Truck drivers are responsible for moving goods and raw materials from one place to another. A truck driver’s destination can span multiple cities or states or be confined within one locality.
Regardless of how far they travel, these professionals play a crucial role in the functioning of any city/state, and New York is no different.
If you want to become a truck driver in New York, one of the most important things you can do is get familiar with the entire process before you even begin. This way, you can assess whether or not the occupation is really for you and devise a way to complete the whole process straightforwardly and conveniently.
Thankfully, this is precisely what we provide in the sections below.
How to Become a Truck Driver in New York
Candidates wishing to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to become a truck driver in New York must be at least 18 years old to drive within the state or 21 years old to drive outside the state.
They must also have an unimpaired vision and pass a background check. After fulfilling these requirements, they can start their journey by following the following steps.
Step 1: Having a Valid Driver’s License
To obtain a commercial driver’s license in New York, candidates must already have a valid regular or non-commercial driver’s license. This can be in class D, E, or non-CDL Class C. Candidates with valid CDL from another state are also welcome to apply.
Step 2: Obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit
To obtain a commercial learner’s permit, candidates must visit a DMV office candidate and pay a $10 fee. This qualifies them to take all written tests and a road test after getting their learner’s permit.
The commercial learner’s permit in New York is valid for one year.
Step 3: Prepare for your CDL Test
The ultimate aim for any aspiring truck driver in New York is to pass the commercial driver’s license test. Enrolling in a training program is advisable to prepare for this test.
New York is home to many prominent, high-quality training programs for aspiring truck drivers, and we take a look at some of these in the upcoming sections below.
Step 4: Take the CDL Test
Before taking their road tests, candidates in New York must have practiced with a supervising driver and completed a pre-trip inspection. The CDL road test in New York must be scheduled using the Road Test Scheduling System.
Those who fail the road test must pay a $40 fee before they can schedule another.
Consider Trades with Similar Paths:
Top Truck Driving Schools in New York
The following is our list of the top truck driving schools in New York:
LaGuardia Community College
LaGuardia Community College teaches extensive theoretical and practical truck driving training. The school offers financial aid and help with job placement. It is also known for having modern training equipment and facilities.
Ferrari Driving School
Another high-quality driving school in New York, Ferrari Driving School, is famous for its elegance and high educational standards. It is the most significant driver training school in the New York City metropolitan area and has a specialized training method known as the Ferrari five-level program.
Notable Mentions
Other notable mentions for aspiring truck drivers in New York to consider include Training for Safety Driving School in Flushing, Sunny Truck Driving School, also in Flushing, Totally Cool Driving School in Jamaica Avenue, Al Sorano’s Professional Driving School in the Bronx, Heritage Auto School in Rochelle, Smith and Solomon Training Solutions in Edison, and Sharkey’s Auto Driving School in Brooklyn.
Explore Truck Driving Schools by City:
State Licensure and Certification Requirements
Following the above steps should be enough to get you a New York Commercial Driver’s License, which is all you need to start working as a truck driver in the state. Of course, some fees are also involved, such as the initial learner’s permit fee of $10 and the actual CDL fee of $164.50.
Each additional CDL endorsement also costs $5.
The CDL Road Test costs $40, and those who must retake the test must pay an additional $40 each time.
Candidates may be relieved of their CDL in New York if they are found to be working under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances. Having a blood alcohol concentration of .04% or more while operating a vehicle will also lead to this disqualification, as will refusing to take an alcohol test.
Salary and Job Outlook
As a truck driver in New York, you may look forward to an annual average salary of $77,661 at the midpoint of your career. Starting, you’ll earn closer to $40,545.
With more experience and mileage, you may earn as high as $148,75. Along with experience, location also plays a massive role in determining how much a truck driver in New York makes every year.
Some of the highest paying cities to be heavy truck drivers in New York include New York City, with an annual average salary of $107,153; Buffalo, with $101,983; and Middletown, with an average yearly salary of $93,675.
Related Articles
Related Careers
Top Schools Near Me
