How to Survive in the First Year As a Truck Driver
If you are a new truck driver, you need to know some truths. This information is not intended to scare you away from trucking work.
Provide direct information and knowledge for your first and important year of your new career as a truck driver.
There is no doubt that your first year as a truck driver will be the most difficult.
You will make many adjustments, such as getting used to work, getting familiar with the truck you drive, using new driving skills, and getting used to your lifestyle. You haven’t learned a lot about this job.
Here are 7 things you need to know in your first year as a new driver and some things to look forward to.
Gain Driving Experience -
When it comes to getting the best truck driving job, experience is important.
The more driving experience you have, the better driver you will become.
The more experience you have, the more money you make. This experience will also help you relax and relieve stress, and you will enjoy your work as a driver more.
Get Seat Time -
Remember, the main goal for the first year as a new truck driver is seat time. This will not be an easy seating time, especially for those who have hired a large carrier for the company.
Enduring such a plan is a challenge in itself. You are most likely being trained and driven by a driver trainer.
Some driver coaches are very good, some are not very good. You also need to make another adjustment, long and short.
Salary Paid by the CDL Training Program may be Poor -
To make matters worse, the time you spend on the road with the driver instructor may not be particularly profitable.
Therefore, be prepared to suffer a financial blow. Most airlines pay very low wages during training.
However, in the first year or so, even if he was on the road, the driver’s salary did not increase much.
You must be prepared for this. This is not fair, but it is reality.
You won’t make a lot of money in your first few years as a truck driver.
This is the price of gaining experience and honing driving skills. If you want to work as a truck driver, I suggest you relax.
This is a sacrifice. Long-distance travel is possible, and higher fees are usually paid because of more mileage.
Minimize Accidents -
One of your most important goals is to minimize the chance of accidents. In the first year as a unprofessional truck driver, accidents are common.
In the first year, it was a challenge to adapt to the truck. Do your best to avoid accidents.
They will appear in your driving record (DAC report in the US, CVOR in Canada). Many incidents are preventable and unnecessary.
They are also embarrassed. They not only hurt your self-esteem and affect your self-confidence, but they can also be costly.
Very stupid and costly accidents may eventually cost you your job as a driver.
No one wants that.
Related Post :- Tips to Minimize the Truck Accidents
Adapting to Running Away from Home -
It is now a reality for new professional drivers to drive on the road for several weeks or longer at a time.
Be prepared for it. This is not as easy as you think.
If you are married or in a relationship, this is also a factor you should be prepared for.
Your family also needs to know what will happen and be prepared. This is just part of the truck driver’s lifestyle.
Focus on Your Goals -
I will not lie to you. The first year as a new truck driver can be difficult.
But it is important not to be discouraged or overwhelmed. The ultimate goal is to accumulate time on the seat and accumulate driving experience.
This is part of the learning process when working as a truck driver. If you decide to change your job as a driver, the more experience you have, the more impressive your resume will be.
Freight companies need experienced drivers. Always do a good job and stay safe. Strive to do our best to avoid vehicle and property damage.
All this Reflects the ‘Survival of the fittest’-hanging here -
Freight companies may want to see if you can survive a difficult environment. If you can survive the hardest things, then you may survive anything you encounter. think about it.
The freight company doesn’t know you at all. If they have an ugly load, they must dump.
They will most likely distribute the load to the new truck driver on the dashboard instead of handing it over to a friend, colleague, or experienced driver they consider valuable.
Yes, you will get an ugly job. But don’t worry, the situation will get better over time.
Consider the ultimate goal. Yes, it can be difficult sometimes.
But it will accumulate driving experience and seat time. This is a long-term plan to achieve the goal. Yes, it will become easier and better over time.
Read more :- Self Driving Trucks : The Future of Trucking