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Let’s say you’re in between jobs right now, and you’re pretty sure about what you wouldn’t want to do, but you can’t quite decide what exactly you would like to do. A vast majority of people in the world have found themselves in this position one time or another, so it’s nothing to feel bad about. Hopefully, this blog will help sway you in either direction and make it a bit easier to decide what your next step is.

Signs that you are made for the trucking industry are everywhere, all you need to do is learn how to read them.

#1: Truck Driver Love to Work Alone

Professional truck driver tend to spend a lot of time alone while on the road, so if you enjoy solitude and working alone, you might want to look into becoming a truck driver.

Since truck drivers work on the road, they don’t have their boss hovering over them and monitoring their progress, which means that professional drivers need to be self-starters. Being self-sufficient is also an admirable trait to have, as you will need to rely on yourself to plan and execute everything while transporting freight.

If you enjoy spending time alone with your thoughts and prefer a quiet workplace without too much chit-chat, you might enjoy the trucking business.

#2: You Love Constant Change

One of the best perks of truck driving is that you have the chance to travel across the country and see all the nooks and crannies the U.S. has to offer. And you’re getting paid for it! So, if you can’t see yourself spending your days cooped up in an office, maybe being a professional truck driver is exactly what you were looking for.

As a professional driver, you’ll spend most of your time on the road, taking in all the beautiful scenery around you and constantly meeting new people. Each day on the job will be different, filled with new stories and experiences, which isn’t something you can expect when working a regular office job. Forget the old, office coffee pot; as a truck driver, you’ll be able to enjoy a different, fresh cup of coffee in every diner you visit, and you’ll get to try different food from all over the U.S.

#3: You Want to Make a Difference

Take a moment to think about all the things you eat and use every day – the food in the fridge, your medicine in the cabinet, your clothes – you have all of this thanks to truck drivers who spend their days driving across the country, delivering anything and everything you can think of. There is a reason the trucking industry is considered to be the backbone of America, and it’s because very few things would be possible without the hard work put in by truck drivers.

Distributing goods across the country is essential for every-day life. Hospitals can administer drugs to patients, and grocery stores have food on the shelves all because truck drivers spend their days on the road making sure pickups and deliveries are on time. If you decide truck driving is your calling, you’ll definitely feel like you are making a difference in people’s lives.

#4: You’re an Excellent Truck Driver.

Working as a truck driver, you’ll need to stay sharp and alert at all times. Besides adhering to specific rules of traffic, you’ll have to pay close attention to other drivers sharing the road with you. Your truck is extremely large, and its maneuverability is limited and visibility is poor, which is why you need to stay vigilant at all times. Drivers who have never driven a truck aren’t aware of the blind spots you might have in a truck, so as a professional driver, it’s your responsibility to pay attention to what other drivers are doing around you.

In order to avoid accidents and traffic, you’ll need to plan your trip in advance and double-check every route you wish to take. Being a responsible driver, who doesn’t look for corners to cut, is an essential characteristic to have if you are thinking about becoming a truck driver.

#5: You Want a Stable Job that Pays Well

As we mentioned earlier, truck drivers are essential members of society, and chances are they will remain so for a while. There will always be a need for transporting goods all over the country, so opting for a career in the trucking industry is a solid choice. As the population grows, the need for more goods is only rising, and the demand for reliable and professional drivers is at an all-time high.

Although truck driving might not be considered the most exotic occupation, nonetheless it’s stable and offers people a chance to make a good living. Often times companies offer special benefits for drivers who perform well and exceed expectations. If you plan your route well and save time on delivery, you’ll likely be noticed by your superiors and rewarded accordingly. The same goes for finding the best deals for gas. Also, depending on the type of load you are transporting, you’ll be given options to earn more money. For instance, transporting hazardous materials pays more than transporting food and clothes, but it also requires the driver to follow specific rules and adhere to strict regulations.

All in all, truck driving isn’t a job that just anyone can do. It requires a specific set of skills, and if you believe you have those skills, it’s time to fill out that application, get a CDL, and start your journey to becoming a professional truck driver.

What are the Risks and How to Avoid it

Cargo theft is the leading problem in the trucking industry. It’s a problem that seems to stand the test of time. Thieves are getting more and more imaginative in their attempts to circumvent all security measures to protect cargo.

No need to despair though! We’re here to discuss what steps you can take to ensure the safety of your cargo and to avoid the unpleasant aftermath of having to report your cargo missing.

Understanding the problem

In order to know how to prevent a problem, it’s essential to become familiar with it.

First of all, any time your truck is parked the cargo is at risk. This also absolutely applies to rest stops designated for truckers. On average, around 90% of cargo thefts occur while the truck is parked and unattended. That means that cargo theft is a crime of opportunity. It’s good to remember that most thefts occur on the weekends, with the majority of thefts happening on Friday.

You need to know what kind of cargo is targeted the most so that you can implement additional safety measures if you are transporting those kinds of goods. Pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and electronics are very valuable on the black market, so be especially careful when transporting those types of goods.

Lastly, you need to know in which areas of the U.S. most cargo thefts happen. California, Texas, New Jersey, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, and Tennessee are notorious for the percentage of cargo thefts. Be extra careful when traveling to those destinations. Another key notion here is the so-called Red Zone. This is the first 200 miles from the shipment’s origin, and drivers are discouraged from stopping and taking a break until they leave the infamous zone since the chances of their cargo being stolen are much higher there.

Now that we got that out of the way, it’s time to look into some of the things you can do to prevent cargo theft.

Try not to leave your truck unattended for long periods of time

This is great advice, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take breaks. It just means that you have to be smart about it. For example, when you park your truck try to back it up against a wall so that it can’t be opened. Make sure you park in well-lit areas. Remember, cargo theft is a crime of opportunity, so do your best not to give thieves the chance to steal anything.

Don’t overshare

You never know who might be sitting in the booth next to you at a rest stop restaurant, so be careful when talking about your cargo or destination. Thieves have been known to follow a truck they know is carrying valuable cargo and then strike when you least expect it. This also goes for sharing info on social media, and even during CB conversations. They can use the info you share to target you more easily. It’s best if you keep your drop off locations to yourself, just in case.

Technology and high-quality locks are your best friends

GPS tracking is becoming more affordable, so it’s definitely worth investing in some tracking devices. They can be placed not only on the truck itself but on the goods as well. This can possibly save you a world of trouble if your truck or cargo does go missing. You might be able to recover some if not all the items you were transporting.

Another option is using geofencing which alerts you if your truck travels outside of its designated route. In combination with vehicle immobilization technology which enables you to remotely disable a stolen vehicle. It’s a real lifesaver.

Investing in tech like this can be pricey, so it never hurts to buy sturdy padlocks, numeric keypad locks, air brake valves, etc, which are an excellent hindrance to theft.

Screen drivers and provide proper training

This piece of advice is aimed at trucking companies more than drivers, but it’s still useful advice to share. Inside jobs aren’t exactly rare, so when hiring new employers make sure you do a thorough background and criminal records checks. Check their references and experiences of past employers; in the long run, it’s definitely worth investing some extra time in screening considering that it can save you a world of trouble.

In addition to this, it’s a good idea to have a procedure in place so that drivers know exactly what to do in the event of cargo theft. Make sure your drivers are aware of the hot spots for cargo theft, as well as the dangers of stopping in the Red Zone.

All in all, the key to avoiding cargo theft is being aware of risky places and situations. With the right training and equipment, the chances of having your cargo stolen are significantly lower.

Read about often misconceptions about professional truck driving

The trucking industry has existed for decades, and yet there are still some misconceptions about professional truck driving that are present in the minds of non-truck-driving people. That’s where we come in, because it’s high time we busted some of the myths about the trucking industry.

Operating a beast of a vehicle requires a lot of mental and physical strength. As a professional truck driver, you have a responsibility towards every other driver sharing the road with you.

Misconception #1: A lot of accidents are caused by truck drivers

Ok, let’s take this one step at a time.

First of all, people who want to become professional truck drivers go through more rigorous training than non-commercial drivers, and they are actually 3 times less likely to be in an accident than a person driving a non-commercial vehicle. Trucks are also involved in only 2.4% of all car accidents annually. Even when there is an accident involving a truck and a car, most of the time it happened because the people who were driving the car were in the blind spot, or they suddenly hit the breaks. Either way, it’s rarely the truck driver’s fault.

Second of all, for non-commercial drivers, driving is only a way of transportation while for professional truck drivers it’s their lifeline. It’s what pays the bills, buys the food, etc, so it’s in their interest to do their job as best as they can. We’re not saying 100% of truck drivers are equally dedicated to their job and are responsible drivers, but the vast majority are.

Finally, trucks are 4 times more likely to pass safety inspection tests than passenger vehicles and they have more check-ups, which drastically decreases the chances of having a crash due to a malfunction.

Misconception #2: You never get to see your family

Sure, professional truck drivers sometimes spend a few days on the road away from home, but far from it that they never get to see their families. It’s possible to work with your boss and your dispatcher to come up with a schedule that works for both parties, so don’t hesitate to ask.

Although nothing can replace hugs and kisses, and actual, live conversations, technology has advanced enough to give us a helping hand here. With smartphones, it’s become much easier to communicate with people back home, to send pictures and videos from your road trips, and to generally keep up with the family. With apps offering video calls, long-distance communication has advanced significantly and should be used to your advantage.

If you aren’t too crazy about the idea of being apart from your family from time to time, you could probably find some local job opportunities that will allow you to be closer to your family.

Misconception #3: Truck drivers work crazy hours

This not only isn’t true, but it actually can’t be true because of the Hours of Service (HoS) rules. The rules are pretty clear, and the government is very strict on this matter. Moreover, nowadays more and more trucks have digital solutions for time tracking, so it’s becoming harder and harder to go around the HoS rules and regulations, nor should you. The primary reason for these rules is the safety of both the driver and other people on the road, so the rules really shouldn’t be ignored.

One option is driving with a partner, so you could drive in shifts and not have to make long breaks. Another option is planning your road trip in detail, marking all the rest stops and hotels along the way, and getting some quality shut-eye there. Newer trucks have comfy cabins so you can get a few hours sleep in your truck, but make sure to check the parking situation at the stop (sometimes they don’t have a large enough parking to fit your ride).

Misconception #4: Men are better drivers than women

It’s high time this misconception just went away.

Yes, being a professional truck driver was traditionally something men were more interested in, so it’s not surprising that the majority of truck drivers are men. However, this isn’t because one sex is better at driving than the other.

Research actually suggests that female truck drivers are 3 times less likely to get in an accident than male drivers, and they are 5 times less likely to violate safety regulations. In addition, female drivers have proven to be 4 times more likely to pass their CDL exam on the first try than men.

Over time, we’re sure that these misconceptions will go away, but until that happens, we’ll make sure to keep correcting the misleading info about the trucking industry.

See how you can plan your next haul LIKE A BOSS

Planning your trips ahead of time will not only save you time and money, but it will actually significantly decrease your stress levels and let you enjoy the road. Good planning skills are a huge plus for professional truck drivers because they allow you to organize your time and responsibilities so that you are relaxed and not in a rush when you transport cargo. Considering how dangerous driving under stress can be, with ever approaching deadlines hanging over your head and drawing your attention away from the road, getting all your ducks in a row before a trip can be lifesaving.

You can’t keep a close rein on everything that goes on during a road trip, but you can definitely have a better handle on most situations if you just take the time to plan everything as much as you can.

The weather

The weather can seriously affect your next haul, so keeping a weather app on your home screen is always a good idea. When planning a trip it’s important to think and look ahead, so try to locate any bad weather areas in advance and try to find ways around them. Being stranded in the middle of nowhere during a snowstorm, for example, with no proper place to park your truck or sleep is not something you want to live through.

The road

Remember to always take into account that, depending on the trip, you might be driving on different types of roads which can take up more or less of your time. If you’re driving in mountainous areas you have much higher chances of running into some issues on the road, like mudslides and other roadblocks, so it’s good to keep that in mind when you’re planning a trip. Take into account border crossings, and occasionally check your maps app for any traffic jams so that you can find a way to go around them if possible. Make sure to leave enough time for any unplanned events, just in case, and give yourself a chance to still get the cargo transported on time.

Fuel Stops

Fuel prices have been constantly growing for a while now, and they can vary drastically from one state to another – it varies between $2.49 in some southern states, and it can even go up to $3.95. Every penny counts and can eventually make a difference, so planning in advance which fuel stops you’re going to use can really save you money. You also have to make sure that the gas stop has a place for you to park your truck if you want to take a longer break.

Food

Eating healthy and balanced meals is hard enough, but when you’re on the road it can be even harder. Gas stations and rest stops usually don’t have the healthiest food to offer, so one way you can keep your diet in check is to buy groceries and actually cook your own meals. This requires more effort on your part, but with the right equipment, it really doesn’t have to be the case. You can find affordable, and portable, pressure cookers, grills, and similar equipment that have proven to be very useful when you want to not only eat healthily, but actually save some money.

If you want to stay away from restaurants and fast food, try planning your trips and stops around grocery stores, so you can stock up on healthy food, but make sure you check whether there is enough space on their parking lot for you to park your truck safely.

Just in case supplies

If you’re doing a long haul, you’ll probably end up in the far-flung corners of the U.S. at some point, and as Murphy’s law says: Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong if you let it (especially when it’s the worst possible moment for it). So, don’t let it go wrong!

When you plan your whole trip ahead of time, you should know exactly which areas you’ll be passing through and what equipment and tools you might need, so always bring some extra supplies. You’ll be glad you brought extra clothes, food, and other supplies in case you breakdown somewhere miles away from any stores and shops.

The apps

Planning a whole trip can be time-consuming, and the amount of information you need to find, check, and double check can be overwhelming. But, it doesn’t have to be. Smartphones have opened up a door to basically endless amounts of instantly available information, and with the right apps you’ll be able to almost effortlessly plan your next haul. From weather apps and fuel price tracking apps, to apps that help you manage and keep your records up to date, it’s definitely worth giving them a chance next time you plan a trip.

A fair warning, though. It’s possible that your battery might give out at some point, so relying solely on your smartphone might not be the best idea. It might come in handy to have actual printed maps somewhere in the truck, or you could invest in a portable charger (some of them can completely recharge your phone several times before you need to charge the battery itself).

All in all, the best piece of advice we can give you is to take your time to research your next route in detail, and to leave enough time for the unexpected. That way you can have time to regroup if something goes wrong and still get the cargo to its destination on time. And if nothing bad happens along the way, you’ll have the chance to deliver the goods even ahead of time, which is a very good look for professional drivers.

Useful guidebook for becoming an owner operator

The need for professional truck drivers is constantly growing, so if you’re thinking about branching out on your own and becoming an owner-operator, now is the time to do it. However, this isn’t a decision that should be made impulsively. It requires a lot of planning and organization, and it poses a completely different set of responsibilities on the owner-operator. Besides the extra responsibilities on your plate, as an owner operator you also get to reap more significant benefits, so it’s not surprising that people tend to rush head first into this side of the business. That’s why we wanted to talk about the essential steps you need to take for you to firmly stand on your own two feet as a proud owner-operator.

Check yourself

Before you start looking for trucks to buy, take a good, hard look at your current situation. First of all, in order to be an owner-operator, you need to own a truck. Do you have the funds to finance a purchase that big? How is that going to affect your short-term and long-term goals? Did you establish what your short-term and long-term goals are?

It’s been proven time and time again that those people who worked as professional truck drivers for a few years have better chances of making it as an owner-operator – they had time to learn the ropes and get familiar with the right people – so jumping in the deep end is definitely not encouraged. This early in the process is not the time to risk it. Do you believe you have a strong enough network of reliable people to do business with? Have you thought about who your customers and clients will be? Will you focus on only one industry, and have you decided which one?

As you can see, there is a laundry list of questions that need to be answered before you start your owner-operator business, and we strongly recommend that you leave aside enough time to mull everything over because, as we’ve said before, this is no small step you are about to take.

Legal requirements

Once you are ready to embark on this journey, it’s time to look at the legal requirements. First of all, you are going to need a United States Department of Transportation number (USDOT number). Any company that has commercial vehicles transporting passengers or hauling freight in interstate commerce has to be registered with the FMCSA and must have a USDOT Number.

When you obtain your USDOT number, it’s time to get your Motor Carrier number (MC number). According to FMCSA’s website, anyone who transports passengers in interstate commerce (for a fee or other compensation, whether direct or indirect), and those who transport federally-regulated commodities owned by others or arranging for their transport, (for a fee or other compensation, in interstate commerce) are required to have a MC number. It should be noted that requesting an MC number has a one-time $300 federal filing fee. If you have already registered for a USDOT number, you can request an MC number online.

When you’re an owner-operator, you’re the one responsible for your own safety, as well as the safety of your vehicles, so it’s up to you to get insurance for both. Depending on the authority you choose and the cargo you mean to transport, there are different types of insurance coverage that you are required to have, so make sure to go over all the requirements in detail.

Getting your truck

Now, let’s look at the options for purchasing your truck. The easiest way, of course, is to pay for the truck in cash, but that’s nearly an impossible task for most, so we’re moving on to other options.

One option is to get a loan. In this case, you should make sure that your credit score and history are up to par, because that’s what can make you or break you in this situation. Having a permanent address and a stable job background are also huge advantages when getting a loan. Getting a loan from a bank can be overwhelming, and you have to deal with the interest rates (which is about 1% per month), but it is one of the safest options. Unfortunately, there are many financing companies which can help you get your truck faster even with a poor credit score, but those stories usually don’t have a happy ending, so we strongly advise against getting into business with them.

Take your time researching banks and truck deals. Always try to get the best bang for the buck, because as you know – the bigger your down payment is, the lower your monthly payments will be.

Other options that are on the table are going to a Captive Lending Institution, or a Commercial Lending Institution, but research their terms and conditions in detail because buying a truck is a long-term responsibility, so you need to think ahead.

As you can see, becoming an owner-operator is no easy task. It’s not a task at all, really – it’s a process. It requires a lot of time, planning, and above all patience. Since you are your own boss, in a way, you are the one responsible for getting new clients and maintaining good relations with current ones, as well as making sure that all legal requirements are fulfilled. You are the one who is supposed to figure out the best way to grow your profit and minimize operational expenditures. Always remember, you reap what you sow.