Advice To New Truck Drivers
[or those interested in truck driving]
? Avoid getting ripped off…
? Don’t believe everything the recruiters say…
? Don’t be too hasty or you’ll regret it…
? Don’t let these companies run all over you and make you run tired…
? Watch out for automotive loads.
? Do NOT flash with your bright lights
? Get over when passing
? Advice on backing an eighteen wheeler
? What should truckers take on the truck at the very least?
Avoid getting ripped off
No matter if you just started driving a truck you should never work for under .28 cents per mile. If you are, you are getting ripped off. It does not matter if they helped you get schooling to drive. They are exploiting you if you make under .28 cents per mile.
Note: I have had many comments about the above statement recently. I realize that in some cases depending on your age, location, etc. it may be difficult to start at .28/mile or more. I am merely suggesting that you should NOT even have to. It is absurd to think that it has been almost 10 years since I first started and I started out then fresh out of school at the great age of 21 at .27/mile. Isn’t that ridiculous? I remember that even at that time CR England was starting drivers out at .19/mile. For lack of a better term, that is horse-pucky! Let me ask you all, wouldn’t you start a new driver out at whatever they will accept? I mean the lowest possible? Why even TRY to keep drivers on if they can replace the older drivers with those working for .10 cents less than the other? See, here is the problem, when you do get experience guess where you’ll be as well? It HAS to stop!! -Sep 26, 2003
Don’t believe everything these recruiters say
The recruiters these companies hire are very savvy. They will promise you the world, you’ll be home all the time, you’ll have the best insurance, etc. They spend millions of dollars every year trying to get you in the door instead of spending the money to keep the drivers they already have. That, in and of itself, should kick off an alarm in your head. Trust me when I say there are lying. This is your life you’re talking about, don’t let them take it from you.
Don’t be too hasty or you’ll regret it
Realizing that you have a family to feed and the lure of good money may force you to be in a bit of a hurry to get in a truck fast. Better watch what you’re doing and don’t get tunnel vision. These recruiters can smell when you are desperate. They will eat you alive if you insist on being in a hurry. If you have any concerns feel free to ask me or we’ll find someone who knows! Look at my polls on trucking companies or Trucking Company Reports to see what the actual drivers say about them.
Don’t let these companies run all over you and make you run tired
You are responsible for who you kill if you let these companies run you tired. If you did kill someone while they are running you tired they would just shake their heads and say too bad, oh well. Remember, they do not make any money while you sit a a dock for 8 hours either so they will try and force you to make it up for them. Being subtle about it, of course. BE CAREFUL.
Watch out for automotive loads
Automotive loads pay pretty good so trucking companies will sit you and hold you so you can pick it up and they’ll have someone there for sure. THEY get paid for holding a truck for them. YOU get NO extra pay and sit up all day waiting for it and have to drive all night. You may have to become belligerent about it, but tell them NO. They also do the same thing for UPS, FedEx, Airborne, etc. [ air freight ]
Do NOT flash with your bright lights
A lot of drivers will flash another driver after he/she safely passes. For some reason it has become an issue with drivers using their brights to flash instead of turning off their lights. Don’t do it. It’s better not to flash at all instead of using brights. If that driver gets blinded and runs off the road because of your brights, it’s your fault.
Get over when passing
While it’s not done much anymore, the courteous thing to do when passing another driver is to get over on your line and he should move to his line. This helps stop some of the turbulence. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen drivers’ trucks sucked together and many of them have died as a result. Even if the other driver doesn’t you should because it’s your life on the line as well. Don’t let pride get you killed because of another stupid driver.
Advice on backing an eighteen wheeler
When one first becomes a truck driver the backing in part can be a daunting task. It is without a doubt the hardest part of learning how to sling an eighteen wheeler around. One of the main things to learn is to G.O.A.L. [get out and look]. Never take for granted your spacing. Calm down and take your time, don’t worry about other drivers getting frustrated at you for taking your time to back in. Will they pay for that $100,000 truck you hit? I think not. We all had to learn so don’t be afraid. One of the main things I learned about backing in a truck is to not only look at your box but FOLLOW THE TRACK OF YOUR TRAILER TIRES. If there are lines on the pavement that is the single most important thing to watch to help judge your angle. There will be times when your leg will ache from holding onto the clutch so long backing in and you will be drenched in sweat from a real tight spot but don’t worry you WILL get over it, we all do !! I believe any idiot can basically take a truck down the road but when they learn to back an 80′ long truck in a very tight spot with ease, they are then a REAL truck driver.
What should truckers take on the truck at the very least?
There are a few things a new driver should consider taking on the truck with him/her at the very least. The first thing they should consider is a trucker’s map specifically for truckers. You can find the best trucker’s road map here. You should also consider purchasing a truck stop guide to know where all the truck stops are here. You should have at least one week’s worth of clothes in your truck. A cb radio is very handy as well. I prefer the Uniden PC68 cb myself. You can find these at a Wal-Mart. Any truck driver should have a roll of duct tape on board as well as this will come in very handy. A log book ruler, scissors, tape, calculator, jumper cables, wrenches (9/16, 7/16, 1/2), a flat head and Phillips head screwdriver.
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I am 55 years old, in good health (blood pressure controlled with meds), have a Class B CDL and drive a school bus. I’m divorced and have one son (grown and on his own). I will be going to CD training at a jr college near my home next summer. Although $$$ is not my sole focus as I begin my career as a professional truck driver, I want to work for a company that is known to pay on schedule without a lot of hassle. I believe miles will come as I show my value to whichever company I hire on with. I am looking into Roehl, Averitt, Knight, May, JCT, and Howard trucking companies. Can/will you suggest more. Obviously I will need a company with a paid, comprehensive training program.
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i am 22 and am currently in a job i am realizing is not for me i have thought about going to truck driving school can you give me some advice about being a truck driver is it a good move or bad what are some of the good and bad parts of truck driving
Please talk about the whole leasing owner operator problem. Especially now. I just ran some numbers and would have to run 3000 miles a week to make a decent wage. Have a good day. Thanks for the desperate comments too. I have experienced 2 different companies that fit the Mill attitude.
Dylan
I am also 23 years old and thinking of driving. My dad is a driver and almost has a truck paid off. Truckers can make really good money if they own their own truck. I am not so focused on school right now and I decided I am going to leave this year in Sep to go driving. Its up to you.. go with your gut feeling. If you think it is a good idea then it probably is. Truckin has its ups and down but in the end it will def be worth it for me.
I am 20 years old and I am thanking of going into trucking. I live in Ohio and i was wondering, what are some good schools to go to in southern Ohio? Because I have been looking for several weeks now and I have found a few, but just not sure if there any good or not. Also how old do you have to be to get your A CDL? I have read 21 years old, but most companies want you to be at least 22 years old, so which is it?
JD,
It differs from state to state. I have seen 18 yr. olds get a CDL., but cannot drive out of state.
Now some companies want you to be 21 all the way up too 25. Check with the state of Ohio.
I am a 24 year old female and I have been working Office Manager jobs for the past 6 years and HATE it! My boyfriend has recently got me considering becoming a truck driver and I want to get some opinions from some true experienced drivers. When I was 18 I was young and dumb and hanging out with the wrong crowd. I was arrested but not convicted of a drug charge. Even though it is my legal background, it does not whatsoever reflect the person I am now. In your opinion, what will the job market be like for me if I decide to go forward with the trucking industry and get my CDL? If I am able to 100% pass a drug test now, will the trucking companies still want to hire a young female with somewhat of a background? Any of your advice is welcome and greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Yea it shouldnt, I am currently going to nuway trucking schools in MI and there were a few cases where people werent employable because of CONVICTIONS, so as long as you dont have an extensive record, or a felony or anything like that then you are good. I am 21 and was in juve from 12 to 18 and I am still considered hireable by almost all major companies and the only reason that is is because I have to wait at least a year to be considered by all of them. And my offenses were way worse than drugs.
hi im a 19 year old male, who is currently living outside of the country. i am a US citizen and i come from new yorks capital albany. this past summer i recieved a speeding ticket. i dont remember what i plead but it was paid off and after taking a course in drivers ed. i went from 4 points on my license down to 0. i really want to go to truck driving school, but with this past history will i be able to before i turn 21?
I am 24 years old and will be starting my training on the 27th. For a driver who has just started what is the average weekly pay? and what is the average time a driver get home? because i know that companies will lie to you.
I am recently released from prison and therefore have no license that is valid for the previous 3 years. I just graduated from a trucking school and obtained my CDL. Can anyone direct me to a company that will not disqualify me for both the felony and not having a valid license for the 3 year period. Willing to accept any driving position requiring CDL. Would appreciate all positive advice.
I only read the first paragraph of this before I said I have to comment immediately. Plus I am busy so I had just a sec to spend. Companies take a risk by allowing you to drive with no experience and they also pay ins hikes for young inexperienced drivers to be on. I only take 2 years OTR experience at my company with clean 3 yr MVR (and that means not one thing can show on that crisp piece of paper) and over age of 26 so I do pay well over the above mentioned amount. But if I was a large company, I might take the road that swift and others have taken for whatever reason. It is hard to get drivers with 2 yrs exp and perfect MVR. I spend way too much time recruiting. So I would love to take the alternative, and I would have to pay less to compensate insurance and extra cost associated with drivers who do not know how to be accident free and take care of trucks. An inexperienced driver can do quadruple damage to a truck in a month compared to what they made the truck. Extra compensation has to come from somewhere. Back when we were not as picky, I had a driver do 10k damage to a truck in 1 month. He did not make us half of that in profit during that month. So we went way in the hole with that driver. And companies like swift have a list a mile long like that. It is the same reason that By Here Pay Here car lots have to charge such high interest. The have to spend more money to protect the investment. COMMON SENSE!
Sincerely,
President of a 15-truck transportation company
To say this in good form means to ask you to think twice. First things first, a boss on the war path is always right. Second, the almighty dollar dictates. Third, no loose ends. This is what they feed you during that week long orientation, while they attempt to explain CSA. Need I say CYA? When in doubt, GET IT IN WRITING. Truth is, you will forevermore walk a tight rope between profit and safety. All companies preach safety first. A seasoned driver will maximize productivity with safety foremost in mind. To profit certain companies, however, takes an MBA in politics. Follow your gut. Remember this, if ever it comes down to accountability, IT IS YOUR LICENSE, YOUR CAREER, and YOU are guilty until proven innocent. To quote Xun Zi, “A person is born with a liking for profit.” If you have no loose ends, OTR, at no less than a buck a mile, is sustainable pay dirt. Especially if they offer a free training course. However, LTL and Local Line Haul, will get you less swag and more “home sick” time with the rug rats. For most people, submitting a Federal Level, Ten year, gap free, and flawless work history is a tall order. To say nothing about the abstract. Companies and Recruiters know this, but rest assured, that if they need a body, they will call. Just keep on pounding the pavement, and with that said, now you’re one of us.
“There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat. And we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures.” -William Shakespeare
Quotes refernce at http://www.brainyquote.com
Godspeed. I’m too old for this.
Monstrari Digito