How do I become a truck driver in America?

Biggest hurdle is going to be the immigration visa and work permit etc

 

Very, difficult.

 

I’d search for a FB group or forum threads in your own country, using something like “Scandinavian Trucker in America”. That should generate leads from those who’ve already done it. I’ve spoken to many immigrant truckers about how they did it (I love to hear stories). All of them have said they landed where they did because they knew truckers, or a group of truckers, in that area who provided them housing and helped them get going. Because it was immigrant truckers helping immigrant truckers, they knew the whole process. I haul auto parts and I’d guess at least 3/4 of the drivers where I deliver are immigrants.

To my limited knowledge, what will help ease immigration is proof of your current abilities (experienced truck driver) and you’re wanting to come to the states and work in an industry in demand (truck driving). From an immigrant friend (UK), he said he had to provide proof of his qualifications and have proof of an awaiting job. It took a few years for him to obtain full citizenship, though.

There are going to be a lot of hurdles and it’ll take a lot of time. Be sure you have a full understanding of all the costs, both money and time, so you can develop a complete plan for a successful move.

I wish you luck.

 

First, you have to apply for a work visa (also known as a 'green card'). You can get this in several ways:

1) Marry a U.S. Citizen and get legal residency.
2) Apply for a work visa based on your educational and skill merits; or rather, what skills you have that are desperately needed in the U.S. (Note: The ability to drive a commercial vehicle is NOT considered a needed skill).
3) Apply for asylum. Coming from Scandinavia, I doubt this would apply to you.
4) Invest a large sum of money into a business in the U.S. ($1 million or more).

In short, good luck on THAT!

As far as how truck driving is in the U.S.? Well, professional drivers here are looked down upon in the way that lepers and Gypsies once were in Europe. As the interest in entering the business decreases here, more and more immigrants from places like the Indian subcontinent come here and work for 'questionable' carriers. I also find it difficult to believe that somebody would WANT to leave a country where the standards of living, health care and retirement benefits are so much better than what we have here in the U.S.

As far as the actual equipment, European trucks are on the whole more powerful, smoother-riding, with better brakes, and are better maintained as well. Yeah, most of our trucks have bigger sleepers and longer trailers, but otherwise they are mostly cheaply-built rattle-traps.

 

What he said ^ maybe come on an extended visit and see what America is actually like. It’s not all picket fences and perfect neighborhoods like they show in the movies. You’re in a great country, maybe we can trade jobs and I’ll take over for you and you take over for me??? Haha

 

Open the link then scroll down to the “Truck Driver” specific section.

Should give you everything you need to know. Unfortunately your CDL is no good here so you’ll have to test out for a new one.

H2B Visas For Truck Drivers: What Is It and How To Apply - Remitbee

 

Career in the USA (goexperior.com)

 

Conversely, I have wondered how difficult it would be for an American trucker to get a job driving in Australia.

Anyone know?

 

I've corresponded with a Danish driver who posts YouTube videos under the name "Slipses", and he seems to not only be doing quite well, but he also gets to drive in some of the most beautiful country known to man. Also, he gets occasionally 'epic' runs like one he did from northern Norway, down through Sweden, put his truck on a Baltic ferry, then down through Germany, Austria, and unloading in Italy. His Youtube videos are spectacular, and his Scania C/O, while small by American standards, is surely a nicer truck than most of the garbage I see on American highways. It's also nice to be able to talk with a working truck driver who speaks English as a second language better than some of the toothless pikers I've known from driving in this country speak it as their only language...

Especially the 'Politics' forum........

Practically impossible. They just keep making truck bigger as the need increases. Driving through the outback, they now allow QUAD trailer rigs! And large doubles just about everywhere else, too. The Aussie drivers I've corresponded with say that there are more drivers than GOOD jobs today. BTW, they're so backwards down there, they still use paper logs...

FWIW, Australia in the last 25 years has gone from being a place which welcomed foreigners to now turning away almost all prospective immigrants. Also, long-hauling down-under means few services along the way. It's like crossing the southwestern deserts was circa 1950.