Dedicated To Helping Those Who Are New To The Trucking Industry
We’re glad you’re here and we’re certain you’re going to find tons of great stories and informative artlclies about life on the road that will help you understand the in’s and out’s of the trucking industry. We have a number of different authors with various levels of experience in the industry, and we’re always looking for more! If you’re interested in having your own blog on TruckingTruth, just let us know by emailing Brett@truckingtruth.com. We’d love to have you!
A Positive, Honest, and Realistic View of the Trucking Industry
At TruckingTruth, we all enjoy trucking, but we want you to know the good side and the things you need to look out for. We have no hidden agendas and we’ll pull no punches. We want to give you an honest, realistic view of the industry so that you can decide for yourself if trucking is for you. And if you do decide you’d like a career in trucking, then we’re here to help you all the way!
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About This Blog [view]
We’ve put together a great team of writers that are going to cover all different aspects of the trucking industry. These folks represent all different experience levels, and give a wide variety of insights and perspectives on truck driving and trucking as a career. We’re going to have everything from students in truck driving school, to new drivers, experienced drivers, and even some retired truck driving veterans with over 30 years of driving and millions of miles behind them on the highways across the U.S. and Canada. We’ll be covering the trucking industry and beyond with subjects including:
- The steps to becoming a truck driver
- Choosing a truck driving school
- How to find free CDL training
- Choosing the right trucking company
- Surviving your first year on the road
- Handling the DOT and your logbook
- Scheduling your time on the road
- The lifestyle of a big rig driver
- and a whole lot more….
So check out the work we’ve put together and I promise you you’re going to find more information here than all the other sources out there put together. And listen, this isn’t a one way street. We want your questions, comments, suggestions, and any kind of input you’d like to give. If there’s a specific question you need answered or a subject you’d like to see covered, just leave a comment after one of our posts, drop us an email, or check out our Ask A Driver section, our trucking articles, or our trucker’s forum and start typin away! We’re here all the time and we’ll be sure to get right back to you as quick as can be! So here’s the authors we are featuring and there will be more added all the time! Enjoy!
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Meet Our Authors [view]
Brett Aquila
Pappy
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Pappy is our long-time veteran of the road. He self proclaims “I try to lead a simple life, I’m not after riches untold or fame, I prefer to love, live, and be free”, and yet five minutes later while still continuing the same thought says “Folks, this man was askin for something he couldn’t pay for, even with all his possessions. When I unloaded a southpaw to his nose he crumpled to the ground…I told him he left me no other choice but to take outta his ass what I figured he would cost me.” So understand somethin about Pappy – he’s a kind-hearted, generous family man, no question. I know this for a fact. But he isn’t wasting his kindness on those who need settin’ straight, and he’s going to tell you what you need to know, even if it isn’t what you want to hear. But you better listen, because he’s been everywhere you’re gettin’ ready to go, and he already knows what you need to know before you even knew the right questions to ask. |
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TruckerMike
Rhonda
Tumbleweed
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If you’ve never traveled the country in a home on wheels the size of a walk-in closet with your true love, then you don’t know what you’re missin. But Tumbleweed does! TruckingTruth is lucky enough to bring you the stories, adventures, advice, and insights of a fine lady who has put in her time behind the wheel, and did it with her partner by her side. She knows the trucking industry and she knows a woman’s side of it – a side that more and more women are hoping to learn more about every year. So strap in, listen up, and follow along as Tumbleweed guides you along a woman’s path through the trucking industry. |
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Scott.P
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With what seemed like a secure job and stable life, this fellow, like so many others, was surprised to find out one day that his job in the auto industry had come to an end. So what was the plan? With few choices in a terrible economy, Scott chose trucking to get him through the coming years. Will the auto industry ever get back to where it was? Will manufacturing ever be what it was? Nobody knows. But trucking still provides the opportunities people need to make good money and see the country. So follow along as Scott goes through his CDL training and gets out on the big roads making his way through life in a new trucking career. |
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Farmer Bob
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Many of us have thought about driving truck over the years, but for one reason or another just never got around to doing it. Farmer Bob was one of em. With a nickname out of the “Far Side” cartoons and having retired from a job that was just too good to quit, Farmer Bob is finally headin out onto the highways in a big rig. With the support of his wife and an eagerness to see what life is like on the road, Farmer Bob will take you along as he ventures through school, goes out on the road with his trainer, and then on his own in the great big world of truckin. With so many lifestyle changes and surprises along the way, his insights will give you a great understanding of what’s out there on the road, and just what you’ll find interesting and unique if you were to ever travel the American highways for a living. |
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Peter Jr
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Jaunting about the place – that sounds about right. “To make a usually short journey for pleasure” as it is defined – and Peter’s trips around the country will likely be little different than his jaunts around town – except now he’ll be in an 80,000 lb rig. Not one to hold back opinions, and wih a sharp wit to match, you’re going to know exactly what Peter Jr is thinking, and why, and he doesn’t much care for wasting time worrying about who might be unhappy about it. Follow Peter Jr through his schooling, his training out on the road, and his jaunts around the country as he reports back to his family and friends his tales of the road. |
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Karen
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In so few words this fine lady sums up herself by saying, “The beauty that I hold is for myself in the respect of who I am; I’m confident, respectful, with a worth that comes from God.” It could be said no better. Traveling from time to time with her husband in big rigs out of the Great Northwest, Karen has gained an appreciation for the road and the warriors who travel it every day. They get too little respect and appreciation, and Karen is here to stand up for those who have earned their place in our world by working so hard to help make it what it is. Kind-hearted and caring, with a spiritual side that guides her, Karen’s letters will appeal to those who root for the underdog and respect the hard working men and women of our land. |
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Ranting Warrior
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Ater completing a tour in Iraq, ranting warrior had a great job working for a friend in an auto shop. He liked his job, made good money, and put in his time. But like many, his friend’s shop fell victim to the failing economy. Left in a tough position, Ranting Warrior says “The thought of getting a nine to five office job makes me shutter. You would have to know me to understand – I would go insane. So any degree where I would be couped up doing monotonous things day after day is out the window, which is most of the degrees that lead to making good money.” After considering truck driving previously, he was led to a point in his life where the options were few, and the needs were immediate, and the question soon arose, “Why not trucking?” – and there you have it. Follow along as Ranting Warrior learns the ropes and faces the challenges of his new career on the road. |
Tanya Bons
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As the co-owner and co-founder of Spirit CDL Training in Belvidere, IL, a truck driving school located outside the Chicago area, Tanya has tons of great insights into the world of CDL training. With specifics about training in Illinois, along with a lot of general insights into the world of trucking, Tanya’s perspective is priceless for anyone considering becoming a truck driving. Follow along as she helps you understand the world of truck driver training, and lets you know what to expect from a career in the trucking industry. |
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Adrian “Old Wolf” Nunenkamp
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A former sailor in the Navy, Adrian went on to a career in the computer industry, until like so many others, the devastating economy took it’s toll, and work became scarce. What work there was paid very little, and a career in trucking seemed a likely replacement for his office and desk. And so it would be. Follow Adrian as he begins his CDL training, goes out on the road, and shares his thoughts about life in the trucking industry from the perspective only a new driver can give. |
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Allan Burden
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I have lived in this great state, South Carolina, for most of my life. I spent a short amount of time in Florida plus a few short stints on some Army bases spread here and there. My dad’s oldest brother was a trucker and he would let us go out with him during our summer breaks from school, so I got exposed to the life very early and it has stuck with me. I am a young man, 25 years old to be exact. I am married and have three beautiful little children…and I am going trucking. I have worked quite a variety of jobs in my 25 years. I am a nomad at heart…a wanderer. I don’t like sitting in one place very long and I find myself bored with jobs that have a monotonous routine. What all have I done you ask? Well, I have been a warehouse worker, loaded trucks for UPS, washed cars, worked in the dye house and spinning room of a cotton mill, sold insurance, been a police officer for 3 years, pastor of three , yes three, country churches in rural SC, a Field Artillery Surveyor for Uncle Sam’s Army, worked as a bar back in a restaurant, and I have done electrical work with my dad. So follow along as I now embark on my latest journey – becoming a truck driver. |
Philosopher Paul
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After a lifetime of travelling, writing, teaching, carpentry, schooling, and studying philosophy amongst other things (how many things are there???), Philosopher Paul’s teenage dream of becoming a truck driver is finally about to happen. Follow along in his journey through truck driving school and out onto the road for an interesting variety of insights and perspectives from someone who has tried pretty much everything else, and now has trucking in his sights. I mean, no matter what you’ve done in life, if you’ve never driven a big rig, you just haven’t done all the cool things there are to do. Well here’s one more item Philosopher Paul can strike from the list. |
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I just finished Driving school at Tri-State in Middletown, Ohio and feel like the school did a good job. I recieved 5 offers while in the school and decided to go with Werner Enterprises. I go to orientation in Springfield, Ohio on Monday the 26th and then go on the road with a trainer. Just wondering if any of you know anything about Werner and or have any advice. I am looking forward to getting out on the road.
Werner is a great company to start your career with. It’s one of the most common places that new drivers go to work. The absolute best advice I have is to focus on doing whatever it takes to stay with Werner for one full year and keep your safety record clean. They’re going to test you, and there’s going to be times you’ll want to choke someone – that goes for any company you go to work for, certainly not just Werner. But if you’ll stick it out for one full year and keep that safety record clean, you’re going to learn a ton about the trucking industry and driving in general and you’ll be in great shape to either stay with Werner and have a great career there, or see what else the trucking world has to offer.
Keep that goal fresh in your mind at all times – “One full year here – perfect safety record” – make sure everything you do revolves around accomplishing that goal and you’ll find yourself with a great start to your new career. Best of luck to ya!
Hi Brett,
Thank You for your website. It really is helpful for folks thinking of entering the trucking world. It gives me many things to consider that I wouldn’t have otherwise. I receieved my class B CDL just under 2 years ago and I must say that at that time everyone told me to get my class A which in retrospect I should have. I didn’t pursue it because it was a rough winter with over 7 big rig BAD accidents and rollover’s in Vermont. I am thinking about getting it now. I am wondering if a Dedicated Run means going to the same place each trip and then returning? If so, what is a realistic schedule for a “dedicated Run”? What is your thought of joining a company to be a team driver but not knowing who the other team driver would be? I live in Vermont and I used to deliver water well products throughout New England in a box truck. I once had to stop due to a low bridge that was in the middle of a city and not marked. You can imagine the fiasco with traffic behind me. I had to back up quite a distance before I was able to back into an alley. I can’t imagine that happening with a big rig. My thoughts are that with a dedicated run, I would know the route and not have the low bridge snafu along with possibly a better idea of home time. Are these the type of jobs that are hard to come by and not given to new drivers? Any thoughts on team driving would be helpful as well. I am sure I have overlooked many pros and cons. I have driven in New York City and Boston and I can’t imagine kicking around an 18 wheeler in the middle of those 2 cities. Thanks again.
Hi Dave.
First of all, dedicated runs are not easy to come by, but they’re out there. Experienced drivers shoot for em of course, and they don’t always pay quite as well as over-the-road. They usually entail either going to the same place or group of places on a regular basis. The best chance of finding work that gets you home on a more predictable schedule is to either find a dedicated run, find a company that runs a regional fleet that can get you home regularly, or find a local job that will get you home every night, or at least almost every night. You can find jobs like this from companies like Sysco Foods, a beverage distributor like Pepsi or Budweiser, or a company that delivers to local grocery stores and convenient stores like dairies, gasolines trucks, and snack vendors. A typical dedicated or regional run will get you home most weekends, where a local run will get you home most nights. The amount of experience a job like this will require depends on each individual company.
As far as running team with a company and not knowing who the other driver will be – most companies have a simple matching system in place that will try to match you with a driver that has similar traits – like smoking/non-smoking, outgoing or quiet, wants to get home often/stay out long periods, etc. Then once you’re out on the road with that person, you can always request to be placed with someone else. Companies aren’t going to trip over themselves letting you go through 20 drivers in a year or something ridiculous like that, but if you get with one and you have some genuine concerns, they’ll surely match you up with someone else.
I have a comment or question. Are there any trucking companies that will hire part time driver (over the road). So what I am saying is as an example. Out two weeks, home one week. Or anything near that ratio. I like the idea of driving a big rig. Being out of town a couple weeks works for me. Beyond that seems like cruel and unusual punishment. I understand this would be considered parttime. Im good with that.
Hi Richard. Unfortunately, that particular scenario is very rare, especially for new drivers in a slow economy like this. When the economy is moving along well, trucking companies work much harder to attract drivers with sign-on bonuses, better pay and benefits, more home time, and a host of other perks. Right now there are more drivers than there are jobs and companies are not being nearly as welcoming as they were in the past.
There are a lot of regional opportunities, though, which will get you home most weekends. It’s hard for new drivers to get on with regional fleets – often times you may need six months to a year of experience before finding this type of opportunity. Of course there are local jobs that get you home every night but they tend to pay less and require even more experience because so many people would love to be home every night.
The larger dry van companies like Werner, JB Hunt, Schneider, US Xpress, etc are the ones that generally have the most regional opportunities available.
Hi everyone,
First and foremost, I’d like to thank Brett for this amazing website- it’s always the first hit when I google anything related to trucking. I’m 21 years old and currently researching truck driving schools, as the possibility of finishing my college degree seems to quickly be vanishing from my near future. I’m fresh out of college and needless to say, broke, so what I really need is a company that will pay for my school. I have a spotless driving record & have had steady employment since the age of 15, but with the job market the way it is- I desperately need to start thinking “career” and not just “job,” if y’all catch my drift. I was born & raised in Dallas and I’m aware that a few large companies have training centers in and around TX, but I’m having a hard time finding one that will take a 21 year old. I’ve called Stevens & Swift, but each seems to have raised their age requirements to 23 due to insurance restrictions. I have yet to talk to a Prime Inc. representative (or Werner for that matter), but they’ve called & left me voice mail messages letting me know I’ve been pre-approved.
My question is the following: out of the few companies that offer a “free” driving school of their own, which of these would accept a 21 year old with no driving experience? Again, I’m not looking to attend a 3rd party driving school- I don’t exactly have 5 grand to invest right now.
Your comments are much appreciated.
Be safe and God bless,
Gus
Hi Gus.
Honestly, I’m not sure which companies allow 21 y/o’s – company policies change constantly. The running joke has always been that if you don’t like the company you’re at then give it 3 months and it will be a totally different company – and often times it’s true. You’ll just have to do the research to find out who is allowing 21 y/o’s right now.
Also, as far as the independent schools go (3rd party) – there are a lot of trucking companies that will make your tuition payments for you as long as you work for them. So if you can get financial aid for your schooling – that is an option worth considering.
Not being able to locate any blog on which the issue of insurance companies control over the hiring and firing of drivers, I am putting my question here.
I read a message from a driver saying that he was fired because a trucking company insurance company refused to insure because of 1 23 years old ticket.
So my questions are:
How many years are driving records retained by the various state and Federal government agencies?
Why does the DMV fail to provide at least the same MVR to the driver as they provide to the driver?
And in line with the above question, is there any way a driver can obtain his MVR for the same period that is provided to either the companies insurance company or the company?
How long a state retains driving records varies from state to state – but the MVR you get will be the same one your company gets. Companies do quite extensive background checks – and they don’t miss a thing – trust me. The main rules that companies apply to driving and criminal records are regarding DUI’s and felonies – no DUI’s or felonies within the past 7 years at some companies, and other companies will not allow anyone who has ever had a DUI or felony in their lifetime. If someone was terminated from something 23 years ago then they likely had a DUI or felony and didn’t reveal it – and it took the company a little while to find it in their background checks.
Everything that a company will request regarding your criminal or driving background will include a time frame. For example, “Have you ever had a DUI or felony?” or “Have you had any misdemeanors in the past 3 years?” – things like that. People are constantly trying to hide things in their past but I’m tellin you – it almost never works. Be honest with them when filling out your application – otherwise it will catch up to you shortly down the road.
hello im a recent graduate of a trucking school located in fenton …MIchigan…..i am having a hard time finding a job because of my gender …..ive heard no female trainers out of the hiring range ..not enough experience…..i went thru the no workers left behind program…….but im still being left behind …..im a bit discouraged…..any suggestions or help anyone may provide would be greatly appreciated
Unfortunately with the poor economy there has been a huge influx of people into the trucking industry and trainers are in high demand – especially female trainers. There has always been somewhat of a shortage of female trainers, but it’s much worse right now. I wish I could offer some clear-cut solutions, but there really aren’t any. The only thing you can really do is constantly keep applying to trucking companies that accept students and find a place that will have one available in a reasonable amount of time.
There are companies that allow a male trainer to have a female student but understandably not everyone is comfortable with this idea.
Otherwise it’s just an unfortunate matter of circumstances. It’s not that anyone is being prejudiced towards women, it’s just a simple imbalance of supply and demand – not enough female trainers for all the new female students coming into the industry. Keep trying different companies and be diligent – sooner or later (hopefully sooner) you’ll find a female trainer and you’ll be out there truckin along.
I am ahving a hard time getting a job. My last company listed 4 accidents on my DAC, which in fact was only two. How can I get a job. Thanks
Well, I hate to state the obvious first, but you have to get that DAC report straightened out first and foremost. After that, the most important thing when it comes to finding work in the trucking industry right now is persistence. There is such a flood of applicants right now that the recruiters are having a tough time keeping up. Apply to as many jobs as you possibly can and call each of them back about every other day until you can get a recruiter on the phone to process your application. Otherwise it will likely sit there in a pile and get overlooked. Be persistent – make them process your application and get the ball rolling.
We have a huge truck driving jobs database which would be a great place to start. Tons of jobs, it’s completely free to use, and no registration required. Fill out all the apps you like!
I have applied to several Truck Driving schools, C.R. England, Prime Inc., Swift, etc..I have been reading your blogs for while now, and definetly answered all my / most of my questions. What do these companies look at from previous emplyment? I did have one speeding ticket recently, and only one in long time…no criminal history, credit report seems to be ok and don’t use drugs. What could be the hold up?
Hey Chris.
Right now, the hold-up is the economy and the slow season. The economy is terrible of course – we’re all painfully aware of that. But every year from mid-December through maybe March or so is the slowest time of the year for trucking and most companies, especially in this economy, will do very little hiring during that time. They will be hiring – but slowly. More opportunities will be readily available in the spring.
Also, because there is such a flood of new drivers coming into the trucking industry these schools are overwhelmed with applications. In order to get a shot, you have to get their attention. I always suggest calling every company you applied to at least every other day until you can get someone in recruiting on the phone and get them to pull up your application and process it. Otherwise it will likely sit on a pile collecting dust forever. Be persistent. Apply to all of the company sponsored CDL training programs you can find and keep calling them until they process your application. It may take some time – it’s hard to say. You may not have a ton of luck right now because of the slow season but the persistence will certainly pay off. It’s mostly about being in the right place at the right time so stay after them and keep your fingers crossed. Best of luck!
Hi Brett
i am writing because i am having a hard time finding the right school for the job. i live in joliet IL. and i was just wondering if you have a list of recomended schools in my area. and that have at least a 95% job placement thank you hope to here from you soon.
Hi Jose.
Actually, I personally know someone who went to Eagle Training Services in your area and they are an outstanding school. They are certified by the State of Illinois which is a really big deal in your state. My friend was incredibly happy with the school and would recommend it to anyone. I’ve spoken with the director several times and she has even done some blogging on TruckingTruth. Check out their website at http://eagletrainingservices.com/ and get in touch with them. I don’t think you’ll find better school in your area – they do a great job. And if you look around TruckingTruth you’ll find that I almost never recommend a particular school or trucking company, but this one has proven itself to be very good.
Hope this helps!