Truck driver (Vrachtwagenchauffeur)
Information on this skill...
A truck driver is a driver of a truck and in most cases will have to be regarded as a professional driver. The profession of truck driver is a popular profession that has a great appeal to people. This is mainly due to the feeling of freedom, because truck drivers are on the road a lot. Being on the road and enjoying the surroundings are then big plus points of the driver's profession. One of the downsides of the driver's job is the long working days. International truck drivers in particular have to deal with long working days and are hardly at home during the week. This is also one of the main reasons that many international truck drivers sooner or later choose to only work nationally. If an international truck driver has to spend the night for work, he or she does so in the truck cab. In order to be able to work as a professional driver, a truck driver must have the C driving license and the driver's diploma. By obtaining the driver's diploma, a truck driver receives the indication code 95 on the driver's license. This allows a truck driver to prove that he or she has the driver's diploma. As a truck driver, it is mandatory that you repeat every five years to keep the driver's diploma and you will have to provide a medical certificate. In addition, most truck drivers must have the E driving license. This allows a truck driver to tow a trailer. It is mainly the international truck drivers who almost in all cases must have the driver's license for the trailer. As a truck driver, it is important that you have a professional attitude. This mainly relates to safe driving, traffic rules and laws and regulations. Technical insight is also important as a truck driver.
In most cases, a truck driver can be regarded as a logistics employee, who can work nationally or internationally. It is not the case that all truck drivers work in logistics. Think, for example, of road builders, garbage collection services, demolition companies or crane companies, which also use trucks. Truck drivers who work in logistics may have to deal with various logistics activities. Think, for example, of the transport of milk, flowers, stones, machines, food and consumer goods. Freight transport actually refers to all common products that people use. The profession of truck driver must therefore be seen as fairly general, because truck drivers can work for different transport companies, so that the work can differ per employer. Depending on the work, a truck driver may need additional training. This is especially true if a truck driver is dealing with ADR goods. The abbreviation ADR comes from French and stands for "Accord européen relatif au transport international des marchandises Dangereuses par Route" ADR refers to the transport of dangerous goods by road. Think of chemicals, oil, fuel, gases, cleaning agents and paint products.
BECOME A TRUCK DRIVER
Truck drivers who work professionally do not only have the C driving licence. Professional drivers must also have the driver's diploma. Without the driver's diploma, it is not allowed to work professionally. There are some exceptions to this rule. Think of fairground operators, market vendors or private individuals, who drive little with the truck. Maintenance technicians also do not need to have the driver's diploma. In all other cases, when using a truck commercially, it is mandatory that you have the driver's diploma. The profession of truck driver should not be underestimated nowadays, because you are dealing with valuable goods, which must be transported safely. This means that a truck driver is also responsible for checking that goods are loaded and secured correctly to prevent damage. In addition, truck drivers regularly have to deal with inspections from the government. Think of Customs or other traffic services, which check whether all documents are correct. Truck drivers can therefore be regarded as professional drivers, who have a thorough vocational training.
TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE TRUCK DRIVER
A truck driver is not a mechanic, but a truck driver must have the necessary technical knowledge. Think of checking the truck before using the truck. Important checkpoints are, for example, the tire pressure, the brakes, the air hoses and the level of fluids. Acting in the right way in the event of a breakdown also plays an important role in this. For example, a truck driver must be able to assess whether it is possible to continue driving to prevent dangerous situations. In all cases, it is advisable to look for a safe location so that roadside assistance or recovery staff can carry out their work safely.
MODERN TRUCKS
The modern trucks can no longer be compared to the trucks of the past. Most trucks are equipped with modern systems to make driving safer and more environmentally friendly. For example, most trucks switch automatically, to make driving more comfortable and to save fuel. Most truck drivers nowadays also receive extra training to drive as economically as possible. But also other things that are built in help the truck driver to do his job better. For example, most trucks are equipped with GPS. This allows transport planners to see exactly where a truck driver is at any time. Another important device on board trucks is the tachograph. The tachograph registers exactly how much a truck driver has driven. A truck driver must adhere to the legal driving and resting times. The driving and resting time registration is therefore important to demonstrate that no violations have been committed. The truck driver must be able to submit this driving and rest time registration to the police if they request it. Violations for driving and resting times can be written out afterwards if a check shows that violations have been committed.
TRUCK DRIVER SELF-EMPLOYED HOURLY RATE
Nowadays there are many truck drivers who work as self-employed. Most truck drivers who work as self-employed have to deal with an hourly rate and not with a mileage allowance. A truck driver who works as a self-employed person must be able to calculate at least an hourly rate of € 30 per hour. With a lower hourly rate, you will soon be working below the minimum wage. A realistic good hourly rate as a truck driver is € 40 per hour. In practice, this will unfortunately not be feasible for most truck drivers. Don't forget that truck drivers also have to deal with at least € 5,000 in operating costs per year. This relates, for example, to the accountant, travel expenses and other assets. In addition, not all self-employed truck drivers have trips all year round. There are also plenty of examples of self-employed truck drivers who charge less than € 30 per hour. From a business point of view, this is actually not possible.
WHAT DOES A TRUCK DRIVER DO:
- Transporting goods
- Loading and unloading of goods
- Checking the load (is it fixed)
- Technically checking the truck
- Keeping track of all administrative actions
- Preparing routes (driving and resting times)
- The possible recording of data (cooling temperature)
- Supervising the cargo and handing over the cargo
WHAT DOES A TRUCK DRIVER DO:
TRUCK DRIVER TRAINING
If you aspire to a career as a truck driver, it is best to opt for the MBO freight driver training. As a future truck driver, you will have to undergo a medical examination. In addition, the driver's license for the truck will have to be obtained. In addition to the truck driver's license, you will have to pass the professional competence Code 95. The driver's diploma can be obtained in various ways, such as by following an MBO course or by following the training independently. The MBO programme will take about two to three years. If you want to transport dangerous goods, it is mandatory to obtain the ADR diploma. External training opportunities are also offered for the truck driver profession. Because quite a lot of truck drivers work as entrepreneurs, it is important to follow a course in business administration. Accounting is also important as an entrepreneur.
COMPANIES WHERE A TRUCK DRIVER CAN BE EMPLOYED
A truck driver will in most cases work for a transport company or freight forwarder. In addition, it is true that quite a lot of truck drivers work as entrepreneurs. As described earlier, it is not the case that all truck drivers work within logistics. There are many more companies that use truck drivers. Think, for example, of companies that focus on exceptional transport or companies that transport concrete for construction. Retailers and wholesalers also make extensive use of truck drivers.
COMPETENCES TRUCK DRIVER
The most important competence of a truck driver is that he or she can be regarded as a professional driver. A truck driver must have the driver's diploma, which indicates that it is a professional driver. Another important competence is self-control. If other road users make mistakes, it is the responsibility of the truck driver to deal with them in a professional manner. A sense of responsibility can also be regarded as an important competence, because a truck driver is on the road with a heavy vehicle. In addition, a truck driver will have to have good communication skills, because you usually have to deal with different clients. Technical insight is also important as a truck driver. Generally important words are stress resistance, independence, planning, organizing, vigilance and laws and regulations.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A TRUCK DRIVER
The labour market perspective of a truck driver is good. It is true that there is more and more talk of truck drivers from low-wage countries, which makes it difficult in some cases to find a good job. On the other hand, the transport sector is a large sector and obtaining work will have to succeed sooner or later. In addition, becoming a truck driver is no longer easy, because truck drivers must have various driving licenses and additional training. There are no real career opportunities as a truck driver, other than starting your own business. Working as a self-employed driver is quite popular nowadays.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY TRUCK DRIVER
In most cases, a truck driver will fall under the collective labour agreement for professional goods transport, in which the employment conditions are regulated depending on the employer. A truck driver will in most cases earn a salary between 2000 and 2600 euros gross per month, depending on age, education and further responsibilities. The salary can increase considerably by making overtime and by allowances, such as overnight costs and weekend allowances. Nowadays, making a lot of overtime is limited, because truck drivers have to comply with the driving time law. As an independent entrepreneur, there is usually more to earn, but the risks are high. Think in particular of the high competition and the investment of the truck.
The content on this page has been automatically translated from the Dutch language. For this reason, texts and videos on this page may contain small errors.
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