Thinking about starting work as a truck driver? If you are someone that enjoys driving and likes the idea of being their own boss, truck driving can be a fantastic career option. It can also be daunting to pivot and start a new career, especially if you are self-employed. You will want to make sure that you hit the ground running, which can be tricky with any new business venture. There are a few pieces of advice to keep in mind when starting your truck driving career that should prove to be useful and help you to hit the ground running.
Take A Driving Course
One of the best steps to take is to take a truck driving course. Driving a truck differs from driving a regular car, so even if you are a competent and confident driver, you still might find it hard to adapt. A driving course will help to develop your skills, abilities, and confidence behind the wheel of a big rig. This can make all the difference in the early stages and help you to hit the ground running.
Use Load Boards To Find Work
Many new truck drivers wonder how to find work when first starting. Fortunately, this is relatively straightforward with the use of load boards. Essentially, these are job boards where you can browse available shipping work and choose from hundreds of different truck loads. This allows you to find ongoing work as a truck driver, which will help you to start earning immediately and always have work to take on. Additionally, this can be a smart way to make contacts and build up your reputation as a truck driver.
Build Your Network
Leading on from this, you should also take steps to build a large professional network. Having a large network is helpful as this is how you find new opportunities, get referrals, and build your reputation. Additionally, other truck drivers will be able to give insightful advice and provide support. You can build your network by joining trucking groups and associations, attending industry events, and networking online.
Learn About Regulations
When starting a new career as a truck driver, you want to make sure that you are compliant with laws and regulations. These can vary depending on where you are, so it is important to learn about regulations and ensure that you are compliant at all times.
Look After Yourself
Finally, it is important to look after yourself. It can take some while to adjust to life as a truck driver, and spending so much time on the road can take its toll on your physical and mental well-being. A few tips for looking after yourself include:
- Taking on a manageable workload
- Taking regular breaks
- Eating healthily on the road
- Getting enough sleep
- Exercising in your free time
- Staying connected with loved ones
Hopefully, the advice in this post will be useful and help you to hit the ground running as a new truck driver. This can be an excellent career choice for many, but it can also be challenging when you enter the field without any experience.
