TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOL MILTON, FL (Pensacola Area)

Why Become a Truck Driver in Pensacola, Florida

The transportation industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in America right now and for a good reason. There is a higher demand for truck drivers, and with that has come a sudden increase in trucking benefits.

There are many reasons to become a truck driver anywhere in America, but the state of  Florida – specifically the city of Pensacola – has some special perks that make joining this fast-growing industry particularly attractive.

Plenty of Routes

It is important to have a variety of views when you spend all of your working days driving. This need to mix things up is why many truckers prefer to haul their goods along the East Coast rather than the West.

While the American West is known for its incredible natural beauty, there are more highways, freeways, and other trucking routes on the East Coast than the West. The variety of routes allows for more diversity on long drives and keeps things interesting, especially as you travel around the Orange State. Moreover, driving through the continental US will enable you to experience many weather and environments, providing you with great views and weather and an ever-increasing amount of on-the-job truck driving experience. After driving across the nation, you will have experienced driving under the hot desert sun, the cold mountainous air, the freezing snows of higher altitudes, the rainy weather of the Pacific Northwest, and more.

The Option to Stay Local

Florida is one of the most populous states in America and includes several major cities like Miami, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, and, of course, Pensacola. In fact, Florida’s population as of 2022 is over 22 million residents–not to mention the thousands of tourists who flock to the Sunshine State each year for the beaches and theme parks. Because of this, there is a need for drivers working around the state, taking goods in and out of, as well as around, Florida. After all, who else would bring souvenirs to the most magical place on Earth?

While many drivers opt for a Class A Commercial Drivers license, which allows them to travel across state lines with ease, others prefer to stay closer to home with a Class B or C CDL. With its many different types of terrain, such as marshes, beaches, and gravel, Florida is its own extreme on-the-job experience-maker. Although you may experience a larger-scale change in weather if you decide to drive across the nation, Florida can provide just as many new experiences and allow you to learn even more on the job. Because of the many major cities throughout the state, Florida truck driving is an excellent option for those that want to join the transportation industry but also prefer to be home for dinner most nights. However, there’s always the option to take on multi-day trips while hauling freight, even while staying regional. Florida, after all, is over 53,624 square miles big–meaning plenty of space that needs traversing. 

Enjoy Your Time Off At The Beach

Truck drivers are legally limited to 60 hours on duty over seven days or 70 hours over eight days by the FMSCA. Once you have worked up to those hours in a week, you must take off 34 full hours before starting again. Even if you’re a local of Florida, this makes the perfect designated and required time to relax and hit the beach. 

Often, drivers use this break to catch up on sleep and relax. In Florida, you’re never more than 60 miles from a beach, making it a beautiful place for drivers to relax during their off times. Even if you’re a little too far or too tired to make the trip to the beach, you will still have sunshine, palm trees, blue sky, and the sound of the ocean nearby. Pensacola has its famous beach, which is one of the many reasons drivers come to TDI’s truck driving school Pensacola. Pensacola’s beaches are well-known for how pristine and well-maintained they are.

Moreover, Pensacola is home to the Navy’s famous Blue Angels: a team of aerobic flight demonstration pilots who perform some of the most challenging and stunning stunts. For much of the summer season, the Blue Angels practice and perform in Pensacola–meaning you get a free show whether you’re on the road driving or off relaxing at the beach. Future drivers can practice and learn from former truckers, gain inspiration from the Blue Angels during the week, and then enjoy their time off at the ocean.

Get A Job Fast

There is a significant deficit in truck drivers in Florida. It is estimated that the United States will need around a million drivers by the end of the decade, and Florida has some of the greatest needs due to its high population of citizens. The deficit in truck drivers is due to a few factors: 

• Demographics: To become a truck driver, you need to be at least 21 years of age–older than people typically get their license. By age 21, most potential truck drivers have begun seeking employment elsewhere or enrolled in a 2- or 4-year college program. Although you can still become a truck driver with a college degree, many who enter college already have specific careers in mind. 
  • Moreover, as fewer and fewer of the newer generations become truck drivers, many current truck drivers are retiring and aging out of their current positions. This means that more truck drivers need replacements to fill in their roles. 
• On the other hand, many potential truck drivers turn away from the possibility or leave the industry due to truck driving wages failing to match the rise in the cost of living, in addition to hazardous working conditions–not to mention the mental and physical toll staying at attention to drive safely can take. 

Florida is the third most populous state, coming in right after California and Texas, making it the highest-populated state on the East Coast. Because of this, it is a great time to enroll in truck driving school Pensacola.