Trucker Lingo Every Beginner Should Know

If you’re looking to land yourself a truck driver job in Portland, there are a few steps you’ll need to take to get there. First, you’ll need to earn your civilian’s driver’s license, hold a commercial learner’s permit, and pass both written and skills tests. Although you’ll pick up plenty of knowledge along the way, it helps to get a head start on the terminology that truckers use in the field. Terms like CDL, dispatcher, and pre-trip inspection will come up a lot, so it’s nice to be familiar with them well ahead of time. Read on for a quick look at some trucker lingo that every beginner should know.

CDL

CDL stands for commercial driver’s license, and it’s your key to getting a truck driver job. You need to fulfill a number of requirements in order to earn your CDL, but once you do, you’ll be one step closer to what could be your ideal career. In addition to having a standard driver’s license, you’ll need to spend at least 2 weeks with a commercial learner’s permit and pass the necessary tests to earn your new commercial license. Many people find it helpful to enroll in a truck driving school to hone their skills and ensure that they’re ready to earn their CDLs.

Dispatcher

You won’t be the head of the whole operation when you start out as a truck driver. Even if you do become an owner-operator in the future, you’ll have to rely on a team. A dispatcher may handle a plethora of different responsibilities, depending on the company you work for. Dispatchers might handle appointment times, assign freight, and serve as a middleman between the driver and the manager. They communicate between different parties to keep everything organized.

Pre-Trip Inspection

When you get your first truck driver job, you’ll quickly learn that you’ll never take the truck out for the day before a pre-trip inspection. Both federal and state laws require that you inspect your truck before you get on the road, and doing so can help prevent serious accidents.