Every driver gets stuck in tiny parking lots or on narrow rural roads with seemingly no place to go. Here are my stories of tough times in tight spaces.
Some drivers get special favors, extra home time, more miles, and better loads than others. Why is that? We'll explain what it takes to get the best treatment.
Trucking involves long days with erratic sleep schedules. Here are some of the realities of life on the road when it comes to getting enough sleep.
You might think student drivers are the most dangerous on the highway, but they're not. Drivers with some experience are, and here's why.
If I was to give a commencement speech to truck driving school graduates, this would be it. From all I've learned over the years, here is what I'd like you to know.
Everyone is super nervous when it's time to go solo. Here is some great advice and some crazy stories to help you stay calm and be prepared.
Distracted driving can be deadly. Rookie truck drivers have more distractions than most, often because of anxiety. This is how you avoid distraction and stay safe.
I went through a lot of difficulties at the start of my trucking career. I hope to show you can still succeed and enjoy this career even after a rough start.
Getting in a hurry can cost you money, cause you to make mistakes, and possibly much worse. Here are some big benefits to slowing down a little bit.
Truck driving is one of the best paying blue collar jobs out there, but you have to know what it takes to make great money out there. Let me explain...
I've faced sexual harassment in trucking. I handled it well and made it through unharmed. Here is my story and some advice for women drivers.
Truck drivers must learn to read every sign on the highway. This article will help you understand how many ways signs are critical to truck drivers.
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.
Burnout or homesickness can kill a truck driver's motivation. Here are some helpful ways to manage your time and keep yourself motivated out there.
There are four common traps that new drivers fall into, and it often means the end of their career before it really got started. Don't fall for these.
Everyone thinks you'll just be a faceless number at the mega trucking carriers. I'm proof this isn't true. Here is why they know me at my mega carrier.
Choosing the right trucking company is not the key to success. Being a great driver is. You'll be happy anywhere. Here's what it takes to make it in trucking.
I am often asked about what it is like to be a woman trucker. It takes a special woman to handle it, but I love it. Here is my experience as a woman truck driver.
A Top Tier Driver is an elite professional who is in high demand and makes great money. What makes them the elite? Find out here.
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.
If you want to be at the top of the pay list you're going to have to earn it. Here are some strategies for getting more miles and making more money.
Going on the road with a trainer or going solo is stressful and challenging, but exciting. Here are some important tips.
Some prefer driving at night, others during the day. So what's the most effective strategy for truck drivers? Check this out.
Here's one trucker's story about living the highest of highs one day and the lowest of lows the next. Life on the road is a roller coaster ride.
After just a short time on the road with my husband I've come to realize that everyday life in the trucking industry is like a roller coaster ride.
Truckers face a litany of challenges on the road every day and new drivers often learn about them the hard way. Here's a few of the big ones you'll see.
The CB radio is a legendary part of being a trucker. But nothing is funnier than being a rookie and soundling like a nerd amongst the smooth talkers.
With all of the negativity surrounding the trucking industry, how do you choose the right company to work for and what do companies look for in a driver?
Many folks come into truck driving believing they should be treated like gold without having to prove themselves first. That's simply not how it works.
So how does a new driver survive their hectic, stressful, tiring, demanding, and incredibly challenging first 6 months on the job? Here's my advice...
After a major mistake on my part, I found out how far a great attitude and hard work can take you, and how great a 'starter company' can treat you after all.
People wonder what life is like on the road for truckers. Well, you certainly have your good and bad days, and here's what a bad day is like...
I've only been on the road a short time running solo, and I had my first chance to drive through NYC in a big rig, and what a crazy adventure it was!
My first ever solo run as a trucker went pretty well, but of course I ran into several issues and learned some good lessons right off the bat.
After a lot of close calls and important lessons learned, I'm starting to get the feel for driving truck and learning to relax and roll with things.
I finished training and got my first truck. This is the story of my first ever solo run in a big rig, and a tiny rookie mistake that was pretty funny.
For rookie truck drivers, time management skills are critically important to making good money and being safe out there. Here are some important tips.
Becoming a truck driver can be one of the most exciting times in your life. Here's a story about my early days in trucking school and out on the road.
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
Truck drivers have tough days, and oftentimes tough weeks - especially that first year. This was yet another tough lesson learned early in my career.
After getting into an accident as a rookie truck driver I made a critical error in judgment that could have cost me dearly, but this time I was lucky.
After tarping a load on a rainy day in a muddy mess of a parking lot I began to question whether or not becoming a truck driving was a mistake.
My first full solo week of trucking started out well but didn't continue that way for long. I also saw some very strange sites along the way!
After saying goodbye to my trainer, it was time to set out on my first solo run as a truck driver, and what a humbling adventure it turned out to be!
Before I became a truck driver, there was nothing better than a good snow storm, sliding around in my 4-wheeler. But that was then, and this is now!
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
I love being a truck driver. I've found as my experience grows, my enjoyment also grows. I'm still a rookie, but the experience I have is paying off.
Sometimes trucking trips go very smoothly, and others are incredibly challenging. This is the reality of truck driving. Are you up for the challenge?
I thought I'd share a few of my initial impressions of my early truck driving career, having experienced it for 6 months now. It's been incredible!
Leaving home is often the hardest part of being a truck driver, especially after the holidays. This time was worse. I had to leave on the holiday.
I recently wrote 'Truck Driving: An Office With A View' about the beauty this country holds. But out here on the road it isn't always so beautiful.
One thing I wasn't prepared for as a new truck driver is the sleeping patterns. I knew fatigue was a big issue in trucking, and now I understand why.
Trucking is a great career, but that rookie year is a tough one. There's so much to learn and adjust to that many people don't make it to year two.
Truck drivers spend an enormous amount of time alone away from friends and family which can really take its toll, and spells the end for many drivers.
Truck driving is such a unique job - one that offers so much that you won't find anywhere else. The lifestyle is amazing, and the view is spectacular
Previously I spoke about what truck drivers do on the road that irritates 4-wheelers. This post will help people understand what irritates truckers.
This post is mainly for all of you out there who have never driven a truck before. People always have questions, so this will serve as a trucker's FAQ
My first solo run as a truck driver has been completed, and boy do I have a story to tell. It was eventful and embarrassing, but successful in the end.
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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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