5 Truck Driving Tips For New Drivers

Finally receiving your commercial drivers’ license in the mail is a moment deserving celebration. You’ve worked hard to learn the ins and outs of driving a truck and faithfully logged the required hours of instruction behind the wheel. 

Once you land that first job, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Your first job won’t be Mr. Right — focus on learning.

You’ve dreamed of trucking since you were a kid. You thought that getting your license would open the gates to traveling across the U.S. and living the life. But your job didn’t turn out to be your dream job. The dispatcher is inexperienced and frequently makes mistakes, you’re sick of truck stop food and the pay isn’t what you were hoping for.

Take a deep breath and relax. Most entry-level jobs — in every industry, not just trucking — aren’t glamorous. They also won’t be the ones you’ll be stuck in for the rest of your career. So keep your eyes on the road, focus on gaining experience and pretty soon you’ll qualify for a better job.

Mind your mental health.

Yes, truck driving has its many perks. But it can also be tough to be away from your family for weeks at a time. Take time to consider what you have to be grateful for and once you are home, make the most of every minute. Every job demands sacrifice, but each job also has a bright side.

You’ll make plenty of mistakes in your first year.

Think back to your first your driving a car. You made plenty of mistakes, had a few close calls and continued to sharpen your driving skills. Truck driving is no different. Don’t beat yourself up over every mistake and be patient.

Make safety your #1 priority.

One word that will never go out of style is safety. You’re never too experienced to think about safety and follow precautions. Pay close attention to every detail and always be ready to make improvements to your driving habits.

Your attitude is your calling card.

In the trucking industry, jobs are plenty. Good drivers are a bit more scarce. To stand out from the crowd, mind your attitude and be considerate of other drivers, the dispatcher and the people you interact with on a daily basis.