I wouldn't use it in the truck, and as far as hazmat I know there is a distance from open flame, but it'll be a while before I drive hazmat.

You might be surprised of the ones that would.

You mean use it in the truck? That's insane for so many reasons.

The Canada rule changed to '09.. Must have to wait for the new Guv'mint before making any real decisions.

I have a Garmin. Was looking to use along with a map. Question: Any experience/comments with the Co-Pilot GPS software for a Laptop? I heard that was worth its $$.

GPS, Maps are all tools of the trade. I'm planning on useing both along w/Co's directions. One tip a driver told me e does is he rights on the upper left of his Windshield the points of change in directions in eraseable marker. As he travels past the point he simple wipes it off and goes to the next. No need to look piece of paper etc while driving. The maeker does not impair your vision as you can look through it. Though it might not be an option for night driving.

The smartest thing i've seen posted was using a flash recorder to verbally record your directions, so you can play them back and listen without having to look down / away from the road. Awesome idea, and i'll be picking one up eventually.

As far as mapping out your route vs. depending on a GPS; I learned how to drive & deliver from my dad. He always taught me "If you don't know where you're going when you start, how can you ever expect to get there?" Take 5 minutes while you're getting loaded or parked in a yard, or even getting fuel, to make sure you've got the right route. Double, triple check. Its worth it to take a tiny bit of extra time at the start of the trip, than to spend an hour or two lost, waiting for a tow on a dirt road, pulled over getting a ticket. You get the idea.

The big thing with driving a truck is pretty simple: Use your common sense. Look, I know I'm 23 and acting like I've been driving a big rig for all those years, but its just the basics. If you can't get the basics down, you're toast from the start.

Thanks to the Original Poster for the recomendations. Also thanks to the person who mentioned that you need to pack light. You're not moving into a truck all on your own when you start your training. I've got a little planner that i keep my checkbook in, with a calculator and a place to store extra pens. I also have a metal woobie (A drivers-log sized clipboard, for my current freight-relocation gig), that together maybe are the size of a single dress shoe. You want stuff that you can keep tucked away in one of the compartments of the truck, so you're not tripping over everything, but make sure you can actually use them!

Great thread. Its going to help all the newbies like myself. Thanks for the support guys (and ladies!)

Just a quick thanks to all of you who have shared your experience & advice.

thanks for the list, how much clothes do you need? Werner said enough for seven days so do you double up on you jeans or take seven pairs same thing with shirts. I dont want to over back since space is limited and the last thing I want to do is piss off my trainer on the first day. Thanks

clean shirt for every day ya you can probable double up days on your pants but if your going to have to unload/tailgate you will want an extra couple pairs of pants if your doubling up and an extra shirt or two for when your unloading. bag them after your done unloading and put your shirt in with your shower stuff (personally i use a regular book bag has room for my shower kit and clean cloths in dirty out) and give it a rinse during your shower you that way its reeking all week until you wash it for real and if needed you can ware it again to unload