Individuals who pursuea career as a truck driver are responsible for moving goods and raw materials from one point to another, within or between cities. To become a truck driver anywhere in the country, candidates must pass a CDL exam.
North Carolina also requires a CDL and other requirements unique to the state. Below, we have provided a comprehensive guide to help aspiring truck drivers in the state become familiar with these requirements before starting their journeys.
When you’re done, the guide below will help make your journey more straightforward and assured.
Steps to Become a Truck Driver in North Carolina
Aspiring truck drivers in North Carolina must follow the steps below to kick-start their careers:
Step 1: Becoming Familiar with Vehicular Classifications
All truck drivers in North Carolina must be familiar with the general vehicle classifications before starting their careers. This is so that they know which particular license they are to get.
Generally, the three license classifications to be concerned with in this regard are the Class A, B, and C licenses.
Step 2: Understanding General Requirements
General requirements for becoming a truck driver in North Carolina include being at least 18 or 21 years old, depending on whether you want to drive within the state or outside of it.
Individuals must also have a valid non-CDL driver’s license and be physically fit.
Step 3: CDL Training & Preparation
CDL training is essential because it allows aspiring truck drivers to become familiar with the skills requirements and safety regulations they need to know before they sit for their CDL test. A handful of truck driving academies and college programs in the state are designed to provide CDL training for interested candidates.
Step 4: CDL Testing
The actual CDL test in North Carolina includes knowledge and road skills tests. The knowledge test consists of 25 questions to examine a candidate’s knowledge of federal and state driving regulations.
This section requires an 80% passing score.
The road skills test includes a pre-trip inspection test, a vehicle control test, and an actual road test wherein candidates showcase their proficiency in everyday traffic scenarios.
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State Licensure and Certification Requirements
Following the above steps on obtaining a CDL is the most essential part of starting a career as a truck driver in North Carolina. To keep their licenses, candidates must ensure that they don’t meet any one of the following disqualification criteria:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance,
- Having 0.04% blood alcohol concentration while operating a combination vehicle,
- Declining to undergo alcohol testing,
- Fleeing from the scene of an accident, and
- Committing a felony with a vehicle.
Applicant must also pay the required fees, including:
- $20 commercial learner’s permit application fee, and $20 for the actual commercial learner’s permit,
- $40 commercial driver’s license fee,
- $20 class A, B, and C renewal fee every year, and
- $4 endorsement fee for each endorsement.
Top Truck Driving Schools in North Carolina
Below are some of the top truck driving schools in North Carolina:
Transtech
Transtech is a prominent truck driving school in North Carolina notable for its modern facilities, small class size, state-of-the-art equipment, and friendly instructors. The school has training locations spanning several cities, including Ahoskie, Asheville, Charlotte, Gastonia, Greensboro, Greenville, Newton, Roxboro, and Winston-Salem.
Stevens Transport
Stevens Transport offers aspiring truck drivers in North Carolina the opportunity to obtain world-class training under the tutelage of experienced instructors. Additionally, graduates of this CDL training program also enjoy direct entry into the Stevens Transport fleet, thereby eliminating the need to start looking for employment elsewhere.
Notable Mentions
Other high-quality training institutions for aspiring truck drivers in North Carolina to consider include:
- Miller-Motte Technical College, with locations in Greenville, Raleigh, Fayetteville, and Jacksonville,
- Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute in Hudson and Boone,
- Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, Castle Hayne and Burgaw,
- Carolina Trucking Academy in Raleigh, and
- Cypress Truck Driving School in Leland.
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Salary and Job Outlook
With an annual average salary of $83,225, truck drivers in North Carolina earn practically the same income level as the national average. Those who fall on the positive end of optimizable criteria can take home an annual average salary as high as $160,931. In contrast, those who fall on the lower back may still earn an average yearly salary of up to $43,040.
Experienced truck drivers in the state earn more than those just beginning their careers. Those in certain cities also make more than others.
For instance, truck drivers in Charlotte earn the highest average in the state at $90,284 per year, followed by those in Durham ($90,052), Raleigh ($88,675), Greensboro ($88,139), and Selma ($87,481).
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