Trucks drivers are classified under two major categories:
Long-distance truckers provide transportation among distant areas, sometimes crossing international borders. This is also known as long-haul or interstate trucking, and it usually requires overnight or week-long trips.
Local truckers work making local deliveries, usually inside a single city or area. This would be the case of garbage collection or delivery trucks. This is usually done during the day, as a regular salaried job with fixed hours.
While most local truckers work regular 40-hour weeks, long distance trucking requires a much longer investment of time. The U.S. Department of Transportation has, however, a set of rules limiting long-distance driving to no more than 60 hours in any 7-day period.
In addition to the driving itself, employees are also responsible for inspecting and monitoring basic equipment safety of their trucks, securing cargo, and filing U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) reports.
Income
Long-distance truckers are usually paid on a rate-per-mile system, although some companies do pay by the hour. Average salary comes to about $15.97 an hour. Local truckers make much less (average of $9.92), as they are usually salaried employees with fixed hours.
Training
A 20/40 vision and adequate hearing capacity is required in order to obtain a truck driver's license. Drivers of heavy trucks, (over 26,000 pounds) must pass a written and practical test, have a clean driving/criminal record, and able to show they do not suffer from insulin-controlled diabetes or epilepsy in order to need a CDL (commercial driver's license). Good English-language skills are also required.
Random alcohol and drug testing is compulsory.
The Professional Truck Driver Institute (PDTI) offers formal training programs in safety standards and Federal Highway Administration guidelines.