It’s no secret that being a truck driver is more than just driving, it’s also navigating and loading cargo onto the trailer. But there are 4 things you should know before you start this career path-knowing these facts can make your first few years on the road easier for yourself and those around you!
1. Get Truck Driver Legal Backup
One of the best things about truck driving is how you can be your own boss, and don’t need to work for a large company. However, that also means that when something goes wrong (and it will) you’re the only one left to handle it. If you get involved in an accident as a truck driver, you will want to have an Athens truck accident lawyer by your side in Athens-Clarke County. It is also beneficial to have a lawyer as truck drivers are often in the position to be arrested, which can lead to criminal charges or accidents with other drivers. The repercussions for this can be very serious, so truck drivers must have an attorney on their side who can help them through the legal process. Many different situations could lead to a truck driver in need of an attorney:
License Suspension
If the police suspect that you have been drinking and driving, then your license could be suspended until the case is resolved.
Driver’s License Examiners (DLE) Cases
The DLE has full authority to pull over any truck driver at any time for any reason at all. There is no probable cause needed for this type of traffic stop. These can include drug or alcohol tests, random inspections, and commercial vehicle audits.
Trucker Employment Disputes
Truck drivers who feel their companies violate industry regulations by misclassifying employees as independent contractors may wish to hire an employment attorney.
2. Stay Organized
For anyone transitioning from a typical 9-5 work life, time management seems to be the biggest obstacle when starting as a truck driver. Since you are your own boss now, you will have to manage your own time and be extremely organized so that everything gets done in the proper order. This can include planning your route, loading the cargo properly, and making sure you don’t get lost!
Road maps are usually provided by employers for truck drivers to use during their routes. However, these are often out of date or not comprehensive enough. All truck drivers must have a GPS with updated maps at all times in case the one in their rig breaks down. However, if this happens it is still incredibly important to keep track of where they were when it stopped working so they can find their location again later! It is important to keep your vehicle in good condition by having it properly maintained. Always check the oil and coolant levels, engine’s air filter, headlights, turn signals, brake, parking lights, and don’t forget to check your tire pressure and tread depth. Here on TheDrive.com you can find the list of the various truck tires to choose the perfect ones.
3. Understand The Company You Are Working For
It’s not just about getting from point A to B anymore when you’re working as a truck driver; there are other details involved such as finding efficient routes, planning cargo loads properly, and understanding the company’s mission statements. You are not just an employee working for money anymore; you are also a symbol of your company to people on the road. This means that it is more important than ever for truck drivers to know their companies’ policies regarding drugs and alcohol use on the job, load management, and safe driving.
You also need to know your legal obligations depending on what you are transporting. If you are hauling hazardous materials, then you need to know all of the regulations surrounding those dangerous chemicals. It is also important for truck drivers who work as independent contractors to understand what benefits they are entitled to and how much money they will be earning each week.
4. Be Aware Of Your Surroundings
When you’re sharing the roads with tens of thousands of other trucks every day, being aware of what everyone else around you is doing is of vital importance in staying safe! Drivers have little patience for new drivers who don’t understand how highway lanes work or who get lost easily so staying sharp at times will help this process go much more smoothly for everyone on the road.
Hiring new drivers who are excited to jump right into their first few shifts is something many trucking companies do; it’s less of a headache than constantly training people who never stick around! However, it is important that before they head out on their first solo trip, they understand safety protocols like how to deal with flat tires and having no backup plan if you get lost.
Truck drivers have a very important job, they must keep everyone in their environment safe to make a living. So before you start this new path in your life, make sure you understand what will be expected of you first!