5 Awesome Podcasts for Truck Drivers

It’s no secret going on the road is full of long stretches of time where you need something to listen to. As a long-haul truck driver, you may find yourself out on the road for a week or more. Listening to music can become a little boring after a while and you may be in need of something a little more engaging. We’ve compiled a list of diverse podcasts to help make your route a bit more enjoyable!

The Payload Podcast

The host is also the creator of the app ‘Truck Driver Power.’ Each episode is set up as an interview with a person related to trucking. From driving veterans to the marketing manager of Iowa 80 Truck Stops. The topics range from the dash cam debate to logistics for over the road trucking. All in all, they are quite informative. The shortest episode is shy of 19 minutes and the longest is 58 minutes. The Payload Podcast is hosted by JT Peters and can be found here.

Trucker Dump

Though there are only new episodes released monthly, Trucker Dump has been putting out content since 2009, so there are several Episodes to go back to. The episodes are both entertaining and informative! The early episodes are shorter, lasting only about 10 or 15 minutes. However, the newer episodes typically last between 1.5 to 2 hours. Love dad humor? This is the trucking podcast for you! The Trucker Dump Podcast is hosted by Todd McCann and can be found here.

The Lead Pedal Podcast

This podcast is easily digestible and is hosted by an experienced motivational speaker who shines behind the mic. Offering a broad range of topics, this podcast also features music at the end of each episode from various independent country artists. The Lead Pedal Podcast is hosted by Bruce Outridge and can be found here.

Eyes on the Road

The presentation of this podcast is akin to the nightly news on your favorite broadcast station. Lockridge’s delivery shows his seasoned skills as a broadcaster as he interviews an expert on the topic at hand in a clear and concise manner. Straight to the point, and no-nonsense, this is a great option for staying up to date on the most current events, specifically for truckers. Eyes on the Road is hosted by Evan Lockridge, you can find out more here.

Alice Isn’t Dead

If you’re looking for something a bit different than the standard news/talk style of most podcast, this is a great direction to go. Alice Isn’t Dead follows a long-haul truck driver as she searches for her thought to be dead wife. Along the way, encountering strange events and creatures. The events are relayed to the listener as if she’s telling her story over a CB radio. A distinctly trucker take on some very X-files like themes.  The story is broken up into roughly 20-minute blocks. You can check out Alice isn’t dead here.

We hope you’ve been able to find something that works best for you! Whether you’re trucking at night or during the day, these trucking podcasts are bound to keep you entertained.

What Happens After CDL Training?

Updated May 2022,

What happens now? You’ve finished your CDL training and are ready to start your new career in trucking. Here are the next steps to becoming a full-fledged Class A certified truck driver.

The next steps after CDL training are:

  • Pass the State CDL Exam
  • Sign with a Carrier
  • Company training
  • Drive Solo

Now, let’s consider each of these steps in detail.

Pass the State CDL Exam

To receive your Commercial Drivers License (CDL), you must first pass a written exam provided by the state DMV. In California, this exam contains 50 questions. You must correctly answer at least 40 of those questions to pass.

The California DMV provides sample tests for your benefit. Upon successfully passing the CDL exam, you’ll be issued your license.

Sign with a Carrier

Once you’ve got your CDL, it’s time to sign with a carrier. This may be a carrier company that pre-hires students from CDL training programs, or you may decide that you want to sign with another trucking company.

When selecting a carrier to sign with, it is crucial to consider several factors, such as what the carrier offers in terms of salary, work schedule, tuition reimbursement, benefits, opportunities, and so forth.

Company Training

Once a carrier hires you, you’ll likely have to undergo advanced training provided by that carrier. When you have a firm understanding of the new driving techniques the company has taught you, you’ll most likely go on the road with a trainer. The trainer will determine when you’re ready to drive by yourself. Many trucking companies also offer training pay during this time, which is a definite plus!

Driving Solo

Finally, you’ll be able to drive a company truck by yourself. New hires generally work over-the-road (OTR), or long-distance driving, at the start of their careers. However, new drivers are beginning to get more than OTR job offers after graduation. The trucking industry is creating more attractive entry-level positions to attract more drivers to the industry. As a result, many new drivers have taken are local and regional jobs.

Regional jobs are the perfect blend between OTR and local truck driving because drivers stay within a specific region of the United States. Regional drivers have a driving range of around 1,000 miles from their home base. Regional truck drivers’ routes can take a few days to complete, meaning they can be home on the weekends or multiple days in a row.

Another option for drivers is to take up a local truck driving job. Local jobs are perfect for anyone who wants or needs to be home daily. Typically, local driving routes have more consistency day-to-day. The main drawback of local truck driving to be aware of is that the pay is often not as high as regional or OTR driving.

After you’ve gained about a year of experience, you’ll be eligible to work in other driving positions if you so desire.

If you’d like to learn more about what to expect after CDL training or how to get your driving career started, contact us today!