possible Noobie driver questions.

Where is your location?

 

Mechanical experience will aid in a good pretrip to avoid dot violations.

You choose a truck stop for rest periods based on location in relation to your route, combined with access to fuel depending on company policies. Fuel purchases mean free showers which is good for you.

Make the most of your time by keeping that left door closed. Keep food and drinks in the truck so you can avoid extra jaunts off the highway. Plan your route ahead and try to avoid peak traffic times

A good post trip will help you as well. It's a lot more convenient to deal with a bad bulb or something at the end of the day than the beginning

Swift and the other megas don't seem to like drivers performing any of their own repairs. But keep track of the trucks condition. You're the one who has to drive it

Good luck! And if I gave bad advice, bear in mind I'm less than a year in myself lol

 

It's not so much as the mech side, but the emissions crap and the seriously handicapped computer configurations by the Company that you will find is not to your benefit in some cases. It's not for you, just a drivah to touch. If you do spot a defect in the tractor trailer, you do have to arrange to fix it before you take it out onto the highway. The engine stuff is not for you. Unless you are a certified desiel mechanic working in the dealership shop or company shop. In other words, look but not touch. The days of Mr Fixit with a little of this and that has gone by decades ago with the old iron.

DOT WILL catch something if they really want to. It is better to do your best and stay on top of your tractor trailer. Get to know it better than a particular woman for example. That way anything out of order will be spotted fast. (And fixed, never at a TA shop filled with castoff and rejects)

Your HOS is set in stone. You have 11 hours to drive, 14 hours to work, a certain amount to sleep, a certain amount off duty logging mid night to midnight each day. a total of 70 hours in 8 days, (*Or less, you can burn that up in 5 or so)

What you can do is avoid live load and unloading at grocery, cold storage and food type warehouses and walmart. What you want is drop and hook, flatbedding, tanker etc.

Your school only teaches you enough to get past the DMV road test etc for your CDL. Your real education begins after you are assigned your first load.

Trip planning is strategic. It benefits those who use it. Too much to get into here.

You probably will have incidents, accidents and so on in your first year. It is a very dangerous time for you and your CDL plus your hire ability anywhere in this industry. you can absolutely screw it up to where you are unhireable in less than 90 days.

Most people cannot be on time to doctor across town.

YOU will be early or on time across the entire USA regardless of terrain, weather conditions etc. If you do not intend to be on time, don't waste your time and money in this industry. The clock is everything in this industry. Precious little time for you.

 

Well, youve got the right chemistry brewing in your favor already . A little bit of mechanical ability, which you will use on small issues.....lights mainly.....your social circumstance is PERFECT for being a trucker.....map reading ....just know that youll gain most as you actually get in that truck and begin the rollin loads up and down the roads.....from points to points.....and whats in between........just analyze everything thats about to happen, whats actually happening, and what HAS happened........USE the Smith System of Driving.......it will keep you out of trouble big time IF YOU USE IT...........

 

Trip planning takes on a special meaning in a Commercial Vehicle.........you have fuel stops, low clearance considerations, restricted routes , weather forecasting etc......please get a good C B radio........this device will help you hear whats going on in your vacinity while out there.......may help save your life! More than any other tool........thats the best advice I can give a new person.......honestly.....