Find Texas Trucking Schools and Programs

Texas is the largest state and therefore has a number of routes and cities that can make truck driving careers very enticing. There are busy cities, deserts and a wide variety of freight to haul across all types of terrain. When you’re looking at a truck driving career in Texas, it is important to consider the industries and the laws that go into driving a truck.

Quick Info

• Drivers average $37,220 per year in earnings


• There are over 136,000 professional drivers in Texas


• The large cities of Houston and Dallas have a big population of drivers

Salary and Career

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the earnings of a truck driver in Texas to be $37,220 a year. You may be able to influence this number based upon your ability to drive more hours, what industry you choose and how much experience you have out on the roads. The more skills, flexibility, and experience you have the higher your potential earnings are.

When you are looking at the overall career outlook for Class A drivers, it is good. Truck driving positions are increasing regularly - and the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the overall number of positions in the country could increase by 21 percent in the next 10 years.

Some of the top industries in Texas for truck drivers include oil and fuel, government, general trucking and retail. You will be able to explore the different industries to see what the requirements are, what the pay is and what the overall benefits are.

Benefits to a Truck Driving Career

Many benefits exist to driving in Texas. You will be able to find a driving job that works within the hours you wish to work. Some employers look for drivers Monday through Friday and have you home in the early evening. Others want people to drive at night and over the weekend, with a variety of routes across the state and/or country.

With so many industries to choose from, you can decide the truck to drive as well as what you will be transporting.

Important Laws and Regulations in Texas

There are some important laws and regulations to follow in Texas. You will need a CDL and this is obtained by passing a test that is both written and driven. Once you earn your license, it is critical to maintain a clean record and valid license.

Additionally, in Texas, they can cancel your CDL if you have incomplete driver education, place a false statement on your driver’s license application or you have a suspension or revocation in another state.

You will have to abide by all state laws, including their anti-idling laws. In Texas, if you are at a restaurant, rest stop or anywhere else, you can only idle your truck continuously for 5 minutes at a time from April to October. This may depend on specific jurisdictions, so check with your local laws before idling for extended periods.

Various other laws will need to be followed as well. This can include your DOT records and various other laws – both state and federal. States must comply with federal commercial driving laws, but may have additional regulations on the books.

Looking into truck driving careers in Texas can be just what you need to have an exciting career on the road, though it pays to know about the different industries and employers.

Links and Resources

• Texas Department of Transportation


• Texas Trucking Association


• CDL Manual - Free Download