Month: July 2018

Updated Dec. 13, 2021

The trucking world comes with a lot of false stereotypes that lead interested drivers away from the industry. United Truck Driving School understands that many trucking misconceptions are out there and they have managed to debunk them all. Keep reading to learn more.

There is No Such Thing as a Smart Trucker

Hollywood paints an irrational stereotype that often shows truck drivers to be unintelligent and less sophisticated. This is completely untrue. Truck drivers see the world and visit far more places throughout the country than a person working solely from an office building, factory, or other structured business space. Traveling the open roadways exposes a driver to things he or she has never seen or heard before, and these new experiences will make a person more worldly and more cultured.

Truck drivers also go through extensive schooling in order to be trusted with freight on the open road. They must pass exams and acquire the proper licensing before becoming a professional in the trucking industry.

Truck Driving is a Man’s Job

More and more women are becoming commercial truck drivers every day. According to an article by the National Post, “Female truckers are sliding into long-haul cabs as companies seek to end a U.S. driver shortage, and they’re proving to be better behind the wheel than men.”

The trucking industry wants more female drivers because they are just as smart and equipped as men to handle big rigs and transport freight across the coasts. They also need them to fill in the employment gaps as more baby boomers retire from the industry.

Truckers Must Drive All Day and All Night

The misconception that truck drivers have no life off of the road is a common one. However, many truck drivers enjoy their lifestyle because they get to set their own working hours. Jobs.net explained that a truck driver does never have to punch a time card. “Days can begin really early. Many drivers like to move with the light; others prefer to drive through the night.”

Along with this, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Department of Transportation (DOT) has implemented Hours of Service (HOS) regulations. HOS refers to the maximum amount of time drivers are permitted to be on duty including driving time, and specifies the number and length of rest periods, to help ensure that drivers stay awake and alert. In September of 2020, FMCSA implemented changes to the regulations to “provide greater flexibility for drivers without adversely affecting safety” and were “based on thousands of comments FMCSA received from industry, safety advocacy groups, Congress, and the American public”. The changes included Adverse Driving Conditions Exceptions, Short-Haul Exceptions, 30-Minute Break Requirements, and Sleeper Berth Provisions.

Truck Driving is Boring

Truck drivers often get to ride in well-outfitted rigs that offer comfort and convenience. Plus a driver can be constantly entertained while logging miles thanks to today’s multitude of radio choices that can include: podcasts, downloadable audiobooks, and satellite radio. Truck drivers can also stay in touch with loved ones while working, by having in-depth conversations through hands-free devices that make the time on the road go by quickly. Mountain views, ocean sights, sunsets, sunrises and a constantly changing landscape are just a few of the views that a truck driver gets to see on the daily. Life on the open road is never boring.

 

If truck driving sounds interesting to you, contact United Truck Driving School today to learn more about your opportunities. United provides both Class A and Class B CDL training within San Diego and Riverside, CA. In just 4-weeks, you could be on the road with your new CDL.

Truckers are notoriously on tight schedules when working. Throughout your trucking career, you’ve most likely felt overwhelmed with pressure to meet deadlines and are unsure of how you should structure your time. Often, time is the most valuable commodity you possess when on the job; saving it with the assistance of this list of tips can help even the most veteran drivers. Let’s go over three changes you can quickly implement into your trucking lifestyle so you can start turning miles more efficiently.

1. Utilize Technology

Drivewyze is a hands-free app for iOS and Android available for download through your device’s respective app store for free. Drivewyze runs in the background on your cell phone and provides alerts for upcoming weigh stations and inspection sites nationwide. The app keeps track of over 1,200 stations, according to their website. Drivewyze isn’t limited to alerts, though. For $15/mo, you are given access to their premium bypass service, which allows you to skip the station altogether, saving hundreds of hours and lots of money. Of the 1,200 stations, Drivewyze keeps tabs on, roughly 700 participate in the bypass program. If you are on the fence about this app, Drivewyze offers customers a 30-day free trial of their premium service, letting you see if the benefits are worth it for your situation.

In addition to Drivewyze, there’s a bevy of mobile apps designed to make your life on the road as stress-free as possible. Free apps like Waze give the user up-to-date maps and topical travel information, like known police locations. Another helpful app to add to your tool belt is Storm Shield. It costs $2.99 and is fantastic for those truckers with an Apple Watch, as it’s compatible, though having one isn’t required. This app pushes need-to-know NOAA information to your device while utilizing the GPS to give you precise data. Depending on your route, this app could save you from a run-in with severe weather, and, if you have an Apple Watch, you can be getting crucial updates on your wrist!

Quick Recap:

– Drivewyze: For $15/mo, you are provided with alerts of upcoming weight stations as well as the opportunity to bypass them.

– Waze: Free app. Gives you up-to-date navigation information coupled with user-generated reports of upcoming hazards.

– Storm Shield: For $2.99, this app pushes time-sensitive weather information to your device. Combine with an Apple Watch for maximum efficiency.

2. Learn & Avoid Popular Parking Times

This tip is tailored for novice truckers, specifically, but is frequently overlooked by veterans as well. Depending on the season and location, parking your rig at a truck stop during nighttime hours can prove to be challenging and very time-consuming. When it comes to truck stops, the early bird gets the worm; that means, the sooner you arrive and the earlier you hit the road the following day, the better. Look at your route beforehand and determine the best appropriate parking time. Unfortunately, there is no uniform time that works best for every truck stop; stops will be different, so this is a trial and error process. However, it can be quite rewarding time-wise once mastered.

Quick Recap:

– Research popular parking times for truck stops you plan on encountering in your route.

– Turn-in early enough to just avoid the hassle of a constipated truck stop.

– Leave sooner than most in the morning, bypassing trucker traffic.

3. Skip Fast Food

We all know how tempting a McDonald’s burger and fries can be when you’re hungry, but you shouldn’t give in. Save your hard-earned money and precious time by skipping fast food trips altogether. Pack meals from home instead! This cheaper option also proves to be quite time-efficient as you will no longer find yourself waiting for restaurants to prepare meals for customers ahead of you.

That being said, you should still maintain your health by separating snacks from meals. For example, a bag of potato chips is a snack and should be eaten as such. Regarding meals, be creative. Anything quick to prepare with a high nutritional content, like a ham sandwich, for instance, should suffice. Be sure to hydrate frequently, too. Water will help subside extra hunger. Following this advice abets your wallet, health, and schedule — three birds with one stone!

Quick Recap:

– Always pack healthy homemade in addition to snacks.

– Avoid spending time and money at restaurants.

– Stay hydrated to diminish hunger.

 

These tips and tricks, if executed correctly, can save significant chunks of time on any trucker’s route, veteran or novice. That’s why they’re being utilized by savvy drivers all over America looking to cut time while not compromising quality. For more information and inquiries related to having a career in the trucking industry, feel free to contact us.