Newbie FAQ

Are you serious? NO! Find out more here and on websites for trucking companies. Google a LOT!

 

During an interview with a new company, and I hate giving out this tip as I always get the job, it is important that you impress upon the person interviewing you that you understand that you as a driver are really a salesman for the company. You are the face of the company. You skills are what the public sees. If you are a slob the public will think that all folks who work for your company are slobs. Act like you take pride in your work.

 

Hello everyone! Just another newbie here. I am persuing a new career in driving trucks. I head off to TDI in Oxford, AL on 8/13. I'm very excited and can't wait to learn all about this. One thing I really hope to do is get to see more of the country. I have been poking my nose in numerous threads on this forum. Well, I just wanted to say hello to everybody. Thanks a bunch for the great info on here.

 

Do you need to hit the scales every time you load? I'm in over my head... Don't know if that's cool to admit but I'm admitting it. I had a job with the state driving dump trucks in a very rural area. They got me my A license. Well, long story short, the state job didn't pay much so I applied for a job in the city that paid $21.00 Hr for OTR work hauling oversize LPG tanks (Empty tanks) Said they would train. Well I spent a week, weed eating and doing manual labor and the owner says they are short handed and need me to start driving. I'm taking a load to Chicago from Kansas City this Wednesday. The dump trucks for the state were autoshifts... The truck I'm taking is a Kenworth w-900 with a 10 speed tranny. I'm not sure what the hell I'm supposed to be doing. I know I pick up the load at my yard and I'm smart enough to know how to secure it with chains and boomers but don't know a thing about logs, scales, fueling and backing at the truck stop, etc... I need the job. I have a kid with a heart condition that needs the insurance and family to provide for but I have to admit, I'm scared to death. I'm gonna man up and get it done but any help or advice you guys could offer would really help.

 

check places that rent you a parking places. some local companys might do that in your area. or colsest tuck stop. you pick him up and have to take back.

 

how oversize? lenght width, weight. is your place takeing care of permits if needed, call you statepolice dot if you need permit for your load if you are to take of it yourself. dont leave without checking. you could go tp jail. or a very big fine. your place of employment is to go over with you, logs, scales, each fuelings are diffenrent at companys, just work there with your truck and trailer, backing turn the same way you want the trailer to go. might need a drivers phone before you leave, for help. sounds you need a trainer from your place. or think your a doubles drive forward. i give you my number if we are able here. you must drivers there that can help. check out the ones been there the longest.

 

tjgosurf,

Thanks, good information...

-Crypto

 

I know that trucking companies pay by the mile, and I'm seeing a lot of yearly income numbers thrown around, but what can a new driver expect to see in their check after taxes on average? I have to pay child support and it's a hefty deduction so I can't afford to be making peanuts to cover my living expenses. I need to get at least $600 a week after taxes, is this possible during my first year? I know it varies from company to company but as a whole can I expect to see $500-600 after taxes every week or will it ever go below that? I'm coming from a career making $15 an hour but have been laid off 3 times in the past 3 years and need to find something with job security.

 

Well, ChaoticWarlord, $600 net is definitely not unreasonable, but does depend on the company, their pay, and the miles you actually drive. For an example, I have a pre-hire letter with Roehl Transport to run flatbed nationally out of Phoenix. Their pay for that is 33 CPM, when you're solo. They say that they aim to get their drivers 2300-2600 miles per week. So I'll give you a rough run-down using my own average paycheck tax rate (including deductions for benefits) of 20%, meaning I'll get to keep 80% of whatever I earned that week.

2300 miles @ 33 CPM = $759 x .8 = $607.20
2600 miles @ 33 CPM = $858 x .8 = $686.40

But 2300 miles is not guaranteed. Not all companies start new drivers at 33 CPM. Your paycheck deductions may vary. But it is possible... Good luck!

 

Guaranteed income ?

Job security ?


as a new driver, that may be a challenge.