So you鈥檙e ready to be a truck driver, huh?聽Of course, you are. If you鈥檙e in truck driving school, chances are you鈥檙e chomping at the bit to get out of the practice truck and get into a truck that will help you earn a living.聽Barr-Nunn Transportation driver, Dave Casanova has been climbing into the cab of a truck for 18 years. He has experience on both the general freight and expedited side of the trucking business. In other words, he has some tips for new truck drivers.
Casanova offered his tips that every new truck driver needs to know. Whether it鈥檚 managing the job, the expectations surrounding the job, and how to build experiences that counts in the industry, he has some great advice!
1. Trucking is more mental than physical.
Managing your own mental state is the secret to trucking success. 鈥淚t can be a very frustrating and depressing job if you don鈥檛 carry the right mindset,鈥� he said. 鈥淔or some people, being away from the family weeks at a time can quickly become unmanageable.鈥�
2. Don鈥檛 expect the world right out of the gate.
It鈥檚 not realistic to expect your dream job right out of trucking school. 鈥淭he first job you get out of school most likely won’t be the one you stay at for 20 years,鈥� Casanova said. 鈥淭his first job is where you should be learning about everything you need to be safe and compliant. This first job is where you start building a reputation for yourself as a safe, compliant driver.鈥� Find a 鈥淢r. Right Now鈥� job for your first gig, then look for 鈥淢r. Right鈥� after you鈥檝e gained a little experience.
3. It takes about a year to 鈥済et it.鈥�
Things may feel a little chaotic during the first year. 鈥淭o get a good handle on all the rules and regulations in trucking, it will take about a year,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he 3 biggest points to focus on are following distance, knowing the Smith System of driving, and trip planning. Remember that 80,000-lb. rigs don’t stop quickly and can’t be turned around as readily as a car when you miss a turn.鈥�
4. Year one goal: no accidents.
In the midst of that first year, focus on safety. Simply finishing the year accident-free can in itself be a victory. Casanova suggests living the time-tested safety rule: 鈥淕.O.A.L. Get Out And Look,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nytime you need to back up, you absolutely need to get out of the rig and check out your surroundings to avoid backing accidents.鈥�
5. Know your career goals.
Know what you have, what you need, and what you want from your career, and have specific set goals. 鈥�Decide what you want out of this career,鈥� he said. 鈥淎re you looking for maximum income? Is home time a top priority? What benefits or health insurance do you need to make you happy? Once you’ve got an idea of what you need to be happy, you can research companies efficiently.鈥�
6. Don鈥檛 job hop.
Many young people switch jobs frequently in their first year, looking for the next possible big opportunity. As much as it鈥檚 not the greatest strategy outside of the trucking industry, it most definitely not in trucking. Your聽time of service matters greatly. 鈥淭he fewer number of times you change jobs, the more likely you will wind up at a top paying carrier,鈥� he said. 鈥淒oing your homework prior to jumping ship is crucial if your goal is working for a top tier carrier at some point.鈥�
7. It鈥檚 all about attitude.
Remember that even with a driver shortage, your job is not always guaranteed. A carrier/driver relationship should be built on mutual benefit. 鈥淚 don’t believe there is a shortage of drivers. I believe there is a shortage of good drivers. Casanova said. 鈥淵ou want to continue to grow your reputation. By bringing a good attitude, when things get slow, you increase your chances of being a driver that gets taken care of. Be a good driver and reap the rewards.鈥�
BONUS! — Find a mentor. Or, better yet, mentors.
Find a few industry veterans to get advice from on the road. You want good solid resources that will help keep you from making common rookie mistakes. 鈥�Experienced drivers can be a wealth of knowledge. By finding a few that you trust to tell it to you straight, you stand to gain a lot. As you earn experience you can bounce 鈥榳hat ifs鈥� off of them, to see how they would handle different situations. Keep in mind though, not every experienced driver can be a mentor. You really need to be selective of whom you take advice from.鈥�
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