What to Think About Before Starting Your Trucking Career
Welcome! If you are about to begin your career as a trucker, then we are glad you have joined the industry.
Welcome! If you are about to begin your career as a trucker, then we are glad you have joined the industry. As with any other job, it’s normal to be nervous before your first day. Here are some of the different factors that could affect your first trip out on the road and will continue to be on your mind for the rest of your career. But how can you overcome them? We can help!
How Much You Enjoy Driving
Many drivers, no matter how experienced they are, will still be anxious drivers. This is as true of long haul truckers as it is of anyone else who has to commute. If you like spending many hours alone with just your dispatcher and other drivers for some company, then this could be your dream job. You could be getting paid to travel, which is great news for anyone who enjoys seeing new places and meeting new people.
The Long Hours
Still, it’s easy to get lonely out there. The long hours can be exhausting, especially when you feel under pressure to make it to your next destination on time. Take the time you need to relax. Finding good places to eat, rest, exercise, and refuel your rig are all crucial to avoiding burnout. Although it doesn’t seem draining, sitting still for hours on end can make your back and shoulders ache and take more out of you than you thought, especially whenever you run into traffic.
If You’re Licensed
Most drivers only need a standard license to operate a motor vehicle. There are separate licenses for motorcycles, and it will probably surprise you to learn that commercial trucking has its own license category. Where will your CDL take you? That’s a question you’ll need to answer once you have earned it. Still, during the process of learning how to drive a truck and get licensed for it, you will still be getting paid for it!
Learning to be Flexible
With a job as unpredictable as trucking, you will need to be flexible. Sometimes, your runs will take a week or two of you driving all the time. Other times, you will have time to spend with your family, but it could be weeks until you get more cargo to haul.
MIDDLETON & MEADS IS YOUR ONE STOP SHOP FOR ALL OF YOUR VEHICLE’S NEEDS.
Need to repair your truck or bus? Contact Middleton & Meads today! Middleton & Meads provides high-quality truck and bus repair, service, and fleet management for the Baltimore, MD area. We have over 90 years of experience in the trucking industry and will provide you with customer service like you have never experienced before! If you are interested in seeing how we can help your business, give us a call at (410) 752-5588 or visit us online today! For more articles and trucking tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and LinkedIn.