Truck Driver Requirements

Drivers must pass a drug test, reference check, and possess a driving record that meets the company’s policies, which are based on the insurance carrier’s requirements for coverage. Many companies also have a minimum age requirement of 21, and applicants may need to pass a physical and have the capacity for heavy lifting.

Most oilfield truck driving jobs require a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL), or the ability to satisfy all government requirements to successfully obtain one. A driver needs a CDL if the vehicle meets one of the following criteria:

• Class A truck – any combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 or more pounds provided the GVWR of the vehicle being towed is over 10,000 pounds
• Class B truck – any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds
• Class C truck – any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that is either designed to carry 16 or more passengers (including the driver), or is designated for hazardous materials.

Training to be a Truck Driver