The path to becoming a full-time truck driver is intensive. You will learn a whole lot of information in a very short period of time. Pay attention.
Once you have gone through the process of completing the schooling and training necessary to become a licensed truck driver, you have an adventure ahead. Take some notes, and read through this brief look at some helpful tips for your first year on the road.
Work to uphold your mental wellness
Your mindset is one of the most powerful influencers on your job performance. If you can’t get your head in the right place, truck driving can be an extremely isolating career.
Know your limits mentally, and find ways to connect with loved ones on the road. Keep a positive outlook on the completion of your work, and set your mind up to be strong.
Be ready to work your way into a good position
You should prepare yourself to work for the position you really want as a driver. You likely won’t make a fortune right out of driving school, but persistence pays in this profession. Avoid hopping from one job to another, and embrace the suck of your first driving job.
Make sleep a top priority
When driving long distances is your profession, it becomes even more critical that you get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation can severely impair your ability to drive.
Your sleeping schedule may be a bit unorthodox as a truck driver, but it’s imperative to your safety and the safety of everyone else on the road to get adequate rest each day. Aim to grad seven to eight hours every 24 hours, and you should be ready to tackle what lies ahead.
Always have a flashlight on hand
In your first year as a truck driver, you’ll encounter plenty of receiving docks that don’t have enough light. Carry a flashlight with you at all times, and use it to help guide your path as you back up to the dock. Lay the light on the ground to create a guideline as you reverse.
Carry a bag of salt around with you
If you know you could be driving into an area that has a chance of snowy conditions, it’s always a good plan to keep a bag of salt onboard.
Salt is a great defense against heavy snow and ice. The chemical reaction present when the salt touches the ice and snow lowers the freezing point and melts the snow.
Don’t rush yourself
It should be common sense, but don’t rush yourself as you drive front one stop to the next. Rushing will cause you to make careless mistakes, and you could place the lives of others in danger.
