Truck Driver Pros and Cons: How Do I Know If Truck Driving Is For Me?

I’ve always been curious about what makes a career the right fit for someone. Take truck driving, for example — it sounds exciting with all the travel and independence, but is it really the kind of job that suits everyone? More importantly, would it suit you?

From everything I’ve learned, trucking isn’t just about driving. It takes patience, discipline, and the ability to handle long hours alone. That’s why I think it’s important to ask: does this career actually align with your strengths and lifestyle? Personality tests like the Holland Code, MBTI, and Big Five can offer real insight into whether trucking plays to your natural abilities or might be more challenging than it seems.

But before we get into that, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of life on the road. That way, we can get a clearer idea of what this career is really like.

Pros of Being a Truck Driver

As with every job, truck driving has its positive and negative perks. Here are the pros and cons of joining the trucking industry:

A Quick and Easy Start

Getting into trucking does not require lots of qualifications. You only need a few weeks of learning trucking basics and acquiring a valid driver's license to get started.

Flexible Work Schedule

You get to schedule your routes, the driving durations, how to meet the delivery dates, and who comes along with you, whether that's a loved one or a pet. Even better, only you can decide the trajectory of your career, whether to remain a trucker for life or venture into other related areas like transportation managerial roles or logistics.

High Income

Do you want a job that supports a good living? Depending on whether you're owner-operated or a company driver and the kind of freight you handle, you can make between $59,000 to $107,000 annually, coupled with bonuses, insurance, and retirement benefits.

Travel

If spending hours on the open road, experiencing new places and cultures, and making new friends is your forte, then truck driving is your best bet at experiencing it all and so much more.

Large Support Network

While truck drivers spend most of their time alone on the road, they are also part of trucking associations that provide crucial support resources such as legal aid, mental health support, and job opportunities.

Job Security

The demand for truck drivers remains high, as nearly every industry relies on transportation and logistics to keep products moving. With supply chains constantly in motion, trucking offers long-term stability and career opportunities.

Opportunities for Career Growth

Truck driving isn’t just about staying behind the wheel. Many drivers transition into higher-paying roles such as owner-operators, freight dispatchers, trainers, or even fleet managers. If you’re looking for a career with room to grow, trucking provides multiple pathways.

Independence on the Job

Unlike many traditional jobs where supervisors are constantly overseeing work, truck drivers enjoy a level of independence that’s hard to find elsewhere. As long as deliveries are made on time, you have the freedom to structure your day in a way that works best for you.

Cons of Being a Truck Driver

Some of the disadvantages of choosing truck driving as a career include:

Spending Less Time With Family

Taking on the long cross-country hauls means you'll miss out on lots of family time and important events, which can leave you feeling lonely and isolated.

Get Prepared for Fatigue

Long periods behind the wheel can be challenging and could easily wear you out. Taking plenty of rest - this includes adopting good sleeping patterns or taking breaks, and eating healthy are some of the ways you can beat fatigue.

Unhealthy Lifestyle

The work deadlines, limited food options, and too many fast food joints at truck stops often push many truck drivers into unhealthy eating habits. The situation gets worse with their inevitable sedentary life.

Job Uncertainty

While the demand for great truck drivers is typically high, they may occasionally experience downtimes due to changing industry and economic trends.

Long and Unpredictable Hours

Truck drivers often work long shifts, sometimes exceeding 10–12 hours a day. Strict delivery deadlines, delays, and unpredictable schedules can make it difficult to maintain a work-life balance.

Physical Strain and Health Issues

Sitting for extended periods, loading and unloading cargo, and dealing with fatigue can take a toll on the body. Many truck drivers experience back pain, joint issues, and overall physical strain over time.

Strict Regulations and Compliance

Truck drivers must adhere to various federal and state regulations, including hours-of-service rules, safety checks, and licensing requirements. Non-compliance can result in fines, job loss, or even legal consequences.

High-Stress Situations

From navigating heavy traffic to dealing with aggressive drivers and tight deadlines, trucking can be a high-pressure job. Stress management is essential to avoid burnout and maintain mental well-being.

How to Become a Truck Driver

Truck driving is a great career. It provides a flexible work schedule, good pay, travel, and job security.

If you're interested in becoming a great truck driver, here are the steps you need to take:

Meet the Basic Requirements

Before joining truck driving school, you should meet these minimum requirements:

• You need to have attained the minimum legal driving age
• Obtain a current driver's license
• Have a clean driving record
• Some employers may require a GED or high school diploma

Attend Truck Driving School

Attend a truck driving school in your area to gain both practical experience and relevant education on various rules and regulations.

Pass the CDL Training Exam and Other Required Endorsements

Passing both the practical and written tests allows you to get your commercial driver's license. Depending on the type of cargo you'll handle, you may also need to sit and pass the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration exam (FMCSA) practical and written test.

Search for a Job

Now that you've passed the tests and have all the required credentials, you need to search for a job. Most driving schools help to connect their qualified members with trucking companies for a start, but you can also reach out to the truck companies directly to seek an open position that aligns with your qualifications.

Complete the Employer's In-House Training Program

Most employers will require you to complete an in-house training program before you're placed on supervised driving and you finally receive your first solo assignment.

Truck Driver Personality Traits

Having explored a truck driver's world, the big question you need to answer is, "Is driving a truck right for me?"

As we've already observed, a person requires certain skills and competencies to enjoy this job. However, even more importantly, an individual's personality needs to gel well with the nuances of truck driving. Get this wrong, and moving forward, you may end up feeling miserable every time you hit the road.

Based on our research, we'll list each personality we think makes a great truck driver. If you fit into any of these personalities, you may just have found your career match!

If not, please don't let our suggestions deter you from pursuing your truck driving career because, ultimately, you can still succeed at it if you put in the work. Alternatively, you can find other job opportunities connected to truck driving, such as driving trainers, dispatchers, and freight management. Either way, we root for what makes you happy and gives you immense career satisfaction.

MBTI

The Myers-Briggs Personality Types have diverse traits that fit them in various careers. If you have one of these MBTI personalities, you make a good truck driver:

ISTP

ISTPs can make great truck drivers. These introverts are highly independent and diligent individuals who like to operate in a calm environment with minimal interruption. ISTPs have high standards of how things work, and this trait can come in handy when planning and organizing their tasks.

ISTJ

ISTJs are meticulous and structured people who make the most of their time and take deadlines seriously. These individuals prefer to work in a solitary environment, a trait that bestows them the ability to take on the solitary truck driving job with finesse.

Big Five

The top Big Five traits that would prove helpful for truck drivers include:

Openness

Drivers find new experiences and adventures on the road, as well as meeting new people, appealing. If you score high on the openness trait, then driving trucks might just be the right job for you.

Conscientiousness

Great truck drivers require high self-awareness, organization, responsibility, and dependability to stay on course and make deliveries on time.

Extraversion

While it may be only you in the truck most of the time, you need a bit of extraversion to interact with other drivers, freighters, and customers. Plus, how can you pass on the opportunity to make a new friend whenever you can?

Holland Code

Based on the Holland Code career areas, we think the Realistic personality would make a successful trucker:

Realistic Holland Code

Realistic personalities prefer physical or hands-on tasks that bring tangible results and instant gratification. They also love their own company and job autonomy and are goal-focused, all of which would make them great truckers.

Extraversion Vs Introversion

Both extroverts and introverts would find truck driving appealing. For introverts, the solitary nature of the job, independence, and simple work structure is an ideal work environment.

Extroverts would love interacting and socializing with new people on the road and keep their work autonomy.

Should I Become a Truck Driver?

Whether your personality made it to this list or not, you have the potential to become a successful truck driver. Whether it's a quick career start, travel, good pay perks, or a fitting personality, we hope that by reading this, you feel more confident about pursuing a career in truck driving if that's what truly makes you happy.