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"After 15 years of being a truck driver I've pretty much seen and done all there is to do out there. I've loved my years on the road and wouldn't trade them for the world. If I had to do it all over again, I'd do it exactly the same way I did it. But you see, that's just me..." - Brett Aquila
"I understand most drivers are paid per mile, with this being said maybe you could help me understand how or why certain types of freight (or loads) can be more or less desirable to a driver on any given run? Thank You"
Answer to Question 8: What makes certain freight more or less desirable->
I am looking into getting into truck driving; however, I don't want to incur the expense of truck driver training & not be able to get a job. I spoke to a trucking school who very honestly told me that, due to the economy, finding a local driving job will be very difficult, if not impossible. However, they say that OTR is still available, even for beginners. What are the prospects of finding work in trucking in a poor economy?
I have always loved the idea of OTR driving, but I'm having a hard time because I left an OTR company to do local delivery in a class B truck. Now I've been trying to go back to OTR but they say that I have to go through the CDL training school first. Can you give me any advice? Thanks. - Kenneth
Answer to Question 10: Do I have to take a CDL refresher course?
I've had my license suspended in the past for failure to pay a ticket. Will this affect my chances of becoming a truck driver? I've never had a DUI or any serious tickets in the past.
BigRigDriving is for those interested in research, debates, and discussion of topics within the trucking industry
TruckingTruth is dedicated to those considering becoming a truck driver or are new to the trucking industry
Becoming A Truck Driver: The Raw Truth About Truck Driving
- By Brett AquilaIf you're considering becoming a truck driver, this is the book for you!
Posted on 26 January 2012
I had never planned on driving a big rig so you can imagine how exciting it was for me to reach the 300,000 mile barrier! Continue reading →
Posted on 29 December 2011
There are a lot of factors that will affect your ability to find job placement in the trucking industry. Not only the obvious ones like employment history, criminal history, and driving record, but also things like your physical health and credit scores. Let's take a look at em.... Continue reading →
Posted on 28 December 2011
While the majority of students have success during their time at CDL training, there are others who come up short in their quest to become a professional truck driver. So, why do they fail? And how can it be prevented? Let's take a look at the four most common mistakes and how to prevent them. Continue reading →
Posted on 21 December 2011
Getting pre-hires is an important step when beginning your truck driving career. They can verify that companies are willing to hire you, and give you numerous choices when it comes to choosing the company you'd like to work for. Here we'll go into detail about what a pre-hire is, and how to go about getting them. Continue reading →
Posted on 15 December 2011
Sleep apnea is the biggest buzz in the trucking industry right now. But is this justified? Or is it yet another money-making scheme for the insurance companies and medical industry? The statistics are fuzzy. Continue reading →
Posted on 13 December 2011
There are a number of advantages to company-sponsored CDL training over private truck driving schools. Here we'll talk a little bit about the differences between the two, and why you may find that company-sponsored training is the better way to go. Continue reading →
Posted on 14 November 2011
I've seen more of this country in just a few short years than most people see in their entire lifetimes. But most things eventually come to an end. In this case, my trucking career has ended as I move on to other things. I'd like to summarize why I left the industry, and where I'm headed now. Continue reading →
Posted on 14 November 2011
Being a CDL instructor or a driver trainer is a very unique experience. I learned more about truck driving over the past 4 weeks than I have in the previous three years combined. It was an amazing learning experience for me. Here are some of the highlights I learned along the way. Continue reading →
Posted on 9 November 2011
After four weeks on the road training my student, it was time to sit back nervously and watch as he attempted to take the CDL exam to get his license. My student and I were extremely nervous, and it didn't go quite as well as we had hoped. Continue reading →
Posted on 25 October 2011
Becoming a solo truck driver is one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life, and I have done some hard things. CDL training will test you in so many ways, and it will go far beyond your ability to drive a truck. Continue reading →