Are you interested in having a stable career and enjoying the freedom of the open road? Like any journey, it starts with learning the basics, finding your first job, and adjusting to life behind the wheel. Starting a career in trucking is a big step. The good news is that OBC is with you every step of the way.

What is CDL Training?

A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is the best way to get your first truck driving job. But before you can drive professionally, you’ll need to complete CDL training at OBC to pass the required exams and learn the skills to handle a big rig. Here’s what CDL training looks like:

Classroom Time

You will start in a classroom, learning rules of the road, safety standards, and how federal trucking laws work. This part helps you understand what is expected once you are on the job.

Learning the Truck

Trucks are complex machines. During CDL training, you will practice pre-trip inspections, shifting gears, turning, and backing up in tight spaces. It feels awkward at first, but repetition builds confidence.

Hands-on Driving

Eventually, you will leave the practice yard and head onto real roads. Highways, city streets, and loading docks all become part of your training.

The CDL program at OBC lasts 4 weeks to earn your certificate. By the end, they will be ready for their CDL skills test exam. Passing means you can officially call yourself a commercial driver.

How to Get Your First Job in Trucking

Once you have your CDL, the next step is getting hired. Here are some tips that help most graduates land their first job:

Look at Entry-Level Jobs

Many trucking companies hire new graduates. These roles often include paid orientation or extra training, which helps bridge the gap between school and real-world driving.

Use School Connections

OBC has recruiters visiting or holding job fairs. Don’t skip these opportunities, companies often hire right from the classroom.

Make Your Application Stand Out

A clean driving record, good attendance in training, and any endorsements show companies you’re serious.

Stay Flexible

Your first job might mean long hauls or team driving. While it’s not always ideal, it builds experience that opens doors to better routes later.

Understand Pay

As a new driver, you may start out earning less, but pay increases as you gain miles. Most companies pay by the mile, hourly or a salary-based pay.

What to Expect in Your Truck Driving Journey

Here’s what life looks like once you hit the road:

Living in Your Truck

Your truck cab becomes both your office and your home on the road. It’s where you’ll sleep, eat, and spend downtime. Think of it as your mobile apartment, equipped for rest and daily routines.

Adjusting to Hours

Federal rules limit how long you can drive before resting. Learning to manage your time around these rules takes practice, but it keeps you safe.

Staying Safe

Safety checks, weather changes, and heavy traffic will be part of your routine. With time, you will learn how to stay calm and focused.

Building Skills

Backing into tight docks, dealing with traffic jams, and driving through storms all help you prepare for time behind the wheel.

Balancing Home Life

Long trips can be hard on family time. Clear communication and planning help you stay connected with loved ones.

Room to Grow

Once you gain experience, you can move into local or regional routes, get specialized endorsements, or even become a trainer. Many drivers see their first year as a steppingstone to better pay and more freedom.

Why It’s Worth the Effort

Truck driving is demanding, but it’s also rewarding. Every store shelf, gas station, and restaurant depends on truckers to deliver supplies. You’ll be part of an industry that keeps the country moving.

Want to Learn More?

Do you dream of the open road behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler? If you are ready to take to the open road, hauling inventory across the state of Ohio and potentially the rest of the United States, our CDL certificate program at Ohio Business College’s Truck Driving Academy is the perfect place to start. Our Truck Driving Academy offers one of the most respected Class A CDL certificate programs in the Tri-State region.

Contact us today to learn more about our Truck Driving program.