OTR trucking is one of the best jobs that don’t require a college degree. If you’re a military veteran looking for a new career, but don’t have a college degree, then OTR trucking might be the job for you.
With the trucking industry in need of drivers, and carriers excited to work with new and excited drivers, finding good jobs without a degree no longer has to be a challenge. Here’s how you can get your OTR trucking career started!
Truck Driver Qualifications
While OTR truck driving offers good jobs without a degree required, there are qualifications that each prospective driver still needs to meet. Before you start pursuing an OTR driver role, you’re going to need to acquire a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
To be eligible to apply for a CDL, you’re going to have to meet the following federal rules, as outlined by DMV.org:
- Must be 21 years old to:
- Drive across state lines.
OR - Operate a vehicle containing hazardous materials.
- Drive across state lines.
- Have no prior disqualifying criminal offenses.
- Certain criminal felonies may disqualify you from CDL eligibility.
The FMCSA will also ask for proof of a valid driver’s license, a 10-year driver history—which the state may check electronically, or ask you to bring in a copy of your own—and a medical examination form. The form should be from a qualified medical examiner and will prove that you’re physically capable of operating a commercial vehicle in an OTR trucking role.
Trucking Jobs for Veterans
If you’re a military veteran looking for a new career, then Lily Transportation is here to help! We understand the challenges that veterans often experience as they move back into a civilian career—especially if they joined the military out of high school. This is why we’re committed to creating and providing as many trucking jobs for veterans as we can.
Not only do we offer scholarship programs that can help fund your truck driving training, but we’ll work with you to ensure that you’re provided all of the skills, confidence, and expertly maintained equipment you’ll need to thrive both on and off the road; regardless of whether you have a degree or not.
Earn a Degree On the Road
One of the (many) great things about OTR trucking jobs is that drivers can curate their schedules in a way that works best for them. For example, if a driver prefers to drive overnight and sleep during the day, then that’s a lifestyle they can stick to while on the road. As long as you reach your destination on time, your daily routine is mostly up to you.
With this in mind, OTR drivers can earn a sustainable income on the road and work on a college degree in their off time. OTR trucking is an excellent choice for people looking for good jobs without a degree. And the inherent flexibility the OTR lifestyle allows means that you can take online courses and continue to grow your educational and professional repertoire.
To learn more about how Lily Transportation can help you find success in jobs that don’t require a college degree, reach out to us today!
