How To Become A Tanker Truck Driver: The Ultimate Guide

August 10, 2021


If you want to be a tanker truck driver, there are many things that you need to know. Tanker drivers operate heavy trucks and transport liquid or dry material in large quantities. Whether it's fuel for cars, water for agriculture, or fertilizer for crops- the job is paramount to society as we know it! This blog post will introduce what tankers do, how much they make annually, and other resources available about becoming a tanker truck driver

Here are some things to think about before signing up for this kind of job: The first thing you need to understand is that a tanker truck driver's job can be quite dangerous. This profession has one of the highest fatality rates on record with more than 2000 deaths per year. The second thing to know is that it isn't easy getting into this field from scratch, but if you have the right qualifications and are willing to work hard then these jobs are not impossible for people without experience in this area. Becoming a tanker truck driver is an exciting and fulfilling career. It's also one that has a lot of requirements, from the types of licenses you need to the schooling involved. 

To help you learn all about this career and whether it might be right for you, we have put together a guide with everything you need to know! In this post, we will discuss what skills you need to become a tanker truck driver as well as how much money they make per year and what their typical day looks like. This profession has one of the highest fatality rates on record with more than 2000 deaths per year. The second thing to know is that it isn't easy getting into this field from scratch, but if you have the right qualifications and are willing to work hard then these jobs are not impossible for people without experience in this area.

What Does It Take To Become A Tanker Truck Driver?

The first step in becoming a tanker truck driver is to meet all the legal requirements. You will need a commercial driver's license (with Hazmat endorsement ) to operate a tanker truck, for starters. This is an expensive part of the process, as the Hazmat endorsement can easily cost thousands of dollars for training and testing.

You may also need to take a drug test, especially if you do not hold an active license already. You will also need plenty of experience driving regular trucks before applying for this kind of job, and you will need to have a clean criminal record. The company that hires you may also send you training related to tanker truck driving if they do not think your skills are up to par with what they expect.


Another thing you should know about before applying is the amount of money you can make. As with any kind of truck driver, a person can make a lot of money in this field if they have experience and endorsements. You can easily make around $70,000 per year as long as you have all your necessary licenses and permits to drive this type of truck. Of course, the more experience you have, the more money you will make.

What Is The Work-Life For A Tanker Truck Driver?

As far as your work schedule goes, this is another thing to consider before applying for a job like this. After all, with driving such a machine comes the risk of being on call 24/7. Because of this, you will need to work a lot of overtime and odd hours just in case the company needs something delivered at an irregular time.

To make things worse for some people, a tanker truck driver often has to wait around for days while they load up their truck with whatever liquid they are delivering.

Do You Have What It Takes To Be A Tanker Truck Driver?

Once you meet the legal requirements for a tanker truck driver, you will need to make sure that you have the adequate experience and skills required for the job. For one thing, you should expect to be driving a large vehicle that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. You will also need plenty of practice operating heavy machinery in all kinds of traffic. This means that not only will you need plenty of practice driving large vehicles, but you will also be expected to handle things like weight restrictions and adverse weather conditions with grace. You should consider learning to drive a regular truck or tractor-trailer before working for this kind of company, as the training is usually very minimal and may not prepare you for all the extra challenges that come with driving a tanker truck.

The other thing to consider is your temperament. It's not enough just to be a good driver, as you will also need to be cool-headed and relaxed in order to operate this type of vehicle without panicking. This means that you should never lose your cool when operating a tanker truck, no matter what the circumstance.

This job can be rewarding for the right person, but it's far from easy. However, before you decide to pursue a career in this field, make sure you meet all the prerequisites and have what it takes to operate a tanker truck. There are many things to think about when pursuing this type of job, including how much money you can make and how much experience you should have when applying. This job can be pretty rewarding for those who have plenty of experience running large vehicles. This guide will go over all you need to know before deciding to pursue this career so that you can make an informed decision about if this career path is right for you.

So What Are The Benefits Of Being A Tanker Truck Driver?

You may be wondering what the benefits are of becoming a tanker truck driver, especially when it seems like it's full of pitfalls and challenges. Well, first of all, you will find that this is one of the best kinds of jobs to have if you want to be your own boss. You see, tanker truck drivers are often very self-employed people, driving their trucks wherever they want and setting up deals with gas stations and other companies as they go from place to place. You will also find that many companies work on a contract basis for the drivers, meaning you may get some good benefits if you are considered an "employee" of the company. This may include insurance, paid holidays, and other perks that regular truck drivers do not get to enjoy. You will also find that tankers are much more spacious than standard trucks, which means you will have many modern conveniences at your fingertips while you travel around town.


What About The Drawbacks?

Now that we've covered all the good stuff about being a tanker truck driver let's talk about the bad. Tanker trucks are much more expensive to operate than regular trucks and are known for guzzling gas like there is no tomorrow. This means your expenses will skyrocket, and you will likely be spending much more on fuel than you would in a regular truck. Tankers are also much more challenging to operate when it comes to backing up or making sharp turns. You may find that backing up a tanker is the most dangerous part of your job, as you cannot see very well out of the rear window due to the truck’s size. This is why it's crucial to get a good deal of practice before you get hired by a company that will rely on your skills to make sure deliveries are safely made on time.

Driving a Tanker Truck is Dangerous?

If you are wondering if driving a tanker truck is dangerous, the answer is yes. This kind of job has far more insurance requirements than any other type of commercial vehicle, and for a good reason. Tankers are large vehicles that can sometimes be more difficult to control due to their increased size and weight. You should never take this responsibility lightly and know that you could be facing extreme danger if you do not take the time to learn about the job properly. However, if you are willing to put in the time and effort it takes to be a good tanker driver, you will find plenty of money to be made. This career path can also offer a good deal of freedom if you have your own truck.

How much does a truck driver make?

If you are wondering how much money you can make, it's a good thing. This is one of the most common questions for people who want to pursue this career, and it's one that should be answered before you start down any path. The average salary for tanker truck drivers is $19.68 per hour, with an annual income of $38,400. Although this is a reasonably good wage for people in the trucking industry, you will find that many people who choose to drive tankers can make quite a bit more than this average. If you are looking at long-distance cargo drivers instead of local delivery drivers, it's not uncommon to see salaries that start at $40,000 and go up from there.

If you are interested in becoming a tanker truck driver, it's essential to know what you're getting into before signing on the dotted line with any company. Always make sure that your contract is fair before jumping ship to another company that can give you better incentives. If you want to drive your own tank trucks, you will find many ways to go about this. Whether you are looking for full-time employment or would instead work as a freelance tanker truck driver, there is no shortage of jobs waiting for people who want to take on this exciting career choice.

How Do I Get Started?

Now that we've talked about the benefits and drawbacks of this career choice, you may still be wondering how to become a Tanker Driver. If you are looking for an honest answer, the best thing you can do is seek out truck driving schools in your area. These schools will teach you everything you need to know about being a tanker truck driver, including proper safety skills and techniques, being a professional driver, and much more. You can see the kind of education you'll be receiving by checking out schools online - find one that is near you now!

How long does it take to learn?

You may ask yourself if it's possible to go through school in just a few months, but this isn't necessarily the best idea. When it comes to learning how to be a tanker truck driver, you need to know that this cannot be learned overnight. It takes time and patience to become a skilled professional, and for you to get your commercial driver’s license (CDL), you must prove yourself with experience behind the wheel of a tanker truck.

If you're serious about becoming a professional tanker truck driver, it's time to stop thinking about it and start doing something about it! Start looking for tankers driving schools in your area, do your research to know what you need to learn before graduating, and get prepared for an exciting career with plenty of money to be made!

This is the best, most comprehensive guide to becoming a tanker truck driver you'll find on the internet. It covers all aspects of this career from salary and requirements to how much experience it takes in order for someone to become a qualified tanked-truck driver.

We hope this guide has been helpful to you, and that it will help answer any questions you may have. Feel free to contact us if we can be of assistance in furthering your knowledge about the tanker truck industry!

If you found this post informative then please share on social media with your friends or family who might be interested in becoming a tanked-truck driver too!


About the author

I’m Luis Uribe, author of this website. I am the owner and head publisher for Trucker Daily and a freight brokerage Total Connection Logistics. I have been in and around the trucking industry for over 15 years. It is my mission with Trucker daily to equip truck drivers, with the latest in industry updates, news, and helpful tips to help further your trucking career and life. Whether you are a truck driving veteran, or beginner, you will find information on this site to save you a lot of time in your driving journey.

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}