If you're thinking about becoming a truck driver or are just getting started, you may be feeling frightened or scared. With all of the laws, rules, and regulations in place, you want to be sure you're ready to begin your new profession effectively. New truck drivers often learn the unwritten rules of the road for truckers over time, but certain rookie blunders can cost you time and money straight immediately.

We've compiled a list of frequent truck driver mistakes that truckers rookie drivers make that they should aim to avoid. If you manage a trucking firm and are employing new drivers, make sure to advise them about these common rookie mistakes to help save you money in the long term.

New Drivers Should Avoid These 8 Rookie Mistakes

1. Excessive self-assurance

Congratulations on your new license! You now have your CDL and may begin your new profession on the road. However, you still lack experience, so don't get too comfy.

Remember when you were a teen and you first received your driver's license? You believed you were the greatest, most knowledgeable driver. Fast forward to adulthood, and when you see someone skipping a stop sign, not utilizing their blinker, or speeding, the drivers are usually teenagers...probably with a new license.

The same may be said about driving a truck. These gigantic vehicles require some adjustment, so even if you know how to run the truck, you lack the experience to drive like you own the road. To avoid making this rookie trucker driver error, make sure you're comfortable but not overconfident on the road.

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2. Not requesting assistance

In any new employment, asking for clarification is absolutely vital to verify that you are completing your duties in accordance with your employer's expectations. The same may be said about driving a truck. It is more professional to explain something and ask for assistance than to make a mistake because you did not want to ask a question.

Should you inquire as to how to fill your gas tank? Most likely not. But, should you explain an address if it doesn't appear on your maps? Probably.

Surrounding yourself with individuals you can trust and working with responsible people can help you avoid this truckers rookie mistake.

3. Taking counsel from everyone

If something appears to be too good to be true, it most likely is. If you are offered a position that seems like a dream job, there are generally some conditions linked to it.

In these cases, it's crucial to seek advise from other drivers, but don't always take all of it to heart. Some drivers aren't always the finest sources of knowledge, so gather as much as you can but ultimately make your own educated judgments about your job or load on the road.

4. Having unrealistic expectations

Life on the road as a truck driver may be incredibly gratifying, but it isn't as simple as some newcomers believe. Being away from home may be difficult at times, and dealing with homesickness while being professional can be difficult.

This rookie truck driver’s mistake isn't inherently harmful in terms of safety, but it's crucial to remember since it affects your mental health and personal satisfaction. Understand that life on the road can be stressful, but it is frequently rewarding in the end.

5. Failure to take safety precautions seriously

See the first error on our list...it is related to this. Yes, you understand the exact requirements for driving your truck, but don't skim through the minutiae that you believe are foolish or superfluous. Consider it a good idea to secure your cargo as well. Although there are methods to avoid cargo theft, it is still a possibility. Some criminals may go to extreme measures to obtain what you store in your truck.

Even if you're pressed for time or attempting to escape bad weather, you should never skip a truck inspection or neglect to verify load tie-downs. This rookie error can result in significant injury to others, so don't take it lightly.

6. Not looking after oneself

Failure to take care of oneself is a classic beginner error. This may appear to be self-explanatory, but adjusting your lifestyle to adapt to life on the road might make this difficult at times.

It's common to have to tote a cargo while you're fatigued, but if you're exhausted to the point where the large truck you're driving may damage you or other drivers around you, it's time to take a rest. No employment or amount of money is worth the danger of you injuring or, in the worst-case situation, killing someone.

Knowing your limitations is an important part of being a professional driver, so take care of yourself and you'll be more effective and safe in the long term.

7. Being disorderly

All of the documentation required for you to drive is obviously critical, so make sure you're filling out your logs, keeping track of receipts, paperwork after delivering a load, and everything else that comes with driving.

When you're first starting out as a truck driver, staying organized will save you time and make you feel more at ease.

8. Inability to operate due to a lack of funds

Keeping your truck on the road is expensive. If you're a newcomer working for a major corporation, this may not be a big deal, but if you're a sole proprietor, factoring freight expenses is a requirement.