Truckers Drive Non-stop And Can Only Stop For Fuel?

As a trucker,will you get fired if you stop for dinner or lunch or what if you suddenly have to use the bathroom real bad? You cant stop for anything but fuel? Also,about owning a car.....what,you cant own a car because if you do it will be parked six days a week and you can only drive it for one day a week? whats the use of having one ,then? So you don't need a car because you are always in the truck,but since you are always working you can never stop anywhere except for fuel and where your company tells you to go? Well,what the hell??? Are you ****ing out the window? Another question: Who cares more about the safety regulations, my local government community college CDL school or the trucking companies? Do the trucking companies care more about making money than they do government safety regulations? Will they push you to make more of a profit and just let all the DOT regulations fall on you?

There are such things as running "tight" schedules but you HAVE TO take a 30 min break within the first 8 hrs of coming on duty. There is always time to use the restoom. You might not use your personal car much but its nice to have one.

You can stop as many times as you want as long as you make your delivery on time.

High value loads are a different story. But for the most part you plan your trip yourself.

My pickup truck has been in storage and I haven't even seen it in 9 months. But I live full time on the truck.

Sir it seems like you've been fed a bunch of bad information about this industry. It's a good thing you came here to get things straightened out.

First no you will not get fired for getting food, taking a ****, or what have you as long as your making you appointments on time. That said, there are some loads that are high value loads and have a lot of rules set for them. If Daniel sees this he can explain more about that if need be. But in short no you won't get fired.

Next. It is true that if you go otr (over the road) that you will be gone for weeks at a time and usually home for a few days. A car may not seem like a necessity unless you have a family that will use it while you're gone. You have to realize about this business is that you are choosing this a lifestyle change and not just a job. So many things in your life will get flipped upside down if you're not prepared for it.

Third. The companies are in business to make money. That's the truth of it. But having you be unsafe and risking their extremely expensive equipment is not something they will make a point to do. You get into an accident because you're tired not only puts them down a truck and the cost of repairs, but a possible lawsuit. Doesn't make business sense for them. Not to mention the value of the load your carrying. And risking their reputation with a customer. There is more riding on you being safe than being unsafe.

You have to remember when you finally go solo it's YOU that are in control of your truck. If you decide it's not safe to drive in a storm then it's you that stops driving. If you have to pee then you stop and pee.

You've maybe found some bad info about this industry but now that you're here we'll set you straight. Keep the questions coming.

I have to agree with heavy c and gator on this..It is all about trip planning and the DOT rules..While you do need to run hard...running to hard will burn your 70 and you be resetting every 7 days.If your wheels arent turning your not making money and neither is the company...and most companies now a days prefer you to be safe than to risk it all..

Thank you,my friends for setting me straight. I'm just a newbie so thanks for being patient with me.

Couple months ago I stopped in Arlington Texas for several hours to hang out at 6-Flags. Was just bored and wanted to take a break. No problem at all.