A life on the road, traveling to different locations, and beholding nature in its glory—trucking seems like an easy job after all. But the reality is far from it. Spending most of your day behind the wheel can be challenging, let alone staying away from home for many days. If you are a new driver about to take up your first assignment, note these common mistakes rookie truck drivers should avoid.
Not being prepared for stress
Every job comes with its stress, and trucking is no exception. You may get physically and mentally exhausted driving for extended hours. But you must be prepared for such a routine and find ways to relax.
Taking the wrong route
Sometimes, a wrong turn may lead you to a completely different destination, and you might get lost trying to find your way back. In times like these, it is crucial to contact commercial truck roadside assistance without further delay.
Not maintaining good relationships
You will meet many people along the route, and maintaining a good relationship with them is extremely important. Dealing with clients politely will influence your career and workload positively.
Going too fast
You might enjoy going faster on the highway. But it is not the right thing to do as you can lose control of the truck and increase the risk of an accident that can hurt you and damage the goods onboard.
Not being flexible
Trucking is not for you if you cannot be flexible with your schedules. Sometimes, the truck can break down, and you might be given another assignment suddenly. So, it is best to be flexible regarding projects, ideas, and timelines.
Not having a load board membership
A load board is an online platform that helps truckers get new shipping assignments. All you have to do is create an account, enter your truck details, and find suitable projects that can help you earn. Not signing up with a load board and not updating the information on the platform is a common mistake rookie truck drivers should avoid.
Not being prepared for LTL shipments
LTL or less-than-truckload shipments require you to fill the truck with smaller packages from different customers and deliver them to their destinations. This may need you to drive longer, and not being prepared for it by fueling up could be a mistake.
