Job Description
Heavy truck drivers operate gasoline and diesel-powered trucks or tractor-trailers. A driver´s responsibilities depend on the kind of load to be delivered. Drivers need to know how to operate special equipment for loading, transporting and unloading as well as how to handle special loads, including hazardous materials. Drivers are also responsible for maintaining logs and performing vehicle inspections of the truck before and after every trip.

Working Conditions
Truck drivers normally work the most number of hours that are allowed by federal regulations and trips may occasionally keep drivers away from home several days at a time. Drivers who drive in the local area work more regular hours than long distance drivers do. However, they are faced with the risks of safely driving big trucks through stop-and-go local traffic and narrow access roads, streets and alleys. Improvements in seating, air circulation and equipment for seeing have been made on the trucks to improve safety. However, vibration, noise, poor weather conditions and the need to stay alert in heavy traffic or on long, monotonous stretches of roads can cause physical and mental stress for the driver.

Wages
Beginning apprentices start at approximately 70 percent of the journey-level wage. Upon successful completion of required class work and on-the-job hours, wages increase, about every two months, until the training is completed.

Length of Apprenticeship
The training lasts about eight to nine months. Trainees must complete a minimum of 26 related classroom hours per year and 1,442 on-the-job training hours.

Minimum Qualifications
These programs are limited to current employees of training agents registered with the local apprenticeship committee. These programs may have limited opportunities available.

Apprenticeship Committees
Click on the ID number to see the journey wages rate.

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