New drivers listen up.

to answer a few questions. It took me 2 yrs before I bought my first truck. I made sure I had the down payment and a healthy reserve just incase and the knowledge to understand how trucking was run. I asked tons of questions, did reasearch on permits, 1099 tax, how much fuel would run, bingo cards and stamps ( old drivers will know about those lol now its the Ssr and Ifta) and I did a profit and loss spread sheet and all without a computer ( used an hammer and chisel on a stone lol)

I will tell u that your not going to make a bunch the first year just as I did. I was in the red and couldnt figure it out. But I didnt give up I kept pounding it out and finaly I was in the black and I did it thru learning to limit my spending. My overhead was higher than my intake I adjusted and now im still out here.

We all know family comes first but if your an OTR driver sometimes things dont work out as we all would like them to. Sick family member, kids birthdays, wedding anniversery, or time off on a certin day remember if your 2500 miles from home and freight is soft u may not get there at the time u like but again remember the dispatcher can only do so much its the load planners who get the freight to the dispatcher. Getting halfcocked and blasting him wont get u anywhere and now you lost his respect so if u do need that one favor your chances went to zero point zero so think before your mouth moves show your a better person.

Leasing a truck has pros and cons. Yeah you are responsible for the truck and the money it costs to do business but remember its a business. Do you need the biggest CB radio or tons of chicken lights and chrome. No not really unless u have a ton of money and show the truck. You make money by hauling freight not sitting looking pretty.

Some lease deals favor the company for sure and those are the ones to stay away from. If your not making at least,$1.53 per mile then stay away. Read the contract and fine print and dont be afraid to ask questions. If something dont look right then question it if it still dont look right walk away.

And finaly I was just like all newbies I didnt know squat. The only thing I knew how to drive was my road runner and back it up. I learned from my neighbor he taught me everything and I watched and learned and was not afraid to ask questions. Dont be afraid to ask anything the more you learn the better you will be.