10 Trucking Tips and Tricks to Boost Your Career

If you’re a new truck driver, you’ll want to know all the trucking tips available to help boost your career. Becoming a truck driver is a great career move, but it doesn’t need to be the last move you make, career-wise. Whether you’re a seasoned driver or you’re brand new to the field, there are several trucking tips and tricks that you should know. Here at Truck Driver Institute, we want to help drivers be the best they possibly can. Keep reading for the top 10 trucking tips and tricks that will not only boost your career, but make you a better driver as well. 

10 Trucking Tips and Tricks to Boost Your CareerTop 10 Trucking Tips

1.Be Flexible

Because there are so many different types of jobs available to drivers, remaining flexible is extremely important. If you hold a variety of endorsements and are able to operate a variety of equipment, your opportunities open up immensely. Being open to driving flatbeds, moving furniture, hauling heavy equipment, or carrying passengers allows you to access some niche driving careers that many CDL holders end up missing out on. While these types of jobs require some additional experience, they also often pay more than standard jobs.

2.Keep Open Communication

This applies to virtually every career, but fostering healthy communication can make a world of difference in your career as a commercial truck driver. Make sure you establish good relationships with your dispatchers and your trucking company and ensure that you keep communication open. This business relies heavily on coordination in order to keep everything flowing smoothly, so make sure you don’t neglect communication, or you’ll essentially be driving blind. 

3.Stay on Schedule

Going hand in hand with communication, timeliness is extremely important as a truck driver. There are many moving parts involved in getting freight where it needs to go, so being on time makes a huge difference. Many customers rely on truckers’ pickups and deliveries to keep their businesses moving, and keeping these customers happy is top priority. Sometimes being late can’t be avoided, which is where communication becomes important once again. Do your best to stay on schedule, and communicate with your dispatcher if things do come up.

4.Focus on a Healthy Diet

As a truck driver, it can be extremely easy to fall into unhealthy habits when on the road. When you don’t have access to kitchens and you’re stuck sitting for extended periods of time, you may find yourself adopting an unhealthy lifestyle. Not much can be done about the extended time on the road, but by focusing on a healthier diet you can help keep yourself in tip-top shape and avoid any adverse effects on your overall health. Plus, physical health goes hand in hand with mental health, and keeping both of these in check will lead to much higher overall satisfaction.

5.Have Entertainment Options 

While this may not seem like much of a career tip, keeping yourself entertained while driving can make a world of difference. It takes time to get used to spending these extended hours alone, but by having a variety of entertainment options you can help yourself adjust just a little bit faster. Many people find that listening to music can get a bit monotonous, take some time to find a few podcasts or audiobooks that pique your interest. That way, you can learn something new while keeping yourself focused on the road.

6.Have a Backup GPS

There are few things worse than getting lost, and this awful feeling is only amplified when it happens on the job and you’re crunched for time. Because technology has a habit of breaking just when we need it the most, it’s best to keep a backup GPS handy, or else risk finding yourself stranded somewhere unfamiliar. There are several options for which GPS to keep in your truck, and Garmin’s technology remains some of the most reliable while staying within a budget.

7.Keep a Clean Driving Record

If you’re looking to maintain your career as a truck driver, it is imperative that you keep your driving record clean. This doesn’t just apply to your CDL record, but to your personal vehicle record as well. No tickets, no accidents, no log book violations or other citations. Keep your insurance up to date as well, to avoid the possibility of a suspended license. When driving is your livelihood, it’s extremely important that you establish yourself as a safe and responsible driver. 

8.Practice Parking Often

Semi trucks are large and tend to be a bit unwieldy, meaning that parking can be a difficult endeavor. Truck Driver Institute works hard to ensure that drivers are competent at parking their big rigs, but practice truly does make perfect. Avoid any embarrassing mishaps by practicing your parking skills, especially backing, whenever you get the chance. Don’t wait until you have to pull into a tight space to practice, instead take advantage of empty parking lots whenever possible. 

9.Know Your Worth

As the world begins to reopen post-pandemic, truck drivers are becoming more and more in demand. Don’t waste any time with a company that treats you poorly, because there are countless companies that will recognize just how important you are as an employee. Truckers are an essential part of our economy, and being aware of this will help you make sure you’re receiving the treatment you deserve. 

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Find Your CDL Training Program Today

If you’re looking to use these trucking tips and tricks to boost your career, the first step is finding the perfect CDL course for you. Truck Driver Institute boasts one of the best CDL training programs, with certifications in as quick as three weeks. We have eleven locations in seven different states, so you’re always able to find a convenient location nearby. Contact us today to get started in a lucrative truck driving career.   


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