask is, how will these technologies not apply to the trucking industry? Not only are today’s trucks more connected to the outside world than ever, but NPR says that many of the newer models “have automatic transmissions and the type of safety features you might expect on a new car: cameras and computers that watch lanes, look out for obstacles and even hit the brakes automatically.”
And since Lily Transportation only uses brand new or late model trucks, our fleet is always equipped with many of the latest and most exciting technological developments. Our drivers are the backbone of our success, which is why we’re committed to providing them with the best equipment, support, technology, and training they need to succeed on (and off) the job.
How to Become a Truck Driver with Lily Transportation
A career in truck driving can be an exciting and lucrative path for anyone looking to experience something new. There’s an inherent sense of adventure in the truck driving lifestyle, and as the industry continues to grow and adapt to the world around it, the benefits of getting on-board just keep growing.
When you drive with Lily Transportation, you’re not only joining a team of passionate professionals who love what they do; you’re joining a family. We’re always looking for new truck drivers, and even offer training programs for veterans who are looking for new challenges and experiences.
Lily Transportation has been a staple of the transportation industry since it was first founded in 1958. We’re committed to our drivers and are continually looking for new and dynamic ways to make the truck driving lifestyle as fulfilling and productive as possible.
If you’re interested in hearing more about how this lifestyle can work for you, then get in touch with us today! We would love to answer any questions you may have and help you kickstart your truck driving career on the right foot.
Truck drivers spend most of their time on the job in the cab of their trucks. Whether they’re traveling cross-country or staying local, their cabs can become both a cockpit and an office of sorts. And as such, many truckers stock up on some truck driver accessories to keep themselves (and their trucks) in tip-top shape.
Truck Driver Comfort Items
With drivers spending so much time in their trucks, they should invest in a few truck driver accessories to help them stay comfortable and alert. With these truck driver comfort items, you can keep your mind and body relaxed and ready for every new day on the road.
Electric Blanket
Nights can get chilly on the open road. Regardless of whether you’re driving cross-country or not, keeping warm is essential. If you’re sleeping in your truck for the night on an OTR assignment, for example, then an electric blanket will keep you warm and comfy the whole night through.
Seat Cushion
Even the comfiest seats can start to feel stiff after enough time. Instead of settling for a less-than-comfortable seat, or buying an expensive replacement, treat yourself to a seat cushion. There are plenty of variations to choose from, so be picky and find a pillow that meets your needs and makes you as comfortable as possible.
Mini-Fridge
No matter where you’re driving, a mini-fridge is always going to be a worthwhile investment. Not only does it make it easy to bring leftovers from home, but it also allows you to keep your beverages cold in any weather.
Truck Driver Safety and Productivity Items
Professional truck drivers need to be alert and prepared for anything the open road can present them with. With these three trucker accessories, you can ensure that you’re always prioritizing your safety and productivity.
Cell Phone Mount
You should never be on your phone while behind the wheel, but if your phone is also used as your GPS, then you’ll need a way to keep it visible. There are many windshield mounts you can use for your phone, so take some time to find one that can keep your phone securely in your line of sight.
Semi-Truck Gauges
When you’re on the road for hours at a time, you must always be aware of how your truck is operating. Your truck gauges are the tools that allow you to do this. These high-tech tools mount under your dash and seamlessly track fuel economy, coolant temperatures, battery voltage, and more. They make it easy to maintain your truck when you’re on (and off) the road.
Dashcams
When you fix a dashcam to the front of your truck’s dashboard, you’ll be able to record your routes (which can be vital in the rare case of an accident) and keep track of everything you see on the road. Dashcams broaden your vision on the road and provide you with another tool to ensure your trip is as smooth and safe as possible.
Truck Driver Accessories For Every Situation
If you’re looking for a few more trucker accessories to add to your truck driver lifestyle, then be sure to pick up:
Sunglasses: An obvious, but essential, tool to keep you focused on the road in every kind of weather.
Gloves: You’ll be gripping the wheel for most of the day, so it’s important to keep your hands comfortable. A pair of gloves, especially leather gloves, will keep your hands dry and comfortable.
12-Volt USB Charger: Make sure all of your various devices are fully-charged with a portable USB charger. These usually come with a fuse as well, so you never have to worry about blowing a fuse.
If you’re considering a truck driving career, then you’ve probably asked the question, “how much do truck drivers make?” It’s a valid question, and something anyone approaching a new job or position would be wise to consider. Thankfully, not only are truck drivers well compensated for their time on the road, but the industry’s need for drivers also means that drivers are often provided with a litany of benefits and perks as well.
Let’s delve into some statistics involving the average truck driver salary, how much truck drivers make per mile, and more:
Average Salary
In 2017, Business Insider reported that only 11% of truck drivers in the industry received wage increases. However, in 2018 that percentage jumped up to almost 50%. “We’ve definitely seen spikes before, but nothing like what we’re experiencing now,” Business Insider said, quoting the co-founder and president of an Ohio-based supply-chain company.
While the average salary for a truck driver depends on several factors—such as the driver’s experience and qualifications, the carrier they’re working for, and the state they’re located in—the Bureau of Labor says that the median yearly income for a professional truck driver falls around the $44,000 range.
However, every company is going to look a bit different. For example, here at Lily Transportation, a military veteran enrolled in the Lily Veterans Network can expect to receive an annual in the $60-70,000 range after they complete their training. In almost every context, however, the longer you stick with a company, and the more experience you earn, the more income you’re likely to make.
How Drivers Get Paid
Depending on the company, a professional truck driver can be paid in several ways. While uncommon, some companies pay their drivers on an hourly scale. This is usually reserved for local drivers, where being paid by-the-hour is often the better option.
In most cases, it’s safe to assume that a truck driver, especially a driver in an OTR role, will be paid on a per-mile-driven scale. This means that the more miles they cover in a day, the more they will earn. According to Roadmaster Drivers School, “a Truck Driver can expect to drive between 2000 and 3000 miles per week. When you get paid by the mile, your odometer counts your money for you as the miles fly by. This makes it easier to track your expected pay.”
If you’re asking yourself “how much do truck drivers make per mile,” then check out Roadmaster.com, where they explain that most companies pay their drivers “between $0.27 to $0.40 per mile.” Of course, that rate will vary depending on how much experience the driver has, the region where they drive, the company they drive for, and what kind of license the driver has. Class A licensed drivers, for example, are sometimes in higher demand and will be paid more as a result.
Learn More Today!
Do truck drivers make good money? The simple answer is a resounding yes. While there’s a range of incomes, trucking and logistics companies like Lily Transportation are devoted to compensating their drivers for a job well done, and in addition to their annual income, will often offer additional truck driving benefits.
These benefits can involve safety bonuses, signing bonuses, and more, and are reflective of an industry that is eager and excited to reward its workforce. If you’re interested in learning more, then reach out to Lily Transportation today!
Driving as a professional truck driver is a rewarding and lucrative career opportunity for anyone and everyone looking to get out from behind a desk and embrace an exciting new lifestyle.
However, like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says, “Driving a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) requires a higher level of knowledge, experience, skills, and physical abilities than that required to drive a non-commercial vehicle.” As a result, professional truck drivers need to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) before they get behind the wheel.
Here are all of the CDL requirements you’ll need to become familiar with before taking your CDL skills test and successfully getting your CDL.
First Steps
If you want to attain a commercial driver’s license, then you should get started by reaching out to your local state DMV and request a CDL manual. This manual will be your textbook and lifeline as you prepare for the written portion of your CDL test. After passing the written exam, you can begin training for your CDL skills test.
You’re also going to need to pinpoint what classification of CDL you want to acquire, as there are a few options to choose from that each come with different requirements. Here are the three types of CDL you can obtain, as seen on DMV.org:
Class A License: Required to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 lbs. or more.
Class B License: Required to operate a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs. or heavier and/or any vehicle as described above that is towing another vehicle weighing up to 10,000 lbs.
Class C License: Required if the vehicle you intend to drive does not meet the criteria for either a Class A or Class B license and is meant to transport at least 16 passengers (to include you, the driver) or any hazardous material (HAZMAT) as laid out by federal guidelines.
Age Requirements
In almost every state, the CDL age requirement is 21, although some states allow applicants aged 18-20 to apply for a single-state CDL, which “allows the driver to only operate a commercial vehicle within the driver’s state of residence (intrastate driving).”
If you’re the proper age for a CDL in your state, and you’ve passed all of your written knowledge tests, then you can acquire your commercial learner’s permit (CLP). This permit means you can practice driving a CMV on public roads with a qualified CDL holder sitting next to you.
As part of the process of acquiring your CLP, your driving record for the last ten years will be checked in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and you’ll need to bring in proof that you’re medically qualified to drive a commercial vehicle. After that, however, you can hit the road in earnest and make strides towards your CDL-certification.
Taking the Skills Test
You must have your CLP for two-weeks before taking the Skills Test, and some states also require you to successfully complete your CDL training before taking the test itself. Either way, it is paramount that you practice all of the inspection tests and maneuvers included in your CDL manual, as these are parts of what you’ll be tested on before you even show up for the skills test.
The Skills Test consists of three parts: “the Vehicle Inspection Test, the Basic Controls Test, and the Road Test. Your state may even allow you to use their “training aid” to help you remember items on the vehicle inspection checklist.” After you pass all three of these tests, and the proper documentation that signifies your success is processed, you will be able to receive your CDL.
Some states give you your CDL at the time of your completion of the test, while others will send it to you in the mail. In either scenario, take some time at the counter to make sure everything is correct and in order. This will save you from having to deal with a costly mistake that could needlessly complicate things and prevent you from getting on the road.
The trucking industry is full of exciting and profitable career opportunities. As more consumers do the majority of their shopping online, the need for passionate and committed truck drivers is higher than ever. They’re part of the backbone that keeps the logistics industry alive and well, and without them, the industry would likely collapse.
In order to meet demand, the trucking industry is eagerly pursuing younger and more diverse employees. While the demographics of those in the trucking industry may be traditionally seen as skewing older and male, that’s not entirely true.
This stereotype has a basis in reality, of course, but it’s far from the whole picture. Women have long been a vital part of the trucking industry, and their contributions go back to its inception.
Like the U.S. Department of Transportation says, “Since the founding of the United States, women have played an integral role in the development and advancement of transportation. From wagons and horse carts to bicycles, automobiles, trucks, trains, ships, airplanes and space vehicles, women have served as inventors, pilots, engineers, drivers, administrative professionals, conductors, executives and in a host of other vital occupations.”
Here at Lily Transportation, we’re committed to providing competitive pay, health benefits, paid holiday and vacation time, and other great benefits for each and every one of our drivers. If you’re a woman interested in finding a new and exciting career in the trucking industry, then take a look at the guide below, which will help illustrate why now is a great time for you to enter the trucking industry!
Table of Contents:
Women and Trucking
The History
The Numbers
The Benefits
The Industry Wants to Work With You
Companies are Actively Hiring Women
Get Started with Lily
Women and Trucking
Despite the male-heavy stereotype, there are a fair number of women already involved and active in the trucking industry. According to data collected in late 2017, “women comprise between 4.1% and 6% of the overall truck driver population.” However, when you take into account that the industry employs almost four-million drivers, you can see why the discrepancy has led to the male-focused stereotypes. In the next several sections, we’re going to take a look at the historical precedent for women in the transportation and logistics industry and the benefits they can find in a truck driving career.
However, that doesn’t mean women haven’t always been a part of the transportation industry, because they most certainly have. In the next several sections, we’re going to take a look at the historical precedent for women in the transportation and logistics industry and the benefits they can find in a truck driving career.
1) The History
Elaine Chao, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, stressed women’s involvement in the transportation industry in a speech from 2017. As quoted in an article by Fleet Owner, Chao said “Even in the early stages of modern transportation, women helped advance technology through their innovative ideas and inventions. By 1923, more than 175 patents were granted to women for inventions related to vehicles, traffic signals and turn indicators.”
This shouldn’t be too surprising though, considering women make up half the population and over 50% of the labor force. And yet, it still stands that only 1-in-20 professional drivers on the road tend to be women.
This is something that the USDOT Women & Girls In Transportation Initiative (WITI) hopes to rectify by offering internship programs through the department’s Small Business Transportation Resource Centers (SBTRC), which has locations across all 50 states and U.S. territories. The job of each SBTRC is to identify and pursue qualified female college students and provide them with valuable transportation-related internships.
Identify the challenges women face in the transportation industry.
Address those challenges in order to improve the status quo.
Educate participants on the wealth of opportunities available to women in the transportation industry.
Attract participants to the many transportation-related fields available as part of the WITI program and the organizations it partners with.
Retain WITI participants in the transportation industry.
Serve as a resource to all of the WITI participants who are looking for more information about the transportation industry.
This is just one example of the number of programs available to women seeking a career in the trucking and transportation industries. Another prominent example comes from the non-profit organization Women in Trucking (WIT), which was founded in late 2007 and strives to promote career opportunities, improve working conditions, and serve as a resource for women in the truck driving lifestyle.
As seen on their website, WIT’s mission is “To encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments and minimize obstacles faced by women working in the trucking industry.” They have been active in the industry for over a decade, and Lily Transportation is proud to stand in support of WIT.
2) The Numbers
It’s no secret the trucking industry is in need of drivers, and lots of them. In a 2017 report, the American Trucking Association (ATA) outlined how the trucking industry needs to hire approximately 900,000 new drivers in the next decade in order to keep up with demand and continue operating at peak efficiency.
That’s no small number, and as a result, trucking companies are eager and willing to work with you. For women looking for a new career, this is good news. As more and more veterans of the trucking industry enter into retirement, trucking companies have begun actively pursuing and recruiting younger and more diverse drivers, and women play an important role in that movement.
For example, in January 2017, Women in Trucking reported “that women comprise over seven percent of female over-the-road drivers and 23 percent of management.” By the end of 2017, however, that percentage increased to 7.89, and the number of women in management positions within the trucking industry also showed a similar increase.
In a Stay Metrics annual driver satisfaction report, Ellen Voie—President and CEO of the Women in Trucking Association—said “we’re learning more about why we should focus on bringing more women into the industry, not just to fill seats, but to fill them with capable and well-trained drivers.” While trucking companies have always been open to hiring and embracing women drivers, recent research such as this suggests that companies may be able to improve their business if they actively pursue female drivers.
This gradual, steady progress is great news for drivers and companies alike. Not only do the companies benefit from having more drivers, but the drivers will also benefit from having a shared distribution of workload.
3) The Benefits
Women are drawn to the trucking industry for the same reasons men are: consistent pay, flexible hours, and a wealth of opportunities. Ellen Voie is quoted again, in an article from CNBC saying “A carrier sets the pay based on mileage, hours or percentage of the load. It is not related to age, ethnicity or gender.”
In addition, since the industry needs drivers, competitive pay has also become more common than ever. Most companies offer additional income incentives through safety and loyalty programs, so the safer you are as a driver, and the longer you stick with a company, the more income opportunity you have.
The Industry Wants to Work With You
There is a place for you behind the wheel. There is also no shortage of work as the continued rise and popularity of the e-commerce industry ensures there will always be something for truckers to transport.
According to an April 2017 Statistia study, 40% of all American internet users purchase items online more than once a month, with 20% of them buying items or services on a weekly basis. In addition, analysts expect those percentages to double by 2021, so it’s clear that online retailers—and the products they need to have shipped—aren’t going to be going anywhere anytime soon.
With this in mind, let’s look at how this affects female truck drivers and the companies looking to hire them.
1) Companies are Actively Hiring Women
Even though female truck drivers are still a minority, the American Trucking Association states “that more than 28,000 women have joined the trucking industry since 2014.” The trucking industry is changing, and with that change comes a newfound—and overdue—emphasis on the value female drivers can bring to the trucking industry.
CDL Career Now explains how the trucking industry has taken steps to alleviate any challenges female drivers might face on the road. “For example… truck stops are amping up the parking lot lighting to make the area safer for women. The technology in trucks is advancing, and what was once difficult for anyone to use is now not challenging for any gender. Truck manufacturers are designing the trucks to be more adaptable for women drivers—easier access, closer pedals, and better-positioned seat belts.”
2) Get Started with Lily
If you’re interested in exploring a career in the trucking industry Lily Transportation is here to help! We’re always searching for female truck drivers to join our family and are proud to offer all of our employees’ competitive pay, benefits, paid holiday and vacation, custom clothing, and so much more! For more information please call to speak with a recruiter 800-248-5459, or visit the Careers Page on our website! We can’t wait to talk to you!
Transitioning from military to civilian life is no easy task. After time spent in the military, where every day is unpredictable, getting reacclimatized as a civilian can be an overwhelming challenge. Finding a new line of work can be a great resource to help find your footing again.
This is where the trucking and logistics industry can help. Whether you know it or not, your unique experience and mission-focused work ethic make you a great fit for an industry that is ready and eager to find a place for you in its ranks.
If you’re a veteran searching for a new career path after the military, then the trucking industry is a great place to start. It’s an industry that pays its drivers well, offers travel opportunities, provides its drivers with a wealth of benefits, and is a relatively easy industry to break into. All of this works together to make it a great option for anyone who is looking for an exciting new career and lifestyle.
To help you decide whether this industry could be the place for you, here’s a comprehensive list of all the ways a trucking career can help make your transition from military to civilian life easier.
Table of Contents:
You Already Have the Experience
Leadership Ability
Operating as part of a Team
Sense of Commitment
Ease of Entry
How to Obtain Your Commercial Driver’s License
Programs for Veterans
Finding Adventure on the Open Road
Life on the Road
See the Sights
Wealth of Opportunities
A Road Towards the Future
You Already Have the Experience
As a military veteran, your experience in ever-changing scenarios makes you uniquely qualified for a number of careers. Your dynamic leadership skills, ability to thrive as part of a team, a fierce sense of commitment, and ability to adapt to the situation at hand are incredibly valuable skills that make you someone plenty of companies are eager to hire.
This is especially true for the trucking industry. Trucking companies are eager to work with diverse individuals who have the dedication and experience necessary to thrive in the industry.
1) Leadership Ability
Military veterans have an intimate understanding of the importance of leadership. Your experience in the service has equipped you with the discipline, resolve, and understanding that are innate in a leader.
This is a very appealing quality to trucking companies. Truckers must take initiative to lead and make educated decisions when needed in order to overcome obstacles on the road. These are all abilities that military veterans are experienced in, making them a valuable addition to any trucking company.
2) Operating as Part of a Team
While many truck drivers drive solo, some companies—such as Lily Transportation—also offer over-the-road (OTR) driving teams where two drivers work together in alternating shifts in order to spend less time stopped and more time on the road. Regardless of which role best fits you, military veterans are uniquely prepared to thrive in both solo and team driving situations.
Whether you choose to drive solo or as part of a team, there’s a special sense of community in the trucking industry. Whether you’re interacting with other drivers on the road or swapping stories with co-workers, truck drivers enjoy being part of a community built on a passion for their careers.
This is yet another reason why military veterans are qualified for a trucking career. You know how valuable teamwork and community can be, and for someone transitioning from military to civilian life, this camaraderie can be especially important.
3) Sense of Commitment
Being committed to a task’s completion is a must in any field of work, but when you’re behind the wheel of a large truck carrying cargo across the country, that commitment is more important than ever.
As a veteran, your mission-focused experience in the military has trained you properly to understand the importance of committing to the task at hand. Your ability to filter out distractions and see a job through to its successful completion makes you an attractive candidate to trucking companies across the country.
Ease of Entry
Where some careers require years of education and schooling before you’ll even be considered for the position, the trucking industry is different. Success as a truck driver does demand some education and training, but the extent and time commitment are less substantial than most careers, and as a military veteran, you may even qualify for the military skills test waiver program that is provided through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Even if you don’t qualify for a waiver program, getting started in a trucking career is still a straightforward process.
1) How to Obtain Your Commercial Driver’s License
The first step in obtaining your commercial driver’s license is to obtain a CDL manual from your local state DMV. This manual will be your textbook, of sorts, as it’ll help you study for the written exam you’ll need to complete before you can take the skills test that’ll earn you your CDL.
You’ll also need to decide on what classification of CDL you’ll need for your desired trucking role. Here’s a breakdown of the three CDL classifications you can consider and the requirements of each one, as outlined on DMV.org:
Class A License: Required to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 lbs. or more.
Class B License: Required to operate a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs. or heavier and/or any vehicle as described above that is towing another vehicle weighing up to 10,000 lbs.
Class C License: Required if the vehicle you intend to drive does not meet the criteria for either a Class A or Class B license and is meant to transport at least 16 passengers (to include you, the driver) or any hazardous material (HAZMAT) as laid out by federal guidelines.
In addition, depending on what CDL you’re pursuing, you might need endorsements for specific types of trailers and vehicles. These can involve taking additional skill or written tests and are intended to show you’re an experienced and educated professional behind the wheel of whatever class of truck you drive.
After you take and pass your driving skills test, you’ll be CDL-certified and fully-equipped with the tools and experience needed to thrive in your new role as a truck driver.
However, if your MOS in the military was heavy equipment, then you might qualify for the aforementioned military skills test waiver program that would mean only needing to take the written-portion of the CDL test.
2) Programs for Veterans
Here at Lily Transportation, for example, we offer veterans a one-of-a-kind training program that won’t deplete your veteran benefits. After your CDL-certification is complete, you can enter into Lily’s veteran training program, which includes:
A fully paid curriculum that doesn’t require the use of your GI Bill benefits
A paid salary of $800 per week, while in training, including company benefits
Annual compensation in the $70,000+ range upon graduation
A one-year commitment from you in an over-the-road assignment
Lily Transportation Corp. acknowledges and values the wealth of skills and experiences the men and women who have served in our military exemplify in their daily lives, and we are committed to providing them with a safe, secure, and productive place of employment.
We are actively working to increase our percentage of employed veterans by 10% every year, and our unique veterans’ program is designed to help make your transition from military to civilian life as seamless as possible.
Finding Adventure on the Open Road
The transition from one career to another is almost always a challenge. One of the tricks, according to an article by Forbes, is “to find the crossover—to look for skills and talents you use in your present career that apply to the new career you are interested in.”
There are plenty of people and services who are willing to help you in this transition. Like the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), these services can be helpful as you begin to search for a new career. You want to find a career path that’s a good fit for you and your skillset, but you also want to identify a career that you’ll find fulfilling and exciting.
1) Life on the Road
Truck driving is a lifestyle. Career truck drivers are tasked with the important job of delivering products, goods, and other cargo all over the country. This means committing to long hours, days, or even weeks on the road, and needing to remain alert, focused and safe for the duration.
For most drivers, there’s an incredible amount of satisfaction to be found in successfully overcoming any and all of the challenges they encounter on the open road. Every day is different in the trucking industry and will expose you to new people, new sights, and new situations to effectively handle and solve.
This kind of lifestyle can be especially meaningful to military veterans, as the time spent behind the wheel can be both calming and exciting. Your attention is engaged, your senses alert, and you have a clearly defined goal to focus on and strive toward.
2) See the Sights
There are very few jobs that allow for the kind of extensive travel that a trucking career does. While that travel is part of the job, you’ll still be seeing the country’s sights in a way few people really get to. Across all seasons, all times of day, and all environments, truck drivers get to experience the country in an up-close and personal way.
For people who love the open road, there’s nothing better than coast-to-coast driving. One trucker even told Thrillist.com that she had driven in places where you could look down on valleys that looked like “landscape paintings.” There’s no end to the diversity and serenity you can find out on the open road as a truck driver: all you have to do is get behind the wheel and see it for yourself.
3) Wealth of Opportunities
In addition to the exciting travel opportunities, trucking careers can also provide you with tremendous benefits. With the industry in need of drivers, trucking companies like Lily Transportation value their employees and are more than willing to support them in as many ways as they can in order to ensure they have happy, driven, and productive employees.
Because of the industry’s need for employees, there’s a healthy degree of job security and financial stability you can rely on. Most companies tend to pay their drivers on a per-mile basis, meaning the more ground you cover the more income you’ll be able to earn.
A Road Towards the Future
Transitioning from the dynamic and ever-changing world of the military back into civilian life can be a challenge for a lot of people but you don’t have to do it alone. Looking for an exciting new career path can be a fantastic way to not only keep yourself busy as you continue to transition back into civilian life, but it’ll also help you meet new people, make new memories, and experience the world in a way you never have before.
If you’re interested in more information about how a career in the logistics and trucking industry could help you, Lily Transportation would love to talk with you. Your unique experiences, mission-focused work ethic, and specific skill set are all qualities that make you an ideal candidate for a career as a professional truck driver.
Everyone at Lily Transportation is excited about your new career opportunities and want to see you succeed in whatever you do. If you have any questions about the trucking industry or any of the resources we have available for military veterans, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 800-248-5459 or on our careers page.
The logistics industry is in need of drivers now more than ever. Shopping online has become a staple in the lives of people across the globe, and without truck drivers to transport the products consumers purchase from warehouse to doorstep, the industry would collapse.
However, as important as truck drivers are in the logistics industry, there are not enough of them to keep the industry alive and kicking. With many industry veterans nearing retirement, the industry is looking for an influx of younger, driven, and diverse drivers to help keep it thriving.
The truck driving industry is a backbone of the U.S. economy, and as such, a career as an over-the-road truck driver is a great opportunity for people from all walks of life. It is the perfect blend of stability and adventure that can only be found on the open road, becoming a truck driver can be a great option for anyone looking to explore a new and exciting career path.
If you’re interested in the benefits a truck driving career can provide but aren’t sure if the lifestyle will be a good fit, take a look at this comprehensive list that will help you identify everything you need to know about life as a professional OTR truck driver.
Table of Contents:
The Challenges of Being an OTR Truck Driver
Hours on the Road
Being Away From Home
Unpredictable Conditions
The Perks of Being an OTR Truck Driver
Endless Opportunity
Financial Stability
The Thrill of the Open Road
OTR Truck Driving vs. Local & Regional Driving: What’s the Difference?
Miles Traveled
Driving with Lily Transportation
The Challenges of Being an OTR Truck Driver
Pursuing a career as an OTR truck driver is a rich experience full of exciting benefits, consistent income, and a flexible working schedule, but it’s not a lifestyle that’s suitable for everyone. Before committing to the adventure, it’s important to understand not only what you’ll gain from but also what the potential challenges of a truck driving career.
1) Hours on the Road
If there’s anything you’ll encounter as an OTR driver, it’s long hours behind-the-wheel. OTR drivers are tasked with delivering products and goods all over the country, and it’s the driver’s job to get those products from the starting point to the finish line. This means committing to long hours on the road, remaining alert and focused for an extended period of time and ensuring the safety of yourself, your co-driver and other motorists on the road.
For many drivers, there’s a profound sense of accomplishment in overcoming these long-hours in a safe and efficient way. One of the core characteristics of the OTR driving culture is the pride drivers experience from a job well done and the achievement of having seen it through to a successful conclusion.
However, not everyone is going to find value and fulfillment in these long, potentially monotonous hours on the highway. Just because it works well for most drivers doesn’t mean it will for all drivers. It’ll be important for you to decide if this is something you could find value in, or if a different career would be better suited to your expectations and skillset.
2) Being Away from Home
Another potential challenge of long hours on the road is being away from home. One of the reasons trucking companies are seeking younger demographics to drive OTR is because often times they have more flexibility to be away from home for extended periods of time. The average age of today’s truck driver is mid-to-late-forties, meaning these drivers are more likely to have families making it challenging to spend long periods of time away from home.
For younger drivers, however, an OTR truck driving job can be a great place to start their professional career. With a minimal barrier for entry—you must be 21-years of age and have a commercial driver’s license (CDL). OTR truck driving can help young people pay off loans, build an impressive résumé and see the country in exciting new ways.
3) Unpredictable Conditions
Whenever you travel over long distances, the weather is always going to be a factor you’ll need to consider. Whether it’s snow, extreme winds or rain inclement weather is unpredictable and can present dangerous situations if you are not prepared.
This is true for leisure travel, and it’s especially true for professional truck drivers. When you’re trying to cover a lot of miles having to unexpectedly deal with unfavorable weather conditions is never an ideal situation. However, with experience and preparation, you’ll be able to navigate these situations. Safety is the number one priority.
OTR driving careers can be demanding and come with their fair share of challenges. But if you’re someone who prioritizes safety, can make educated and timely decisions, and likes adventure, then an over-the-road driving position might be a perfect option for you!
The Perks of Being an OTR Truck Driver
There are going to be drawbacks to any career, and over-the-road truck driving is no different. However, the advantages of becoming an OTR driver far outweigh the challenges for anyone willing to take a risk and dive into an exciting new career/lifestyle.
To help get you started, here are some of the unique benefits that the OTR driving lifestyle can offer.
1) Endless Opportunity
According to a study conducted by Statista in 2017, retail e-commerce sales amounted to 99.4 billion U.S. dollars. On top of that, Statista also reported in an April 2017 survey that approximately 40% of all American internet users purchased items online several times per month, with 20% saying they bought items or service online weekly. These percentages are even expected to double by 2021, so it’s clear that online retailers aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
People love shopping online, and as e-commerce sales continue to skyrocket, so too will the need for professionally trained truck drivers. Without the skills and expertise of these drivers, the products purchased by consumers online wouldn’t reach their doorstep.
Companies need drivers and lots of them. The American Trucking Association (ATA) said in a 2017 report that the trucking industry will need to hire almost 900,000 new drivers in the next decade—or 90,000 per year—to keep the industry’s workforce operating at peak efficiency. With this spike in demand, the trucking industry is eager and willing to work with you wherever you are.
2) Financial Stability
One of the most compelling reasons to pursue a truck driving career is financial stability. Most companies pay their drivers on a per-mile scale, so the more miles you cover the more money you’ll make. Since there is a strong need for drivers, industry-wide, competitive pay is increasingly common.
Knowing what to look for in a trucking job is a great place to start, especially since most companies offer additional income incentives through loyalty and safety program. Do your research, and find a company that will work with you as you work with them. The trucking industry values their drivers will pay to hire and retain those who do the job successfully!
3) The Thrill of the Open Road
There are few careers that allow the kind of travel offered as a truck driver. Many OTR drivers will regularly drive cross-country and get to see the sights in all seasons! If you know an office job isn’t right for you—then truck driving might be a great career option. Not only is it one of the best opportunities to see the country, but every day is going to look a different—literally and figuratively speaking.
OTR Truck Driving vs. Local & Regional Driving: What’s the Difference?
When you’re considering a career in truck driving, you’ll be faced with choices about what kind of driving you want to do: local, regional or over the road.
Miles Traveled
The major difference between these two types of career paths is, unsurprisingly, the distance you travel. OTR drivers typically transport goods coast to coast and often involves being on the road for many days, or even weeks, at a time.
For local truck driving jobs, drivers spend their shift on the road but are home daily; meaning your lifestyle is a bit more predictable than that of an OTR driver. Still, the major difference between the two options is one of preference. If having a consistent routine is your ideal, then local driving can provide that. But with OTR driving, you can live a more flexible and diversified lifestyle.
Driving with Lily Transportation
If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a professional OTR truck driver, then Lily Transportation would like to hear from you!
When you become a truck driver at Lily, you become part of a larger family of passionately driven professionals from all walks of life who love what they do.
We’re a family owned and professionally managed company who truly believe people are our greatest asset.
In addition to the lucrative income, flexible work schedule, and travel opportunities, OTR truck drivers who sign with Lily will receive benefits such as:
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical and Dental Insurance
Paid Holiday and Vacation Time
Matching 401K
Safety Bonuses
Health and Wellness Program
Cell Phone Allowance
Meticulously Maintained Equipment
24 Hours Dispatch
If you’re looking for a new and unique career experience, then OTR driving might be exactly what you are looking for. For more information, please feel free to talk to one of our representatives at 800-248-5459, or visit the Careers Page on our website!
Becoming a truck driver in the logistics industry can be an exciting and lucrative career for anyone willing to give it a chance. The sense of adventure and discovery a driver can find as they travel the country on the open road, the wealth of benefits, and a flexible working schedule are just a few of the unique features of a truck driving career. Here at Lily Transportation, it’s our mission to supply you with all of that and more.
A Demand for Drivers
Truck drivers are a vital part of the American economy. As more and more businesses move away from the brick and mortar stores of old, and online retailers continue to reign supreme, the logistics industry is feeling increased pressure of guaranteeing product deliveries are completed in a timely and accurate manner.
However, in order to meet this growing need, the transportation industry needs to hire and retain more drivers. According to a study published in Forbes, “The American Trucking Association estimates the trucking transportation industry will need 890,000 new drivers through 2025 to keep up with demand and to replace drivers who are retiring, among other factors.”
How to Get Your CDL
The first step in your truck driving career is to obtain your commercial driver’s license (CDL). Your local DMV should have a CDL manual that will help get you started on studying for the series of written exams. Once you pass the written exams, you’ll usually be granted a Class A CDL permit—although that can differ depending on your state.
Once you have your CDL permit, you’ll need to log a certain number of driving hours with a supervisor/driving school. Then, you can take the supervised skills test to demonstrate you have the abilities needed to safely operate a truck at the professional level.
If you’re a military veteran, however, you might be able to bypass some of these steps. If your MOS was driving heavy equipment while in the service, you could qualify for a military skills test waiver program, which lets you earn your CDL by simply taking a written test and skipping the skills portion entirely.
Lily Transportation even has a one-of-a-kind program for veterans who have truck driving experience. Once a veteran has their CDL, they can enroll in Lily’s Veterans Network, which offers a unique training curriculum that is fully paid for by Lily and won’t deplete your GI Bill.
Driving with Lily
When you drive for Lily Transportation, you become part of a larger family of passionate and devoted professionals.
Whether you’re ready to dive into an exciting new truck driving career or you’re just looking for more information, everyone on our team here at Lily Transportation is ready to help. We’re always looking for passionate, experienced, and safe drivers to become a part of our coast-to-coast operations. We’d love to talk to you about our excellent benefits, competitive pay, and various training programs.
If you’re interested in learning more, please visit the Careers Page on our website, or feel free to give us a call at 800-248-5459. We can’t wait to hear from you!
