Automobile Carrier Trailers Education and Training

Becoming a qualified car carrier trailer driver

Driving automobile carrier trailers can be a lucrative career. It is, without a doubt, a career that takes specialized training, as well as a CDL (Commercial Driver License) if the automobile carrier has a GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) of 26,001 or more pounds and is towing 10,000 pounds. The requirements for the CDL vary from state to state, which means that you will need to contact the department of motor vehicles in your state to find out what these are.

Starting the automobile carrier trailers education and training requires find a qualified truck driving school, acquiring the CDL, then finding car carrier trailers for sale, should you decide to buy your own auto transport trailers.

1. Pick a good truck driving school for driving auto carrier trailers

2. Earn your CDL and become an authorized trailer car carrier driver

3. Find car hauler trailers for sale

 

Choose a school for learning to become a driver of automobile trailers

This step is very important, because too much is at stake. Driving automobile trailers requires special skills that can't be learned by driving a pick-up truck. What's more important is that not all truck driving schools are created equal or are even qualified to be called truck driving schools. Fortunately, there are sites like Top Trucking Schools that can help. Do your research, make sure that the schools are accredited, ask lots of questions, and even check them out with the Better Business Bureau.
Try: Top Trucking Schools is a helpful site in that it does help to make the search for good trucking schools where you can earn your CDL to drive automobile trailers. Diesel Driving Academy is one such truck driving school.

Earn your CDL to drive a trailer carrier

Since the automobile carrier can be 102 inches long or more, it is imperative that you complete the training for the CDL before even thinking of slipping behind the wheel. During the CDL training, you'll learn about the pre-trip inspection of the auto carrier trailer and truck, inspection of the engine compartment, checking the cab and properly starting the engine, and checking the air brake. Once you've mastered this, you can start learning about going on the road where you'll learn to properly back up the vehicle, and driving it properly on the road.
Try: New York State posts Federal Requirements for CDL Applicants on their site which is very helpful. The requirements for getting a CDL, which is required for driving auto carrier trailers, varies from state to state. IDrivetrucks also provides good information about requirements for the CDL.

Operate an auto carrier trailer

If you drive for a company, the auto carrier trailer will be provided by the company. However, you may wish to acquire one of your own if you wish to start your own car carrier business. Although car hauler trailers for sale are plentiful, car carrier trailers for rent are also available. Loading the vehicle properly is important. Keeping the vehicle going is another, especially as the auto carrier trailer can break down (something the CDL requires you to do). You will also need to learn to properly lash the vehicles in the trailer and load them in the proper order.
Try: Job Monkey has some helpful tips on skills the auto carrier trailer driver will have to know. YouTube has a very good series of videos called "Unloading an Open Car Transport Carrier" which shows a driver safely unloading a trailer carrier, as well as another featuring properly loading a vehicle.

 

• Take the time to thoroughly research the truck driving school. You do not want to find yourself in the situation of paying for your training only to find that the school is unlicensed. Getting a CDL to drive auto carrier trailers is expensive, so make sure to spend your money wisely.

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