Trucking requires a much higher level of responsibility and self-reliance than most professions out there. You have to make smart decisions and handle things yourself.
Getting through your first year in trucking is a real challenge for everyone. Here are some of the toughest obstacles you'll face as a rookie driver.
Truck driving is far more difficult and complex than people expect. We asked experienced drivers what the biggest surprises and misconceptions are about this career.
Going on the road with a trainer or going solo is stressful and challenging, but exciting. Here are some important tips.
Learning to drive a truck in the snow can be scary, especially if you have no experience in snow. But CDL training in the winter isn't a bad idea. Here's why.
As a rookie truck driver you're going to face enormous challenges and be tested continuously. I learned a great lesson about how tough CDL training can be.
Nothing could be more exciting than climbing behind the wheel of a rig for your first run ever as a professional driver! Here's how it went for me.
Being a CDL instructor is a very unique experience. I was amazed at how much I learned myself. Here are some of the highlights I picked up along the way.
CDL training will test you in so many ways, and it will go far beyond your ability to drive a truck. It will also test your patience and perseverance.
Being a safe truck driver is never easy. Predicting what might happen next on the highway takes years to learn and is very hard to teach a new driver.
CDL trainers have a vast array of personalities and techniques for training students. Here are some personality types you'll find and how to deal with each
I recently became a certified CDL instructor and I was given my first students to train on shifting gears. Here's the story, and some advice for newbies
After being a solo truck driver for 2 1/2 years I've decided to become a trainer for an old college friend who is getting into trucking. Here's the scoop
After two weeks with my trainer, I went home for three days to relax and get ready for my company road test. If I pass, I get my own truck and run solo
I've been on the road with my trainer and there's been a lot of ups and downs. We're learning a ton everyday, but it's not easy for me or my family.
My first few days of my trucking career are off to a great start and I'm out on the road with my trainer. Everything is so new, everything is a first.
After completing orientation with my first trucking company it was time to head out on the road with a trainer for the first time, and away we went!
I'm finishing up CDL training with a trainer who screams in tirades and I've had to try to deal with it. But finally, the showdown between us occurred.
You meet a lot of crazy characters in trucking, and my finishing trainer is off the charts. This guys seems more like someone you'd find in a movie.
Becoming a truck driver is a big career choice. When will you know if you belong in trucking, or if you should walk away? Read on - we'll let you know
On the road in training driving flatbed was very rough the first couple weeks. My fingers were numb, I ached all over, and the mountains were intimidating
My first six weeks on the road with an incredibly unique trainer were memorable times. But being home for a 'Trucker's Weekend' was not what I expected
Getting home from the road is every truck driver's favorite time, and that's especially true for a driver's family, friends, and loved ones.
Over the road trucking will really test your relationship and the time away will magnify any problems your relationship has by a thousand times.
Life on the road has been difficult for Randy, and having a husband that's an over the road truck driver is horrible. He's due for home time soon.
CDL training has been very tough and now Randy is about half way through. The stories are amazing and learning to drive truck is stressful as can be.
Randy and his road trainer returned to the CDL school and took advantage of some down time. There was a crazy DUI incident at the school this week.
Phase one CDL training is about half way over with and it's a roller coaster of emotions. Some days he loves his new trucking career, but not others.
Randy has been on the road in CDL training for a short time and life on the road is challenging. The time apart is tough for us. Trucking is not easy.
It's my husband's second day of CDL training on the road running team with a trainer. Life on the road is a lot of stress but still very exciting.
Randy just started phase I CDL training out on the road with his trainer. It's a lot of pressure but very exciting at the same time to be on the road
Being out on the road during CDL training can be incredibly stressful at times, but also has the feel of a vacation at the same time.
Truck driving school and changing truck driving jobs often requires a trip by greyhound bus. This is one experience you have to be ready for.
After months of research, a month of CDL truck driving school, and 4 months of company training, I'm going on the road as a solo company driver. Wow!
My CDL training is complete. Here is a recap of what training was like on the road, and what it was like to return home to my family.
In the past few months that I've been truck driving, I've learned one major thing - trucking can destroy you if you let it. So don't.
There are some nights when you don't want to be driving a truck. Then there are some nights when you wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world.
Home time in trucking is cherished. You don't get home very often, so when you do, you love the opportunity to see everyone again. Here's what I did.
Wow, it's been two months since I hit the road with my trainer. I'll share a few of my thoughts on how to survive your trucking company trainer.
After getting my CDL and going on the road with a trainer, my training time is up and there are no job openings right now. I'm going home.
Basically, when going to a trucking company orientation, be prepared to be bombarded with videos, tested on your skills, and grilled about your past.
What should I pack? This has to be the number one question amongst newbies. First of all, pack as little as possible. Only the necessities...
Time for me to hit the open road, see the country, and see how many people I know are shocked when they see me hauling ass in an eighteen wheeler.
This last trip was rather brutal. It was adventurous, frustrating, difficult, and dangerous at times, and we even saw a few things we wish we hadn't.
Well, it finally happened. My trainer and I are having truck problems. What a mess. It's getting fixed, finally, but here's what we had to deal with.
Even though I enjoy what I'm doing there is a down side to trucking. Keeping a relationship going while driving truck is very hard, and often lonely
Just when I thought it was spring time and there would be no more truckin in the snow, man was I wrong! Tire chains, tow trucks, and more adventures!
Life on the road leads you to so many people and experiences that it's nice to be able to sit down and write to the ones that have left an impression.
I live in the desert. Blowing sand is common, and we have days when roads are closed due to blowing sand, but not snow! Oh man, here comes a blizzard!
It takes a very unique individual to succeed out here and hopefully this will shed a little light on the traits needed to make it in this business.
Since my last trip in the big rig went so well, Karma had to balance itself out. And it didn't waste any time either! This last trip was crazy!
Wow, my most recent trip was by far the best trip I've had to date. We left California late at night and were 'East Bound and Down' to Pennsylvania!
So the other night, we get a phone call to pick up a 'High Value Load' from a pharmaceutical company. Wow, what an experience a high value load is!
Being in training as a trucker on the road isn't easy - but when you add mountains and wrong turns into the equation, it can be terrifying!
Personal hygiene for truckers on the road is much different than for those of us living at home, and here's what I've found to be true so far.
After 14 days on the road with my trianer, things have been going really well. Here is some insight into my training so far.
Wow, I can't believe it's been a week since I got on the road with my trainer. This has probably been the quickest week of my life!
The learning curve is steep your first few weeks on the road. Here I cover a bunch of things you will need, and some things you will need to know.
Being a brand new driver brings lots of new experiences, and today was my first full day and night in a truckstop in Southern California!
As I said previously, you have to have patience. A sense of humor helps too! There's a lot to know, and a lot of lessons learned already.
Finished up orientation on Friday and by Saturday morning, I already had a trainer waiting for me at the terminal. Finally ready to roll!
The trip to truck driving orientation is always eventful - but not normally this eventful! What a mess - but it turned out interesting.
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TruckingTruth was founded by Brett Aquila (that's me!), a 15 year truck driving veteran, in January 2007. After 15 years on the road I wanted to help people understand the trucking industry and everything that came with the career and lifestyle of an over the road trucker. We'll help you make the right choices and prepare for a great start to your trucking career.
Becoming A Truck Driver is a dream we've all pondered at some point in our lives. We've all wondered if the adventure and challenges of life on the open road would suit us better than the ordinary day to day lives we've always known. At TruckingTruth we'll help you decide if trucking is right for you and help you get your career off to a great start.
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