TOP 10 Tips for your FIRST Year as a New Truck Driver in 2022
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- čas přidán 12. 09. 2024
- Kevin completed his first year. He'll share the TOP 10 Tips for your FIRST year as a new truck driver. We hope it helps prepare you for success and enjoying your new career in trucking!!
April 2022
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1. Stay off your mobile phone & NEVER touch it on the move.
2 buy a good Dash Cam
3 buy a good SatNav where you can set heights for bridges.
4 if you need more sleep, sleep & turn phone off if you think your boss could start to annoy you.
4 Always do walk around Checks, a few times a day, check airbags for wear & tyres for proper inflation.
Tyres should be at least 120 psi & no more than 130psi.
4. Buy a pressure cooker & gas hob, cook your own food most of the time use butter, not oil, eat fresh fruits a few times a day too.
5 buy your own gloves, go to a hardware store & get a pair that YOU LIKE, water proof & fits well.
6. NEVER drink loads of alcohol the night before shift & Never do drugs.
7 keep speed down on the bends, & narrow roads
8 trucks don’t have independent front suspension, so they handle nothing like a car does.
9 learn how many AMP HOURS your truck has on board in the batteries. Get a Voltmeter & learn when you actually need to idle your truck. Usually idle when microwave is on only. Everything else should be able to be powered for hours providing your outside lights are off.
10 Any faults you find with your Vehicle, make sure you get them fixed ASAP, write it down, tx message it to your Boss, email the fleet/transport manager get it defected on paper & get it repaired.... keep safety standards high buy a pressure gauge if your away from base days at a time.
Be safe & if someone brake checks you, it’s better to hit them going in a straight line rather than swerving & rolling the truck. Remember it’s on Dash cam & you though you were getting hijacked by bandits !!
Thank you!!!! Also excellent points to keep in mind!!! Appreciate you adding them here!!!
What I learned when i stared to. drive. My driving instructor always stated about being consistent what you do an keeping in mind, another is repititions " Keep doing what you and continue doin what you doing by practicing, especially any procedure.
Whether backing, 45. 90 etc.
👍👍👍
Get your 2.5 years of experience and come to Walmart Kevin. We get paid hub miles, every time we arrive somewhere, drop n hook pay and for sleeping in the truck. Since you’re in Florida now, you can join me in and run out of Brooksville or out of Alachua which is probably closer to you. Take care
Thank you!!! We hear Walmart is very good to their drivers. Especially now that you may speak on the phone! We’ll definitely keep it in mind! Stay safe out there!!!
Good information. Most of what you said is learned behavior. Staying in touch with family and friends is probably one of the most important things you can do. When running OTR it is very easy to loose track of time and days.
As far as communicating with my FM, I did my best to only do it via the computer as I wanted everything recorded. I saw early on with my trainer how information can get screwed up and how it’s your word against theirs.
Congrats on your one year anniversary.
Thank you!!!
This is probably my favorite video I’ve seen so far.. not a lot of drivers think about eating healthy and drinking water!
👍👍👍😃🤩
I have always been good at see side backing so I practiced blind side and am pretty good at it.
As a 22 year driver my best advice is..
1.Get your miles in asap then move on.
2. Learn how to pull different types of trailers ( flatbed, RGN doubles, dump trailers). Make yourself more valuable to the industry. Companies are always willing to train.
3. Work for a small company! The pay is better.
Thank you! Very good additional tips!!! Appreciate that you added them in!!
feels like not too long ago I would have scoffed when you said dont stay up all night knowing you have to be on the road at 5am the next morning. age creepin up on me quick i guess. thanks for the content! lookin to get my cdl in august and your videos have been very informative and down to earth
Outstanding info once again, Brother Kevin! The thing I've been looking for in a company is, of course, cents per mile, but also paid practical miles. I've found exactly that in an OTR company that hires out of California. Unless something miraculous happens, that's where I'll be going in January. As always, travel safely...
Yes, practical miles is key. Also avg miles per week. A company that pays good CPM but doesn't give you the miles can be worse than a company that gives you the miles but a little less CPM 🤔
@@truckingwithj7202 Most definitely! This company isn't a huge company but promises big miles for OTR drivers as they already have regional and local drivers to handle the 25-mile trailer shag when needed. We'll see!!
Happy for you Clydesdale!!!! They’ll be lucky to get you!!!!
Yes!!!! Well said J. That’s exactly right!!!
You are doing it right, keep track of your mileage, loaded empty, and personal milage to home..... stay safe out there, 🙂
Thank you!!!
Great tips for us rookie drivers. Videos are always educational. Stay safe on the road Kevin!
Thank you!!! Glad they are helpful!!!
I totally agree with not wanting to work for free. I'm not in the truck for fun.
👍👍👍
Congratulations on making it a yr. As far as a bonus goes. I've been with my company 6 yrs. The first yr they give you. 10 cents a mile on all loaded miles. It goes up a penny a mile ever yr you're here. I'm getting. 16 cents right now.
Thank you!!! And happy to hear you have a good bonus structure!!!
Holy shit. 10 cents a mile. How do you live on that ?
@@gadgetsandairplanes8704 He’s talking about his bonus. :-)
Yes safety first for the driver and safety for truck and safety for everyone on the road
Thanks for the tips! I’m about to start cdl school in a week and I’m already pre approved as an otr driver with Werner. It’s exciting and I’m hoping for the best. Tips like these are what I need!
That’s awesome!!! Glad you found our videos! Best of luck at school!!!! Let us know how it goes!
Thank you sir for the time that you invest in making us a better and more prepared drivers.
Thank you! Happy to help out other new drivers. 😃
Yes the backing is very important things for the driver because you backing tractor trailer is not easy inspection and the truck and trailer every time every day safety first
nothing against you Kevin...but I started watching because of ur wife's sweet calming voice.. 😂 a voice of reason
Lol!!! Aren’t you sweet!!! I’m still ‘here’ but off the truck for a bit. More traveling videos with both of us in the future. 😃😃😃
Thank you for the video. I’m just starting my career in this industry and this helps a lot!
We are so glad it’s helpful!!! And congratulations on your achievement in getting your CDL and starting a new career! We wish you all the best! Learning curve is steep but totally worth it!
Great video. Maybe its time to look at other companies to see what they offer. Crete and Marten are great companies. Good luck.
Avoid the big companies. If you are just a number you will never be happy. They will only ever treat you as an asset, not a person. Get a few years experience then find smaller, well established companies to work for.
Thank you!!!
These are some of the most insightful and meaningful tips I've come across on CZcams. Good stuff!
Thanks for the advice, I’m starting next week by myself I’m a little nervous about the backing park but I’ll make sure i take my time and get out and look
I did one day of backing with my trainer
😮😮😮Better get some more ‘safe’ practicing in!!!!
Hey Kevin I Like 👍 your channel & your personality thank you for sharing wishing you safety helth & fulfillment of your dreams
Thank you so much!!!
True! practice backing
👍😃
At JB Hunt we use Rand Mcnally Miles
👏👏👏
I've done alot of backing in my own truck , especially a 45 , 90
even a serpentine .
That's awesome!
Hey Kevin, there is no reason for a company to pay their drivers on hhg miles. That's something that the mega carriers do to increase their profits. The company I drive for always pays within 10-15 miles of what I run. And that's on 2000+ mile runs.
Nice! Who are you driving for?
@@TheJoyofTrucking Holland Enterprises
@@truckingwithj7202 That’s really good! Especially nice long runs!!! What OTR is about!!! You running reefer?
@@TheJoyofTrucking yes.
@@truckingwithj7202 Happy for you! Just looked them up. Looks like they offer their drivers a lot of amenities and miles!!
Thanx man!! U are amazing!
Thanks for sharing Kevin!
😃🚛
good video
😃😃😃💕
Drive time that you don’t get paid for is totally normal in manual labor jobs. On drilling rigs I drive sometimes 15 hours to the rig, Stay there for 14 days, then drive 15 hours home. No one gets paid for driving to their job. It’s just the way it goes in manual labor. Always expect that.
Thank you. I have two books. I am studying everything I need for the CDL. Then I found a good truck driving school. That only has a five star reviews. I think driving over the road is a very dedicated hard job. Yet, over the road truck drivers are needed. These are my cocerns : ( 1.) Driving a big rig on a steep narrow mountain with only two lanes going up and coming down . Like in Calfornia driving all the way to Big Bar City . The mountains have wild game .Like black bear, mountain lions and deer. I must be aware of these animals. So I do not get scared and drive off the mountain. ( 2.) Driving in Tornado Alley. Then there is a EF-5 tornado that just poped up out of no where. ( 3.) Driving to Florida. Where there are sink holes, tornados and strong huricanes with lightening . ( 4.) Driving on the Grape Vine in California . I have heard nightmares. Like the brakes giving out. Truck drivers Jack Knifing. ( 5.) Driving in the state of Oregon . Certain areas have Black Ice. There are many concerns I have. However; I hope I do excllent . I have read Walmart Truck drivers can make $130,000 a year. As long as the truck driver also has the Hazmat endorcement. The three endorcements are : ( Hazmat) , ( Doubles ), ( Tankers ). Also I read some owner operators can make , One Million a year. Of coarse they have to pay for their own maintenance. Still good money. Please keep these videos about over the road truck driving coming on You Tube . Thank you.
I was driving up the mountain in Wyoming and didn't realize I was driving over blackice until my truck started sliding backwards and finally came to a stop with the trailer wheel hanging over the cliff and it was a 7,000 feet drop straight down the mountain.
I was driving in Oklahoma and a small tornado ran into me, I survived but it turned the truck around for me 45 degrees. No damage.
I jackknifed in heavy rain storm too much water on the road.
I completely agree with the importance of performing a good pre trip inspection but I’m wondering if you switch to “on duty” which starts your 14 hour clock when you do, or do you do the inspection and start your 14 hour clock later?
Hey Mark! He does his pre-trip first and then has breakfast. He’ll go on duty 15 minutes before he’s ready to drive.
By doing inspection first thing he knows right away what he might have to deal with that morning and the engine is still cool (he turns in truck to use inverter to use water kettle) which makes it safer to inspect. So he starts 14 hour clock later but includes the first 15 minutes as his inspection time. Hope that clarifies it. :-)))
@@TheJoyofTrucking Thanks Tanja. I know a lot of drivers handle it the same way in order to not start their 14 hour clock any earlier than necessary.
Great pointers.
Somebody finally actually looked at me instead of their phones while I screamed at them. So far no truck driver has looked at me yet. They are still using their phones while driving.
Are you screaming at them while driving by? They probably can’t hear you. 🤔🤔🤔😳😳 It’s tough being social at 68mph. Try getting a CB. It will improve your odds!! 😉
How do you plan ahead for low bridges?
My son is in CDL school as I type. I'll send this to him, as you have offered some pertinent info. Thank you and keep the bugs off your glass and the bears off your a$$
How's he doing now, making lots of the famous truck drivers money.
At least $120,000 a month.
thanks😄
I just finished school i never drove a 53ft with sleep just nervous never been on the road etc what should i bring for my first trip what would i expect etc
I'm about to start my trucking career this year and am really nervous about learning how to back 😬 anyone have any more tips?
Congratulations on your decision. Extra tips for backing…..set up is very important and learn to judge distance. Remember GOAL as many times as you need to. Don’t worry about what you think people are thinking…take your time. Practice at every opportunity, especially when there’s lots of space. Stick to driver side backing only until you have built confidence and practiced blind side without objects nearby.
You can do it!!!!!!
Kevin, in the future will you go owner operator??😊
Greetings, Tania and Kevin how are things going with you both? Question for you two if you don't mind. How hard was it to become RVers? What are the benefits of that and disadvantages. I know it's a different topic to your trucking channel but who better to ask about it then you both. Any tips you can share would be very appreciated thank you
Have you watched those RV videos? They talk about alot of those issues.
Do you plan on stayin with Werner or would you go to a smaller company
Good question! With the right situation we would consider going to a smaller company.
That was great thank you
😃👍🙏
They should pay hub miles, all miles
That would be nice!
Is there other werner drivers that use you tube
Yes. Just type it in on CZcams. You’ll find others. Though I doubt any who’ve put up over 500 in just over a year. Lol!!! Call me (Tanja) a but crazy!!!! Lol!!!
@@TheJoyofTrucking i love the content. I am just looking for other opinions on Werner
@@tc9072 Yes! That is good thinking and good research TC!! You’ll find them. Just type it in the search bar. 😃
Hey Kev. Ya get a new Pete???
You have a keen eye!!! 🤫🤫🤫
The perpetual "it is what it is" because most drives don't know better, take things at face value You can get taken advantage of in this job so easily.
I'm up in my planner's face like nothing he's ever seen before. He still lies and tries to pull shit
👍😃🤩
New truck and not a Kenny?
Damn….you really looked closely!?! OK🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫 for two more days. 😆🤪😉🙏
#1 tip don’t hire out with a mega carrier
For many rookies that’s the only option. And there are benefits that come with that. Guess it depends on an individual’s situation and priorities.
👍👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏🙏
🤪😃😆🤩
Always say no to lot lizards with large Adam's apples
Good idea.
Dude has Witcher eyes.
🤔🤔🤔
You don't need to communicate to your dispatcher. They know where you are at all times. They really don't have time for phone calls. You need to visit your dispatcher in their office when you are by the yard. Learn how they do their job. They will show you how you get your loads, and how they manage you. You are just another load off their list.
Communication is VERY important, get it in writing. If it is just verbal, you have no way to prove what you said or what they said if something goes wrong. You will get in trouble and maybe loose your job.
We know a number of drivers who ‘chat’ with their fleet managers. Even have FM’s who call them just to check in. Werner’s fleet managers are in Nebraska. Kevin reached out when driving there for a load. His FM came downstairs for a quick meet/greet. That was it. He never met the next two. 🙁
Yes. Important things need to be in writing!!
This guy is the dispatcher
That mileage your not getting paid for is your bounces your fixing to get ha ha
Lol!!! Probably won’t make up for it. It’s supposed to make you for a week vacation.
Over 95% of you will quit within the 1st year good luck🤣
Kevin is a unicorn!?! We hope to help others be better prepared and make empowered decisions. :-)
Really not a laughing matter. Makes you look bad
@@tmo.48 Almost 20 years on the road buddy if you can't handle the heat don't come into the kitchen snowflake lol
Cuz we’re wise enough to find local jobs.
your right index finger is quite annoying......
Lol!!! Good thing it wasn’t the middle finger. 😆😆😆🤪
Hope someone comes and gets you out of that locked attic
@@TheJoyofTrucking❤😂😅😂
Tip#1: Dont do it. Not worth it.
Lol!! That’s a different list!