Essential Information for New Drivers

Read everything. Speed limits,restrictions, routing instructions, Bill of landings, owners manual to your truck, messages from dispatch, I mean everything..it's usually all there somewhere.

 

Some starter carriers are Schneider, Swift, Roehl, Crst, Millis, Covenant and US Xpress. I believe all of them have a training program for inexperienced drivers. You will hear positive and negative comments about most carriers. The main thing you need to do at this point is to find a carrier where you can get at least your first year or two of experience. Then, if you wish you can make a change. It is important to stick with a carrier for a while so you are not perceived as someone who moves around too much. Good luck to you.

 

Where do newbies check in at?

 

You just did.

 

do some searches here on your questions. Example: just enter the word "Backing" if you want tips on that, a thousand threads will popup

To break in with? Actually you will be limited to only companies who hire students. It has to do with insurance & government funding for training. It's best to first make up your mind as to what is most important to you; example, do you want to bring a pet after your initial training period, then search "student truck company's pet policy". If you want to bring your wife along, then search "rider policy" or " truck companies hire Teams" etc. Search the web for "Student Driver by state". Craigslist in your town lists job postings under their transportation pages too.

 

Try a local company that has not only tractor trailers but also straight trucks,,start driving a small 2 or 3 axle truck and work your way up , being around larger trucks as you get your feet wet driving will give you an opportunity to observe how other drivers are doing it as well as get pointers and suggestions from them and most likely will can get behind the wheel time in a simi in the yard

 

You don't get to start at the top in this industry unless your dad owns a trucking company. There is a bottom a middle and the top your goal is to learn fast, work hard,and keep your record clean climb the ladder it's not easy but it can be done just know most of the guys in your class won't be driving in 1or 2 years you will be one of them or one of the survivors. 2 or 3 years in the seat with no major mistakes and you get to make a decent living for a decent company

 

Some more advice.

When applying for a job don't lie about your history. Everything is computerized and we will find out.

Don't waste everyone's time!

 

If you grind your gears in an automatic, trucking is not for you. Lol