What is the most important piece of advice you would give?

Try to stay positive. You'll have more time to think about everything in your life. It can get to you. Everytime your ready to quit, just remember tomorrow is another day.

Make sure you plan your trips. Don't let dispatch rush you into accepting loads until you know you can do them.

Track your HOS and understand them. It will keep you out of trouble.

If you don't know... Ask.
Be like a sponge. Absorb everything. Trust your instinct. You should be able to filter out the BS.

Don't rush. Drive defensively. Take care of your truck. Take care of yourself.

Be considerate of others , but don't get taken advantage of.

Every month it gets easier. Put a plan in place for your future.

When you talk with family and friends you'll be starting your sentences like " Your not gonna believe this, but......."

Good luck. Be safe.

 

I'm sorry.. I'm a trucker's wife and I laughed when you said track your hos..... Just wanted to make a funny.

I think the best piece of advice is understand that EVERYONE'S situation and experiences are different. No two trucker's will have the same experience. My husband is just starting out as well, so this forum is helping him and I learn a lot of things and understand a lot of things. If you're married, make sure you're spouse is fully comfortable and understanding with this new transition. It's best to have your wife work with you throughout the learning process and before you go on the road. It really helps!

 

ok I am in school, we had log book class friday and the instructor said that truck drivers get paid by aeronautical miles and not road miles, I believe she gave us false information and that you get paid by road miles, my question is do you get paid by aeronautical or raod miles as a truck driver?

 

I have seen 1 company who does that, but most pay short miles, zip code to zip code. Only a few pay hub miles, and some pay practical miles. The practical miles are usually the closest you get to getting the actual miles you are driving.

 

Don't eat the yellow snow!!!

 

Slow down, and by that i mean don't try to hurry. slow down when in truck stops, residential streets, busy yards when your trying to deliver, before your exits, work zones, ect.
You will never make up time by hurrying when you need to be paying extra attention to your surroundings. Most reportable accidents happen in truck stops, shippers, ect, when your backing.
hammering down the road when your not sure of your exit numbers can leave you finding a way to get turned around, never fun. hurrying through your pre trip can cost you more time than you can imangine not mention possibly killing someone in the process. Rolling down the open highway miles from your destination hammer down, if you so desire. But learn when to take it slow and careful and youll be a safer and more efficient driver for it.
b

 

On a more serious note. Invest in a few simple tools. Enough to do simple fixes, but not enough to have the company wanting you to do major work.

Good tire gauge
"emergency air line" hooks to the glad hand so you can inflate low tires
good wrench set (get it from Sears or an automotive place not the cheap crap at truck stops)
prybar (full size crowbar)
2lb sledge hammer (good for hitting a pin if needed on a trailer tandem slide, or nails if needing to secure certain dryvan loads), as well as occasionally breaking the brakes loose in winter..

lower requirements
fuses - you never know when 1 will blow
extra lights for your truck and tractor
anti-freeze, oil, and any other fluids.

keep an eye on the pressure of your fire extinguisher (they can lose pressure without being used)

and umm enjoy the ride.

 

How many times you going to post this same question in the wrong place?

 

C Y A Always cover your butt.

 

biggest way to keep a lid on your hours is to sleep at shippers and recievers
and not hang around truck stops with all the other 400 lb professionals so a shower during the middle of your driving time
when the ts isnt full is my best answer to not smelling like some of these guys look
For me it works i havnt needed a reset in 22 days and have 14 hours today