Industry News & Tips for Truck Drivers
- Details
- Written by: Kate Williams
It’s hard not to stand out when you’re new at something, and usually, it’s not in the way you hope. It’s an unfortunate part of starting any new job, but everyone has a learning phase that involves making mistakes. Part of making it to the point where you feel confident in your work is researching to make sure you don’t make obvious errors. Here are some rookie truck driver mistakes you can easily avoid with a little planning.
Have You Committed Any Common Rookie Driver Mistakes?
1. Overconfidence
One of the biggest mistakes anyone makes when starting a new venture is overconfidence, and drivers with a new CDL are no exception. It’s easy to get excited because you’ve earned your certification, but it’s also easy to think that makes you an expert when you are a beginner starting your career.
The requirements for your CDL are the minimum knowledge you need to be safe on the road under normal conditions. There are a lot of times when conditions aren’t normal, and you need to be humble about getting advice and help when that happens. You also need to be humble about the level of knowledge you have about the business—working as a truck driver involves a lot more than just driving the vehicle, and it takes time to understand the processes at any trucking company you may join.
2. Failing to Filter Out Noise
Another big mistake that beginners make is listening to too much advice. There are a lot of opinions out there about the best way to approach the truck driving profession, but not all of them offer productive solutions. Finding the voices you can trust involves developing a good filter for bad information, and that can take time.
The best way to steer around bad advice is to stick to getting your information from sources you can verify, like the CDL Jobs information sites, employer materials, and DOT guidelines. Once you make a couple of friends in an organization, they can also help you with the culture as you get used to your new job’s processes.
3. Neglect for Safety
New drivers aren’t the only ones who often neglect safety protocols, but new truck drivers tend to be the ones who get into the most trouble for it. Partly, that’s because more experienced drivers may learn to cut corners in ways they aren’t going to get caught.
Another reason why rookies tend to have spectacularly visible safety issues when they cut corners is because they don’t know which corners are high-risk yet when they cut them. It can be a critical mistake to neglect safety protocols. However, the difference between an experienced driver short-cutting safety measures and a rookie doing it is that most of the time, the experienced driver knows whether they are taking a calculated risk or an incredibly off-the-wall long-shot one.
The best advice for any new driver is to start your sound habits early and don't cut any corners. Following every safety precaution every time you are out is the best way to avoid this mistake. It might not be convenient, but the trouble it saves you is well worth the extra time it takes to get on the road when you’re following all the right procedures.
4. Neglecting One’s Health
Truck driving is a demanding job, both physically and mentally. Drivers need to be able to cover a lot of ground quickly to make their money, and it’s easy to forget to eat healthy and exercise regularly regularly. It can also be tempting to skimp on sleep when you’re driving a lot, to maximize road time without compromising on personal correspondence or necessary stress relief.
These choices might seem like good ideas in the short term, but they add up, and deciding to sacrifice your comfort and well-being can become a habit. When it does, drivers typically wind up having trouble with their physical exams, leading to plenty of drivers being sidelined when they could have avoided it.
5. Lacking the Organization and Financing to Launch
If you get your CDL and go to work for a trucking company, this is less of an issue because you’ll learn that company’s processes as you train for the job. That can offset a lot of personal disorganization by giving you a good system. It also takes the financial burden off you when it comes to freight bills. If you want to become an Owner Operator right away, though, do your research as it can be easy to underestimate the working capital you will need to keep on hand.
Just because you are a new truck driver doesn’t mean you have to make mistakes like one. By learning to listen to your supervisors and following all safety protocols, you can avoid these common rookie truck driver mistakes.
- Details
- Written by: Kate Williams
Truck drivers spend multiple days in a row on the road. It is easy to get in the habit of just going to one of your favorite truck stops and eating whatever fast food happens to be available. However, constantly eating greasy food and drinking soda is not good for anyone’s health. Fortunately, coming up with healthy meal ideas for truck drivers is easier than you may imagine. Keep the following tips in mind to fuel your body and mind while on the road.
Eat Small Portions
A big part of staying healthy on the road involves the amount you eat. You need to control your portion sizes, so you consume fewer calories and carbs. Your biggest meal of the day should be breakfast so that you have plenty of energy to start your day. From there, you want smaller meals throughout the day. Dinner should be your smallest meal, and you should avoid eating right before going to bed.
As a truck driver, it is paramount to get a good night’s rest so that you do not become a danger on the road. This also involves avoiding any caffeinated beverages during the evening.
Stock the Cab With Healthy Snacks
Although breakfast, lunch and dinner are important, it is natural to get hungry in between meals. Instead of stopping at a gas station for a bag of chips, you should keep your truck stocked with healthy snacks you can enjoy throughout the day. Some great healthy snacks for truck drivers include:
- Low-fat yogurt
- Vegetables and hummus
- Low-fat string cheese
- Fruit
- Popcorn
- Whole-grain crackers
- Unsalted mixed nuts or almonds
- Trail mix
- Beef jerky
You always want to check the label. Some brands of yogurt or nuts may seem healthy, but they actually pack a ton of salt or sugar.
Drink Water Instead of Soda
Instead of having a Big Gulp in your truck, you should have a large water bottle. Drinking soda and juices will add on extra, unnecessary calories. The problem with drinking sugary drinks is that your body does not process them as well. Your body doesn’t feel full, so you will be hungrier when dinnertime comes around. With water, your stomach gets fuller quicker. This allows you to eat smarter and healthier for the rest of the day.
Have a Nutritious Breakfast
Your trucker food list should include everything you need to have a healthy breakfast. As your first meal of the day, you want to be certain you are getting enough calories and nutrients to wake you up and get you going to be alert when you are on the road. Instead of starting your day at a restaurant with eggs, sausage, and bacon, you can keep healthy options in the truck. Some great options include:
- Protein bars
- Whole-wheat toast with peanut butter
- Oatmeal with fruit and high protein greek yogurt
- Hard boiled eggs
It is key to avoid sugar first thing in the morning, since that is a good way to crash halfway through the day. And of course, we would expect a truck driver breakfast to include some coffee. While coffee gets some negative press, in moderation, caffeine can help to improve mental alertness and mood, as well as increase your metabolic rate and improve fat burning.
Eat a Healthy Lunch
Lunch should be smaller than breakfast. Instead of making a pit stop, you can pack all the ingredients you need in a cooler. Here are a few examples of some quick and easy lunches you can prepare. Additionally, since you are making them yourself, you can better control your caloric intake.
- Salads - Don't limit your thinking to the stereotype of plain iceberg lettuce and ranch dressing. On the road, prepping a variety of salad-in-a-jar type lunches is easy and nutritious.
- Grilled vegetables and black beans
- Turkey taco meat with rice, corn, beans, and Pico de Gallo
- Chicken fajita lunch bowls
- Sandwiches - Yes, sandwiches sound boring but mixing things up with a wrap or a pita every few days can spice things up some.
- Thai turkey lettuce wraps - Prep your seasoned meat with onions, garlic, carrot, celery, shredded zucchini or whatever you like in advance before you depart. When lunch rolls around, heat up your meat mixture, spread onto a sturdy Romaine lettuce leaf and enjoy!
- Chicken Pita Pockets - Roast your cubed chicken thigh or breast with your choice of vegetables - peppers, onion, mushroom, squash. Cook and cover with pesto. To assemble, use a sturdy pita that won't fall apart when filling or sub in a whole-wheat tortilla to rollup.
- Peanut butter and jelly - Don't laugh; once in a while, a classic pb&j can be very satisfying. As grown-ups, we may use a healthier whole grain bread and a natural nut butter, but it may be just what you didn't know you were craving.
With some planning and preparation, these home-prepped items are much healthier than what you will get at a fast food restaurant. Additionally, since you are making them yourself, you can better control your caloric intake.
Finish With a Healthy Dinner
There are plenty of great, healthy meals to cook in the truck. Meal prepping for the week is a big help, and you should be able to heat it up easily with a slow cooker or hot plate. The best part is that you do not have to sacrifice taste. You can prepare pork chops, beef stew, barbecue chicken and pot roast ahead of time. Prepare yourself a side of beans or vegetables as a healthy alternative to fries. You could even go for a low-sodium soup. You may be on a tight schedule, but you should eat dinner well before you go to bed.
You can still eat out from time to time when you are on the road. However, you should typically choose healthier options, such as a salad, to avoid eating too much. With a little forethought and preparation, you can drastically improve your health. It may take some getting used to, but once you get in the habit of preparing your own meals as a truck driver, it will soon become second nature.
- Details
- Written by: Kate Williams
Here are a few random trucking trivia items that may shock you.
- Details
- Written by: Kate Williams
Whether you are new to the trucking industry or are a veteran driver behind the wheel of a big rig for 30 years, we think the 7 facts on this trucking infographic will make your hair stand on end!
Test Your Knowledge of the Trucking Industry
1. There are over 3.5 million professional over-the-road truck drivers in America today. Of those, about one in nine is an Independent Contractor. In addition, there are about 1.2 million trucking companies located in the United States. Approximately 97 percent of those American trucking companies have less than 20 trucks in their driving fleet.
What does this all means for the professional CDL driver looking for trucking jobs? You should know that driving jobs are plentiful among big and small carriers. You will have your choice among local, regional, and OTR driving routes that will suit your needs.
2. A truck engine is typically six times larger than a car engine. Car engines are designed to run about 200,000 miles. Truck engines are designed to run about 1.000.000 miles.
3. There are approximately 500,000 accidents involving tractor trailers every year. That's about 2.5 percent of all vehicle accidents and 84 percent of the time, the tractor trailer is NOT at fault.
4. The trucking industry accounts for almost 13 percent of all the fuel purchased in the United States.
5. There are about 15.5 million commercial trucks in the United States. If they were placed end to end, they would reach the moon.
6. More than 9,000,000 people are employed in the trucking industry, which accounts for about one in every fourteen U.S. jobs. This figure includes truck driver recruiters, dispatchers, and trucking mechanics who work behind the scenes to keep the trucking industry moving forward, as well as trucking company owners.
7. Even though truckers only make up about 8 percent of all highway traffic, they pay about 36 percent of the taxes and fees that go into the Highway Trust Fund.
For more trucking infographics, information about trucking companies, and the most up-to-date postings for trucking jobs, visit on CDLjobs.com.
- Details
- Written by: Darin Williams
In this edition of Through The Gears, we talk with Tim Norlin, Vice President of Driver Employment at Roehl Transport in Marshfield, Wisconsin.
Tim has been working in the trucking industry in some capacity since receiving his Bachelor of Business Administration from Iowa State University's Ivy College of Business. He started in his current role with Roehl Transport in May of 2017. You may have seen him as a regular exhibitor for years at a national truck show or conference or heard him as a regular guest on XM Radio's Road Dog Trucking Network. Tim has always been a very visible presence in the trucking industry, especially as it relates to the Driver Recruiting niche.
In this edition of Through The Gears, we talk with Tim Norlin, Vice President of Driver Employment at Roehl Transport in Marshfield, Wisconsin.
Tim has been working in the trucking industry in some capacity since receiving his Bachelors of Business Administration from Iowa State University's Ivy College of Business. He started in his current role with Roehl Transport in May of 2017. You may have seen him as a regular exhibitor for years at a national truck show or conference or heard him as a regular guest on XM Radio's Road Dog Trucking Network. Tim has always been a very visible presence in the trucking industry, especially as it relates to the Driver Recruiting niche.
We recently talked with Tim to get to know him on a bit of a more personal basis.
CDLjobs.com: We assume that you have always worked in the trucking industry, so what was the first job you ever held?
Tim Norlin: I cleared tables at a popular restaurant while in high school. My first trucking job was loading and unloading trailers.
CDLjobs: What was your favorite band 10 years ago?
TN: My answer hasn't changed in more than 10 years, I like the classics. The Eagles!
CDLjobs: How do you like your eggs?
TN: Over easy.
CDLjobs: You have a lot of experience in the business side of trucking and have seen some different management styles. What has been the most valuable piece of career advice you’ve been given?
TN: It may seem simple, but the one phrase that has stuck with me the most, which just happens to fit perfectly into the Driver Recruiting world is, "If you don’t know the answer, admit that you don’t and go find it!"
CDLjobs: Conventional or Cabover?
TN: Conventional
CDLjobs: Who has had the most influence on you at Roehl Transport, and why?
TN: Our Chief Executive Officer, Rick Roehl. A lot of people might be stunned to learn that Rick still drives and delivers freight. He always wants to be able to see things through a driver’s eyes. He's making decisions at the corporate level, but he has never forgotten that it's the professional driver that directs the organization.
CDLjobs: Where did you grow up?
TN: Eastern Iowa
CDLjobs: There has been a lot of change with driver pay recently, and even some potential court cases that could have an affect on the future of our industry. If you were named "King of Trucking," what would be the first change you would make?
TN: Roehl is a company where I feel we do a great job compensating our professional drivers. An industry-wide change I would make would be to pay drivers based on performance and not just years of experience. In addition, I would pay all professional drivers for all of their on-duty time!
CDLjobs: Nobody has a better understanding of beautiful places to visit than professional truck drivers, and we've had truck drivers weigh in on their favorite places. What has been your most memorable travel experience?
TN: A self-guided tour of the Columbia Gorge Waterfalls along I-84 in Oregon. I walked 16 miles and climbed over 100 stories in one day to see them.
CDLjobs: If you were a professional wrestler, what would be your walk-out song?
TN: "Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne
CDLjobs: Competition for qualified professional drivers has never been more fierce, and qualified professional drivers have a lot of good choices of where they want to work. What separates Roehl Transport from the competition?
TN: As I mentioned earlier, Roehl Transport is a truck driver’s company who is being lead by a truck driver. Unlike a lot of trucking companies, we pay PRACTICAL miles and we make sure our top performing truck drivers are our best paid truck drivers!
We're grateful that Tim was able to take some time from his busy schedule to go Through The Gears with us, and we hope you've enjoyed learning a little more about him as well. View more specific information on Roehl Transport jobs and get started on your new career today!
- Details
- Written by: Kate Williams
Truckers recently earned a favorable ruling in a U.S. District Court in Arkansas that will likely have fair pay ramifications across the country.
In the civil lawsuit known as Browne v. P.A.M. Transport, the court’s ruling demands that truck drivers be paid at least minimum wage for their hard work. Despite the overwhelming majority of truck driving jobs paying good wages, some companies continue to set rates that underpay workers by the mile. The end result in some cases is that drivers’ overall earnings dip below the minimum wage.
Although drivers who get paid by the mile generally earn between $.027 and $0.40 per mile, when those rates include overnight time and traveling through congested areas, wages can dip to unreasonable levels. In the Browne v. P.A.M case, upwards of 3,000 drivers joined the class action lawsuit that claims they were not earning minimum wage and certainly not the living wage they deserve.
“We’re going to look at all the money (carriers) have paid a driver in a given week. And that could be mileage pay. It could be detention pay. It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter how you did it. We're going to look at the total paycheck that your driver earned and divide it by the total hours he worked,” Justin Swidler, the attorney representing the truckers reportedly said. “The trucking companies may say, ‘Well, that only includes drive time and time the driver logged on-duty, and no other time.’ And we take the decision (to mean) that you have to include all the time the driver gives with work time under federal labor laws, and that includes some of the time the driver spends in the sleeper berth.”
Downtime has been the center of some debate in the trucking industry that drivers and employees have not always agreed upon.
Court Supports Sleeper Berth Compensation for Drivers
Sleeper berth time has been a sore point between some companies and drivers. Freight companies sometimes view this as non-workable hours. The typical company thinking is that if the employee were operating a forklift in the warehouse, they would punch in and out. They would only earn wages while on task. Many companies do not even provide paid lunch breaks while workers are on site.
In terms of trucking, minutes and hours spent in the sleeper berth tend to be viewed as personal time in some employer’s eyes. The argument goes that if the driver were home in bed, no wages would be earned. But that argument seems to have fallen on deaf ears in the Browne v. P.A.M. lawsuit.
In the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Arkansas preliminary ruling, Judge Timothy L. Brooks reportedly said that under the Fair Labor Standards Act, drivers are entitled to total compensation that must be divided by all of their hours. Once the overall compensation is divided, it must meet the federal minimum wage standard of $7.25 per hour. The inclusion of sleeper berth hours would inherently increase the pay of low-earning truckers.
Although Judge Brooks did not stipulate or imply a new rule with regards to sleeper berth hours, he found that compensating drivers was consistent with existing federal regulations. His ruling appears to focus on the 16-hour, short-haul exemption that allows a non-CDL driver to increase their workday from 14 to 16 hours once every seven days under certain circumstances.
“The DOT regulations aim to make our roads safe, while the DOL regulations aim to provide workers with adequate compensation,” Judge Brooks reportedly states in his ruling. “If the DOT prohibits commercial truck drivers from driving more than 14 hours (sic) in a 24-hour period while the DOL requires their employers nevertheless to pay them for at least 16 hours in that same period, then this court sees nothing inconsistent or inharmonious about that state of affairs.”
The primary difference between an in-house employee and a trucker may come down to the difference between what it means to be on-duty or off-duty. A warehouse worker can leave the facility and enjoy their off-duty hours in any fashion they choose. The forklift or warehouse does not travel with them everywhere they go during off-duty hours.
That is just not the case for many professional drivers. Truckers cannot simply park the rig and abandon it out on an interstate. Being in the truck is the job, and that means drivers are on task even when not logging miles.
Underpaid Drivers Fighting To Secure Hours
It’s important to understand the earnings at issue do not include 8- to 10-hour stints of true off-duty periods. Only the two-hour, sleeper berth difference seems to be the focus of Judge Brooks preliminary ruling. However, the truck drivers’ attorney has cleared a significant hurdle in getting at least minimum wage compensation for that time.
“What the court held here is, in essence, that when you're over the road as a driver, assuming that you're not relieved from duty, and you're not going into a hotel or able to leave the truck and the load, that that's basically 16 hours a day of work per the federal regulations,” attorney Swidler reportedly said. “That would entitle you to minimum wage for 16 hours a day.”
While that may not sound like a tremendous boost to the ranks of well-paid truckers, it’s a personal game changer to the lowest-paid workers in the industry. The U.S. District Court ruling appears to be a pivotal step in full, fair trucker driver compensation.
The decision so far only dispenses with P.A.M. Transport’s attempt to have the lawsuit by the alleged underpaid drivers thrown out. Judge Brooks did not issue a final ruling in the case, but his position could prompt P.A.M Transport and others in the industry to raise the bar on truck driver wages across the board.
“The hope is that, as you raise the bottom, you raise everybody,” truck driver attorney Swidler reportedly said. “That's the practical implications of what this could mean. It also means that if we can get Congress to increase minimum wage, then these drivers would get a little bit more, too.”
Moving forward, P.A.M Transport’s lawyers have reportedly asked the court set aside the class action lawsuit and force the 3,000 individual truckers to file separately. It appears to be an apparent move to undermine the economically-challenged drivers who could not afford personal lawyers. Specifically, the average truck driver salary reportedly runs between $38,338 and $50,328, and while driver pay has been climbing steadily, more experienced drivers may be pulling down six figures in many cases, which makes this move to separate the cases fundamentally unfair to working-class drivers.
- Details
- Written by: Kate Williams
Truck driving is one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States. Dealing with inexperienced four-wheelers and road rage drivers adds to the stress of any trucking job. Below are some of the roadways labelled among the most dangerous in the United States. Armed with this information and knowing key factors involved in trucking accidents will help to keep truckers safe on the job.
Share this Image On Your Site
Beware: Dangerous Roads Ahead
1. Highway 2 - Montana
Miles: 63 miles in the most remote part of the state.
The Danger: For ambulances to get crash victims to hospitals, they must travel an average of 80 minutes in the vast plains. Montana also maintains a 70 m.p.h. speed zone thru winding an mountainous roads which can add to danger during incliment weather.
2. Interstate 15 - California and Nevada
Miles: 180 mile straight stretch
The Danger: This roadway has very few turns, attibuting to high speed. Half of those killed were found to not be wearing seat belts. Drinking and driving and distracted driving have also contributed to many fatalities in this stretch of roadway.
3. Lake Pontchartrain Causeway - Louisiana
Miles: 24 mile long bridge
The Danger: A Guinness World record holder for the longest continuous bridge over water. Fog can roll in so thick that drivers cannot see the end of their own vehicle on this dangerous roadway.
4. U.S. 550 - Colorado
Miles: 12 miles through Uncompahgre Gorge
The Danger: There are no guardrails and drivers who take the outside lane are perilously close to the edge of this roadway. The ascent of Red Mountain Pass is particularly scary, with its steep gradient.
5. James Dalton Highway - Alaska
Miles: 414 miles of dirt road
The Danger: While a more limited number of truckers will encounter this stretch of road, those who do must endure freezing weather, including the lowest termperature ever recorded in the United states at -80° F in 1971. This highway twists and winds around steep mountains with a minefield of potholes and there is just one fuel stop.
For those adventurous truck drivers searching for trucking jobs in these states and others, visit CDLjobs.com
- Details
- Written by: Kate Williams
Ranked among the worst states for taxes and business, Rhode Island recently took a wrong turn by leveling truck-only tolls and now neighboring Connecticut may follow them down this unfortunate road.
But targeting the trucking industry should come as no surprise. Rhode Island and Connecticut continually rank at or near the bottom in places to do business. Failed policies, wasteful use of hard-earned taxpayer money and a lack of long-term economic leadership put these two New England states behind the eight ball year after year.
Rather than fix their inherently broken systems, politicians look for quick fixes such as truck-only tolls that exacerbate problems for residents. Both Connecticut and Rhode Island suffer unemployment above the national average and rank 42nd and 43rd in business climate respectively, according to Forbes.
Rhode Island, the first state to level an unfair truck-only toll on Interstate 95 in June 2018, ranks in the bottom 10 percent in business costs, regulatory environment, economic climate, and growth prospects according to the business magazine. Connecticut suffers bottom 10 rankings in the exact same categories.
The inherently business unfriendly environments are only made worse by now targeting hardworking men and women in the freight industry. Many organizations are vehemently opposed to the expansion of truck tolls in Rhode Island and into Connecticut.
Connecticut Poised to Level Tolls Against Truckers
Debates leading up to the mid-term elections saw candidates clash over a truck-only money grab in Connecticut. But the apparent front-runner for governor and others favor taxing trucks. The political climate in Hartford, CT, may implement another shortsighted tax-and-spend program at the trucking industry’s expense.
Democrat candidate Ned Lamont went beyond the possible tolls being just a revenue issue. Lamont accused the trucking industry for the poor conditions of the state’s roads as well.
“We should focus on the big, out-of-state tractor-trailer trucks that are coming through our state,” Lamont was quoted in the Connecticut Post following a debate. “They’re the ones that are destroying our roads.”
The gubernatorial candidate was happy to roll out a plan to hit out-of-state tractor trailers. With the same shortsighted attitude about business that outgoing Democrat Gov. Dan Malloy demonstrated, Lamont reportedly said the move would shift traffic to trains.
His plan sought to take upwards of $100 million annually from the trucking industry. Lost on Lamont is the fact that trucks reportedly pay between $26 and $35 million in Connecticut taxes annually. Gov. Malloy, also an advocate of truck-only tolls, exits the political stage leaving Connecticut in significant debt.
Rhode Island and Connecticut Suffer Self-Inflicted Debt
According to sources such as the Reuters news agency, Connecticut is drowning in debt. The state is currently suffering a shortfall of approximately $3.5 billion over the next two fiscal years.
Despite boasting some of the richest American residents, excessive taxation has resulted in wealthy people migrating to tax-friendly states. With lower tax revenues unable to keep pace with spending, Connecticut now suffers a $50 billion unfunded pension liability crisis.
Rhode Island also has a history of horrific economic management. In the 1990s, the Rhode Island Share and Deposit Indemnity Corporation closed 45 credit unions due to embezzlement. With state-run oversight, the credit unions failed to purchase federal insurance and upwards of 300,000 residents were unable to recoup their savings for years. Poor financial management is a sickness that plagues the union’s smallest state. Rhode Island reportedly carries an unfunded pension liability of more than $21 billion.
These days, Connecticut’s capital city of Hartford is considering bankruptcy. Trying to reach into the pockets of the trucking industry mirrors the bad business thinking that got Connecticut into this economic crisis in the first place. Fortunately, many industry proponents, including the American Trucking Associations (ATA), are pushing back.
ATA Lawsuit Against Rhode Island Could Deter Connecticut
Discriminating against working-class people such as truckers with targeted tolls is both un-American and likely unconstitutional. That’s why the ATA and at least three trucking-oriented companies were quick to file a federal lawsuit against Rhode Island.
“Since RhodeWorks was first proposed, the trucking industry has been strong and united in opposition to this extortionate plan. We’ve warned politicians in Rhode Island that these truck-only tolls were unconstitutional and should be rolled back,” ATA President and CEO Chris Spear reportedly said. “It is unfortunate that Governor Raimondo and her administration did not heed those warnings, but now we will see them in court.”
Rhode Island’s transportation director Petr Alviti has asked a federal judge to dismiss the lawsuit and avoid a showdown with the ATA. He appears to claim the court lacks jurisdiction over the issue. The argument fell on deaf ears with the ATA.
“Rhode Island’s motion does not attempt to refute the argument that the RhodeWorks toll scheme discriminates against the trucking industry,” an ATA spokesman reportedly said. “We look forward to our day in court and demonstrating that this financing scheme is not only harmful to our industry and to the economy of Rhode Island but that it is also unconstitutional.”
Getting fundamentally fair treatment from states such as Rhode Island and Connecticut is not only crucial to truckers, but to all working-class Americans. These states continue to the squander tax money of hard-working residents. The budget shortfalls of business unfriendly states are self-inflicted economic wounds and not the trucking industry’s fault. Hopefully, the lawsuits supported by the ATA and private trucking companies will deter Connecticut and others from discriminating against truckers.
- Details
- Written by: Kate Williams
By their nature, OTR trucking jobs require drivers to be away from home for extended periods of time, living in your semi-truck. It’s not easy, practical, or cost effective to run to a Walmart every time you think of some truck driver supplies that have been forgotten, so it is vital that professional truck drivers plan out the essentials needed for each trip.
Pre-trip planning is key to good preparedness and may vary by each route assigned, but we have compiled a basic list of essentials to build a Truck Driver Starter Pack to keep you comfortable, healthy, and safe while away from home.
Share this Image On Your Site
If you are in the market for a new truck driving job, finding local, regional and OTR truck driving jobs near you has never been easier. On CDLjobs.com, you can quickly apply to hundreds of trucking companies instantly using our online application.
Truck Driving Essentials to Bring on the Road
Personal Needs
These include the basics you would pack if going on a long vacation
- Trucking Clothes
- Pack comfy trucking attire
- Button up shirts
- T-shirts
- Jeans
- Shorts
- Jogging pants
- Off-duty Clothes - Pack comfy and season appropriate free-time clothes.
- Underwear - Pack enough to last throughout the trip or between laundries.
- Shoes - Running shoes, shower shoes and off-duty shoes
- A Jacket - Always bring a jacket, specially if you’re driving through changing altitudes.
- Safety Apparel Work Boots
- Depending on your destination you may need:
- Work Boots, use steel toe boots if you’re driving a flat bed and insulated boots for winter weather
- Hard hat
- Safety glasses
- Coveralls, to protect your clothing
- Sunglasses - Take polarized, transition prescription lenses and amber vision sunglasses.
- Raincoat - A raincoat will help you avoid getting wet and being uncomfortable for hours.
Personal Products
Stay clean for your own health and wellness (and consideration for other truckers)
- Shower Kit - Body wash or bar soap, shampoo and/or conditioner (depending on your hair situation)
- Overnight Kit
A well-stocked overnight bag should include, at a minimum:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Dental floss
- Mouthwash
- Deodorant
- Cologne
- Include any daily medications, vitamins, or supplements and an extra pair of glasses or contacts
- Grooming Tools - Include all grooming and personal hygiene items
- Wet Wipes - For small spills or to clean up between showers
- Cleaning supplies
Examples of cleaning materials to have in your rig include:
- Laundry detergent
- Paper towels
- All purpose cleaner
- Lysol wipes
- Dashboard Conditioner
- Air Freshening Spray
- Handheld vacuum cleaner
Truckers’ Needs
While on the road, these are some essential truck driver supplies you will want to carry with you.
- Cell Phone and Charger - Make sure your chargers work in the truck.
- Trucker’s Atlas or Maps - In case other means of navigation fail
- GPS System
- Find the best routes and high quality restaurants, hotels and stores
- Locate good stopping points
- Work gloves
- For random repairs to your rig or trailer
- To make loading or unloading easier
- Emergency Kit - With food and supplies in case of a breakdown
- Emergency Gear
In case of emergency, a trucker's kit should Include:
- Emergency weather gear in case you’re caught in an unforeseen storm
- Light reflective clothes
- Sturdy pair of boots
- Road Flares and cones
- Chains for tires where there’s a chance for snow or ice
- Toolbox
- Wrench set
- Flashlight and spare batteries
- Hammer
- Screwdriver
- Pliers
- Zip ties
- Pocket knife
- Tire pressure gauge
- Brake cleaner
- Phone Number List - In case your cell phone gets broken, lost, or stolen, keep a handwritten list of numbers in your glove box.
- Document Envelopes - When you live in your rig and space is at a premium, keeping your life organized is a key to sanity.
- Use envelopes for documents like license and registration
- Use manila envelopes invoices and shipping orders
- Use other envelopes to organize work-expense receipts
Food and Snacks
It’s expensive and bad for your health to have all your meals be from fast food restaurants, truck stop buffets or the gas station. Make sure you pack some snacks and meals that are easy to make this will help save money and contribute to your health.
- No Refrigerator Needed Snacks
- Peanut butter
- Bread
- Crackers
- Baked goods
- Apples
- Bananas
- Meat jerky
- Whole grain crackers
- Sunflower seeds
- Easy to Make Meals - OTR truck drivers can easily prepare sandwiches, salads, and heat canned soups from the comfort of your rig.
Entertainment
Trucking can get very lonely, so make sure your truck driver gear includes some entertainment sources to occupy your time when on the road.
- Music Player, E-Reader, Laptop or Tablet - Check out mobile hotspots that allow you to hook up to Wi-Fi safely and securely.
- TV, DVD, Game Console - Watch movies or play games in your spare time.
- Drawing, Photography or Writing - To bring out your creative side, make sure you tote all the materials you need for these hobbies
- Magazines and Newspapers - Get issues from different places for localized reading
- Crossword Puzzles, Word Search, Sudoku, Adult Coloring - Keep your mind focused and sharp with these and any other activity books you may enjoy.
Make sure to have chargers and adapters for your electronics
Trucker Comfort
This section of items are essential if comfort on the road is what you need.
- Portable Toilet - You may want and need the convenience of going to the bathroom whenever you need.
- Indoor Sleeping Bag and Pillow - When it’s important to get the right amount of sleep, an indoor sleeping bag will take up less space and keep you comfortable in your rig.
- Cooler, Ice Chest, Compact Refrigerator - It's critical to have a device or other means to keep food cold.
By putting some thought into the truck driver gear that you need, you can compile your own Truck Driver Starter Pack for the open road. Remember, you won’t have much room in your truck, so make sure you pack light and pack smart. Safe travels!
- Details
- Written by: Kate Williams
The American Trucking Associations estimates that the truck driver shortage is currently about 50,000 to 60,000. Drivers have more opportunities now to command higher salaries, especially as unemployment numbers continue to fall. Trucking jobs can be lucrative, especially for Millennials, women, racial minorities and other demographics currently underrepresented in the driving industry. The current shortage means new drivers can make good money and negotiate more time at home.
The Reasons Behind the Huge Truck Driver Shortage
A combination of factors has contributed to the driver shortage. Two major causes are waves of Baby Boomer truckers retiring and incredibly high turnover rates. The turnover numbers are a big reason the industry has moved to increase pay and to give drivers more time at home.
Companies are also striving to make trucking a safer job, for example, working to overhaul lighting at truck stops and adding safety features such as automatic brakes to trucks. Employers are reducing the hours that drivers have to wait at their destinations to offload cargo. Detention eats directly into truck driver pay and can be incredibly frustrating.
Trends for Truck Driving Jobs
The trucking industry, year after year, cannot fill all open positions with qualified drivers. That trend continues, keeping trucking as a stable and potentially lucrative career path. From 2018 to 2028, job growth for heavy and tractor-trailer drivers should be 4% to 6% with 238,400 projected openings, according to O*Net. For light truck or delivery services drivers, the projected growth is also 4% to 6% with 120,700 positions.
That is an incomplete picture, though. A report released by the American Trucking Associations in July 2019 indicates the need to hire 1.1 million new drivers during the next 10 years to keep pace with economic growth and to fill vacancies left by retiring drivers.
Women in Trucking
To say that women in the trucking industry are under-represented would be an understatement. Women make up 51 percentage of the population, yet only approximately 6 percent make a living as commercial drivers. Historically, traditional roles, motherhood, and the tough physical nature of driving truck inhibited the rise of female drivers. However, there have been trailblazers.
The first woman to earn a truck driver’s license was Lillie Elizabeth McGee Drennan in 1929. Although she had to secure that right through court litigation, she became the sole owner of the Drennan Truck Line.
The industry has always been dominated by men, but during the war effort of the 1940s, women were encouraged to work in traditionally male occupations such as commercial driving. And while the women’s movement beginning in the 1960s has steadily closed the gap between the sexes, trucking has largely been an equal opportunity industry. And, technology has reduced the physicality of trucking as well. With an imminent driver shortage, trucking companies are raising the bar to persuade women about the benefits of good-paying careers.
Millenials in Trucking
Given the high cost of a college degree and the struggles to get out of student loan debt, the trucking industry checks many of the boxes that younger demographics require. Of the current workforce, Millennials comprise approximately half. The age group is expected to make up 75 percent of all workers by 2030.
That being said, trucking companies have already begun promoting themselves in ways to attract a younger generation of truck drivers. Lifestyle interests rank high among this workforce demographic, so trucking companies are offering incentives such as:
- More time at home
- Reduced wait times at destinations
- Safer truck stops
- More safety features on trucks
- Free, online college tuition
- Signing bonuses
The common thread that appears to be emerging within the trucking industry is that recruiters are repositioning pay rates, incentives and lifestyle elements to engage Millennials. Darin Williams, President of CDLjobs.com, says, "Our website is designed for Internet-oriented future drivers to access information about trucking company packages and find the carrier that best meets their lifestyle needs."
Truck Driver Salaries Leave Much Room for Growth
As drivers have more options for employment, trucking companies have boosted driver salaries and continue to increase them. They've also turned to financial incentives such as signing bonuses to attract new drivers. In the 1970s, truck drivers could rake in salaries equivalent to more than $100,000 in current dollars. To get a bit more recent, here are some 1980s salary comparisons.
- Atlanta:Average hourly wage in 1980 stood at $30.13. The 2018 rate averaged $18.38 for light truck or delivery services drivers and $21.15 for heavy and tractor-trailer drivers.
- New York City:The hourly wage averaged $29.18 in 1980. The 2018 rate averaged $19.12 for light truck or delivery services drivers and $25.40 for heavy and tractor-trailer drivers.
- Chicago:In 1980, drivers saw an average high of $34.39 compared with 2018's $19.81 for light truck or delivery services drivers and $24.19 for heavy and tractor-trailer drivers.
As you see, heavy and tractor-trailer drivers earn more money than their light truck or delivery services driver counterparts. For one thing, employers generally have stricter requirements for heavy and tractor-trailer drivers. Plus, these drivers tend to be away from home more and drive farther.
Signing bonuses are also an incentive that many employers in the trucking industry are utilizing to entice seasoned and even rookie drivers to join fleets. According to reports, signing bonuses have ratcheted up from about $1,700 in 2017 to a whopping $6,000 in 2018. With freight rates up as well, drivers are well-positioned to see further incentives and pay bumps.
How to Start a Career as a Truck Driver
To become a professional truck driver, candidates typically must:
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Finish truck driving school
- Pass a driving and knowledge test to get a commercial driver's license (CDL)
- Obtain any necessary CDL endorsements such as hazardous materials (H)
- Pass a physical every two years
- Maintain a clean driving record
Light truck or delivery services drivers can work with a high school diploma as well. They are usually trained on the job, and CDLs are not required.
Ready to Get Started with a New Career in Trucking?
Without a doubt, truck driving will continue to rank among the most secure and high-paying blue-collar occupations going forward. Salaries could easily surpass the golden era of trucking over the next decade. If you are interested in joining the men and women who keep America’s goods and products flowing, the future may hold a wealth of opportunities for both beginner and veteran truckers. Start browsing truck driving jobs and apply online today.
