Credit Card For Truckers
Topic 29515 | Page 1
I gave a dedicated debut card for my meals and personal items from my credit union while out on the road, so I can use it anywhere without it being shut off. My credit card is also from the same Credit Union. I do not have it set up to be used anywhere I'm at, so have to make a call to let them know that I am using it. Have used it twice to get a tow truck to pull me out of mud. Otherwise, as a company driver I don't need a credit card out here.
Laura
TWIC:
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.
Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.
I use a Visa check card for all personal expenses. Draws the money straight my checking account. For all my other business expenses, I have a separate account and card for all other individual business ventures (orchard, chickens, rental properties).
I have my debit card that I use for my stuff and a discover card I use for all the truck stuff. I dont pay for much as a company driver, but it is nice for parking, parts and even a tank of reefer fuel when I forgot to fill up before I got to the cons. I get reimbursed for all of that and use it to pay off the credit card.
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
I can't recommend a specific card for truckers. My credit was ish not long ago. Paying off my CDL school loan gave me enough of a boost to get a credit card from Merrick Bank. They started me out with a $1,250 limit. Once you make 6 months of on time payments they double the limit. I use the card for a couple purchases each month. I'm set up for auto-pay so I never miss a payment. Consistent, on time payments over time are a good way to increase your credit score.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
I have a Mission Lane credit card. They boost your limit with several months of on time payments. I don't use credit on the road.
I have a joint bank account with my wife and we each have debit cards on that. We also have a joint emergency fund that we slowly add to.
I don't have to spend a lot as a company driver.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Well I'm not a truck driver yet but with all the card abuse calls I work i don't recommend using a check card or debit card that draws the money out of your bank account.
If someone gets your card info they can draw your money out very quickly and banks can take a long time to do their fraud investigation and not reimburse your money for a couple weeks.
It's much safer using a credit card since the money isn't coming straight out of your checking or savings accounts.
Well I'm not a truck driver yet but with all the card abuse calls I work i don't recommend using a check card or debit card that draws the money out of your bank account.
If someone gets your card info they can draw your money out very quickly and banks can take a long time to do their fraud investigation and not reimburse your money for a couple weeks.
It's much safer using a credit card since the money isn't coming straight out of your checking or savings accounts.
Yes, I agree with this. Much safer to use a credit card than a debit card. Just pay it off monthly or even weekly and you won't have to pay any interest.
I have a Capital One rewards card with a fabulous app. I spend everything on it and rake in hundreds of dollars a year free. Not only does it notify me of every purchase but it has a "card hold" feature so no one can use the card. If I over tip it asks if it was me so even food servers cannot be dishonest. I have this on my debit card too...but I almost never use it for the fraud/bank reasons. I lost the debit card once OTR and instead of just issuing a new card, they made me close the account and open a new one. THAT was a hassle.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
In addition to what has been said. Discover card has a pretty good cash back program, 1% all the time and 5% for select services/stores each quarter. Most of the major cards also have a cash access feature. You set a pin number like a debit card and you can use it to grab cash at ATM’s. Just make sure you pay it right back because the interest is higher on the cash, usually 25-30%
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I recently just got my cdl and I am working otr as we speak at the same time I'm building up my credit and was wondering is there any specific credit cards that benefits truckers more than another. I know I could Google but I'm curious to hear from people on this site. I read alot forums over the past month while I studying for my cdl permit and even about the first year being about survival so I really like the advice I see on here.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.