Truck Driving Schools in Mississippi

Truck drivers in Mississippi may want to work strictly within the state or choose to travel interstate. While the requirements for entering the profession may vary based on subtle decisions, the underlying process is typically uniform and straightforward.

Below, we analyze all of the critical steps and considerations that candidates must prepare for. We begin with the basic requirements concerning education and licensing.

From there, we discuss training arrangements, specific destinations, and licensing requirements. We also explore possibilities for annual average salary and career growth.

How to Become a Truck Driver in Mississippi

Truck drivers in Mississippi typically begin their careers following the framework outlined below.

Age & Basic Requirements

The entire journey to becoming a truck driver in Mississippi hinges upon getting a commercial driver’s license. Interested individuals must meet a few basic requirements to do so.

Firstly, candidates must already have a valid driver’s license and a Social Security card. Applicants must also meet a basic age requirement – as those who are at least 18 years old but under 21 years old will be restricted to driving only within the state.

Obtaining a Learner’s Permit

A learner’s permit is the first step to earning a full commercial driver’s license. It provides candidates with provisional approval to drive vehicles belonging to their desired license class, but only for the purpose of preparing for the CDL examination.

Preparing for the CDL Examination

There are several ways to prepare for the CDL examination in Mississippi. Candidates may prepare on their own, for instance, or attend a training program.

Attending a training program offers several benefits, including structured learning opportunities, mentorship, job placement assistance, and access to valuable resources. Among these resources are actual trucks and handbooks that candidates will use to take mock exams, ensuring they are as prepared as possible for the real thing.

Passing the Licensing Examination

The CDL examination in Mississippi tests candidates regarding their theoretical and practical knowledge. In the theoretical part of the program, candidates are expected to achieve an 80% score through a series of questions that examine their proficiency in road laws and regulations, safety principles, and related topics.

Through the skills test, examiners verify that candidates possess the necessary skills to drive a heavy truck, including performing required inspections and maneuvers.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• How to become a freight broker in Mississippi

Licensure & Certification Requirements

In Mississippi, individuals taking the commercial driver’s license test must pay certain fees before they can officially qualify. For the CDL learner’s permit, applicants are expected to pay a $13 fee.

For the CDL application fee, a $25 fee applies, while a $41 fee applies for the actual CDL itself. This license is valid for 4 years, after which candidates are expected to meet the renewal requirements in order to obtain another license for the next 4 years.

Truck drivers may add additional endorsements to their CDL to perform specialized tasks. An endorsement in Mississippi costs $5.

Professionals who work with hazardous materials are required to undergo a background check. A hazardous materials background check for truck drivers in Mississippi costs $100.

Top Truck Driver Schools in Mississippi

All of the schools below offer prominent training programs for aspiring truck drivers in Mississippi.

Explore truck driving schools in Mississippi by city:

• Truck driving schools in Jackson

Salary & Career Outlook

Truck drivers in Mississippi can begin their careers with an annual average salary of $39,237; however, this is typically a temporary position. It is the figure that pertains to the bottom 10%, which is a natural place to fall at the beginning of a career.

However, candidates should start working on factors that will help them earn more and move to the median category in no time. Here, the annual average salary to expect as a truck driver in Mississippi is $90,057.

Finally, those who have scaled their returns to be among the top 10% make around $206,698 at the end of the year. Along with experience, factors such as credentials, employer, and location are crucial to increasing annual salary as a truck driver in Mississippi.

Clinton, Jackson, and Gulfport are the highest-paying destinations for professionals in this field in the state. Those who work in these places earn annual average salaries of $113,882, $102,526, and $94,750, respectively.