Industry News & Tips for Truck Drivers

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Written by: Darin Williams

May 10, 2016

Our goal at CDLjobs.com is to provide trucking companies with qualified, interested driver applicants. We’re not in the business of simply throwing “leads” at Driver Recruiting departments in the name of volume…there are plenty of those sites out there.

One thing we cannot do, however, is hire drivers for your trucking company. That task falls on your Driver Recruiting department. But what happens to those pre-screened driver applicants once they are sent to you matters to us. That’s why we strongly encourage trucking companies to use recruiting software to assist in those efforts. After 20+ years in this industry, there are many driver recruiting software tools that we’ve found to work very well and are worth investigating for your recruiting department.

Hiring is always a tricky business, but it is trickier than normal when it comes to the trucking industry. Turnover and the cost of acquiring new drivers are high. Hiring the wrong driver can be a liability nightmare. Solid driver recruiting software helps you find the right drivers fast, saves you time on labor and time-intensive tasks, creates a better experience for the drivers you are hiring, and helps you measure your actual cost per hire, all while helping you stay on top of security and compliance issues. If you are still on the fence, here are some details.

Major Benefits of Driver Recruiting Software

1. Mobile communication and auto-complete apps

Most trucking company websites have a job application process that is counterintuitive and not optimized for drivers. Good driver recruiting software should enable drivers to complete applications using their phones or other mobile devices. Tenstreet uses an auto-complete feature that enables drivers to complete an application with their phone in minutes. Making the application process as fast and easy as possible without compromising the quality of the information, the result is that over 75% of Tenstreet’s driver application sessions result in completed applications.

2. Save time and labor on driver verifications

Every trucking industry professional knows how cumbersome the verification process can be. This is an important step in vetting drivers, but if it’s not done quickly it can actually cause you to miss out on the best drivers. In many cases, verifications are still required to be sent via fax, because email is not a secure platform for this sensitive information. Carriers can spend many hours faxing, filing, and calling other carriers during this process. Tenstreet has created the Xchange network to relieve the burden, save time, and provide a secure platform for requesting and providing verifications. No more faxing, no more filing cabinets full of paper driver records, no more hours spent calling and faxing other carriers. It’s a no-brainer.

3. Create a better driver onboarding experience

Onboarding and orientation set the tone for an employee’s time at your company and can have a huge impact on a driver’s experience with you. It’s the last step to complete before you send a new driver out onto the road to represent your business and start earning money. Orientation is not only the culmination of all the time and money you’ve spent on recruiting and vetting candidates, it also represents a significant investment in its own right. For these reasons, you should always be looking for ways to improve your orientation and onboarding process. Digital onboarding means that forms completed are all easily legible and verified, and eliminates manually having to track what is submitted or missing. It also allows you to eliminate the expense of having subject matter experts physically present at each orientation, and instead use recording or simulcast presentations. Carriers who have adopted digital onboarding have seen savings of between 25% and 40%.

4. Measure and increase your marketing ROI

This is BY FAR our favorite reason. Do you know the ROI of your recruiting marketing efforts? It’s nearly impossible to measure the return with traditional driver recruiting methods. You place ads, but it’s often difficult to attribute that ad to an application if they don’t immediately complete the application. You could be wasting large amounts of money on advertisement methods that have never actually worked. The Tenstreet software platform automatically tracks leads from multiple sources, and adds them into its drip marketing system. Drip marketing enables you to reach a larger number of candidates and reduces the demand on your recruiters, allowing them to focus on closing warmer leads. Carriers who have used Tenstreet’s drip marketing have seen an increase of three to four times as many full applications submitted from their job board leads.

5. Keep your Driver Recruiting Department Compliant

Hiring safe, reliable drivers is one of the most important priorities for any carrier. In order to make sure that all drivers they hire are safe and qualified, most businesses rely on some combination of employment verifications, MVR’s, DAC employment history, criminal background checks, and PSP’s. These services can be extremely useful in helping you to identify and hire the right drivers; making use of the Pre-Employment Screening Program alone has been proven to help motor carriers reduce crash rates by 8%, and reduce the number of driver out-of-service incidents by 17.2%.Although background checks and employment verifications are invaluable tools, all data handled by them must adhere to strict guidelines set forth by the Privacy Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and other applicable federal laws.

As you can see, the reasons to use any Driver Recruiting Software are warranted and verified. CDLjobs.com is compatible with Tenstreet, as well as a number of other valuable recruiting software systems, because we believe in them and their ability to help trucking companies in the Driver Recruiting process.

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Written by: Kate Williams

April 01, 2016

In  an effort to enhance the skills of CDL drivers and improve the overall safety of America’s roadways, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has proposed a new set of rules that would change the truck driver training requirements for new or upgraded CDL drivers.

In a nut shell, it would require entry-level drivers to complete a mandatory driving practice program before they can take their CDL skills test. The driving practice program would be provided by a trainer who is registered with the FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry.

Truck Driver Training: What Truckers Need to Know

Rules Would Affect Only Those Getting a New License or Upgrading

If and when the truck driver training rules go into effect, they would apply only to people who are getting their license for the first time, upgrading their license (getting a Hazardous Materials certification, for example) or someone seeking to reinstate their CDL. Anyone who already has a CDL and doesn’t plan to change won’t have to concern themselves with this new truck driver training requirement.

As of Right Now, the Rules Are Proposed, Not Passed

It’s important to highlight that as of right now, the truck driver training rules are merely proposed and have not become an official mandate. While all the signals indicate that this training rule could go into effect, it’s not a law just yet, and even when it does pass, there will be a few years before it is implemented after the passing of the final rule.

In the interim, the FMCSA is allowing public comment on the proposal. Anyone interested may review the potential truck driver training rule and provide their public comment by Wednesday, April 6, 2016.

Assuming it Passes, It Will Be Three Years Until it is in Effect

If and when the training regulations pass, there will be a three-year grace period that will allow schools, states, drivers, and companies to prepare for the changes. The three years would be used to modify information systems and record training provider’s information. It would essentially be a chance to allow drivers, companies, and trainers to adapt to the new rules and determine how the added costs of training will affect the industry.

Truck Driver Training Would Be a “Hybrid” Approach

According to the FMCSA, the new CDL training would combine both behind-the-wheel hours and theoretical study, although there is currently no proposed minimum number of hours that drivers would have to spend on the theory portion. The proposed truck driver training regulations for new Class A drivers include a minimum of 30 hours of behind-the-wheel training with at least 10 hours on a driving range. For Class B, the rules would require 15 hours behind the wheel, with at least 7 hours on public roads.

There will Be Some Truck Driver Training Exemptions

The rules would affect a large portion of the truck driving industry, but there would be a few exemptions. This would include most military drivers, farmers, and firefighters. Other exemptions may include drivers from Alaska, farm-related industries, and more.

What are your thoughts on the Truck Driver Training Proposal?

• Is the amount of training proposed sufficient? Excessive?
• Will the added costs of training be a barrier for new drivers to enter the industry?
• Will trucking companies absorb any portion of the truck driver training costs to keep bodies in seats?
• Will better trained truck drivers save the industry money in the long run?

All of these are crucial factors that need to be worked out before the truck driver training rule can be effectively implemented. Join the discussion on our Facebook and Twitter social media channels (icons found at the top of this page). We want to hear your thoughts!

Accelerate Your Future with a High-Quality CDL Job

Visit CDLjobs.com and we can help you find a trucking job that is the right fit for you and your family. Get in early and avoid the challenges of the potential new rule!

Whether you are looking for a company job or an Owner Operator position, you’ll find plenty of opportunities from leading trucking companies.

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Written by: Kate Williams

March 14, 2016

During a busy work week, over-the-road truckers may spend more time in their vehicle than any other place. Between pulling a full shift and sleeping overnight, there’s no doubt that cab is your primary living environment. While it may be pure common sense to keep the interior and exterior of your 18-wheeler clean and tidy, it’s a given that truck drivers may not look forward to semi-truck cleaning duties. At CDLjobs.com, we understand how hard the men and women of the road work and hope these tips on how to clean your truck save you time and improve your space.

Interior Semi-Truck Cleaning Tips

It’s not uncommon for truckers to wait until their run is over and pay a professional to detail a semi, inside and out. That does mean you will be working in a less-than-sterile environment for weeks at a time. Let’s be candid, you probably wouldn’t let trash pile up in your living room or let stains on a favorite recliner go untreated. With only modest effort and the following steps, your vehicle can enjoy that new rig smell once again.

1: Clear Out Trash

Take a trash liner or plastic grocery bag and scoop up all those coffee cups, wrappers, and other items that found their way to the floor, behind seats, or into the sleeper space.

2: Vacuum Up Unsavory Bits

Pull out your mats and other portable interior items and go to work vacuuming up the dirt, grime, and crumbs from breakfast sandwiches, muffins, and other snacks. These things can bring about mold, and you may be breathing in those spores while working and sleeping.

3: Clean the Dashboard

Consider using a soft brush to vacuum the dash if it’s loaded with dust. Then, take wipes explicitly made for interior cleaning and wipe it down thoroughly. It may be best to steer away from polishes and products that give off a shiny glow. They tend to cause unnecessary glare.

5: Wash Your Mats

Use a hose, soapy water, and a scrub brush to get any caked up materials off your mats. Once clean, hang them to dry out while you get back to your semi-truck cleaning endeavors.

6: Wash Your Clothes

It’s an open secret that dirty laundry piles up on long hauls. Sometimes, drivers may forget to take it out and run it through the wash at convenient times. Do your laundry!

7: Clean the Curtains

Remove your curtains and put them in the washing machine when doing your laundry. Be sure to follow the manufacturer directions about curtain material and drying methods.

8: Take Out Stains

Fill a clean bucket with warm soapy water and scrub the seats thoroughly. If they are too entrenched with grime, it may be in your best interest to secure a reliable upholstery cleaning product and follow the directions. If you enjoy leather seats, definitely use an approved cleaning brand. Let them dry completely by leaving the doors open. This will also air out the cab as well.

9: Clean the Windows

A simple window cleaner and roll of paper towels to spray and wipe should suffice to clear up the side windows and interior windshield. Consider a pro-style scrubber and hose for the exterior windshield. No one likes the idea of getting up close to that graveyard of dead bugs.

10: Replace the Air Filters

Swapping out the old filters remains the gateway to cleaner, fresher, breathable air in your work and sleep space. Among other things, breathing clean air is one way truckers can prevent sickness. Going forward, follow the manufacturer guidelines about air filter replacement.

These interior tips on how to clean your truck may be far less time-consuming than you anticipate. And, the importance of the cleanliness of your semi’s interior cannot be understated. Professional truck drivers spend countless hours in these spaces delivering goods and materials to America’s communities. A little tidying up often proves beneficial to a driver’s long-term health and well-being.

How to Clean You Truck Exterior

Trucks that have seen thousands of miles of highways and byways are sure to accumulate a great deal of grit, dirt, and splatter. The fact of the matter is that a dirty truck does not reflect the pride and greatness associated with American truckers. When a big rig glimmers rolling down the road, it has a “wow factor.” Your semi deserves to be admired by passersby. Fortunately, exterior semi-truck cleaning is not particularly difficult or time-consuming.

1: Lather Your Truck with Soap

When washing the exterior of your truck, use warm water and a professional solution. Things like dish soap and non-truck products may negatively impact the wax and paint job. Using improper products increases the likelihood of nicks and rust spots. Once your vehicle is lathered up, use a pro-level squeegee to remove the soap suds.

2: Scrub and Soap Wheels

Take a firm sponge or scrub brush and loosen any build-up on your wheels and rims. There are excellent products specifically designed for these difficult-to-clean areas. Consider investing in one.

3: Rinse Thoroughly

Start by dowsing the exterior with buckets of warm, clean water. This step washes away any particles that may still be clinging to the truck’s exterior. Once you feel comfortable, take a hose and spray away any soap or suds.

4: Wax Immediately

Allow the truck’s surface to dry in the sun if you are not in an intensely hot area. Otherwise, put the truck in a shady spot. Once it is fully dry, wax the exterior. This will protect it against the elements. It also makes your big rig look amazing.

How To Keep Your Truck Clean Going Forward

After putting all of your curtains, mats, and clean laundry back into the truck, it may be worthwhile to take some proactive steps to minimize uncleanliness. These are steps you can take to maintain a fresh-smelling and looking truck.

• Include a small wastebasket with liner in the cab.
• Put down rugs in the sleeper space.
• Make an alert in your cell phone, noting when it’s time to change those air filters.
• Swap out work shoes for driving shoes when entering the vehicle.
• Keep a soft rag handy to wipe down the dashboard periodically.
• Get an air purifier.
• Do your laundry more often.

Avoid DOT Inspections

While having a thoroughly cleaned truck is clearly not a guarantee drivers will completely avoid a future DOT traffic stop, officers may view your tidiness as a good indication that your house is in order. Any time that professional truck drivers can spend to shorten or avoid inspections while on the road is very likely time well spent.

Truck driving is a rugged and crucial job done by professional CDL holders from all walks of life. A clean semi-truck is a healthy and robust place to work and will help you to thrive in the trucking industry.

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Written by: Darin Williams

January 20, 2016

If you recruit professional drivers to work for your trucking company, it is absolutely critical that you track the driver applicants who apply to your trucking jobs. I’m a firm believer that you cannot manage what you cannot measure, so as a result, we measure everything. It helps provide data behind decisions and not just “gut feelings.” Tracking driver applicants is the most basic and the easiest method for measuring the effectiveness of your recruitment advertising strategy.

Examine Your Driver Recruiting Process

If your trucking company isn’t hitting its weekly driver recruiting goals, it might be because there is something fundamentally wrong with your trucking jobs listings, and before we can fix the problem, we need to examine what is causing it. Here are the four most common reasons why you may think your truck driving classified ad posts are failing:

1. Alternative application methods are not recorded properly

If you’re providing contact options such as a driver recruiter’s email address or telephone number, then you’re providing an alternative appllication method. Essentially, this allows candidates to circumvent the online application (or your ATS) which makes it much more difficult to track the ad source. There is nothing wrong with making it as easy as possible on the truck driver and giving them a variety of options to contact your trucking company, but you need to be prepared to track ALL of them if you do. Provide URLs to the jobs boards that you’re using that can track where your leads, applications, and traffic are coming from.

2. Your process is broken

If the process is broken, you’re likely receiving fewer applications than you’re paying for. There are a number of reasons your application process might be broken. For one, if you haven’t properly integrated your ATS to your website, you won’t receive all the applications. Or, more likely than not, your application process actually works, but it’s just too long and tedious for drivers to finish it. When we shortened our application a couple years ago, the app count immediately increased. Almost 70 percent of drivers are applying through mobile devices now, and if your using jobs boards that aren’t mobile friendly, you’re paying for something you don’t need. Stop.

Furthermore, if you aren’t accepting “multi-carrier apps,” you need to start. 77 percent of driver applicants are choosing to apply to more than one company. Most trucking experts are saying that there is a truck driver shortage of up to 100,000 truckers, yet you’re willing to refuse to look at an Internet driver lead if that driver applies to another trucking company at the same time. That is insanity.

3. You provide too much or too little information

The adage in advertising as it relates to trucking jobs basically says that if you don’t have the biggest per-mile-number, don’t put a number in your ad. This related more to the old trucking magazines that always had two full page ads opposite each other, but it still holds true. If your trucking company has the best home time policy in trucking but is on the low end of the pay scale, perhaps you want to emphasize home time over money….get it?

With so many ads from a variety of trucking companies competing for their attention, truck drivers don’t read every ad they see. You’re lucky if drivers scan the first paragraph to see if it’s worth their time to continue. You can combat this by:

• Highlighting the most important information at the top
• Using bold font, bullets, and short paragraphs to grab attention
• SELL the driver on your trucking job…don’t tell them why they won’t qualify. That will work itself out in the vetting process.

The title of your truck driving job is also essential to convince the driver to read the rest of your ad. It is also the most important way for drivers to find your trucking job when they search. If it’s a regional trucking job, say so in the title and say it again with your trucking company name in the job summary…it makes a huge difference in the searches. Keep it simple and give just enough information to get them to apply for your jobs.

4. Your job description is misleading or negative

Ad copy matters. Make it simple and sell the benefits of your trucking company! Drivers are making a decision on whether or not they will apply to you. They don’t want to read a list of ten things that will prohibit them from getting the job. They want to know why they should apply. Let the driver know what’s in it for them. Let them know the basic things that you would want to know when applying for a job. What is the pay? How often do I get home? What other perks come with this truck driving job?

These aren’t the only reasons your truck driving jobs aren’t being filled, but it’s a great place to start looking. If you’re interested in learning how your trucking company can get a better return on your advertising investment with CDLjobs.com, give us a call.

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Written by: Kate Williams

November 20, 2015

Just starting in the trucking industry, it can be a challenge to find trucking companies that you might feel comfortable working for. There are plenty of trucking jobs available in today’s market, but the difference between trucking companies can be an important consideration for many drivers. From long-distance hauling to local deliveries, a CDL driver should be fairly selective when choosing among various trucking companies for potential employment.

So how can a trucker like you sift through the opportunities to find the perfect carrier? Take a look at these tips to cut through all of the information so that you can make an informed decision on which companies are going to be right for you.

What to Consider in Trucking Companies

First of all, we can’t stress enough to not put too much faith in internet forums and discussions. If you were to look at all the comments for each company, you might assume that every trucking organization is a penny-pinching, back-stabbing, nitpicking conglomerate. That’s simply not true. Ignore the negativity and do your own research on companies.

Prioritize Your Needs First

You’ll notice the point of this article is not finding the right trucking companies, but finding the right trucking companies for you. You might have different needs or preferences than your fellow truckers, so take the time to prioritize what matters the most for your personal situation.

• Are you looking for more pay?
• Do you want to spend more time with your family?
• Are you looking to haul a different type of freight?
• Are you willing to put in the time and expense to gain endorsements that may open new driving opportunities?

Knowing what is most important to you will help when you begin to look at different trucking companies. 

Assess the Difference between Trucking Companies 

If you opt for a company that will have you home a lot, the pay and benefits likely won’t be as good they are for a driver with an OTR trucking job. This isn’t always the case and there are some unusually good local truck driving opportunities to be found. However, it is important to know where your priorities lie.

Over-the-road trucking companies will generally have you on the road for long periods with little regularity and a lot of time away from home. However, they also tend to pay the best. If you want something that pays great and has a great deal of variety, then OTR trucking may be right for you.

Dedicated trucking, conversely, is when you work the same routes with a lot of regularity. While the pay is not as lucrative as OTR work, it is very predictable. For people seeking stable lives and the opportunity to be home on a regular schedule, these driving jobs are very appealing.

Regional trucking companies are usually somewhere in between over-the-road and dedicated trucking opportunities.

Many of the differences between trucking companies can be predicted by the types of trucking they specialize in.

The Differences among Trucking Companies

We’ll be completely honest, from a broad perspective, trucking companies are really basically very similar. They make money by shipping freight; the more freight they move, the more money the company (and the trucker) makes. There are, however, three basic differences in companies.

1. Types of Freight
Different companies will take on various types of freight, so understand what they generally move before signing up. For example, if you are qualified to ship hazardous materials, but the company is never involved in these types of jobs, your hazmat training may go to waste.

2. Home-Time Options and Policies
Companies will set their own policies for home-time, so understand what will be expected of you before you sign on. If you need to spend weekends at home with your family, you should always ask about home time and skip over the carriers that will require frequent weekend driving.

3. Pay Structure and Benefits
You’ll probably discover that starting pay for truck driving jobs doesn’t waver significantly from one company to another, but as you work with a company for a longer period, the pay structure begins to vary. Ask about earning potential and take a look at the company’s written policies on future earnings.

There will also be different benefits, such as medical, dental, PTO, and other factors that you should consider. Some trucking companies will offer better pay with weaker benefits, or vice-versa, so it’s important you take all of these factors into consideration.

Speak with Truck Drivers Face to Face

Finally, if you are considering a company, make sure you talk with your fellow drivers face-to-face to get a real idea of what life is like working for them. A quick look online may uncover a slew of negative comments, often from former employees. It's important to keep an open mind when evaluating comments of this nature since you may not get the full story. It is essential to cut through all of the negative information so that you can make an informed decision on which companies are going to be right for you. Talking with people in-person helps you get honest, clear information about any particular company, and can help you make the right decision for your future.

Once you’ve determined your priorities, start eliminating the trucking companies that don’t fit your needs. When you’re done, you should be down to three or four. 

How Trucking Companies Generally Operate

The fact of the matter is, there is not going to be a singular best company to work for among your choices. In your first year as a CDL driver, you will find they all have their ups and their downs. As far as the downs go, however, they are often listed in forums around the Internet where you can determine your tolerance in advance. 

When talking with other drivers in the trucking industry, you will get a good feel for the culture of each operation. New drivers may find that trucking companies may push their new people a little harder than their established guys to see how they deal with stress. This testing may ranger from making drivers wait a little longer for loads, running them hard, adjusting their scheduled home time, or other trials. They want to see how new drivers will react.

It’s ok to stand up for yourself when the company makes unreasonable demands, but for the most part they’re trying to see how you handle it when actual problems that are common occur. Truck driver jobs are incredibly difficult and trucking companies need to know that they can count on their drivers.

A good rule of thumb is to stick with your first company for at least a year, so long as they are paying you properly and not denying you your home time. This period may incorporate about six months of training and another six months to prove what you can do. After that, things will generally settle down and you won’t have to worry as much about companies trying to test you.

If after a year you believe that you are being treated unfairly, you can start looking at other trucking companies.

The experience that you will have gained working will be to your advantage and severely limit the chances that the next company will put you through the same process. They’ll assume that if you have stuck around that you can handle most issues.

Finding the Best Truck Driving Jobs for You

Knowing where to look for trucking jobs is the key to getting you into the drivers seat. Niche jobs boards that are limited to positions in the the trucking industry, like CDLjobs.com, will provide you the most efficient means to find a large number of trucking companies that are hiring drivers. You can search for trucking companies at no charge, see all the relevant details, and start narrowing down the selection of the carriers that meet your priorities.

There are very few careers tougher than those involving driving jobs, but it’s important that you stick with it if you want to to be successful in the trucking industry. You’re going to run into companies that will test your resolve to see if you can handle obstacles thrown in your way. You’re going to have to get through a lot of negativity in order to find a company that has the best balance of pay, time, and freight for you. But in the end, it’s worth going the extra mile to find the trucking companies that will help you move your career forward.

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Written by: Kate Williams

November 10, 2015

It may not be perfect, but we at CDLjobs.com believe the United States of America is the best country this world has ever seen, thanks in great part to our veterans of service.

It’s a beacon of freedom, prosperity, and, opportunity. Compared to many nations across the globe, it’s also a haven of safety. It’s easy to take our nation for granted, but it’s important to remember how blessed we are to live in the USA, despite its faults.

It’s also easy to forget how difficult it has been to protect this nation. Without our veterans, we could lose everything. From the War of Independence to our current engagements abroad, defending our great nation has taken the sacrifice and commitment of veterans.

This November 11th, on Veterans Day, show your support for our men and women who serve. Then keep the spirit of gratitude alive all year long.

Ways to Thank a Veteran

Show Up to Veterans Day Events
Simply showing up and being present at a Veterans Day event is the first step to showing your appreciation for our nation’s heroes. While Memorial Day is for honoring those who have given their lives in the service of our country, Veterans Day is for each and every person who served in our military. Showing up and supporting our troops does more than you might think.

Donate to a Veteran’s Organization
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of different veteran’s organizations across the country that could use your financial support. From a local veteran’s post to nationwide organizations, you can take your time and choose the one that calls to you. Let’s take a look at just a few of your options...

Disabled American Veterans
This organization focuses specifically on helping our veterans who have disabling injuries. They are entirely funded by donations, with the goal of helping disabled veterans live with honor and dignity.

Operation Write Home
Communicating with their loved ones at home is one of the most important things for our military members abroad. This organization provides greeting card to soldiers, Marines, guardsmen, and sailors who can then write letters to loved ones and send them back for free.

Honor Flight
Imagine you’re a WWII veteran living in California, Iowa, Georgia, or any state in the nation. You have heard about the numerous memorials honoring you in Washington D.C., but you have never had the chance to see them for yourself. This organization works to fly our veterans to the capital so they can visit and reflect at their memorials.

Volunteer and a VA Hospital
There are over 140,000 volunteers working at VA hospitals across the country, but there is always room for more. You’ll have to pass health and background checks, but this can be a very rewarding experience for both you and our veterans.

You could even talk with your employer about organizing a corporate volunteer program. The Department of Veterans Affairs can help you create a program that fits your organization, so talk to your employer or team members and see if there is an interest.

Just Say Thank You
Sometimes a simple “thank you” is all it takes. Veterans have given so much to our country, and many simply want to hear the appreciation of the people they have served. Letting them know that their incredible sacrifice and commitment has not gone unnoticed can be the most powerful gesture of all.

There are many ways to thank our veterans. This Veterans Day, take the time to show your support, but always remember that appreciating veterans is a year-round event.

Trucking Jobs for Veterans

Many trucking companies have special opportunities for veterans interested in the trucking industry. View information on carriers and trucking jobs by browsing our site or click below to apply to multiple companies with one simple, secure application.

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Written by: Kate Williams

November 06, 2015

Is time on your side? We all have unique skills, different goals, and distinct responsibilities, but one thing we all have in common is time.

No matter who you are or what you do, your day is 24 hours long. What you do within that time is often the difference between being average and being excellent.

Truck drivers, just as much as anyone, need to employ time management skills to get the most from their day. Let’s look at some of the basic skills you can master to put time on your side.

Time Management Tips for Truck Drivers

Plan Your Routes Thoroughly
Taking the time to create a detailed plan for your route can save you a lot of time and reduce your stress while driving. Before you head down the highway, look at maps and plan out rest stops along the way. Do a little online research for stops that offer the best parking and the most efficient facilities so you don’t have to wait in line for an hour.

If you will be traveling through or near large cities, plan your trip so you avoid heavy rush hours like the morning and afternoon commutes. You can also look for routes that help you avoid the metro areas entirely.

Use Your GPS (But be Smart About It!)
The GPS is one of the best tools a trucker can keep in the cab. It can show you which route is the shortest, helping you make the most of every trip. Some GPS systems are even programmed to show current information on road construction projects, which can save you hundreds of hours throughout the year.

However, you need to be cautious when using GPS systems to shorten your drive. While they are great for getting you from Point A to Point B, they can lead you down roads that are restricted for large semis. Always double check your route to make sure you’re on the right track.

Make Checklists
In the current age of mobile devices, advanced applications, and connected everything, a good pre-trip checklist, written out with pen and paper, is still a useful tool. Checklists help you organize and prioritize, making you more efficient when it comes time to actually get things done.

Checklists are effective for everyone, but truck drivers will want lists that address maintenance issues, tools and safety equipment, and even loading and unloading concerns. Your checklist can also include food stops, breaks, and other necessary activities.

Plan Out Rests
If you want to save time on your route, plan out all your rests and stick to your schedule. Determine how long you want to go during the day and plan your rests so you meet these goals.

To really save time and hassle, try to get to the parking site as early as you can and wake up earlier than all the other drivers. An early departure will cut down on traffic and have you cruising to your destination while everyone else is snoozing the morning away.

At the end of the day, in the words of Harvey MacKay, “Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't keep it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it you can never get it back.” Are you using your time management skills wisely?

Quality Trucking Jobs for Excellent Truck Drivers

You deserve to work for a company that rewards your skills and experience. Visit CDLjobs.com today and you’ll find plenty of opportunities for smart, efficient truck drivers.

There are many trucking companies looking for dedicated drivers, so check out our Company profiles today!

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Written by: Kate Williams

September 28, 2015

The fall season is a great time to be a trucker. The weather cools to a more comfortable temperature, the roadways are a little less congested after summer vacations, and the changing leaves give the landscape a colorful tapestry across the country.

However, fall can present some unique driving challenges. Changes in weather, wildlife activity, and road conditions can make the fall roads dangerous, so you need to be prepared.

Fall Driving Tips for Truckers

1. Monitor Tire Pressure
The changes in temperature can affect the PSI in your tires, so be more vigilant with checking tire pressure, especially on cold fall mornings. Tire pressure can have an impact on handling, braking, and fuel-efficiency, so never ignore this important factor.

2. Check Tire Tread
While you’re down looking at the tires, take a moment to inspect the tread as well. Fall roads can get slick with rain, ice, and wet leaves, so having good tread is vital for your overall safety.

3. Put an Ice Scraper in Your Truck
You never know when that first freeze is coming, so it only makes sense to put an ice scraper in your truck in the fall. The months of September and October can see 80 degrees on one day and 30 degrees at night, so make sure you have the essential tools in your cab to clean your windows and mirrors.

4. Use Care on Leaf-Covered Roadways
As the leaves begin to fall, many of them will end up on roadways. Mix in a little rain, and you have a slick surface that spells danger for all motorists. If you see leaves on the road ahead, assume they are as slick as ice and proceed with caution.

5. Use Low Beams during Fog
Fog, especially in the early fall mornings, can severely limit visibility. If you find yourself on a foggy road, only use your low beams, as high beams will create a glare and reduce visibility even further.

6. Keep Headlights on When Wipers are in Use
Many states (Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and California, for example) legally require the use of headlights when wipers are in use. It may not be a law where you’re traveling, but whether it’s a down-pouring rain or a light drizzle, if you have your wipers on, it’s a smart practice to keep your lights on as well.

7. Be Prepared for Deer on the Road
Fall marks the start of heavy deer activity, so you need to watch carefully for any deer that might dart in your path. Deer generally travel in herds, so if you see one, assume there may be more coming. Fall is the deer’s breeding season, so they are on the move looking for...well, you know. Deer hunting and farming activity will also cause increased movement in deer, increasing the chances of a collision.

According to State Farm, West Virginia is the worst state for deer collisions, with Montana, Iowa, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota rounding out the top five. The insurance provider also says that November is the worst month for deer collisions, followed by October and December.

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Check out our Company Profiles and you’ll find excellent employers who need your driving skills.

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Written by: Kate Williams

September 18, 2015

There are many reasons why you may have to leave a trucking company. Maybe you have the chance to earn more money, maybe the relationship between you and your employer isn’t working out, or maybe there is a position that better fits your family life.

Whatever your reason for leaving, there are certain things that you should know before you go. Following these simple tips will help your transition to a new trucking job go more smoothly and help you start on the right foot.

What to Know When You are Leaving a Trucking Company

Leaving a company in the trucking industry is really no different than leaving an employer anywhere else. You need to be respectful, give advanced notice, and make sure everything is handled properly.

1. Give a Formal Notice of Resignation
Make sure there is no lack of communication between you and your employer. Give a formal notice of resignation, preferably in writing, that lets the company know your intentions. Ask for a reply so you can prove to other companies that you did indeed give formal notice.

2. Give at Least Two Weeks Notice
The expected notice for leaving will vary between employers, but the standard in the trucking industry is the same as other professions: two weeks. The more you can give, the better, and you should avoid leaving abruptly at all costs, as your abrupt departure can go on your DAC report and harm your employment chances down the road.

3. Thank the Dispatchers, Safety Directors, Managers, and More
No matter what your relationship with the company, take the time to personally thank the people you worked with. From your fellow truckers to the company ownership, let them know that you appreciate the opportunity to build your career and will always be grateful for working with them.

4. Leave the Truck and Equipment Where Your Employer Requests
Never, ever, under any circumstances, abandon your equipment. It doesn’t matter if your employer is a shouting tyrant, if a report of abandoned equipment goes on your record, it can spell serious trouble for future employment. Leave the truck, trailer, and all other equipment exactly where your leadership requests. Return the equipment in good conditions and most carriers will pay for your travel home.

5. Keep a Record of Communication
You can protect yourself and your reputation by keeping records of all the communication between you and your employer. Keep a copy of your resignation, their reply, and request a document that states all equipment was returned. If anything inaccurate comes up in your DAC report, you now have the documents to correct your record.

6. Get Documentation of Employment
Building your resume for the future is important for your long-term success as a trucker. Take the time to get documentation of your employment, including copies of your safety file, employment record, and any accommodations you received.

7. Ask for a Letter of Recommendation
Finally, ask for a letter of recommendation from a company leader who knows you well. This can be one of the most important documents you have in your file. It shows you are reliable, dedicated, and fully-capable of handling the task, and gives a personalized account of your work.

Remember that what you do when leaving a trucking company will follow you through your career. Be respectful, thankful, and professional when you leave and you’ll be a better hire throughout your life in the trucking industry.

Top-Quality Trucking Jobs are Waiting

There are plenty of good trucking companies looking for hard-working truckers like you. Following these simple tips when leaving a trucking company will go a long way toward making your transition to a new trucking job go more smoothly.

Browse our Classifieds section today to find the perfect trucking jobs for your specific needs and skill level.

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Written by: Kate Williams

August 31, 2015

In the trucking industry, hiring the right people is vital. It’s a business that requires safe, reliable, and hard-working individuals, who can complete dozens of different tasks. The DAC report is one of the tools that employers use to select the right drivers. These reports, short for “Drive-A-Check,” give employers information on the background of a trucker. They have become an important part of trucking and every driver should understand what they are and how they work.

What Every Trucker Should Know about the CDL DAC Report

What is a DAC Report?

Before we talk about how to clear your DAC report, let’s take a closer look at what it is and what is does. Essentially, the CDL DAC report is like a credit report for CDL drivers. It functions as a report that employers can use to get information related to a trucker’s work history. This report is highly detailed, and can include information based on driving record, employment history, past accidents, drug screenings, and more. There is almost nothing that can’t be entered into a driver’s DAC. It can include why a driver left a company, drug and alcohol history, and can even hold information related to how and why a driver left a company.

The problem with CDL DAC reports, at least from a driver’s perspective, is that the information is given directly from past employers. You may have left a company in great standing, giving two weeks’ notice, returning all equipment properly, and working with the company to make the split easy on both sides, but a company may report whatever information they like.

Most trucking companies are honest and accurate, but sometimes false or inaccurate information may be left on a driver’s report. This false information can be very detrimental to the long-term success of a trucker, but you’re not stuck, as there are steps you can take to correct a false DAC report.

How to Clear Your DAC Report: Patience and Diligence are Key

Let say you worked for Fictional Trucking, but you decide to move on to a different opportunity. You give them your two weeks’ notice, work with management to make sure all equipment is returned properly, and handle the situation like the professional truck driver that you are. Two years later, you are seeking a new position with a different company, only to discover that there is a problem with your DAC report. Despite your best efforts, Fictional Trucking left an “abandoned equipment” record. The new company is now hesitant to work with you. What can you do?

The first step you should take is to acquire a copy of your DAC report. You can get a copy for free every 12 months; other copies are available for a small fee. With the copy in hand, you can see for yourself if the information is accurate or if it should be changed.

Next, you can file a dispute with HireRight, the organization that handles DAC reporting and distribution. The investigation process usually takes about a month, but the nature and scope of your claim will affect the timeframe.

If the situation is severe enough, you may consider hiring an attorney. When there are flat-out lies in your DAC report, a lawyer may be able to help. This step is major, however, and very few DAC claims warrant professional legal assistance.

Remember that getting anything changed on a CDL DAC report is a long and often frustrating process. There will be lots of forms and verifications that you will need to complete, and the process can often take years. While you are trying to fix the report, you should also be working to demonstrate your value to potential employers. Having recommendations from former managers and instructors displays your good character and can help employers ignore information, false or otherwise, on a DAC report.

Find the Right CDL Jobs in the Trucking Industry

There are plenty of trucking jobs waiting for dedicated truckers just like you. Visit CDLjobs.com today and you’ll find the perfect position for your needs and experience level!