Congratulations on starting your new career in trucking! We want to make sure you’re prepared for the road ahead. The following is a list of items and a few tips to help you get a successful start as a truck driver.

Just be sure you check what’s being given to you by your employer before you go out and buy everything yourself.

Basic Essentials

These basic essentials are the first items you’ll want to get before you hit the road. Having these supplies are going to make you much more comfortable so make getting these your top priority.

• sleeping bag and pillow
• gloves
• flashlight
• tire pressure gauge
• toilet paper
• toothbrush
• toothpaste
• deodorant
• shampoo
• soap
• flip-flops for taking showers

Emergency Supplies

These items won’t be needed on a regular basis, but when they are, you’ll be very glad to have them. Be sure to inventory what comes with any kits you buy and consider whether you want to add anything to the kit. If, for example, your first-aid kit is missing antiseptic or bandages, you’ll want to be sure you get those.

• A first-aid kit in case of accidents
• An emergency kit:
  • Water
  • Canned food
  • Batteries
  • Tin snips
  • Flares
  • Duct tape
  • Jumper cables
  • A tarp
  • Extra gloves
  • Extra socks
  • De-icer for your windshield
  • A wrench
  • A knife
  • Fuses
  • A pair of pliers
  • Road cones
  • A reflective safety vest for high visibility on the road at night or in bad weather
• A warm coat for when it’s cold outside to keep form getting sick
• A rain coat
• A scarf or balaclava
• A hat
• An emergency bathroom container

Supplies for Extra Comfort

These items are neither essential nor needed for emergencies. Instead, this list focuses on comfort and making the most of your time out on the road.

• Dash mount for your cell phone
• Bluetooth earpiece for your cell phone to avoid tickets and safely stay hands-free.
• Earplugs to help you sleep in noisy areas
• Road atlas in case your GPS device or cell phone is having problems
• An electric skillet and crock-pot for cooking on the road. This will help you not only save money but can also help you maintain a healthier diet.
• A hand-held vacuum
• Extendible squeegee

Approach to Buying

Go for the essentials first and you can always get the comfort items later on. Additionally, you will want to get a cooler to keep healthy foods fresh longer and help cut down on your costs since eating out is expensive and time-consuming. Healthy foods you can easily take on-the-go may include fresh and dried fruits, whole grain crackers or breads, sunflower seeds, and nuts. Avoid having too much sugar and salt.

Congratulations again on starting your new career as a professional truck driver! It’s time to put everything you learned in your CDL training to good use! Feel free to contact us at United Truck Driver Training if you have any questions.