Truckers play an important role when it comes to transporting goods throughout the nation. If you are looking for a career as a truck driver, you will need to complete your CDL training first. Having a CDL will give you the opportunity to take advantage of the benefits that come along with being an over-the-road truck driver.

Here are three of the benefits being a truck driver has to offer.

1. The ability to be your own boss.

If you have the desire to start your own business, you are not alone. According to the University of Phoenix Business School, 39% of American workers want to be their own boss. When you invest in CDL training, you give yourself the opportunity to escape the restrictions of a nine-to-five job.

Once you have purchased your own big rig, you can start a trucking company that allows you to work for yourself.

2. The ability to see America.

Many workers wish they had the opportunity to travel more. If you are hoping to see more of the American landscape, then completing your CDL training could be the first step toward fulfilling your dreams.

The average truck driver is expected to travel between 2,000 and 3,000 miles each week. Spending so much time behind the wheel of your big rig not only gives you the opportunity to travel across America, but to get paid for doing it.

3. The ability to make new friends.

Once you have completed your CDL training, you will become part of a community of truck drivers. Since the demands of being an over-the-road trucker are best understood by those who shoulder the same responsibilities, the trucking community is very close-knit.

The American Trucking Association estimates that there are about 3.5 million professional truck drivers living and working in the United States today. You will have the opportunity to network with your fellow drivers using a CB radio, and you can meet new friends on the road by stopping at truck stops to socialize.

While some people might not think that the life of a professional trucker is very glamorous, making the choice to become a truck driver can provide you with a number of benefits. If you are looking for the opportunity to be your own boss, travel across the United States, and network with new and interesting people, then completing your CDL training and becoming a truck driver could be the right career move for you. Contact the Center For Transportation Safety for more information.