Why Tanker Driver Jobs Require Special Skills
Commercial truck and tanker drivers are essential for transporting goods, gases, and liquids across states and the country. Drivers need specialized training to learn and gain the skills to do so properly and safely. At New England Tractor Trailer Training School (NETTTS), we provide entry-level CDL training programs at our locations across the Northeast to help prepare aspiring truck drivers to take their CDL test. Here, we discuss tanker trucks and why they require additional skills.
What Is a Tanker Driver?
A tanker driver is a type of truck driver who has received additional training to haul gases or liquids in a truck pulling a tank, rather than a standard trailer or flatbed. These tanker trucks can be small or large and can transport a wide variety of different materials, from gasoline and oil to water and milk and more.
To become a tanker driver, you first must get a commercial driver’s license (CDL) from a truck driving school that has been FMCSA approved for entry-level driver training (ELDT), such as NETTTS. The driver then must earn endorsements, which qualify them to drive specific kinds of vehicles like tankers. The test for these endorsements is typically a written exam. Endorsements required for tanker truck driving can vary, but they are most commonly one of the following:
- H endorsement: This hazard endorsement is required for transporting hazardous materials like fuel, explosives, poisons, chemicals, and other hazardous materials (HazMat).
- N endorsement: This endorsement is required for tanker truck drivers who operate a vehicle that transports gases or liquids.
- X endorsement: This combination endorsement qualifies a driver to transport both hazardous materials and operate tanker vehicles.
To drive a tanker truck, drivers must have an appropriate endorsement and be at least 21 years of age for interstate travel.
Why Special Skills Are Needed for Tanker Driver Jobs
Tanker drivers often require extra practice or skill development to become a tanker driver. This is true for a few reasons. For starters, tanker trucks hauling liquid may be heavier and since it’s often liquid, the cargo can shift while driving, which can affect truck handling. If the driver is not experienced enough in driving with liquids, they may be more likely to be in an accident or make mistakes on the road. If a tanker truck is partially full, it can also be riskier when stopping, starting, or turning. The force of the shifting liquid can cause the truck to roll or push forward, so the driver must know how to handle it.
Another reason is that tanker drivers often transport hazardous materials like fuel or chemicals. These can be potentially explosive and can pose increased danger to the driver and general public. Transporting this type of cargo also requires a hazmat endorsement which involves extra training. Accidents with hazardous materials can be especially dangerous, not only to the truck driver but also to other people on the road. This is why tanker truck drivers are required to have additional training.
These are the two main reasons why tanker drivers need additional training. It not only keeps the driver and roads safer but may also allow the driver an opportunity to drive different forms of cargo. If you’re interested in starting your journey of becoming a commercial truck driver, the first step could start with enrolling in a truck driving school like NETTTS.
Why Should You Attend CDL Training at NETTTS?
Established in 1965 in Somers, Connecticut, NETTTS was founded to provide entry-level training for commercial driver’s licenses. Since then, we have expanded to four campuses across the Northeast in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. We have established a reputation in the trucking and HVACR industries. Our CDL training is available in both Class-A and Class-B programs that help prepare aspiring truck drivers to take their licensing exams. Along with hands-on training, attending the CDL program at NETTTS offers many other benefits, like:
- Experienced instructors with industry knowledge
- A mix of in-classroom instruction and hands-on training
- Financial aid available for qualified students
- Education benefits for military veterans
- Convenient payment plans available even after graduating
- CDL simulators to get a feel for driving before road practice
- A fleet of trucks and trailers for student training
NETTTS is also accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), which promotes quality education to enhance student success in the workforce. For more information on applying to a NETTTS program, visit our admissions page.
Learn More About Our CDL Programs Today
Get started working toward a commercial driver’s license by enrolling in the CDL training program at NETTTS. If you’re interested in becoming a tanker driver, you can go on to apply for endorsements once you get a CDL. For more information about our CDL program or how it can help provide a foundation for a tanker endorsement, contact us today.