The shortage of truckers in the US has become even more severe as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you hold a valid Class A CDL, you’re a hot commodity.
Kaiser Transport is looking for drivers! Not just any drivers, shortage or not. Our team is made up of highly trained professionals who value a challenge and the rewards that come with it.
Find out what it takes to become one of our LTL long haul drivers. It could be the best career move you’ve made.
Hold a Valid Class A CDL
To drive LTL long haul for Kaiser Transport, you need a valid Class A CDL. The three basic types of CDL are Class A, Class B, and Class C. Class A lets you operate any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 lbs. The total GVWR includes a towed object or vehicle with a GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs.
A Class A CDL lets you operate vehicles that include:
- Tractor-trailers
- Truck and trailer combinations
- Flatbeds
- Tank vehicles
- Livestock carriers
You can operate some Class B and Class C trucks if you get the right endorsements. Class A CDLs are the most common type of CDL.
Be at Least 23 Years of Age
The minimum age to get a CDL is 18. You can only drive within the state, though. Drivers must be at least 21 to drive commercial vehicles across state lines.
Kaiser puts a high value on safety and experience. That’s why we only accept drivers who are at least 23.
Trucking doesn’t have a maximum age cutoff. We welcome drivers at any stage of their career.
You need to be able to meet the Department of Transportation physical requirements. You should be physically able to complete your job satisfactorily. Professional truck driving can be a good career move no matter your age.
Have at Least 6 Months Open-Deck (Step-Deck, Double-Drop, or Flatbed) and 1 Year Long Haul Experience
To start driving for Kaiser Transport, you need open-deck and long-haul experience. This is because the demands of open-deck trucking are more intense than for standard trucking. Open-deck includes step-deck, double-drop, or flatbed driving.
Open-Deck Experience
Open-deck driving jobs are more demanding than other lines of trucking. You’ll be hauling machine tools and other items that won’t fit in an enclosed trailer. You’ll need some skills you may not use in other types of trucking.
For example, you may be required to help load some types of cargo. You’ll always have to make sure the freight is well-positioned and balanced correctly over the axles.
You’re also responsible for properly securing the load. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has strict rules for securing cargo.
The regulations specify the number and type of tiedowns you need to use. They also regulate the proper use of tiedowns. General rules apply to many types of loads, but commodity-specific securement requirements apply to some types of cargo.
With LTL trucking, you’ll be loading (and unloading) multiple times on each trip.
Long-Haul Experience
A year or more of long-haul experience shows us that you know what you’re getting into. Over-the-Road drivers spend most of their time alone behind the wheel. This gives you freedom but also responsibilities.
Your experience lets us see what your safety record is like. We also want to know how you’ve demonstrated your organizational skills, reliability, and motivation.
Ability to Tarp in All Weather Conditions
Tarping is an important skill for open-deck drivers. It takes experience to be able to tarp securely and efficiently. You have to secure the tarp in a way that protects the load, protects and secures the tarp, and meets all applicable safety requirements.
When you’re driving coast to coast, you’ll run into almost every possible type of weather. Securing tarps is challenging enough in good weather conditions. You’ll need to have strong enough skills to tarp in the worst weather too.
Be Willing to Stay Out for 3 Weeks or More and Be Dispatched Coast to Coast
As an LTL driver for Kaiser Transport, you’ll be on the road for three weeks or more at a time. We have clients coast to coast in the US and Canada.
We know that not everyone is able or willing to be away from home for three weeks or more. That’s why we include it in our driver qualifications. You know what we expect, and we know you can make the commitment.
Willing to Drive a 2020 or Newer 389 Peterbilt
You’ll be driving one of the nicest trucks on the road when you drive for Kaiser Transport. A new truck won’t require significant maintenance or repairs for a while. You get the latest technology and features.
We don’t drop and hook, and we don’t slip seat. You know you’ll have your truck and trailer from start to finish.
Meet Federal Motor Carrier Guidelines and Pass a Screening Assessment, Drug Test, and Background Check
Kaiser Transport has a reputation for safety and compliance with all state and federal regulations. To join our team, you’ll need to meet FMCSA guidelines for commercial motor vehicle operators. We follow FMCSA requirements for background checks on truck drivers before hiring.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) background check searches for a variety of information.
We’ll get your motor vehicle record for each state where you’ve held a driver’s license in the last three years. We check for a criminal record, drug or alcohol violations, and sex offender status. We also look at your past employment records and your safety performance history.
Finally, you’ll need to pass a DOT drug test and physical exam.
Driving for Kaiser Transport
If you’re looking for a challenging job that rewards you for your effort, you could be the right fit for Kaiser Transport. We hire the top drivers and pay accordingly. Our drivers earn $78,000 to $110,000 per year plus a benefits package.
If you hold a valid Class A CDL and meet our other requirements, we want to talk to you. Use our Quick Apply form today and take your driving career to the next level.