Illinois Truck Driving Jobs
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Tucked into the Midwest, Illinois plays an important role in the nation's trucking industry. Whether you live in one of the larger cities, like Chicago, or a more rural community, you may still be able to start a rewarding trucking career. Illinois has a fairly smooth terrain, making it a great state for beginning drivers. You can learn more about this field now to find out how to get started.
Read About Illinois Truck Driving Salary Information
Illinois is home to a large and successful truck driving industry. It is located in the heart of the Midwest, which means that truck drivers from this state transport all sorts of goods and products throughout the Midwest and even other parts of the country. Whether you live in a rural area and transport produce or in the heart of Chicago and transport retail goods, finding your next truck driving job in Illinois can help you advance your career.
If you are ready to find out what kind of Illinois truck driving jobs are available near you, just check out our list of jobs below!
In the state of Illinois, job growth is steady and promising. Your own job outlook may depend on which type of trucking job you are interested in or how much flexibility you have in the routes you take on. Between 2012 and 2022, claims that truck driving jobs in Illinois may increase by 13%. In general, salaries in Illinois tend to be slightly higher than the national average. The average salary for a tractor-trailer driver in Illinois is (O*Net, 2014).
In Illinois, there are many large and small truck driving companies that hire new trucking school graduates. Some of the largest employers are C.R. England, Cardinal Transport, United Transport Service, and Vision Transportation.
Illinois has a unique certification processes for commercial truck drivers. You must complete a state-approved commercial driving course before you are eligible for licensure. The state requires you to complete a minimum of 160 hours of training over the course of four weeks or more. Hours should be spread out between classroom instruction, training area driving, and on-the-road driving.
Once you complete your state-approved training, you can earn your commercial driver's license. Illinois does allow for third-party certification; this means that you can go through the Driver Services Department, but you do not have to. Certain schools and trucking employers also offer certification, so you may be able to get your license from your employer or driving school.
The licensing process involves passing a written exam, which covers driving laws and other basic driving information. You can then move onto the skills exam, which covers inspecting your vehicle, demonstrating a set of driving skills, and proving your driving skills on the road.
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Networking with others is an incredibly important part of most businesses, but it's even more important in trucking! As a trucker, you spend lots of time on your own, so it's crucial to network when and where you can. The Illinois Trucking Association is the main trucking organization in this state, offering access to training and safety programs that can take your career to the next level and help you drive more safely.
There are also many events that can help you network with peers, learn about changes in the trucking industry, and learn about new job openings. Events held in Illinois include regional meetings, safety council meetings, and legislative meetings.