Joining the world of commercial vehicles, truck stops, and transportation can feel intimidating.
New truckers must immerse themselves in regulatory knowledge, trucker terminology, and the written and unwritten rules of the road. Fortunately, there are knowledgeable people you can turn to if you're a new truck driver — those who are or have been in your shoes or seat.
I reached out to the reliable and experienced trucking community to gather their advice for new truckers like you. As truckers always do, they delivered.
Read on for our 12 favorite bits of advice from veteran truckers, along with a few handy Omnitracs bonus tips!
#1: Be a pal
"Be your best friend. You're going to spend a lot of time together!"
Charlie Brock
#2: Sharing is caring
"Please be as polite as the older drivers. We all have to share the roads."
Mona Thompson
#3: Right is right
"Keep right except to pass — that way, you won't have a line-up behind you."
Tom Palmer
#4: Slow and steady wins the race
"Never drive faster than you can stop."
Cliff Jones
Bonus tip: Improve your performance for better protection — and get your much-deserved safety incentives — with on-the-go metrics backed by data.
#5: Remain optimistic
"I have found most truckers are nice, but there is always one bad apple in the bunch. Just try not to let it be you!
Iris Balcombe
#6: Remember your road courtesy
"Always drive safely, obey all road rules, and don't be a road hog. You are a pro driver, not a racecar driver!"
Paul Hathaway
#7: Weather the weather
"Drive for the weather."
Jackie Hinson
Bonus tip: You can always remain aware of which speed is safe for the weather conditions you're in with help from video technology that monitors inclement weather patterns in real time.
#8: Leave the mess behind you
"Clean up after you mess up."
Joseph Arnone
#9: Earn your knowledge
"Don't rush in without experience. Take and gain experience from senior drivers that care."
Miles Folbar
#10: Be a buddy
"Watch out for the other guy, and drive safe — one mile at a time."
Rexton Davis
#11: Let go of what you can't control
"You can't push traffic."
Theodore Myers
Bonus tip: Easily communicate with dispatchers, and vice versa, when traffic has other plans.
#12: Learn from the pros
"Be as considerate as they were years ago!"
Connie Rae Thiessen
At Omnitracs, we love celebrating and helping truckers along all legs of their journeys! For more designated driver reading, take a look at these five recommendations for aspiring owner-operators.