i've heard truck drivers make really good money
It depends on what company they work for. Truck drivers provide essential service to industrialized societies 
so do you need a special driver's license to become a truck driver?
I believe so. I think you should have category A driver's license. Truck drivers also responsible for inspecting all their vehicles
so they also have to be mechanics??
no, they just needs to make sure the trucks are drivable, they inspect them for issues relating to safe operation like is the check engine light on, are the rites good, etc
that makes sense
and truck and trailer combinations with gross vehicle mass greater than 12 tonnes must rest for 15 minutes every 5.5 hours, 30 minutes every 8 hours and 60 minutes every 11 hours (includes driving and non-driving duties). In any 7 day period, a driver must spend 24 hours away from his/her vehicle. Truck drivers must complete a logbook documenting hours and kilometres spent driving.
Hours regulations Canada.
In Canada, driver hours of service regulations are enforced for any driver who operates a "truck, tractor
with one driver resting or sleeping in a bunk in the back of the cab while the other is driving.
Trucking and haulage Licenses.
Truck drivers often need special licenses to drive, known in the U.S. as a commercial driver's license. In the U.K. a large goods vehicle licence is required. For transport of hazardous materials (see dangerous goods) truckers need a licence, which usually requires them to pass an exam (e.g. in the EU). They have to make sure they affix proper labels for the respective