Trucking may seem like a pretty easy job. You drive the truck for a few hours and then you get to spend some time relaxing. However, no job is easy especially if you want to be the best at it. To make it to the top, you need to develop certain skills. The truck driver is an honorable job that can have a positive impact on society. There are a lot of truckers out there doing their job, but there are some that are even better than the rest. Make sure that you are ready to put in the hard work and dedication to make it. This post gives you 8 tips to become a professional truck driver.
1. Follow the rules, stay safe and be courteous.
Truck drivers are a vital part of the business world. They deliver goods from one location to another by driving large trucks, and in some cases, tractor-trailers. They can be seen on the sides of highways, in the middle of the night, and some cases, even in the dead of winter. During their long and tiring days, they need to follow the rules of the road, stay safe, and be courteous to others.
2. Find a good truck driving school. Time spent in truck-ing school is never wasted.
If you’re not a professional truck driver, then you’re missing out on a lot. For example, did you know that professional truck drivers make a lot of money? It’s true, the average driver earns over $70,000 a year. The only catch is that you have to have some experience under your belt. If you’re looking to become a truck driver, you have to know how to start a truck driving school. No school, no career. Of course, there are other ways to get into the industry, but school is the best way. If you want to be a professional truck driver, then you’ll need to know how to transport goods safely and responsibly. School is the best way to get started.
3. Get your CDL license.
Want to become a professional truck driver? Well, it’s not as hard as you think. You just have to know how to become a truck driver and follow the steps. I’m sure you know that there are only a few companies that can offer you a truck driving job. These are the names you already know: C.R. England, Swift, Target, UPS, FedEx, etc. These companies constantly post jobs on their websites and you can apply for them. However, your chances are pretty limited. The number of truck driving jobs is bigger than the number of drivers. That’s why there are truck driving schools. Truck driving schools are the best way to get a CDL license. If you choose to go this way, you will save a lot of time and money.
4. Keep your logbook and trip records up to date.
Truck driving is a career that demands you keep a lot of records. But keeping these records up to date is not always easy. With the complexity of the rules, it’s easy to get lost in the details, leading you to forget certain items, or worse, risk losing your job. A driver who complies with the hours of service regulations is less likely to be involved in an accident that causes property damage, personal injury, or even death. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are both interested in the safety of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers, passengers, and the motoring public. It is the responsibility of each driver to maintain a current record of duty status, which includes total hours on duty, on-duty time, and off-duty time. The total hours on duty include driving time and non-driving activities such as rest breaks, fueling, etc. If you don’t, or if you falsify your logbook, you could find yourself in court facing serious charges, and he could also be cited by the FMCSA and lose his CDL.
5. Don’t drink and drive.
Many new truck drivers don’t even consider the importance of this statement. They are more concerned with staying on schedule, getting paid, and making the right deliveries. The problem is that if you get too tired to drive or if you drink too much, you could be putting yourself and everyone else on the road in danger. A lot of people think that when they are driving a truck, they are invincible. In some ways, it’s true. Trucks can carry huge loads and go on roads that regular cars can’t handle. However, you still need to be aware that you are driving a large vehicle that can cause a lot of damage if you are not careful.
6. Leave the truck clean for the next driver.
One of the most important rules in the trucking industry is to leave the truck clean for the next driver. It’s a rule that is often ignored. If you are driving a truck, it’s a fact of life that the cleanliness of your truck decides the way you and your company are viewed. The truck is a complete reflection of your professionalism. Dirty trucks can lead to huge problems for trucking companies. Why clean trucks are important? The smell of a dirty truck is offensive to anyone who has to ride in it. The smell can also lead to people having health issues. Dirty trucks are also an issue for those who have to clean them. If a truck is left dirty for a long period, the cleaning process can be time-consuming and expensive. You can be sure that the drivers who have to clean the truck are less than happy when they see a dirty truck. A clean truck is a happy truck, and a happy truck is a truck that will last.
7. Don’t be a rookie – a professional truck driver needs to know the basics.
A lot of people want to be professional truck drivers, but they don’t realize how important it is to have the basics down before you can be considered a professional truck driver. Some people have the idea that it is just driving a truck. You don’t need to know anything else. It will be fine. You will be fine. This is not true. If you want to be a professional truck driver, you need to have the basic skills down pat. You need to have a clean driving record, you need to know how to work with a team of people, you need to know how to handle your truck in sticky situations, you need to know how to use your technology to its full potential, and you need to understand the regulations.
8. Network and Meet People.
As a new truck driver, it’s important to network and meet people. You never know who you might meet that could help you get the job you want. Networking is about meeting new people and making a good impression on them. You want to meet people that can help you in your career as a truck driver. For example, if you’re a new driver you may want to meet a driver that has been doing it for a while and see if he can give you some tips. You want to make a good impression on these people so that in the future they think of you when they hear about a truck driving job they know of.
Truck driving is a very important job, and the people behind the wheel of the truck are the ones that keep the world moving. Keeping trucks in good shape and on the road is an important part of keeping the country moving. You can work for a company, set your schedule, and even live where you want. The hours are great, and the pay is even better. Professionalism and efficiency go a long way in making you an asset to the company, ensure you do all you can to be a professional truck driver. So what are you waiting for? Take the plunge into the fast-paced and exciting life of a truck driver, and you’ll be glad you did. Start to drive like a professional today by following these simple tips and tricks. If you have any other questions or concerns about being a professional truck driver, please contact us anytime at ___. Thank you for reading, we are always excited when one of our articles can provide useful information on a topic like this!
