Category: Drivers

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.

Team Driving – Yay or Nay?

What is team truck driving

If you feel like you could use some company during a long haul, maybe you should consider team driving. Being a professional truck driver means that sometimes you need to spend several days on the road, which can get lonely and boring, but having a driving buddy could change that.

Team driving is essentially two truck drivers sharing one truck, as well as the profit and all the expenses. However, as pretty much everything else in life, team driving has some good sides and some bad sides that are worth looking into before you make a decision.

Based on past experiences of team truck drivers, we came up with a Pro’s and Con’s list to help you.

Let’s start with the good stuff!

Pros:

The pay

Like we mentioned before, when you’re part of a team, you share one truck with another driver, so while you are on a break, the other driver takes their turn to drive the truck. That means you cover more distance than you would as a solo driver. As you already know, more mileage equals more money, so this is one nice perk of team driving. Team drivers share the profit equally, and each share is often larger than what a solo driver would make for the same ride.

The company

Another good thing about team driving is the company. You don’t need to spend hours just listening to music, audio books, or the radio, but you can enjoy a nice conversation during a long haul. Some teams are made up of two friends, while there are also husbands and wives who work as team drivers. As a professional truck driver, you will probably have to spend quite some time away from your family, so having your significant other on the road with you can actually be beneficial for the relationship.

The expenses

Since you are sharing the profit with your teammate, it’s only fair that you share the expenses on the road as well. Whether you are sharing a meal at a restaurant, buying groceries to cook something, and even if something needs to get repaired on the truck, it’s much easier on the wallet when the bill is divided in half.

An extra pair of hands and another set of eyes

From time to time, a driver will be asked to help with the manual work, like the loading and unloading of goods, and having a partner to give you a hand is a great help. Besides helping with manual work, a partner can help you inspect and double-check the truck and all the equipment before you go on the road. You can never be too safe.

Now, let’s look at some of the bad sides of team driving.

Cons:

A small living space

While it might be great sharing a lot of things with another driver, you have to remember that you are also sharing a pretty small living space. Newer trucks can have amazing sleeping cabins, but they are still essentially tiny rooms that can get really cramped really fast.

The sleeping situation

Besides the sleeping quarters being pretty small, it can be really hard sleeping in a moving vehicle. Remember, while you sleep the other driver continues to drive the truck, and that can be hard for some people to get used to. For some people, it’s impossible to get some quality sleep in a noisy truck. That can lead to lack of sleep, which is not something a truck driver should be experiencing. They need to be as alert as possible while they are driving, for their own safety and the safety of everyone else on the road.

The wrong teammate

As much as it can be great to have some company on the road if you don’t end up with the right teammate the haul can be horrible. You need to be compatible with your driving partner, but you don’t always get to choose who you drive with (it depends on the rules and regulations of the company you work with, so it’s advisable to research everything in detail). Sometimes you might have a different plan for the route you should take, for example, which could lead to a conflict.

However, even if you do get along with your partner, you have to always keep in mind that you are going to spend a significant amount of time with them, so you might not have as much privacy as you would like.

How to make it work

Don’t be discouraged by the bad sides of team driving, however, because they can be overcome. First of all, you need to work on building trust with your partner; remember you will be effectively putting your lives in each other’s hands. Second of all, you both need to remember to be tolerant and patient with each other. Respecting each other is essential.

Check out other blogs on our website for more advice and information about 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.

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.

Useful apps for truckers

Drivewyze

Ugh, weigh stations. We get it completely, but don’t despair because there is a way to go around this pest. Drivewyze allows truck drivers to bypass weigh stations in up to 44 states and over 700 inspection sites, but you can check out their coverage map and see exactly which weigh stations you can bypass. Whether you have an iOS or Android phone, you can download the app and use their free 30-day trial, and if you end up liking it you can subscribe to the service for $17.99 a month.

Trucker Path Pro

With 700,000 users actively using the app, joining this tips sharing community can be really beneficial for any professional truck driver. This app allows you to share important info with your fellow colleagues, whether it be the best places to fill up in Louisville or where to park in Philly. The whole of U.S. is at your disposal, with fresh info about thousands of truck stops and their amenities, parking availabilities, weigh stations, fuel prices, navigation, and even truck washes, among other things.

Big Road

We’ve mentioned before how important it is for professional truck drivers to keep a log, but we also understand that log keeping can be time consuming and tedious. That’s where this app comes into play. Being a digital logbook, Big Road cuts down on human error, which is a huge help, but it also provides you with an interactive map and automatically calculates your available drive time according to HOS rules.

Fuelbook

As many of you are aware, gas prices have been fluctuating like crazy for a few years now, so it’s been a real hassle figuring out the best places to fill up for the best price. However, with Fuelbook you can be sure that you’ll never again overpay for diesel gas. With a database of over 7.000 gas stations all over the U.S. you will surely be able to find the best gas stations for your next trip. Oh, and the best part of the app – it’s free! There really isn’t any reason not to give it a go.

CamScanner

This app proved to be useful in numerous situations, whether in business or for private matters. Imagine never again having to use an actual scanner for your documents, but instead taking care of everything with your phone. CamScanner basically turns your phone into a portable scanner, enabling you to take a picture (with several options available for image editing) of any documents or receipts you wish to save and then allowing you to save them in the cloud or email them if need be. It’s definitely a good companion to have on the road.

Lose It!

Let’s face it, leading a healthy lifestyle is tough for most people. It requires a lot of planning and discipline, but Lose It! makes all that a bit easier and more fun. The app allows you to track your food and drinks intake, as well as to keep track of your workout history. By allowing its users to connect and share ideas and tips, the app made it easy for people to get in touch with others who share their goals.

iExit Interstate Exit Guide

Long hauls can get boring, and when you’re bored you’ll probably have a harder time staying focused, and chances are you’re going to miss an exit here and there. No need to point out what a hassle that is, but it’s a hassle that can be eliminated with the right tool. Enter stage right: the iExit Interstate Exit Guide. This app operates in real time, so you’ll always be notified about upcoming exits on time, thus helping you to never miss an exit again. Besides this, the app provides info about what you might expect at each exit regarding accommodation, restaurants, rest stops, and more.

White Noise

Getting quality sleep is essential for every truck driver, but falling asleep can be hard at times. Do not despair, though, because all you might need is a bit of white noise. The aptly named White Noise app produces over 40 soothing sounds, including sounds of rain, the beach, and oceans, that block out background noises, reduce stress and generally help you relax. The app also has an alarm clock option, and best of all it’s free, so open up that store app on your phone and give it a shot!

Useful tips for getting along with your dispatcher

Although truck driving is generally considered to be a lone wolf profession, you never really work alone – your dispatcher is with you every step of the way. To someone outside the trucking industry this – knowing you’re not the only one to shoulder the burdens of freight transport –  probably sounds reassuring, but cooperating with dispatchers becomes the bane of existence for the majority of professional truck drivers.

You and your dispatcher should be a team; you work for the same company and you have the same goal – getting the load from point A to point B.

The conflict between dispatchers and truck drivers usually stems from misunderstanding the job descriptions of both parties, so the first step towards peaceful cooperation is to know what are the dispatcher’s and the truck driver’s responsibilities and duties. Besides knowing which lines shouldn’t be crossed, as a professional truck driver you should always keep in mind that nowadays not a lot of dispatchers – almost none, in fact – used to be drivers themselves before they started working dispatch. Usually it’s enough to know your way around a computer and take a course in dispatch software management, which means that you can’t expect every dispatcher to completely and truly understand your role and what you go through on the road as a truck driver.

You and your dispatcher should be a team; you work for the same company and you have the same goal – getting the load from point A to point B.

Avoid arguing

This is a good piece of advice to remember in any situation, but it’s especially useful to remember at work. Getting angry when something doesn’t go as planned isn’t an unusual reaction, however it often causes a simple misunderstanding to grow into an issue, and then into a more complex problem. That’s why it’s a good idea to hit the breaks for a moment, and try to focus on figuring out what caused the problem in the first place, so that you can figure out how to sort it out.

When you have a confrontation with someone who is being verbally aggressive, it never helps to match their behaviour because that will only fuel the argument until it grows into a monster that will likely ruin your relationship. So, the next time you find yourself in a heated argument with your dispatcher, try to stop arguing, take a breather, and start from the top. If there is no way you can come to an understanding or a solution to fit both of your needs, then maybe your needs shouldn’t be the point of the argument. Maybe the only way to move past the issue is for everyone to put aside their wants and needs, and focus only on trying to find the most efficient and productive solution.

Offer insight and advice

Like we mentioned before, an extremely small number of dispatchers today have had any truck driving experience, and this is essential to keep in mind. In order to successfully cooperate with anyone in any given situation, it’s absolutely necessary to have a good understanding about each other’s duties, so that you know what you can expect from each other. The same applies to the trucking industry, where dispatchers and drivers should work as a unit and rely on one another in order to produce the best results, so don’t hesitate to offer your input. You might know something, or you might have noticed something others have missed.

The emphasis here is to offer help. Yes, you are the one driving the truck, the one who is responsible for the freight, the one who fights weather, and the one who has to deal with all kinds of road conditions. But, that does not mean that the dispatcher’s job is useless. The position wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t needed in the company. The most important thing is to always keep in mind that you both have a job to do, and that the best way to do it is to know that you can count on each other for support. This support can also come in the form of an advice – perhaps you know about a recent roadblock which would mess with the dispatcher’s route plan, or you just want to offer a friendly piece of advice you learned from other dispatchers you worked with in the past. Whatever the situation is, approach it calmly.

Make sure everything is sorted out before your trip

Every professional truck driver knows how much work goes into planning a good route. You know it’s not just getting the cargo from point A to point B. It takes time and effort to plan an efficient route, which is exactly what your dispatch is in charge for – planning a profitable route which will minimize the truck’s empty miles.

Because there are so many details to be taken into consideration, it’s always a good idea for a second pair of eyes to look over everything. So don’t hesitate to offer a helping hand, especially if that will minimize the chances of something going wrong on the road or at loading stops. Again, it’s important to remain polite, even if you have more experience than the dispatcher, because that’s the most efficient way to approach an issue – anger and arguing will only prolong the process and probably cause a few things to be overlooked.

Even though you are the one with years of experience behind the wheel and sometimes it feels like your dispatcher doesn’t understand you or what you have to deal with on a daily basis because they never worked as a truck driver, it’s good to be reminded that the vast majority of truck drivers never worked as dispatchers either. Working so closely with someone else requires both sides to be understanding of the needs of the other one, and at all times keep in mind that you both have the same goal. It’s not enough to tolerate one another – you need to cooperate with each other.

10 Movies You Must See if You Work as a Truck Drivers

As a professional truck drivers, you’ll eventually have to spend a few days on the road, so it’s good to be stocked up on entertainment, like movies. With the availability of smartphones, tablets, laptops, e-readers, and various streaming services, it’s become much easier to indulge in your favorite movies and TV shows on the go. Although the internet offers basically endless amounts of articles, books, shows, and plenty of other forms of entertainment, there’s nothing like watching a good movie before bed. So, we decided to help and offer our choice of top 10 must-watch movies for truck drivers.

Steven Spielberg’s debut directorial (first time as a director in a complete movie) Duel, was about an unending battle between a motorist and a crazy truck driver. It was a television movie. Spielberg’s next movie was “Jaws”.

MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE (1986)

Action, Comedy, Horror

Lovers of sci-fi, this ones for you. The action-packed horror, written and directed by Stephen King, will surely put you on an emotional rollercoaster.

As Earth passes through the tail of a rogue comet, machines all over the world start coming to life; as if that weren’t scary enough, the machines start turning against their makers in a gruesome rebellion. At the Dixie Boy truck stop, a group of people is trying to come to terms with the fact that every machine in their lives is trying to kill them, when they notice that the trucks parked at the stop started up on their own and began circling the truck stop, preventing anyone from leaving.

Realizing that they have to act fast, an ex-con Bill Robinson takes it upon himself to save everyone he can and head to safety. Unfortunately, his task becomes even more demanding once a mobile platform with machine guns mounted on it orders humans to pump gas for the trucks. As if that wasn’t traumatic enough, there is much more to the mysterious rogue comet and its incredible, although deadly, powers that people are yet to learn about.

BIG RIG (2007)

Documentary

Filmmakers Doug Pray and Brad Blondheim criss-crossed the U.S. with professional truck drivers in order to better understand the lifestyle of the people who basically make life as we know it possible. After finding their interview subject at a truck stop, the pair would set off with the driver and document all the weird, unexpected, scary, and heartwarming events during the long haul. In total, the filmmakers traveled 21,000 miles and drove through 45 states in order to gain a better understanding of the everyday lives of professional truck drivers in the U.S.

THE ROAD WARRIOR (1981)

DAction, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Mel Gibson is once more a warrior on the road in the great Australian outback, but this time he replaced his famous V8 Interceptor with the Mack R-600 Coolpower. The Road Warrior, a sequel to the iconic Mad Max movie, focuses on former Australian policeman Max Rockatansky’s fight against a band of savage motorcyclists who want to plunder and pillage an old refinery, and take all the gasoline for themselves. The old refinery is now a home for a community of people struggling to survive, and once Max stumbles upon it, he agrees to help transport their gasoline supply across the highway.

Led by The Humangus and his most ruthless warrior Wez, the motorcyclists focus on capturing Max, stealing the gasoline he was transporting, and using it for their own sinister plans.

SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT (1977)

Action, Comedy

When an aspiring Texan politician is in dire need of enough Coors beer (which at that time couldn’t legally be transported across the Mississippi) for a rally in Georgia, he has to turn to a contemporary moonshiner Bo Darville (the Bandit) for help. The Bandit enlists the help of his friend who has an eighteen-wheeler, to help them transport the beer. The plan involved them  driving from Georgia to Texas, picking up the 400 crates of beer, and driving back to Georgia, in a span of 28 hours. Their trip to Texas was successful, however their return home is laced with troubles, and it all starts with a runaway bride.

OVER THE TOP (1987)

Action, Drama, Sport

A humble truck driver Lincoln Hawk, played by Sylvester Stallone, gets a chance to finally see his estranged son, after Lincoln’s ex-wife falls ill and can’t pick up their son from military school. Lincoln soon realizes that reconciling with his estranged son is no easy task, and decides to take drastic measures. In order to rebuild his life and the relationship with his son, Lincoln decides to enter an arm-wrestling championship, in hopes of winning the grand prize – $100,000 and an expensive custom semi-truck, which would help him start his own trucking company.

STEEL COWBOY (1978)

Action & Adventure

When the going gets tough, the tough get some hijacked cattle and they get going! The legendary James Brolin plays an independent truck driver who is way down on his luck. Troubled by financial difficulties and the possibility of losing not only his rig but his wife as well, the Steel Cowboy resorts to transporting stolen cattle in the hopes of making some, what he thought would be easy, money.

Apart from the awesome 70s action, the movie is graced with a truly memorable musical score.

BREAKER! BREAKER! (1977)

Action, Adventure, Crime

If you enjoy seeing justice being served, this movie should appear on your must-watch list immediately. With the invincible Chuck Norris as the main character (called J.D.), you can be sure the bad guys get it in the end.

When J.D. returns from the road, he learns exactly how corrupt the system is when he finds out that two policemen have a tendency to trap truck drivers for a corrupt judge. Once his brother starts working as a truck driver, J.D. warns him about the judge and the police officers; however, they still managed to capture him, leaving J.D. no choice but to set out in search of his younger brother. What ensues is a thrilling but heartwarming story about an older brother doing everything he can to save his little brother, and in the end, serve some well-deserved justice.

WHITE LINE FEVER (1975)

Action, Crime, Drama

C.J. Hummer is a decorated and decommissioned military officer who served in the U.S. Air Force, and who is now trying to become an independent truck driver in order to support his wife and future family. After getting a loan from a bank to buy his own truck, C.J. hopes his dad’s old buddies can help him find work. One of the people who offer help is Duane Haller, however once C.J. found out he was supposed to transport illegal cargo, Duane threatened to blackball C.J, meaning he would stop getting any work. With this threat, C.J. starts to realize exactly how corrupt the trucking business is, as well as that it’s basically controlled by organized crime, and he eventually becomes the voice of all independent truck drivers. However, this vigilante status came at a price, but we can’t give away everything, can we?

FLATBED ANNIE AND SWEETIEPIE: LADY TRUCKERS (1979)

Drama, Comedy

Did you know that only about 6% of professional truck drivers are women? Well, these two ladies and their adventures are bound to inspire more women to join the trucking force!

After a truck driver, Jack De Larosa, gets shot, his wife, aka Sweetiepie, decides she’s going to get his truck back from California, and make enough money to make the back payments so that the repo man would stop coming after them. Not knowing the first thing about driving a truck, she enlists the help of the rough and tough Annie Potts, known as Flatbed Annie, and together they set out for California. As if life wasn’t complicated enough already, the two ladies have two thugs hot on their tail, who are trying to get the truck in order to retrieve the drugs hidden in it. Trust us, this movie deserves to be on your watchlist for your next long haul.

CONVOY (1978)

Action, Drama

This movie is a testament to what can be done once people unite against evil.

While driving through the Arizona desert, three truck drivers are stopped by a corrupt Sheriff, who tries to extort money from them. This meeting soon turns into a violent one, when the Sheriff decides to arrest one of the drivers who only want to get home as soon as possible because his wife is about to give birth.

Once other fellow truck drivers hear about the incident, they help form a convoy and hold a protest, which eventually turned into an interstate chase.