How Do You Become a Monster Truck Driver?

The 1970s was an interesting period in the automobile industry. It started with trucks that could pull tractors and mud drags. Not too long, tires grew gigantic, and so did the guts of drivers. Sometime in 1981, the first monster truck was born. 

If you are reading this article, you are probably considering what it would take to be a monster truck driver. No matter what you have done before now or which career path has led you here, driving a monster truck requires preparation, training, and effort. If you are ready, let’s answer this one question: how do you become a monster truck driver?

Steps To Become a Monster Truck Driver

There is driving just any vehicle or truck and there is driving a monster truck. Becoming a monster truck driver requires a certain skill set, guts, and appreciation.

In this section of the article, we will briefly run through the five simple steps to becoming a monster truck driver. Also discover tips about Monster truck horsepower!

Step 1: Obtain a commercial driver’s license

The monster truck industry is a subset of the commercial vehicle industry. So, before you can hope to become a monster truck driver, you should be able to drive any commercial truck and must already have a commercial driver’s license or CDL. If in doubt, here is how to determine how big of a truck you can drive without a CDL for any truck type.

If you already have this, you can get yours from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in your state. To get your CDL, however, you must first pass your road skills and driving test, as you would a standard driver’s permit. After which you will be issued a CDL permit. Now, you are ready for step 2. 

Step 2: Know your monster truck

Here’s a critical point to note about monster trucks, to be a great monster truck driver, you must possess a thorough general knowledge of vehicles. It is not enough to just jump into the truck and start driving, you must demonstrate an intricate understanding of how it works. 

Step 3: Put together your monster truck. 

You should skip this step if you have somehow already built your monster truck. But if you don’t yet have a monster truck but you have a normal truck, pay close attention to this step. The first thing you should do is obtain a truck body for your monster.

For starters, get a full-sized body with an engine and transmission. Next, you will require a new lift, tires, and engine are the main components you’d need to transform your normal truck into a monster truck. Read why are monster trucks street legal guide!

Step 4: Enter the monster truck industry

Arm with your CDL, technical know-how, and your own monster truck, all that is left is do what monster trucks are designed to do, put on some show. To make your way in the monster truck industry as a driver, you must put some things in place. 

Networking with stakeholders in the industry is necessary if you must pave your way as a driver. Attend important events and make the acquaintance of professionals in the industry.

An example of such an event is the Monster Jam show. It allows you to get a clear picture of how the monster truck market operates. Also, attend local fairs as well as other truck shows. 

If you are like a few motivated individuals that put the work into the craft, you can land a gig in one of the major monster truck teams or even become a monster jam driver. 

Best Monster Truck Driving Schools or Training to Attend

Learning to drive a monster truck demands a lot. That’s why it’s always a breath of fresh air to find an institution that can equip you with all you need to know about driving them. The following are some schools that can teach you monster truck driving and requirements. 

• Monster Jam University

Monster Jam University is a training facility located in Paxton, Illinois. Led by the legendary driver and multiple world champion Tom Meents, Monster Jam University kicked off operation in 2014 intending to train the drivers for the Monster Jam tour.

It has come a long way since then as all the Triple Threat Series drivers have trained there. As part of its program now, Monster Jam University trains students (who are future Monster Jam drivers and crew members) on physical training, media training, and proper nutrition. 

Other monster truck driving schools include: 

• Over The Edge
• Monster Truck Driving School by Vern House.

Why is Monster Jam University So Popular?

Everyone who knows about monster jam events knows what Monster Jam University is and what they offer. But why are they so popular? 

Admittedly, there aren’t a lot of monster truck driving schools in the United States, which makes it easy for any decent one to stand out. That being said, Monster Jam University stands head above its peers. There are a number of reasons. 

First, Monster Jam University runs its programs in partnership with the University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH). Unlike other monster truck driving schools in the country, this singular fact lends it much-needed credibility. 

Furthermore, Monster Jam University is led by Tom Meents, the legendary monster truck driver and 14-time Monster Jam Championships. With a lead instructor as popular as Tom in the monster truck industry, it adds to the popularity of the school. 

Also, Monster Jam University is where all potential pro drivers and crew members go to learn and sharpen their know-how of the trade. For example, all drivers of monster jam trucks learned everything they know from this school.

What is Monster Truck Driver Salary?

The salary of monster truck drivers is arguably competitive. Depending on your skill set, experience, and some other factors, the salaries of monster truck drivers in the United States can range from $10,565 to $283,332 with an average salary of $50,915. 

Do I Need A Different License To Drive A Monster Truck?

Due to their unique build, Monster trucks are not typically driven on public roads. So, unlike heavy machinery and abnormal load license, you won’t need a special license to drive a monster truck.

In the states where they are allowed on the public road, however, your commercial driver’s license or CDL will suffice. The simple answer to the question is no, you don’t need a different license to drive a monster truck.