What are the top 3-10 Tips for New Drivers

4: #### you now lookie here what you done did... (Story of my life.)

 

Right? He didn’t only save the union.

 

Backing for many is the single most frustrating part of trucking. It's a lot easier to practice backing in the middle of the day in the empty parking lot of a shipper, than it is to practice parking in a crowded truck stop parking lot at night while you are blocking an isle and drivers are waiting on you to move.

I call evenings at truck stops the nightly circus. Watching people trying to park as the sun sets and tempers flair is always entertaining. Offer help when you can, because it may be you next time that could use help.

 

just don't hit my truck

 

Never, ever, for any reason, get in a rush or hurry.
Thats when you make mistakes.

Focus, focus,focus on your task.

Turn off all the noise makers, radios everything
When you take on something that needs your full attention.

Not sure about something. Have a doubt, If safe stop right there, if not, go to a place that is. Regroup and go again.

If it looks like it won’t fit, it won’t.

As many time as you need to, get out and look.
Walk it, eyeball it, check, check, check.

Better to be safe than calling the safety department.

If you messed up bad, real bad and now your really in a bind, clearly not going to get out of it easy or it looks like you might get into tearing something up if you try and turn around or some other form of situation, you get the idea, STOP. You are in need of help, serious help.
It may be the best thing to call the local LEO.
You might get a citation for you efforts, but they are dang sure gonna get you out of it with out tearing stuff up.
And if your cool about it, they may just let you off with a good long talking to.

If you think it is going to take you a while to do something. Signal your intent, then give a path to those that may be only going by. Then do your thing.

Be courteous, even when the other guy is an arsedwhole.

 

Learn to trip plan and adapt.
Focus on your goals.
Be accountable for your actions.

 

don't hit anything your not supposed especially my truck

 

Rule 1. Stay out of the way. Buy a hammer and keep it close to you. At least once a day, open your hood and check your oil and coolant. Look and listen for air and fluid leaks. It's a lot easier to get a minor repair at a truck stop, than the side of the road.

 

rule 2 don't hit my truck

 

What is your goal as a professional truck driver?
Do you want to be dog meat at that training company forever?

Where do you want to be in 2 or 3 years?
You see guys making good making. It's not with a mega carrier training company. So where do you want to work in 2 or 3 years?

Now to achieve these things, don't jump from company to company in the first year. I promise you, it's the same ####, different name on the door.

You are dogmeat for one year. Don't rush. Take care of your driving record. Learn to drive in the winter. Learn to take care of yourself on the road.

Year two or three you can go on to much better things.

So, again, where do you want to be in 2 or 3 years? Keep your eye on that mark, especially through all the tough times, and you'll get there.