3 Essential Tips For First-Time Truck Drivers

Contrary to what you might think, driving trucks for a living can make for an amazing career. The U.S. trucking market was worth over 217.3 billion in 2022 and it’s set to grow at 3% through 2027.

Sure, it can be exhausting, but that isn’t particularly surprising when we’re talking about blue-collar work.

The truth is that truck driving can be a passion and a career for many, and the opportunities it gives you to travel are great. If you are the kind of person who enjoys an almost meditative workflow, driving down the highways of America is something special. That said, there are challenges that you want to be aware of, especially if you are just starting out. In this article, let us look at three key tips that you should start following right from day one.

1. Don’t Let Anyone Rush You

For a novice driver, it’s instinctive to aim for a positive initial impact. While it’s important to dedicate effort, prioritize your well-being. Truck driving is inherently challenging and hazardous when safety measures are overlooked, a scenario exacerbated by pressure.

Recognize that truck drivers are consistently sought after. Don’t succumb to intimidation suggesting that achieving the impossible is requisite for job security.

You might have to deal with supervisors and fleet managers who want you to make deliveries on extremely short schedules.

Remember, you won’t be able to make these unless you are speeding and driving through the night. Unfortunately, it can feel really tough to say no at the beginning. However, this is one of those careers where you need to know how to stand your ground.

Certainly, maintain politeness, but refrain from accepting assignments that would necessitate reckless driving to fulfill. That’s precisely why it’s advisable to conduct thorough research before entering into any contractual agreement with a trucking company.

You can also try to track down some of the drivers who work with them and ask about their experiences. This is a good way of avoiding problematic trucking companies before you sign any contracts.

2. Keep an Eye Out For Safe Parking Spots

Even with safe jobs, driving trucks is still quite demanding on the body. Learning to make stops to stretch your legs and stock up on food and refreshments is key. However, this is easier said than done.

Depending on which part of the country you are driving through, parking spots may be few and far between. Gas stations that handle smaller cars aren’t going to be ideal for large, semi-truck parking. You will want to have enough space to back in and maneuver, especially when you are lugging heavy cargo.

Thus, start keeping an eye out for good places in the areas that you often drive through. Asking your fellow truck drivers is one option, and you can also check out online trucking forums.

According to Big Rig Parking, clean, secure, and well-lit spots are what most truckers are looking for. This is doubly important if you are lugging around expensive cargo. While trucking companies will often have insurance to cover theft, you still don’t want to put yourself in the crosshairs. This aspect of safety also brings us to our next point.

3. Keep Your Doors Locked at Night

People don’t really expect this, but the number of creeps and weirdos on the highways will shock you. It doesn’t help that many of the places you drive through or stop at are remote and relatively unsafe at night.

The stories you will often hear where someone tries to break into a truck at night are frightening. Some of them are just looking to steal petty cash or something to sell to fund their addictions. However, you never know what kind of person you have the misfortune of running into.

Of course, you might already be locking your doors at night, but take it more seriously. Watching a YouTube video and trying to relax? Lock the door. About to leave your truck in a few minutes to buy something? It doesn’t matter. Keep your doors locked until you are exiting the truck.

Many drivers go beyond locking their doors as well, and it isn’t a bad idea. Investing in ratchet straps to hook to opposing doors is a common safety measure. It’s still worth remembering that if someone really wants to get into your truck, they can. You can delay them, but unless you are investing in bulletproof glass, these safety measures only buy you extra time.

Thus, try to avoid putting yourself in a position where bad stuff can happen in the first place.

To sum it up, truck driving is a career that will provide you with a lot of memorable experiences. Sure, some of the people you meet can be unsavory, but there are equally plenty of amazing folks in this field.

Trucking companies won’t always like it, but always trust your gut and ensure that you put your safety first. Even if foregoing a bonus is the consequence, it remains a prudent choice. Keep in mind that monetary gains can be replenished in the future, whereas irreversible life-threatening errors cannot be undone.