You Know Youre a Trucker When

March 17, 2022 Post a Comment

If yous are a new truck commuter, in that location are some truths y'all ought to know.

This data is not meant to scare y'all abroad from a job as a trucker.

It'southward meant to equip you with straight up information and cognition for that first and important yr of your new truck driving career.

I'd like to connect particularly with the new truck drivers too as the guys and gals who are merely entering the trucking industry.

If yous have just finished CDL training or are still in the procedure of completing their CDL preparation program, y'all may benefit from this knowledge.

The First Year is the Toughest

There is no doubtfulness information technology, your beginning year as a truck commuter is going to be the hardest one.

You'll be making lots of adjustments like getting accepted to the job, getting familiar with the truck you drive, utilizing your new driving skills and getting accepted to the lifestyle.

There are still and then many things to learn most the chore that yous haven't learned yet.

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Truck Driver Standing Beside Blue Peterbilt

My First Twelvemonth as a New Truck Driver

With several 1000000 miles under my chugalug every bit an experienced truck driver, I withal remember after all these years, my offset year as a truck driver.

The worst function of that year for me was finding some of the delivery locations and maneuvering the truck into some of the older areas of big U.S. cities with narrow streets and depression bridges.

Happily, I never peeled the roof off my truck and trailer, only I came pretty damned close upon occasion.

In those days, there were merely maps to rely on. Those maps did NOT testify depression bridges. I personally establish city driving highly stressful.

Here are 7 things you should know well-nigh and some things to expect from your first year as a new driver.

7 Things to Be Enlightened of For Your Start Twelvemonth as a Trucker

1. Getting Driving Experience

Feel is important when it comes to getting the best truck driving job. The more than experience you have behind the bicycle, the better commuter y'all'll become.

The more experience you have, the more money you'll brand. Experience will also help yous relax more and ease the stress and you'll enjoy your driving job more.

Related > 5 Things You Need to Know About a Truck Driving Career

Truck Driver and Dashboard of Big Rig

2. Getting Seat Time

Keep in mind that the primary goal of that start year every bit a new truck driver, is the seat time.

It won't be easy seat time, especially for those people who have hired onto to a big carrier for a company sponsored CDL training program. Indelible such a program tin be a challenge unto itself.

The Trainer

Chances are that you're being trained and driving around with a driver trainer.

Some commuter trainers are proficient and some are not so good. There's some other adjustment you lot'll need to make.

The long and the brusque.

You've got two drivers in i truck and it's a pretty minor space. You'll need to learn to spend your piece of work 24-hour interval with this trainer, whether you similar him or not.

If you and the driver trainer are on the road for long haul driving, that will hateful sharing the same sleeper bunk.

THAT'S a whole challenge unto itself which y'all volition have to cope with.

You've got another person with you lot in very tight quarters and that can create all sort of problems, and so be prepared for this.

Related > What Y'all Demand to Know almost Driving With a Team Partner

Row of White Fleet Big Rig Trucks

three. Paid CDL Training Program Wages Can Exist Lousy

To add insult to injury, chances are that the fourth dimension you spend on the route with your driver trainer, won't pay particularly well.

New truck driver preparation pay tin can exist lousy. And then be prepared to take somewhat of a financial striking. Near carriers pay poor wages for the training period.

However, driver pay doesn't improve very much even when you hitting the route on your ain, in that first year or so.

Y'all should be prepared for this. It's not fair, simply it's reality.

You're non going to make great money the first couple of years equally a trucker.

It'southward the price of getting the experience and sharpening your driving skills. It's a sacrifice I suggest you take in pace, if you desire a truck driving career.

You may get long trips, which usually pay better as at that place are more miles.

However, you won't be able to travel as efficiently as a more than experienced driver, every bit you lot're nonetheless learning.

Consider it role of the learning procedure.

On the other hand, if you're running short haul, sometimes you lot won't get the miles you need, from all the waiting time, border crossing and delays. That translates to low pay.

Be Prepared For 'Sparse Living'

There are sacrifices you lot'll need to make, if you plan to stay in trucking manufacture.

It can exist 'sparse living' at times. Don't look to get rich for a little while. In fact, yous may never get rich from a truck driving career.

But, personally, for me it was worth it.

As a new truck commuter, I invested my time to get the experience I needed . As a result, I was hired past the trucking company of my choice. I truly loved the job, too.

Eventually, I did end up getting paid a very hefty driving wage.

Don't be surprised to come across experienced drivers getting dispatched with better loads… the better loads which pay ameliorate.

Fact: Inferior drivers tend to crappiest piece of work.

Dispatchers know the work is crappy. They don't care for the most part, how crappy information technology is. They take a job to do, and that is to move freight.

Then exist prepared financially.

It can be very expensive to live on the road. Only, it's function of the plan. Budget and brand adjustments to your spending. It's necessary if you want to have a successful, profitable truck driving career.

Related > What You Demand to Know About Paid CDL Training

four. Minimize Accidents

One of your most important goals is to minimize the chances of having an blow.

Accidents are very common in that start year as a professional truck driver.

In that first yr, in that location's the challenge of getting accustomed to the truck.

Do your very best to avoid accidents. They will bear witness upwards on your driving tape (DAC report, in US, CVOR in Canada).

Many incidents are preventable and unnecessary.

They are too embarrassing.

Not only tin they hurt your pride and shake your self-confidence, they can exist expensive.

The really stupid and expensive incidents, could end upwards costing you your driving chore. And no ane wants that.

Related > 7 Sure Burn down Ways to Avert Accidents

Truck Roll Over Accident

5. Adjust To Being Away From Abode

Nowadays, it's a fact of life for new professional drivers, to be on the route for several weeks or more at a time.

Exist prepared for that. Information technology'south not as piece of cake as you may recall.

If you are married or in a relationship, that's a factor y'all must be prepared to bargain with equally well.

Your family needs to know what to expect as well, and be prepared. It's but part of the lifestyle of a trucker.

Being lonely for long periods of time can exist tough emotionally on some people.

Loneliness, low and anxiety are not uncommon bug truck drivers face.

A trucking career tin take its toll on the both the physical and mental health of a trucker.

Related > What Y'all Need to Know about Low in Truckers

vi. Keep Focused on Your Goals

I'm not going to prevarication to y'all.

That kickoff year as a new truck driver can be rough.

But, it's of import non to get discouraged and overwhelmed. The ultimate goal is to accumulate seat time and rack up driving experience.

It'due south part of the learning process when chasing after a truck driving career.

The more experience you have, the more impressive it will look on your resume, should you decide to change driving jobs. Trucking companies want drivers with feel.

Always do a good task and continue yourself safe while doing it.

Aim to practise your best and avert damage to the vehicle and belongings.

Do makes perfect they say, but as a truck driver, let me tell yous it's NEVER perfect.

But, with practice and experience nether your belt, your skills and abilities, just get better and meliorate.

Related > CDL Truck Driver Skills – Tips, Tricks + Knowledge to Kick Your CDL Skills Up a Notch!

Truck Driver Leaning on his Truck

7. It All Boils Downwards To 'Survival of the Fittest' – Hang in There

Possibly trucking companies want to meet if you tin survive the tough stuff.

If y'all tin can survive the toughest stuff they throw your way, chances are you're able to survive annihilation that comes your manner.

Think nearly information technology.

The trucking company REALLY doesn't know y'all at all.

If they've got an ugly load, they've got to get rid. Chances are, they'll assign the load to the new truck driver on the board, rather than give it to someone that they consider a friend, co-worker or a valuable experienced driver.

Yeah, you'll get some ugly piece of work. Merely, don't worry, that will improve with fourth dimension. Continue in mind the end goal.

Yes, it will exist tough at times. Merely, you lot will accumulate the driving experience and the seat time.

THAT'S the long term plan to reach your goal.

Yes, it will get easier and better as time goes on.

Cheque out our Chief Guide of Trucker Tips — By the Million Miler Truckers!

Avery Feent1943