Before entering into a new field, one must always get a hang of it. If you have started your trucking career just now or about to start it then it is important to get to know the trucking industry in a better way. It would help you to be more productive, safer, and more aware along with the opportunity to earn more money at the same time. If you are at an early stage of your trucking career, then it becomes important for you to learn from the mistakes which your seniors have made.
Moreover, truckers are an important part of many industries like transportation. Shipping, distribution centers, warehouses and retailers. So it is their responsibility to be a proficient driver as many people get affected with their work. Below we have compiled a list of some useful tips which would take your trucking career to a whole new level.
Safety first
Truck driving is both rewarding and a dangerous job. Lots of truck accidents occur every year and in order to avoid such dangerous situations, it is very important to take necessary safety precautions. You need to stay healthy and fit as cant handle the vehicle properly if you are not fit. Always maintain a distance from the vehicles in front of you, as trucks need extra time to stop after a brake is applied. Apart from this, following traffic rules is must. Speed limit should be taken care of especially around the curves. Reduce the truck speed on big curves to avoid tipping. Use proper signals when you want to change your lane or you may hit a vehicle coming from behind. And most important, always inspect your truck before hitting the road. You should check its brakes, horn, mirrors, wipers, oil levels and reflectors. Any discrepancy should be informed immediately.
Delivery on time
Always take a note of the time during trucking. Don’t waste your time unnecessary. It is always better to reach an hour early rather than being one minute late. It creates a nice impression on the customer that their supply is in good hands. This will also help you to get critical deliveries with more pay. Always plan your delivery in advance so that last minute changes can be made.
Plan your route
It is always advisable to plan your route in advice. If you are not sure about the directions then you must talk to the person at the destination before starting your journey. There are always a number of routes available to reach one destination. You can use the GPS to find the shortest route according to your convenience. Once you hit the road it would become difficult to look out for directions. This should be done only as the last resort.
Never compromise on your sleep
One should always have a good nap before hitting the road. It is the most important aspect of safe driving. Moreover, it would be difficult to drive a truck for long hours if you didn’t have a good sleep last night. It would be better to take a power nap in between the journey if you are feeling too exhausted. Also go easy on caffeine and energy drinks as these products have a short-lived effect. Stop the truck immediately if you feel that you are dozing off in regular intervals.
Maintain a good health
It is always advisable for truckers to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Trucking is a very tiresome job and needs your 100 percent dedication. If you are unfit, you won’t be able to complete the task given to you. You just have to inculcate good eating habits and regular exercise in your daily routine.
Avoid alcohol and drugs
If you want a successful truck driving career then you would have to give up your alcohol and drug habits. By consuming these two, you may be risking not only your life, but other’s lives as well. If you get caught any time in the random alcohol and drug tests conducted by trucking companies, your trucking career may end at that moment only.
Stay focused
While driving, you may get to encounter a number of distractions in your way. It can be anything like a phone call, a text message, passengers on the road or a hoarding on the sidewalk. But you have to remember that you are driving a huge vehicle which can prove to be fatal for many people, including you. Whatever may happen outside, you just have to concentrate on your driving. If you want to take a look at something, then stop your truck and do it.
Prepare your own food
We know that after a long day of work, all you need is a readily prepared meal. And fast food is one thing which may always tempt you. Moreover, there would be a number of McDonalds and Subways in your way where you can get them. But we will suggest you to prepare your own food instead of eating outside. Not only fast food is unhealthy but also costs you more. For preparing your own food you would just need some cooking equipments and that would be a onetime investment. Also there are many truck stops which offer fresh groceries, so preparing a meal would not be a problem. Next time whenever you see a food joint, try to give up that temptation.
Make a budget
As soon as you start earning, you will feel an urge to spend that money. On your way down the road there would be a lot of places trying to seek your attention and money. It can be flashy casinos, gaming zones or expensive restaurants. Every trucker has a temptation of spending some quality time there. But it depends on you whether you want to let it go or not. What you can do is make a budget of your expenses in the starting of the month. And keep some money apart for entertainment purposes. This way you will not end up spending a huge amount of money on them.
Just keep the above mentioned points in your mind in the starting months of your career. The journey to become a professional trucker is not easy, but one can always do this with patience and hard work.