Truck drivers play a crucial role in our supply chain. So, if you’re looking to get started in the trucking industry then you’re in the right place. It’s not an easy task and a lot of training and education is required. If you’re feeling overwhelmed then we are here to help.
In this article, we’ll share some of our top tips for new truck drivers. Let’s get started.
Truck Driving School
- Research schools in your area. We suggest getting a referral if possible, if not do your research and ask lots of questions. You’ll want to ensure you’ll be receiving a quality education that meets the industry’s standards.
- Ask about the services they provide, such as job placement and training.
- Locate a school that offers small class sizes so you can get one-on-one training.
- If you need assistance paying for your truck driving school look for one that offers grants and scholarships.
Finding a Job
- Contact recruiters and search on job boards like Indeed for open positions. You can also go on the website of a particular trucking company to see if they’re currently hiring.
- If you enrolled in the truck driving school of a large logistics company then there may be some employment opportunities there.
- Network within the industry. We suggest connecting with shippers, other truck drivers, and transportation companies.
Fuel Savings
- Pay attention to how the cargo is stacked. The higher it is the more energy you’ll be consuming.
- We know how tempting it is to speed when you’re running late or have somewhere to be; however, by doing so you’ll burn through fuel quicker. Avoid quick accelerations if possible and try to remain at a constant speed for the duration of your journey.
- Plan your route in advance so you know where you’ll stop for gas.
Accident Prevention
- Always wear your seatbelt when driving.
- Watch out for aggressive drivers.
- Monitor the speed limit and adjust yours when necessary.
- When navigating through a work zone, slow down and increase your following distance. You’ll likely need to adjust your mirrors so you can pay closer attention to your blind spot. If you need to change lanes do so carefully.
- Maintain a safe following distance at all times. The FMCSA suggests one second for every ten feet in vehicle length. So, if your semi is seventy feet long you need seven seconds between your truck and the vehicle in front of you. Add another second if you’re traveling faster than 40 mph.
Truck Maintenance
- Don’t neglect your pre-trip inspections. Before every trip check your breaks, tires, windshield wipers, horn, fuel levels, and so on to ensure your truck is in proper working condition.
- Get regular maintenance scheduled for your truck and trailer.
Bottom Line
As a new truck driver, there’s a lot of information to digest in regards to safety, fuel, training, and so on. If you wish to be successful in the industry, you need to be knowledgeable and get the necessary experience and training.
The above tips for new truck drivers can help point you in the right direction.
Sources
https://www.cloudtrucks.com/blog-post/tips-for-new-truck-drivers
https://www.truckingtruth.com/guide-pages/chapter9/new-driver-tips