The Complete Guide To A Career In Trucking
How is the truck driver's family affected?
When you decide to become a truck driver, your family will be affected greatly by your decision. Generally, drivers with families, especially young families, would be advised against seeking over-the-road driving jobs. That said, after their first year of schooling, training, and experience, it will be easier for drivers to find a position which brings them home more often, so to some, the sacrifice is worth it.
Regardless, we have plenty of resources for drivers with families (and pets) to help them understand the lifestyle and make informed decisions.
How long will I be away from home?
Most new truck drivers will start out driving over-the-road, obviously with some exceptions, for at least their first year. Most large carriers will give one day of home time for every 5-7 days on the road, usually with some kind of limit.
Forum - Does your company get you home in time?
"It may be time for her to request to be put on someone else's fleet. As we all know, not all DM/driver relationships are created equal, and she just may need to be under someone who's a little better at working to get their drivers home on time."
Forum - Guys. Seriously, is trucking worth it?
"We're a close knit family, and I'm not worried about my family falling apart if I'm gone for a couple of weeks, but, like I said, we're close and I don't want that lifestyle for us. I wouldn't mind being gone for 2 or 3 days then come home for a couple. Even leave for week, no problem. I just don't want to raise my family from a cell phone."
Being away from your family, spouse, and children:
The hardest part for any truck driver with a family, or anyone doing a job that keeps them away from home, for that matter, will be the time spent on the road away from them. Advances in electronic communication have made it easier to talk to and even video-chat with family, but it is still a major consideration to make for anyone entering the industry as a new driver.
Forum - The lonely times for women truck drivers
I know alot of you have husbands out there and not with you. Its gets lonely. I remember!! How do you occupy your time? I have kids so they need non stop attention that helped when the loneliness creeps up during the day. Some people cook, clean, find crafts, read books.
Article - To Have and to Hold: Marriages In Trucking
Life isn’t easy. Things get tough when the loads aren’t there. The home time visits are few and far between, and way too short. It all adds up. You need two committed people, it can’t be just one. It has to be both to make marriages work. Trucking marriages are already too difficult.
Forum - Tell me it gets easier with spouse or boyfriend on the road.
My guy has been gone for a month now aside from 12 hours he got to spend with us a few weeks ago. This is hard stuff. Going so long without any money to pay bills while he was in training before he passed his cdl test, let alone take the kids to go and do anything has made me feel like a prisoner in our home.
Home time is one of the most important considerations you should make when choosing a truck driving job. There is one point I can not stress enough – if you have a family of your own, please, please, please don't take an over the road truck driving job where you are gone for weeks at a time.
Forum - Doubters everywhere: No support from friends & family
Wow, it's amazing how much you learn about your support group when you make the decision to take your life in another direction. Since deciding that I am going to go to truck driving school it seems like my support system continues to shrink. Who needs them, anyways?
Article - A Family Emergency On The Road
My dad had not been well for awhile and it showed. He no longer looked younger than he was and you could see that something wasn't right. He tired easily, and many things were now difficult to do or took a little longer than it would have normally.
Video - Larry's Advice On How To Keep A Relationship As A Trucker
Can I bring my family members on the road with me?
Company policies on having riders along in the truck will vary wildly, but will normally be restricted to family members above a certain age, who don't hold a CDL. Many companies may require a fee to cover extra insurance, or may restrict riders to certain times of year, i.e. summer.
Forum - Family riders/passengers
Getting ready to start driving school and have been wondering about being able to take your family on the road with you. Are you limited to having only one passenger at a time in your truck (being only 1 passenger seat with a seat belt) or can you have a second person in the sleeper awake or sleeping while you are driving?
Forum - Can a truck driver take his wife on the road?
Looking for some assistance. I am starting truck driving school next month. I am so excited. Anyways, once I get out I can choose the company I want to work for. I want my wife to share this experience with me. She can't drive due to medical issues or we would team.
Forum - Ride Along On The Road With Old School
Today is a day that I, and my sweet little girl, have anticipated for months now. I am heading home tonight and I will pick up my youngest daughter, Abigail, for a ride along with her "old man." It's gonna be an epic journey for her, and we've decided to invite all of you along with us.
What about my bills? How do I support my family during CDL school and company training?
Attending a private school will usually mean either going part-time or on weekends or at least being within driving distance of home and/or current place of employment.
Most company-sponsored CDL training will not start paying until the driver has his CDL and is on the road with a company trainer, so arrangements would need to be made accordingly. That said, the trucking companies are constantly changing their policies and you might be able to find a few that pay, at least a little, during schooling.
So my question is now that I have my CDL permit where do I go for training? I am looking for paid training like Knight offers and I'm more than willing to stay with the company a year to pay for my training so who out there has a program like knight where you begin earning pay your first day with no or extremely low upfront fees like Knight
I currently drive for Prime and did go through their training program. You do get $200/wk advance while you are out with an instructor to get the experience needed to test out & get your CDL. The average time for this is about 2 - 3 weeks. It is advised to have your permit before you go to Springfield MO for your orientation.
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