How Long To Learn The Basics?

Hi, new driver here. Just got my tractor assigned and will be heading out to move in to it on Wednesday. I am a newbie starting out driving a tanker. My company chose not to give me any OTR training time, but to assign me to a local driver only. Now I'm going OTR and will be learning on the job. How long will it take to become accustomed to life on the road, getting settled in at night, and anything else that comes with the job?

Thanks.

 

i would say a couple weeks to get use the basics like planing and such then probly 3-6 months to be come comfortable with it

 

Thanks, this is a daunting prospect to me since I didn't get the right training. But I'm up to it. I have determined to give it my best shot. Hell, I survived my trainer! Lol!

 

I agree with the above advice. But don't push it! Learn at your own speed.

 

Indigo I would say it depends on the person.It took me a month.Then got hometime got a dog and got use to OTR right away once I went back out.I hated the first month out there,hated it big time.I just could'nt handle being alone.

 

You are gonna feel much much better , confident after completing your first run. 3 to 6 months all around, it all depends on the person.

 

All the answers above are true. I just wanted to add one more...

Dont forget to use common sense. The longer your out there the more you will notice that some drivers are lacking in that area.

Good Luck and be safe.

 

I am out for 6 weeks now. First time in 18 years regional stuff. Home weekends to it's not ALL out at once.

Every day is kind of a new thing. Some places are becoming a regular stop, but there are still a lot of new things that pop up every day....


Just remember....

Semper Gumby.....

Always flexible.

 

The basics are easy. Get there safe, on time and take your time backing (no dents dings or crunches).

Then you learn how to get there on time. Time management is key.

Planning your day, arrival times, knowing when and where there will be traffic, leaving time for unexpected traffic (like accidents road work etc).

Having food on board so if you can make it to the shipper/receiver late night today when the appointment is tomorrow (and they have parking) you can comfortably stay there and not burn up weekly hours having to start your day to drive there from a truck stop that was only an hour away.

Mikeeee

 

4 months...

My first month - I was uptight, didn't sleep or eat well. I was so scared of making a mistake that I couldn't really sit back and enjoy my job.

2nd month - Started becoming familiar with trip planning, and the plans I made each day started becoming reality. The fear of making mistakes started to lesson, and was able to enjoy the day to day chores of driving a truck. Still wasn't used to changing my sleep schedules, or getting the most out of my ten hour breaks. Still ate like #### on the road, which you can feel in your general health.

3rd month: Started sleeping better each night/day, and was getting better at getting the most out of my down time. All of the junk food I was eating in the TS started to weigh on me. By the end of my third month, quit the TS food, and started saving a lot more money, and felt a hell of a lot better. Be the end of my third month, I was confident in being able to back into a spot in a busy truck stop. Before this, I would end my day short sometimes in order to avoid a bust truck stop late at night. By the 4th month, I had a routine, and am able to stick to it. Now, I sleep better in my truck than I do next to my GF at home. Only if I get get my gf to sleep in the truck with me when I'm home.

Within 3-4 months, you should be able to find a routing that fits you, and enjoy your day to day job without being stressed out all day.