Media post: 5 Tips for Training to Be a Truck Driver
In this tough economic climate, there are a few jobs that are always guaranteed to get you gainful employment. Being a nurse, a teacher, or a truck driver are the top three that spring to mind. Enrolling at a truck driving school might seem like the only thing that you need to do to become a great truck driver, but it’s not – the process is somewhat more involved.
If you’re patiently waiting for your turn to get qualified so that you can go out and haul around the country, the below five tips will help your training go smoother:
- Work on Your Mind Set
There is more to being a truck driver than just knowing how to operate the vehicle. Truck driving is just as much mental labor as it is physical labor. Driving across the countries, for weeks on end, and being away from your family will take a toll on you mentally and emotionally.
Make sure that you are prepared for those long trips and find creative ways to stay in touch with friends and loved ones, which will make the long trips so much easier to endure.
- Be Patient
Most experienced truck drivers all say the same thing, becoming a good truck driver takes time. It will take you between one to two years to settle into your trucking rhythm. Have patience at the beginning, you need to spend this time listening, observing, and learning.
Do not try to rush through your lessons, just because you can drive a truck does not mean that you’re ready to cross the country. To avoid a truck accident, you need to exercise patience.
- Have Career Goals
After all the time and effort that you will put into becoming a good truck driver, don’t let boredom or laziness stop you from becoming an even better driver. Qualified and experienced truck drivers are always going to be well sought after, provided you have a good driving record too.
A great tip for new truck drivers is to make sure that you set career goals for yourself. These don’t have to be massive goals like becoming the world’s greatest truck driver, although that is admirable. Focus on being the safest truck driver and avoiding tickets instead.
It is a good idea to have a CDL traffic ticket lawyer, just in case – you never know when you might run into trouble on the road.
- Use the Right Trucking School
Not all trucking schools are created equally. Find a trucking school that offers placements after you qualify – that will be one less stress off your shoulders when you get your license. If you need financial assistance with your course, consider looking for schools that are accredited by the U.S Department of Transportation. These schools usually offer scholarships, grants, or student loans.
- Always Put Safety First
No matter how many times you’ve inspected your truck in the past, never ignore these all-important pre-inspections before you head out on your next journey. Trucking safety should be your number one priority every time you hit the road. You should always rather be safe than sorry, no matter how pesky the safety checks may seem.
