PROFESSION TRUCK DRIVER. FIND OUT THE BENEFITS

Truck Driver: one of the most requested professions in Italy and in the world. This is a profession that has become increasingly necessary for companies that deal with logistics over the years, as it is well known that national transport, at least in Italy, takes place for the most part by road and not on other means, such as train, also due to the geographical conformation of the territory.

Truck drivers and lorry drivers in Italy travel long distances daily to transport goods and products from one place in the country to another. In addition, the increase in e-commerce has given new impetus to this activity and to the logistics sector in general.

PRACTICING THE TRUCK DRIVER PROFESSION. ROAD CAR TRANSPORT

Statistically, compared to other types of work, the truck driver profession ensures greater opportunities for growth. This is mainly due to the significant development of integrated distribution systems. Logistics, day by day, is becoming more and more important in the lives of all of us. This is also reflected in the labour market: more and more people, in fact, are looking for and finding employment in this sector.

When we talk about the world of car transport, it is not uncommon to hear the term "transport for third parties", which is also part, for example, of the services we offer.

But what does this term specifically mean? What does this type of activity consist of? According to the Italian law that governs it, specifically in Article 40 of Law 298/74, this type of service is defined as entrepreneurial activity for the provision of transport services. In a nutshell, therefore, it is an activity carried out by those who professionally, for an agreed fee, deal with the transfer of goods of various kinds, belonging to third parties.

Unlike those who transport things for themselves, thus using their own vehicles and goods, those involved in road transporting goods on behalf of third parties, must comply with different special rules and requirements, created to provide guarantees to potential customers.

First of all, for example, it is mandatory to have a specific license: the so-called “License for road transport of goods for third parties”, a particular authorization relating to this type of service, issued by the Ministry of Transport.

To obtain it, you must first be registered in the National Register of Truck Drivers, in order to receive a specific document from the provincial offices of the Civil Motorization.

Once issued, the license allows you to carry out a transport service on behalf of third parties throughout the national and international territory. Of course, it is very important that the license must be obtained for each vehicle in the fleet of the company.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN REQUIREMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE ACTIVITIES OF A TRUCK DRIVER? 

We have just seen, in general terms, what is meant by freight transport license for third parties, some of its guidelines and its value. But what are, specifically, the legal requirements to be met in order to request this type of certification? They are basically three:

Moral suitability (also referred to as integrity)

The integrity requirement concerns the candidate's conduct towards the law and is a requirement that is also required in other professions, for many corporate, professional and public positions.

As specified in Article 5 paragraph 2 of Legislative Decree 395/2000, those who manage or own a transport company on behalf of third parties must not have legal pendings.

The requirement of integrity must be confirmed every year. The loss of this requirement entails the temporary suspension from the register and, if not reaffirmed, leads to the definitive cancellation from the register.

For example, they must not have been declared habitual offenders, must not have been convicted, definitively, for culpable crime, or have received administrative sanctions such as for abusive exercise of the profession and so on.

Professional suitability and establishment

A particular suitability, which can be demonstrated either by attending a specific training course, held by authorized bodies, or by possessing the so-called professional title of transport management, obtained following the qualification. This certificate does not expire and is, of course, obtainable only on a personal basis.

In addition to this, for registration in the Register it is necessary to have the requirement of the establishment, that is to have an effective and stable site, in the territory of a member state, owned, leased or rented/loaned.

Financial capacity

Financial capacity is a certificate, issued by a professionally qualified person, which certifies the candidate's possession of certain financial means. The candidate must therefore demonstrate that he has a specific capital available in proportion to the means used for the transport. The financial capacity of the company, which wants to provide this type of service, must be documented as required by European Regulation 1071/2009/EC and equal to 9 thousand euros for the first vehicle and 5 thousand for the others.

At this point, it is important to underline that these standards identify different requirements, depending on the carried weight. For example, if we are talking about a freight transport of less than 1,5 tons, it is sufficient to possess only the moral suitability. Beyond this threshold, however, it is essential to demonstrate all three of the aforementioned requirements.

As you can easily imagine, driving a heavy vehicle is a great responsibility, as well as a great sacrifice. A delicate operation that requires the utmost attention, competence and professionalism.

Each driver is, literally, the business card of every company, capable of influencing, for better or for worse, the image of the company he represents.

WHAT ARE THE COURSES TO BECOME A CAR TRANSPORTER?

The professional category of drivers is now called to be more prepared not only on the rigid regulatory legislation for the most correct driving on the road, but also on the specific regulation on working time limits. In particular, following the introduction by the Community legislator, of obligations imposed on them according to the need to ensure greater road safety. This benefits all operators and daily users.

Therefore, to become a professional truck driver, passion alone is not enough: you need a specific training course because driving a truck is not like driving a car. There are determined requirements.

For professional transport, in addition to owning your own vehicle, which certainly involves a considerable investment, having a C or C1 driving license alone is not enough. Obviously, before taking C license, you must be in possession of a type B license because both the theoretical exam and the practical exam are different. For this reason, both exams must be taken.

Then you need to obtain the certificate of professional ability, otherwise known as CQC, acronym for Driver's Qualification Card.

It is an important document that enables the driver to exercise his profession, made compulsory by law since 2009. This certificate can be obtained by enrolling in a training course, organized by the competent bodies or by authorized driving schools, the outcome of which will be determined by a final exam lasting 2 hours.

The CQC has a duration of 5 years, after which it will be necessary to repeat the procedure.

Additional essential requirements are:

• be at least 21 years old
• possess visual acuity equal to no less than 12/10 overall, and with a minimum of 4/10 per eye (value that can also be achieved with correction by means of lenses)
• have good hearing
• have regular limb function

The last step, for each self-employed worker, consists in opening their VAT number, as well as registering with the Business Register.

LICENSE FOR THE PROFESSION OF TRUCK DRIVER FOR THIRD PARTIES. HOW TO GET IT?

If your dream has always been to travel miles by road delivering goods from one end of the world to the other?

Then third party transport is probably what you are looking for!

But, once the basic requirements, already mentioned above, have been met, in order to actually be a professional, it is necessary to acquire the specific qualification that guarantees access to the labour market.

Starting from 2014, the achievement of the certificate of professional competence requires the passing of a first theoretical test consisting of 60 multiple choice questions, with four answer options, and of a second practical test.

The questions are taken from the official database attached to the Executive Decree n. 79 of 2013 of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.

The courses to pass the exams and earn the certificate are of different types and differ essentially in load weight ranges. The course chosen for the training will, in fact, allow the attendant to learn how to drive vehicles of different caliber, even of large dimensions or of particular complexity, given the particular functional versatility of the same.

After passing the exam, a certificate of professional competence will be issued, valid both nationally and internationally.

PROFESSION OF TRUCK DRIVER. NEW OPPORTUNITIES RELATED TO TECHNOLOGY

Car dealerships, guides, sellers, renters, forwarders and companies from around the world between the public and private sectors rely on car transport companies to move vehicles over medium to long distances, thus saving time, money and wear and tear on their vehicles.

Therefore, starting a car transport business can be a rewarding business but requires both good management skills and sufficient investment capital, as well as particular attention to the environment. In fact, thanks to the new technologies used to make automotive transport more energy efficient, advanced transport is increasingly becoming an opportunity as well as an “ecologically sustainable” possibility.

All manufacturers of trucks and articulated lorries (first of all MERCEDES BENZ, DAF, MAN, FORD, RENAULT, SCANIA) must keep the pace with the general progress of the industry and develop their margins of innovation in order to thrive.

And it is for this reason that, together with consumption, with improved aerodynamics, new Euro VI exhaust technologies, systems and equipment to support the driving style, the overall costs of managing a truck are also reduced, especially in long-haul transport and heavy short-haul transport.

This parameter is suitable to be considered a preferential criterion, above all, by medium-large companies, potential customers, which boast the importance of the environmental impact in the procurement and distribution of their products and which influences, and not a little, in the choice of the logistic partner.

For what concerns the bureaucratic requirements, the start-up of a transport company is subject to registration in the national register of road hauliers.

“Businesses that intend to transport goods by road” - on the portal of the Register – “must register in the provincial register of road hauliers for third parties held at the Civil Motorization Office responsible for the territory with respect to the main/only office of the company”.

HOW TO WORK WITH TRASAUTO LOGISTICA. BECOME A SUB-CARRIER

Over the years and with the evolution of the sector due to economic dynamics, many small businesses have transformed into larger and more complex companies.

The same concept of Logistics has evolved, passing from mere distribution logistics to "integrated logistics".

Today the complex process requires the planning, implementation and control of the flow of goods and raw materials from the place of origin to that of actual consumption, in order to effectively meet the needs to be met.

From the 1980s to today, simple partnerships have gradually become large corporations. Trasauto Logistica has also completed its path of evolution alongside, over time, even small self-employed workers. Because over the years it has become aware that the improvement in the management of flows within the logistic chain cannot be separated from the involvement of external actors.

Whether they are more structured partners or small self-employed workers, the objective of Trasauto Logistica essentially becomes that of governing all phases of the distribution chain from a systemic perspective.

The figure of the driver as an employee, able to carry out only the professional activity of the transporter was integrated by the figure of the haulier (called sub-carrier).

The sub-carrier is the one who, in complete autonomy, carries out the freight transport service on behalf of third parties, also assuming the consequent business risk.

Becoming a sub-carrier means setting up your own business: the ambition of many hauliers attracted, more than by easy earnings, by the possibility of managing their professional life from A to Z. It is a profession that, despite its difficulties, maintains excellent prospects.

Perspectives, however, which can be resumed in two job opportunities. Either rely on a consolidated integrated logistics company or move, like any freelancer, promoting one's image through the most appropriate channels.

However, while the employee will only have to take care of doing his job correctly, the independent haulier will have to fulfil a whole series of fiscal, administrative and organizational obligations.

Both in the first case and in the other, the same legal obligations persist: in particular in relation to driving and rest times.

A professional is aware that the profession requires working overtime, flexible hours and compliance with pick-up and delivery times.

And those interested in becoming a professional hauler must be motivated to carry out a profession that requires working overtime, flexible hours, compliance with collection and delivery times.

Trasauto Logistica is constantly looking for new partners to increase its fleet and the range of transport services for its customers.

If you own a carrier used for the specific transport of vehicles (car transporter, heavy car transporter, trailer, lowered trailer, specific structures and trailers used for the transport of agricultural vehicles/exceptional transport), if you are a driver or a professional haulier, fill in the form and you will be contacted by our staff for a preliminary evaluation aimed at a future collaboration.

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Or for personalized assistance, you can call our offices in Italy at: +39 (0) 828 1818150

or request more information also via e-mail: info@trasauto.com