You should be aware of several facts if you are a new truck driver.
This info is not intended to make you reconsider a career as a truck driver.
Its purpose is to provide accurate information and expertise for the crucial first year of your brand-new truck driving profession.
I would want to connect, particularly with new truck drivers and others just starting in the trucking business.
This information may be useful to you if you have just completed your CDL training or are currently working towards finishing your CDL training program.
The first year is the hardest
Your first year as a truck driver will undoubtedly be the most difficult.
Several changes will need to be made, such as adjusting to the work, becoming comfortable with the truck you drive, using your new driving abilities, and adjusting to the way of life.
You still have much to learn about the profession you have not already discovered.
My First Year of Driving a Truck
Even though I have driven a few million miles as a seasoned truck driver, I vividly recall my first year behind the wheel.
Finding delivery destinations and getting the truck through some of the older neighborhoods of large American cities with congested streets and low bridges was the toughest part of that year for me.
Thankfully, I never pulled the roof off my truck and trailer, but I got pretty darn close on a few occasions.
Before then, one could only depend on maps. Low bridges are not shown on those maps. Driving in cities is quite stressful for me.
These are seven things to be aware of and some things you might anticipate throughout your first year as a new driver.
7 Things to Look for in Your First Year of Trucking
1. Gaining driving experience
Having experience is crucial for landing the finest truck driving jobs. You will become a better driver as you get more driving experience.
You will earn more money the more experience you have. You will like your driving work more due to experience, allowing you to unwind more and reduce tension.
2. Gaining Seat Time
Remember that gaining seat time is the major objective of your first year as a novice truck driver.
It will not be a simple time sitting still, particularly for individuals employed by a large carrier to participate in a company-sponsored CDL training program. It might be difficult just to go through such a program.
The Trainer
There is a good probability that while obtaining training, you are traveling with a driver trainer.
Some driving instructors are excellent, while others are not. You will also need to modify something else.
The long and short.
One truck holds two drivers, and the inside is rather constrained. Whether you like him or not, you must learn to spend your workday with this trainer.
If you and the driver trainer are traveling for a long distance, you will have to share a bunk bed.
You will have to deal with THAT problem all on its own.
Be ready for this since you share extremely little space with another person, which might lead to various issues.
3. CDL Training Program Pay Might Be Poor
To make matters worse, there is a good probability that the time you spend driving with your driver trainer may not be very profitable.
Pay for new truck driver training may be appalling. Thus, be ready to experience some financial hardship. The majority of carriers provide little remuneration throughout the training phase.
Even if you start driving independently, your compensation does not significantly increase for the first year or so.
You should have yourself ready for this. While it seems unfair, reality wins.
Becoming a trucker for the first several years will not pay off financially.
That is the cost of gaining knowledge and improving your driving abilities. If you want to go after a career as a truck driver, I advise you to accept this sacrifice graciously.
Long trips are possible and often pay more since they cover more miles.
You are still learning. Thus you will not be able to move as quickly as a driver with more expertise.
Think of it as a step in the learning process.
On the other side, you may not always acquire the miles you need due to all the waiting, border crossing, and delays while operating short haul. Low pay results from it.
Prepare Yourself For “Thin Living”
You must make some compromises to continue working in the trucking industry.
‘Thin living’ is a possible description at times. For a time, do not anticipate being wealthy. A job as a truck driver may never make you wealthy.
But I think it was beneficial for me.
I worked as a rookie truck driver to get the necessary experience. As a consequence, the trucking firm of my choosing employed me. Furthermore, I like my work.
I did eventually get a fairly sizable driving salary.
Do not be shocked if experienced drivers are given better loads to haul—better loads that pay higher.
Fact: Younger drivers often do the worst job.
The job is subpar, as dispatchers are aware. Most of the time, they do not care how awful it is. They must transport freight as part of their task.
Thus, plan your finances.
Traveling life may be quite pricey. Yet the software has it. Establish a budget and make necessary expenditure cuts. If you want to have a rewarding career as a truck driver, it is essential.
4. Prevent Accidents
Keeping the likelihood of an accident to a minimum should be one of your top priorities.
In the first year of working as a professional truck driver, accidents happen often.
The difficulty in the first year is getting used to the vehicle.
Do your hardest to prevent mishaps. They will appear on your driving history (DAC report in the US, CVOR in Canada).
Many situations may be avoided and are avoidable.
They also make a bad impression.
They may be pricey and cause you to lose dignity and confidence.
You can lose your driving career due to highly costly and dumb occurrences. And nobody wants that.
5. Get Used To Being Away From Home
For new professional drivers nowadays, being on the road for many weeks or more is given.
Prepare yourself for it. That is not as simple as you may think.
You must also be prepared to cope with the reality that you may be married or in a relationship.
Your family should be prepared and aware of what to plan. That is only a characteristic of the life of a trucker.
Some individuals may find it emotionally difficult to spend extended time alone.
Truck drivers often experience loneliness, despair, and anxiety.
A trucker’s physical and emotional health may suffer due to their profession.
6. Keep Focus on Your Objectives
I will not be lying to you.
Being a novice truck driver for the first year might be challenging.
However, it is crucial to avoid being disheartened and overburdened. The ultimate objective is to get driving experience and seat time.
While pursuing a profession as a truck driver is a necessary element of the learning process.
If you decide to switch driving jobs, your CV will appear more impressive the more experience you have. Trucking businesses desire experienced drivers.
Always do your duties well and be safe while doing so.
Do your utmost to prevent causing harm to the car or the surrounding area.
They say that practice makes perfect, but as a truck driver, let me assure you that it never is.
But your talents and powers only improve with more experience and practice.
7. “Survival of the Fittest” Is What It Comes Down To – Hang In There
Trucking businesses can wish to test your ability to endure difficult situations.
You have a good chance of surviving anything if you can go through the worst things they can throw at you.
Just think about it.
Indeed, the transportation firm knows nothing about you.
If they have an unsightly load, they must get rid of it. Instead of giving the load to someone they consider a friend, coworker, or a valued, experienced driver, they are likely to give it to the rookie truck driver on the board.
You will get some difficult work, yes. So do not fear; things will get better eventually. Remember the final result.
Sure, there will be difficult moments. But, you will get driving and sitting experience.
This is your long-term strategy for success.
Yeah, over time, it will grow better and easier.
