December 18, 2020 8 Tips for Launching a Successful Truck Driving Career

An organized approach to having a successful career as a truck driver.

As you know, making the most of a truck driving career involves a lot more than hitting the road and putting the pedal to the metal. A slack or disorganized approach will make it hard to earn as much as you’d like; you’ll also struggle with boredom and put yourself in harm’s way if you don’t think ahead.

Start With Smaller, Manageable Jobs

When you’re just getting started as a truck driver, make sure you don’t bite off more than you can chew. It can be tempting to go straight for the biggest, most lucrative jobs. The problem is that these longer hauls are much more demanding, making them challenging for a new driver. Spending hours behind the wheel each and every day is tough to get used to. Give your mind and body a chance to adapt by taking it slow at the beginning.

Make Safety Your Top Priority

Never forget that a trucker’s most important job is always to return safely to their loved ones back home. There’s no deadline that’s worth putting your life at risk. When you’re too tired to drive, stop, and take a nap. When the conditions are dangerous, respect Mother Nature and wait for the weather to improve. Never let your desire for profits cloud your judgment.

Practice Parking Until You’re A Master

Trucks are big and unwieldy, making them a serious pain to park. A parking fiasco in a crowded space can be an embarrassing, traumatizing experience for a new driver. To avoid any such mishaps, practice parking your truck every chance you get. When you see a parking lot is empty, practice staying inside the lines as if there were cars all around you. That way, you’ll be ready to navigate tight spaces when the situation calls for it.

Slow And Steady Wins The Race

Many new truck drivers think driving fast is the best way to give themselves an advantage. This mentality is wrong for several reasons. For one thing, fast driving is often reckless driving. Weaving in and out of traffic and descending hills at high speeds needlessly put your life (and the lives of everyone else on the road) in danger. What’s more, driving fast causes your trunk to burn more fuel. To stay safe and cut costs, maintain a reasonable speed at all times.

Make The Most Of Online Resources

When you’re new to truck driving, the internet will be your best friend. There are all sorts of resources available to help you adapt to this challenging industry. Sites like TruckerToTrucker, CharterTrucks.com, and even Facebook can be a big help if you’re looking to buy or sell rigs. If you’re ever thinking, “I’d like to sell my semi truck,” then you’ll want to give these resources a look.

Always Have Backup GPS

Getting lost is never a good feeling, but it’s even worse when you’re on the job and hoping to make a delivery. Like any piece of technology, your GPS is liable to break just when you need it most. To avoid frustration or worse, you should always keep a backup GPS where you can reach it while driving.

Stock Up On Entertainment Options

One of the biggest challenges for new truck drivers is getting used to all the hours spent alone on the road. If you don’t have an entertainment plan, you might find yourself slowly going crazy. Music is great, but you’ll be surprised how quickly you get sick of your favorite songs when you listen to them for hours every day. Podcasts and audiobooks are useful for adding a bit of variety.

Stick To A Healthy Diet

It’s easy to fall into unhealthy habits when you’re spending so much time on the road. With no kitchens available and so much fast food along the way, some truck drivers neglect their physical well-being. Seek out healthier options to keep your body in better condition.

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