Truck Driving Jobs in Vermont

Apply for CDL Jobs in VT

If you have always been interested in traveling around the United States, yet didn’t have the time or money to do so, truck driving jobs in Vermont may be exactly what you’re looking for. Keep reading to find out what kinds of incentives and pay trucking companies in Vermont are currently offering truck drivers.

Getting Your CDL in Order to Work for Trucking Companies in Vermont

The trucking companies in Vermont will only hire applicants who have obtained their Commercial Drivers License (CDL). To get your CDL, you must first apply for your Vermont Commercial Learners Permit (CLP). Once you have your CLP, you can then take the CDL Skills Test which consists of 3 portions; a Pre-trip Inspection, a Basic Vehicle Controls Test, and an On-Road Driving Test.

For the Pre-Trip Inspection, you will demonstrate your knowledge regarding your commercial vehicle and its class. This portion also helps ensure that your vehicle is road ready and safe to operate. Failing this portion will preclude you from moving onto the next two parts.

The Basic Controls Test is your opportunity to show that you have attained the skills needed to operate a commercial vehicle on public roadways. You will be tested on maneuvers like backing up, moving forward, and turning within a certain space.

The Road Skills Test can only be taken once you have passed the first two portions of the exam. This test will put you on public roads with a professional examiner. You will be tested on your ability to observe the speed limit, obey traffic signs and signals, and stay in your own lane, as well as many other driving skills that commercial truck drivers need to have to safely work for Vermont trucking companies.

After you have successfully passed the CDL Skills Test and met the requirements set forth by the state of Vermont, you will be able to get your CDL and apply for truck driving jobs in Vermont.

What do the trucking companies in Vermont require of their drivers?

In addition to possessing a valid Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL), you also must meet certain hiring requirements to be hired by the various trucking companies in Vermont. These hiring requirements ensure that only drivers who are committed to safety and performance are hired. While there are generally only a handful of qualifications needed, they are strictly upheld.

Hiring requirements to apply for truck driving jobs in Vermont usually include one or more of the following:

Vermont Truck Driving Salary and Benefits

Although you want a job that will be rewarding and challenging, you also want one that pays the bills, provides for your needs, and gives you some extra spending money. Salary and benefits are one of the most important aspects of a job when it comes to CDL jobs in VT.

If you work for any of the trucking companies in Vermont, you can expect the low-end salary to be higher than that of the national average. In 2016, truck driving jobs in Vermont provided a salary between $30,110 and $61,150 annually, with a median income of $40,400, according to the United States Department of Labor. Nationally, truck drivers earn an average income between $26,900 and $63,100 each year with a median income of $41,340.

The salary you accrue from CDL jobs in VT will be based on your experience, your performance record, what type of route you drive, and if you have any CDL endorsements. However, you have the potential to make up to $85,000 per year on average. With some Vermont trucking companies, drivers are guaranteed to earn $1,000 weekly for the first 8-10 weeks.

Truck driving jobs in Vermont offer a variety of different benefits, including:

Vermont Taxes and Cost of Living

When researching the salary and benefits for Vermont truck driving jobs, don’t forget to also research the taxes and cost of living in this state. When it comes to the cost of living, Vermont residents will pay somewhat more than they would in other states.

However, for state and local taxes, residence here pay about average. In fact, Vermont ranks #23 in the nation for the highest average county and state taxes with an average rate of 10.89%. The average cost of living for one adult with no kids in Vermont before taxes is $24,410. The same figure for a family consisting of two adults and two kids in Vermont is $68,150.

The national average price for a gallon of diesel fuel as of June 2017 is $2.376, while in Vermont the price is slightly higher at $2.396. If you want to become an owner-operator who partners with trucking companies in Vermont, the price of diesel fuel will be an important factor in your income. However, if you are employed as a truck driver, this price will not make a difference in the amount of money you pocket, since your employer will pay for all your fuel expenses.

Driving Conditions for Truck Drivers in Vermont

Working as a truck driver for the trucking companies in Vermont, will allow you to see the beautiful fall foliage this state produces every year. Unfortunately, you will also have to drive in snow and ice during the winter months since Vermont receives about 36 inches of snowfall per year.

You should prepare yourself for extremely cold temperatures, icy and snowy roads, as well as decreased visibility due to heavy snowfall or fog. You will likely find yourself delayed from time to time due to the winter weather conditions. This can be stressful and also take up more time in your day. Trucks can also require more maintenance and repairs when driving in winter weather conditions.

Your truck should be equipped with chains for your tires in cases of severe winter weather, especially if you’ll be driving through the mountains. If you plan on becoming a flatbed driver with Vermont trucking companies, be prepared to work out in the cold weather, covering your cargo with a tarp and strapping it down.

Expected Growth for Truck Driving Jobs in Vermont

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a much lower than average rate of growth for CDL jobs in VT is expected between 2014 and 2024. Vermont is expected to experience a -1% growth with an additional 80 truck driving jobs in Vermont per year. In comparison, a 6% growth is expected for truck driving across the country, which equates to an additional 40,450 job openings for truck drivers nationally.

Truck Driving Jobs