MEET THE PRO: Shaun Tyler, Commercial Truck Driver
By Arkansas NEXT on Friday, September 25, 2020
Shaun Tyler
Hometown: Moberly, Missouri
Age: 29
Where I trained: Maverick Transportation Driving Academy
What I earned: On-the-job training
Job title: Commercial Truck Driver
Employer: Maverick Transportation LLC in North Little Rock
Shaun grew up knowing he would be a truck driver just like his dad and uncle. It took him a total of 15-minutes to fill out an online application for Maverick, and within 24 hours, he was contacted by a recruiter. “I’ve been around semis my whole life,” Shaun says. “I’ve always been fascinated by them, and I knew that one day I would be a truck driver too.” Shaun likes that he gets to travel all around the country for his job and gets to experience the beauty of each state he visits.
Shaun drives from destination to destination loading and unloading different goods. “A day starts with a pre-trip inspection of my truck and trailer to make sure that everything is safe and in good working order,” Shaun says. “Then follows a nice long and quiet drive to my destination where I unload my freight. Then, I will receive another load, drive to go pick it up and make sure it's safely secured—I get paid to travel the country and meet new and interesting people every day.”
Shaun says there are many ways to progress in this field. “Being a good driver and having a willingness to work are all you really need,” he says. “Maverick provides you with all of the skills you need beyond that.”
What does a commercial truck driver do?
Commercial truck drivers operate heavy and tractor-trailer trucks to transport products all across the country. They haul long distances, often across state lines, to deliver their products.
Responsibilities
► Transport products across long distances
► Communicate with a dispatcher about incidents on the road
► Clean, maintain and inspect the truck
► Check for mechanical issues and report any problems
► Keep a log of working hours
Education Needed
On-the-job training or a certificate of completion from an accredited commercial truck driving program, and a CDL license
Age Restriction
The minimum age to drive a truck across state lines is 21. Here are ways to get involved in the industry before 21:
► Drive within state lines.
► Dock or office work in the industry.
► Explore related jobs such as diesel technicians and heavy equipment operators.
► Use your CDL in a different industry.
CDL
There are three types of commercial driver’s licenses (CDL).
Class A
A combination vehicle toting 10,000-plus pounds.
Example: Tractor-trailer truck
Class B
A vehicle weighing 26,000-plus pounds
Example: Garbage truck
Class C
A vehicle carrying 16-plus people.
Example: School bus
Truckers Against Trafficking
All truckers pursuing a Class A CDL must complete the Human Trafficking Prevention Course.
Job Outlook
+10%
expected growth from 2016 to 2026 in Arkansas
39,960 jobs
in Arkansas by 2026
4,370
average annual job openings in Arkansas
High-end earners (top 10%) make
$66,830 Annually
Median wages in Arkansas
$41,440 Annually
$19.92 Hourly
This option is for you if:
► You like to travel; you're especially fond of road trips.
► You need space and prefer to work alone.
► You’re good under pressure; you’re reliable.
► You want to own your own business.
► You want great job security.
► You’re alert and aware of your surroundings
START YOUR TRAINING
| Arkansas State University - Newport |
| Black River Technical College |
| East Arkansas Community College |
| Greenway Equipment |
| North Arkansas College |
| Phillips Community College |
| University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology - McGehee |
| University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton |
READY TO HIRE YOU
| Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation |
| CenterPoint Energy |
| Greenway Equipment |
| McKee Foods Corporation |
| Nabholz Construction |
| Simmons Foods Inc. & Affiliates |
| Tyson Foods |
| Welsco |
"I’ve been around semis my whole life. I’ve always been fascinated by them, and I knew one day that I would be a truck driver too." -Shaun
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Arkansas Trucking Association and CareerOneStop.org
