Questions After CDL School

The sky is clear blue today and I can hear the birds singing about spring while I have been sitting here reading various posts on Trucking Truth and drinking coffee. Memories of my recent truck driver training experience have caused me to start thinking about my upcoming new driver orientation. I want to make the most of every opportunity. In order to help me do that, I believe it is very important to draw on the credible wisdom experienced by others. With that in mind I'd like to ask for any foundational points of success for a new driver. Although they have all probably been covered in various posts here and I've read many of them, I will be the first to admit that I could have missed something of importance.

To begin with I will, as I have in everything I've written thus far, be real. I don't expect my upcoming time as a rookie driver to be a really enjoyable movie (which has a scripted ending). I'm old enough to understand that truth of life. As I've stated in an earlier post, everybody has a story.

From everything I've read here and what I've experienced in various industries during my over 30 years of actual work experience it seems that the most important things I need to consider are listed below. To keep it easy for reference, I'll number the list noting what I have learned to expect thus far.

It would greatly be appreciated if those with knowledge here can elaborate on any key points and if applicable, offer some other things which I should be mindful of as I begin orientation with a national carrier next week. And I respectfully ask that no one give me negative experiences to consider, but rather "how to avoid" those negative things.

I know there are many variables depending on the company you work for, the type of freight, the areas where you drive (mountains, open road, tight city streets, etc.). But I also know that there are key principles which apply to any variance. That is what I am needing at this time please.

Please note that I have not listed in order of importance. They apply to my orientation as well as my first solo experiences. I appreciate your consideration.

01. Expect to continue learning every day (for the rest of my life).

02. Be humble and ask when I don't understand something or need help.

03. Always be professional with everyone regardless of their attitude.

04. Relax and don't over think anything.

05. Keep my emotions in check at all times.

06. Don't worry about what others on the road think about my driving.

07. Communicate clearly what I'm doing with the truck and trailer at all times.

08. Know what I am doing with the truck and trailer at all times.

09. Maintain a consistent check of the view in my mirrors.

10. Set up the trailer in every curve, turn, lane change, or backing situation.

11. Slow is generally always better than fast because you can maintain better control.

12. Plan my route as well as my time and be prepared to make changes as necessary.

13. Sleep as needed when and where possible.

14. Reward myself with something when I complete a memorable experience with success.

15. Keep in contact with my family (they are the reason I am doing this).

16. Enjoy my times of solitude and quiet time (I understand there will be much of this and I like that).

17. Make the most of everything I experience.

18. Deal with disappointment (it is part of life) and move forward.

19. If my employer makes money, I make money.

20. Don't whine and complain.

21. Be the driver that people can count on.

??. What do you think? Does that pretty much cover the main points?

I truly appreciate "real" responses.

Thank you.

I'd say you have the bases pretty well covered. The only thing I would add, Don't hit anything lol.

Situation awareness is always important as well as learning your own physical limits. As Brett and so many others have mentioned time and time again, you can't cheat sleep. You'll want to run hard and at some point your body will send signals. Once you recognize those signals, stop and take a nap, even 30 minutes is a huge help. I know in my own short experience so far, there have been times where I've waited throughout the day for a dispatch that has me running through the night. As soon as I start feeling myself get tired, it's off to the safest spot to grab a few winks. When I wake up, I'll walk around the truck a bit to get the blood pumping and a bit of extra energy to get me going and alert. I've seen a lot of guys who have woken up from a nap at a rest area and just take off before fully waking up, it's almost as dangerous as nodding off behind the wheel.

I'd say you have the bases pretty well covered. The only thing I would add, Don't hit anything lol.

Situation awareness is always important as well as learning your own physical limits. As Brett and so many others have mentioned time and time again, you can't cheat sleep. You'll want to run hard and at some point your body will send signals. Once you recognize those signals, stop and take a nap, even 30 minutes is a huge help. I know in my own short experience so far, there have been times where I've waited throughout the day for a dispatch that has me running through the night. As soon as I start feeling myself get tired, it's off to the safest spot to grab a few winks. When I wake up, I'll walk around the truck a bit to get the blood pumping and a bit of extra energy to get me going and alert. I've seen a lot of guys who have woken up from a nap at a rest area and just take off before fully waking up, it's almost as dangerous as nodding off behind the wheel.

Much appreciated Robert B. Thank you!

You have a great list. Print it, keep it in the truck & review it each day.

I Believe keeping a positive attitude makes all the difference. So thank your support staff when you call in. Nobody else does and they'll remember you for it.

If you get upset your drop/hook became a live load remember; it was probably the customer's fault not dispatch.

Good luck! :)

Good list. I'll keep it as well as I start my orientation Monday.

That really is an excellent list.

I believe that controlling your thought process is the starting point for happiness and success in anything you do. Staying positive, thinking optimistically, welcoming everything as a challenge instead of a problem, and being thankful for all the blessings you have especially when things aren't going your way.

Trucking is a very dynamic environment and a driver has to juggle a thousand things at once all the time. You'll have factors like weather, traffic, and terrain that are constantly changing. And of course your plan of action will always be changing as dispatch alters your schedule, customers make you sit, and trucks break down. You're going to have big, fat paychecks some weeks and tiny, miserable little sums other weeks. Everything constantly changes. It's like trying to stand up in a small boat on a choppy lake. You literally have to focus on doing whatever it takes one moment at a time to stay in the fight.

So go out there with the attitude that you're going to keep a great attitude through it all and learn all you can every moment you're out there. Do anything necessary to park that truck without a scratch on it at the end of the day. Nothing will ever be more important than that. As a rookie if you can park at the end of the day without a scratch on the truck or a frown on your face then you've had a successful day and you're one step closer to being a savvy veteran.

As a bonus, if you meet the above criteria and you're arriving on time for all of your appointments then you're a super rookie who is well on their way to getting piles of miles once you've proven yourself for a period of time.

No scratches, no frowns, keep learning, count your blessings, arrive on time.

You have a great list. Print it, keep it in the truck & review it each day.

I Believe keeping a positive attitude makes all the difference. So thank your support staff when you call in. Nobody else does and they'll remember you for it.

If you get upset your drop/hook became a live load remember; it was probably the customer's fault not dispatch.

Good luck! :)

Thank you, Steve L. And I'll bet you are right. I'll make this a key point! Goodness back to you.

Good list. I'll keep it as well as I start my orientation Monday.

May it be a personally successful experience for you, J. Snow.

No scratches, no frowns, keep learning, count your blessings, arrive on time.

Arriving on time and with no scratches surely reflects the attitude in between! Definitely key points! Thank you, Brett A.