Most trucking companies don't trust the government too much.
Although there are specific endorsements on the Commercial Driver's License that are required.
Such as Doubles and Triples
they don't pay too much attention to that.
it's a given...a bare minimium requirement.
mostly it's experience.
How many miles have you driven pulling a flatbed
How many loads have you dropped?
How many insurance claims have you filed?
in your driving career
and by career it's generally ten years minimium
(yes..they do background investigations)
the number of miles required is HIGH
...the number of 'problems' better be LOW
or you don't get hired.
It sounds similar to aviation. I considered diving into a career track as a pilot once, but you've got to start young or there's no point. Mandatory retirement is at 60 (if I remember correctly) and its all based on seniority. Since the best earning years are at the end, there's little chance you'll ever get to touch a commercial airliner if you don't start working in your teens. Since I didn't have the resources to take flying lessons until my mid 20s, it was a hobby only. (Plus I've got this irritating habit of falling asleep in the middle of the afternoon.)
Actually that makes me curious. Have you written anything about handling fatigue on those long hauls?
nope..haven't written anything about it..
oddly enough sleep apnea is the major reason I retired.