How dangerous is being a driver job?
Driver jobs are any kind if you drive any vehicle out of control it can be dangerous for you and anyone else. If you are a good truck driver, So the possibility of having any accident with you is very little, because you know how to drive. If you are a new truck driver you must first have a good knowledge of driving.
Is it hard to be a truck driver?
1. It can get lonely working as a truck driver. You are going to spend long periods of time alone on the highway when you work as a truck driver. Even if you haul local loads only, you’re going to be on the road all day without much human contact.
Why do truck drivers quit for good?
13 Reasons Why Truck Drivers Quit For Good 1 Not Being Able To Adjust Some truck drivers just don’t have the personality to live out of a truck. ... 2 Money Not What They Expected Your first few years of truck driving are going to be difficult. ... 3 Trucking Is Not Easy Being a truck driver is not easy. ... More items...
What are the most important skills for a truck driver?
As a new driver, it’s most important to focus on developing your skill at just driving the truck and delivering loads safely (few drivers ever get this part right). On top of that you should be a professional even when everyone around you isn’t (including your dispatcher and customers).
How many hours can a truck driver drive?
What can be done to improve trucker safety?
Why is there a shortage of truck parking?
What are some non-fatal injuries?
Can a truck driver be victimized?
Do drivers park in storms?
Is fatigue a problem in driving?
See 2 more
Is a truck driving career worth it?
Truck driving is a good career for those looking to make a high income without a college degree. On average first year drivers can earn between $50,000 and $70,000. That may seem like a big variance, but income levels depend on the type of driving (IE: flatbed, tanker, teams, etc.) and company you work for.
Why do truck drivers quit?
0:000:4710 Reasons Why Truck Drivers QUIT Their Job! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNumber six pay is insufficient. Number seven when you're working for a company that has way too muchMoreNumber six pay is insufficient. Number seven when you're working for a company that has way too much downtime. And waiting time number eight when drivers feel that they're unappreciated.
Is truck driving a good life?
Truck driving is more than a job, it's a way of life, and this way of life isn't for everyone. But, if you're able to handle the long miles, lonely hours, and being away from your home and family for weeks and months at a time, truck driving might turn out to be your dream job.
What is the hardest part of being a truck driver?
The Hardest Part of Starting a Trucking CareerDouble Clutching and downshifting.Straight backing, or just about any type of backing maneuver in a big rig.Having the driver's seat and the mirrors adjusted properly.Making right hand turns.Getting started from a stop on an incline.More items...
Is 2022 a good year to get into trucking?
Experts warn that the truckload freight market is headed for trouble in 2022. This spring, rising inflation, skyrocketing fuel prices, and drastic changes in consumer spending are conspiring against owner-operators, cutting deep into already razor-thin profit margins.
Is it hard being a truckers wife?
There's no sugarcoating it: The trucker lifestyle is hard. Long days or weeks away takes a toll on even the strongest of relationships, and it takes a lot of patience, determination, and understanding to navigate the bumps in the road.
How do truck drivers stay healthy?
6 Tips for Staying Healthy as an OTR Truck DriverEat clean. Next time you stop at a convenience store, consider grabbing some almonds rather than a candy bar; a chicken caesar salad rather than a hot dog. ... Wear sunscreen. ... Avoid driver burnout. ... Stay hydrated. ... Exercise regularly. ... Improve your posture.
What time do truckers wake up?
You can expect to get up and get on the road anywhere between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m., although the actual time will depend on the specific driver and the requirements of the job. Drivers will check the weather and route conditions before getting on the road.
Why do drivers leave their jobs?
Pay and Perks Roughly half of drivers surveyed say that making more money was their number one consideration when leaving one job for another. Benefits are also a huge consideration: 34% of truckers surveyed succumb to the lure of better health coverage.
Why is the turnover rate so high in trucking?
Some have too many accidents and get fired, some have family issues and realize they cannot be away from home, and others may decide it is too much responsibility for them to handle. The large carriers are the ones that hire and train most of the new drivers, therefore they have higher turnover rates.
What is the turnover rate for truck drivers?
For decades, truckers have quit at alarming rates, leading to a chronic shortage. The turnover rate was at a staggering 91 percent in 2019, which means that for every 100 people who signed up to drive, 91 walked out the door.
Is there a shortage of truckers in the USA?
Meanwhile, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) reported a shortage of 80,000 drivers last year, an all-time high that could reach 160,000 by 2030. The solution, the ATA said, is to recruit a million new drivers over the next decade.
Is Truck Driving a bad career?
They ranked the worst jobs in the U.S. based on job stress, satisfaction, safety, pay, future job prospects, and job security. And, yes, truck driv...
Is Commercial Truck Driving a good job?
Truck driving is a great career for those who want to start earning a high annual salary without spending years on training. While there is require...
Why do truck drivers quit?
Burnout impacts drivers' personal life, health, and job performance. It can also cause them to quit. Research into the link between burnout and tur...
Is Trucking a stressful job?
Stress is an inevitable part of a career in trucking. ... There's the stress of being away from home and worrying about your family when you're gon...
How much does a truck driver make?
List of the Pros of Being a Truck Driver. 1. Truck drivers typically earn a high salary right away. The average starting pay for a truck driver with a CDL is $35,000 in the United States. That figure represents all routes and hauls that you might do.
How long does it take to get a CDL in Arizona?
Tri-County Training offers an 8-week course in Arizona to get licensed, and 90% of their graduates find work within two weeks of obtaining their credentials.
What are the stresses of trucking?
Stress is an inevitable component of the trucking industry. You face delays, deadlines, poor directions, and traffic constantly. Add in a couple of lazy consignees and some bad weather and you’ve got a recipe for a tremendous disadvantage.
Why are truck drivers written off?
Truck drivers are sometimes written off by society because they embrace the wanderlust or live like a vagabond. If you take a look around at what people wear, the foods they eat, or the smartphones they stare into every day, those items got into their possession because of a delivery.
What are the benefits of being a truck driver?
One of the primary benefits of being a truck driver is that you don’t have someone always looking over your shoulder. There are specific logs and reports you’ll need to track and file, but you get to be in control of what you do.
What is the secret to the success of the American economy?
The movement of freight tonnage is the secret to the success of the American economy. Over 70% of all the tonnage moved across the United States goes on trucks. Without drivers and this industry, it would be impossible for families to have access to what they need every day.
What does it mean when you talk to other drivers over the radio?
You can speak with other drivers over the radio as well, which means the interstate gets to be your office . This feeling of exploration is something that most jobs cannot offer.
Is Semi-Truck Driving Dangerous?
Semi-truck driving is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. The leading cause of death among truck drivers is fatigue. Truckers have to drive for long hours and rarely get enough sleep before hitting the road. The sedentary lifestyle of truckers, the physically demanding nature of the job and the many bad habits of some drivers such as alcohol and drug use make the risk of accidents high. Unfortunately, when semi-trucks or tractor-trailers are involved in accidents, the result is usually catastrophic beyond imagination.
Why is trucking considered one of the deadliest professions worldwide?
Why is truck driving considered one of the deadliest professions worldwide? For many reasons, but the most important factor is that truckers spend most of their working hours on their butts. There isn’t much truck drivers can do about this because it is a requirement of the job. However, a sedentary occupation takes a heavy toll on drivers’ lives. Driving a truck for 8 hours every day is not good for the health and increases the risk of several chronic illnesses. But trucking plays a vital role in the logistics industry and somebody has to do the job. Every profession where the worker has to spend a long time of their working hours seated poses health challenges. However, office jobs still provide lunch breaks, and people can walk around the office or even use stand-up workstations. Unfortunately, truckers can only stand up during loading and offloading or breaks far between. While there is a high incidence of chronic health diseases among truckers, there is also a question of whether truck drivers’ poor health is caused by the nature of the job or individual driver choices.
Why are truckers obese?
Because of the sedentary nature of their work and poor diet on the road , a disproportionate number of truckers are obese. Obesity makes your heart work overtime as it becomes more difficult to pump blood to every body organ. The condition contributes to several chronic health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, joint problems, sleep apnea, depression and even cancer.
Why do truckers have accidents?
Accidents occur when truckers don’t follow regulations. Things like poor load securement, exceeding cargo weight limits, and failure to use safety features such as warning lights can lead to serious accidents that can cause fatalities. Negligence by the driver including over speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence of stimulants, and disobeying traffic rules can claim lives and destroy property.
How many hours do truck drivers drive?
Truck drivers, especially OTR or long haul drivers put their bodies through physically demanding routines. These truckers drive for 11 hours per day , get little to no time for exercise, have limited access to wholesome, nutrient-rich food, and spend most of their time away from home.
How to lose weight as a trucker?
Also, add an exercise routine to your days. 30 minutes of exercise can make a lot of difference. Resistance bands are effective workout equipment for truckers and people who lead a sedentary lifestyle.
Why do truck drivers spend so much time in their seats?
Truck drivers spend countless hours in their seat every year driving nonstop for hours, stuck in traffic, waiting at customer facilities and finding a safe parking spot to sleep at night. These are stressors that compromise truckers’ health. Also, truckers hardly find quality food on the road. When they finish the food packed from home, truckers ...
How much do truck drivers make?
Truck drivers can earn a good income. How much does a truck driver make? On average drivers earn $50,909, while Over The Road (OTR) drivers who haul freight over long distances earn on average nearly $64,000 per year. Private fleets- those that deliver freight only for one company- often have much higher levels of pay. Walmart for instance employs thousands of professional drivers and says their drivers will earn an average of $87,500 in their first year. Owner-Operators, people who own their own truck and their own business, often earn a lot more. Drivers in most situations are also eligible for bonuses- most drivers earn many bonuses over their career. There are signing bonuses, safe driving bonuses, retention bonuses, referral bonuses and more. Bonuses of several thousand dollars are common.
What are the benefits of driving a truck?
Driving a truck can also earn you good benefits in addition to your pay and bonuses. Due to the competitive nature of recruiting drivers, benefits often start on day one of your employment. Trucking industry benefits include healthcare insurance- medical, dental and vision for you and your family. You’ll usually qualify for a retirement saving plan that offers company matching of your contributions. Most employers offer attractive paid vacation and holiday time off, or bonuses for working holidays. Some trucking companies offer drivers the opportunity to buy company stock at discounts. Others offer plans that help drivers become owner-operator through attractive leasing to purchase plans. Good employers offer employee assistance programs and services to help drivers stay healthy. Owner-operators have access to affordable driver-centric benefits through groups like Enrollment First that match those of Fortune 500 companies.
How many people drive trucks in the US?
Over 3.5 million Americans make their living as professional truck drivers. That makes driving a truck one of America’s most popular jobs. Trucking industry trade associations predict that the amount of freight moving across North America will increase by 25% by 2030, ensuring a steady supply of new truck driving jobs. Additionally, the current shortage of drivers plus the growing recognition from most people that professional drivers are essential workers, makes the notion of becoming a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) driver an appealing one to many people. But professional driving is more than a job. It’s a lifestyle and one that is not for everyone. It has its many rewards and benefits, but it also comes with its share of challenges.
What are the challenges of long distance driving?
Aside from the stress of driving, loneliness is often a common challenge for long-distance driving. Getting too lonely can lead to psychological distress and to making poor decisions. Even Class B CDL drivers often have minimal interactions with other people throughout their workday. What does this mean for you? If you are an extrovert- one who can’t get enough of being around people- then professional driving might not be a great fit for you. At the same time, keep in mind there are options to overcome the social isolation of driving. One is the option of working with a co-driver or a team driver. Many owner-operators are couples and take their enjoyable companionship on the road. Many carriers understand the value of pets and permit our furry pet companions to accompany drivers on the road.
Why are drivers not making money?
Drivers often encounter situations where they are not making money because they are not moving freight. Such as delays in loading or unloading, or sitting in traffic jams, or experiencing weather-related delays. Driver priorities are sometimes not the priorities of shippers and the difficult personalities drivers encounter can present more frustration. Experience, patience, and adaptability are good countermeasures.
How rewarding is being a trucker?
Becoming a trucker can be very rewarding. Many people want more from a job than just salary and benefits. They want to make a difference in our world, to see how they contribute to their communities. Like teachers, doctors, nurses and first responders, truck drivers certainly do make a difference in our society. Professional drivers are economically vital and essential. After all, most anything anyone owns, eats, drinks, or uses was delivered by a truck driver. Increasingly most people are understanding this and giving these difference makers the respect and gratitude, they deserve.
What is a Class A CDL?
A Class A CDL qualifies you for hauling heavy freight in tractor-trailer combinations, double and triple trailers, tanker vehicles, flatbeds, and livestock carriers. A Class B CDL enables drivers to operate vehicles carrying less weight. Examples are delivery trucks, dump trucks, and some buses. A Class C CDL is a type of license for large passenger buses and other specialized vehicles. Most drivers obtain a Class A or Class B license.
Why are truck stops closing?
Due to a lack of paying customers, the truck stops with larger lots are closing at a record rate. Trucking companies require drivers to avoid toll roads by taking surface routes that may not have truck parking available. The new Hours of Service and its hard enforcement has too many trucks stopping at the same time.
How long do you have to take a break for a truck driver?
Truck drivers are also required to take a 30 minute break within 8 hours of “logging on.”. Common sense dictates working 6 hours before you take a break, otherwise the driver risks having to take another 30 minutes off before the 14-hour clock runs out. Truckers no longer take breaks when they need or want them.
How are trucks tracked?
Trucks are tracked via satellite and cell tower. And oh, the cameras, they’re everywhere.
What are the hazards of trucking?
Weather is probably one of the first things that come to mind in the list of trucking’s hazards. Trucks keep rolling in all but the worst of conditions. Although many do park and wait out the big storms, a good percentage of trucks generally push on as long as the road is open.
Why did a truck owner fake her own kidnapping?
Truck owner fakes her own kidnapping to avoid meeting payroll. From NewsWeek.com.
How many hours can you drive in rush hour?
Today drivers fight the traffic like everyone else in an effort to maximize their 11 hours of allowable driving time within the government mandated 14-hour window.
Is a truck as nimble as a minivan?
The heavier the traffic, the greater number of collisions, injuries and fatalities. Trucks are nowhere near as nimble or maneuverable as those minivans and SUVs. In fact, those 4-wheelers aren’t even as nimble as their drivers might think.
Why do truck drivers quit?
You won’t be home for birthdays, holidays, graduations, sporting events, anniversaries, and family emergencies.
How to talk to other truck drivers?
Talk to other truck drivers on forums or on the roads and ask them about trucking how the company they are driving for treats them .
Why do truck drivers have a high divorce rate?
Truck drivers have a high divorce rate because a lot of spouses just cant deal with their husband or wife being on the road so much.
Why do people get pushed out of CDL school?
Some drivers get pushed out because they are bad at driving. CDL school teaches you what you need to do to get a CDL.
What happens if you don't click with your trainer?
If you don’t click with your trainer you need to ask for another one. A bad trainer can mess up your driving career before it even starts by teaching you the wrong way or not teaching you at all. You have too much at stake to get stuck with a bad trainer.
What does it mean to live out of a truck?
You have to be able to adjust to living out of a truck. Living out of a small truck means you lose a lot of the creature comforts you would enjoy being in your home.
Why do drivers freak out?
Some drivers just freak out when they realize they are so far away from their comfort zone (home).
How many hours can a truck driver drive?
Truck drivers have to fight traffic in order to maximize their 11 hours of allowable driving time within the 14-hour window mandated by the government.
What can be done to improve trucker safety?
There is a lot that can be done to improve trucker safety, including increasing vehicle safety, route safety, and improving weather and crisis response.
Why is there a shortage of truck parking?
There are a number of reasons why there is a shortage. Large companies force their truck drivers to fuel in places where parking is limited.
What are some non-fatal injuries?
Some of these non-fatal injuries include back injuries due to long-term sitting and heavy lifting. Other non-fatal injuries happen in a warehouse setting where the truck driver is hit by a piece of equipment or injures themselves.
Can a truck driver be victimized?
This makes drivers targets. Even in a designated truck spot, a driver can still be victimized.
Do drivers park in storms?
Some drivers do park and wait out some big storms but many push through as long as the road is open in order to meet deliveries.
Is fatigue a problem in driving?
Even with the federally mandated E-log environment from 2017, drive fatigue is still a big issue. Drivers don’t have the luxury of waiting out rush hour traffic by taking a nap or getting a meal.
