Just Changed My Profile From Rookie To Experienced Driver

Just finished my first year as an OTR driver on Feb. 18th and figured it would be okay to update my profile as no longer a Rookie driver. Is this presumptuous on my part or not? What do you think? The Rookie designation is usually applied to one's first year in any new endeavor, so I assume that's the way it's used in trucking too. This is not by any means to say that there is nothing more for me to learn. To the contrary, I am learning something new or different every time I go out on another run. But, there is also a prevailing requirement among most "non-training" companies for a driver to have a minimum of two years OTR before they will consider hiring you. At any rate, I thought this might be an interesting topic for discussion. So, what do you think, am I still a Rookie or not?

You might be right though even after 16 years I still consider myself a rookie as I am learning something new everyday.

That being said. The titles on the left under your name does not refer to your time in driving a truck. It's mainly used to let other reader know where you are in your career. There is no magic number to hit to change it. That's totally up to you and where you feel you are at in this grand adventure called Trucking.

Now if you change you title to experienced driver and two days later ask about require tread depth on your tires I might laugh at ya a little.

Just finished my first year as an OTR driver on Feb. 18th and figured it would be okay to update my profile as no longer a Rookie driver. Is this presumptuous on my part or not? What do you think? The Rookie designation is usually applied to one's first year in any new endeavor, so I assume that's the way it's used in trucking too. This is not by any means to say that there is nothing more for me to learn. To the contrary, I am learning something new or different every time I go out on another run. But, there is also a prevailing requirement among most "non-training" companies for a driver to have a minimum of two years OTR before they will consider hiring you. At any rate, I thought this might be an interesting topic for discussion. So, what do you think, am I still a Rookie or not?

are you making more money?

Just finished my first year as an OTR driver on Feb. 18th and figured it would be okay to update my profile as no longer a Rookie driver. Is this presumptuous on my part or not?

You're absolutely an experienced driver now in my book. One year of OTR is kind of like your initiation into the industry. If you can survive a year on the road and you keep coming back for more then you're "in the club" so to speak. If you get through your first year with a clean safety record then you've really done something to be immensely proud of. You've also likely found more peace with God because nobody gets through a year of driving safely without a little bit of divine intervention!

I consider anyone with a year of OTR to be an experienced driver. I found for myself personally that I really reached the point I considered myself to be a true "road warrior" somewhere between years 3 and 5. That first year you'll learn a ton and you'll prove that you belong. Over the next few years you'll learn so many little tips, tricks, and techniques that will bring you to a whole new level. That's when you're at the point that you become the "go-to guy or gal" for your dispatcher or load planners. When those really hot loads come in that are absolutely critical and they know they need a road warrior to pull it off, you're the one they look to. Then in return when you need an extra day off or a favor from time to time they're normally more than happy to do all the can for you.

I always recommend that people stay in trucking and stay with their first company for a minimum of a year because it takes that long to really understand the industry and hone your skills well enough to know if you're cut out for it. I mean, those first few months are a catastrophe for everyone. Nobody has a clue what they're doing in the beginning and we all make a mess out of things on a regular basis. It's extremely stressful. If you can stick it out long enough to get to one year of OTR driving and you still don't think trucking is right for you then I say walk away. At that point you have enough knowledge and experience to make an informed decision.