New Truck Driver Mistakes

10 minutes

by Paul Cotter

Experienced truck drivers can provide new truck drivers with a wealth of information that will help them live a better life on the road. Having said that, truck drivers with years of experience may continue to learn. Some truckers mistakes may be avoided by all drivers simply by being aware of them sooner. Here are some pointers that we believe will be useful to you, whether you are new to the industry or not.

Failure to prepare for the job

Preparation is one of the most crucial things truckers can do, whether it is for a new career or for their 100th job. Accepting that training would be challenging is part of preparing for newcomers. Preparation includes learning how to operate commercial vehicles, examining safety information, and remembering where your gear is placed.

Driving a truck and handling all facets of the work will become simpler with some practice. Find a mentor (who isn't training you) to help you deal with the ups and downs, and depend on your family for guidance if things become tough.

We took the video from The Helpful Trucker channel

Having unrealistic expectations

In every work, having the wrong expectations may lead to problems. This implies that in the trucking profession, you should strive to forget all you believe you know about the lifestyle. For example, while this work does provide you a lot of independence, you must still follow norms and procedures. Here are some further suggestions.

• Don't expect other drivers to understand what you're doing. When backing onto a dock and someone gets in your way, keep in mind that they don't know how to do your job.
• Trucking isn't just about long stretches of highway. You will have to cope with traffic, crowded truck stops, poor weather when you least expect it, and other issues.
• You won't be alone forever. When most people think of truckers, they see a man alone in his cab. Many veteran drivers face this reality, but novices will require ongoing instruction. You will be working with a more experienced partner, so listen to them and seek their advice frequently.
• You won't have time for what you expected. You probably won't have time to binge-watch shows, read for hours, or play a few games of pool at the pool hall. However, if you prepare ahead of time and manage your time wisely, you may still enjoy your interests.
• You CAN achieve work-life balance. All it takes is learning how to change your way of life. Even while on the road, truckers may keep their families and enjoy their lives.
• You are your own worst enemy.

This is something that everyone does, not just new truck drivers. The first step in breaking this terrible habit is to realize what you can and cannot control. You cannot, for example, control traffic or how long you must wait at a stop, but you can control your emotions.

Use any downtime to do other job obligations, like as paperwork or chatting with dispatch.

If you're caught in traffic, take some deep breaths and listen to some music.

If you know you won't be able to complete your responsibilities on time, notify dispatch. It is not your responsibility to manage schedule, so don't worry too much about it.

Because truck driving is an uncertain career, strive to be flexible if deliveries do not go as planned.

Set goals that are attainable. Be honest if you don't have enough time to make three stops, sleep, wash, eat, and watch a movie. Sometimes circumstances must take precedence.

Failure to take safety seriously

Novice drivers sometimes overlook the significance of safety in all parts of their jobs. It is not just about excellent driving habits, but also about procedures on construction sites and when parked. If you operate with chemicals, for example, you must be familiar with all applicable regulations and safety guidelines. Even seasoned drivers must maintain their safety training, so keep this in mind at all times.