What are the top 3-10 Tips for New Drivers

If you get to a truck stop early and there are lots of spaces, take the hard one to get into.
It gives you practice when there's lots of room and leaves the easier ones for the guys coming in later that are maybe too tired to be at the top of their game.

 

^^^This. Do it.

 

I buy those little load books you can get at the truck stops... It has spots for all the pertinent info regarding a particular load... Order number, pickup place date and time, delivery place date time, additional stops, special instructions, required temp, notes, miles loaded, total miles, paid miles, tolls paid, lumper fees, actual paid miles, repairs, ECT. I usually go through 2 of these a month and I think they cost 3 dollars each... I have about a dozen in the truck all the time... And I have stacks of my older ones at home for my personal records, right alongside my old log books. With elogs I email myself a copy of my logs every week, or request a copy from safety at least every 6 months.

I like those small load books cause they are small enough to fit in a shirt pocket and I can easily take them with me into receivers and shippers offices without having to tote around a huge notepad. And they are easy to quickly find a particular load if need be.


And another thing get a CB... It don't got to be an expensive one, and learn to do the basic adjustments to keep it working properly... Now you may ask Why the he'll do I want a CB, its the 21st century!... Well I'll tell you why, so you can turn it on when the weather gets bad and maybe hear about the truck that has hit the ditch 2 miles ahead of you and has all the lanes blocked so you don't smash into it in the blowing white out of a Wyoming snowstorm. I have been grateful for my CB on many occasions because of these type of warnings that have helped me to avoid potential catastrophes. You can also leave it on when backing in at the truck stop in case someone hollars at you when you get to close to something. Hell you don't even need a Mic if you think you might be tempted to get mouthy when that one super trucker starts pushing your buttons over the radio waves.

 

The more time you take, the faster you will get there.

 

After you have parked in that tough spot. Within the hour. Both trucks on both sides of you leave. Then.... Swift shows up....

 

and then he hits my truck

 

Here here !!!

 

Never develop the habits of a quitter.

A quitter is looking for "reasons" (excuses) to quit. WHEN you have "challenges" work through them, instead of quitting.

There's quite a few threads on this forum about the repercussions of having too many jobs in X amount of time. Men with years of experience and more jobs than years suddenly find out that top level companies aren't interested.

Commit yourself to at least a year or two at a job. Never move sideways. When you do change jobs move UP in pay, responsibility, and challenge.

 

I read something thought provoking in an article...

"If I cloned myself today, would I be able to kick my clone's arse tomorrow?"

You will find that many do just enough to get their CDL and a job...and they never improve their craft. We should always strive to improve in our craft. Go into the full service truckstop and go sit in the restaurant, right at the lunch counter. Don't say a word...just watch. Watch for the guy that volunteers his employment history. No one will ask, but some guy will tell you where he works at, how long he's been driving. Then, this fool will tell you that drivers cant make any money out here anymore. DO NOT ASK HIM ANY QUESTIONS! He will voluntarily tell you every thing that you would want to ask. Within 5 minutes, he will tell you exactly why he can't make any money. And it will be over something stupid. Remember his employment history...this is one of those guys who never improved. The equivalent of a middle aged third grader. "Wow...married with grown children and still in the 3rd grade!"

While in the restaurant, pay attention to how many drivers that got out of their truck with no regard to their appearance. Leave these guys behind. Improve on yourself every single day. Most important investment you can make is in yourself.

Luck in battle.

 

1. Don't rush.
2. Put the phone down.
3. DO NOT HIT MY TRUCK.