Long-Haul Trucking: Should You Drive with Your Spouse?

Not every job allows you the opportunity to bring your spouse to the office with you every day. But trucking does, and if both spouses earn commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs), then they can form an ideally compatible driving team. There are quite a few benefits to driving with your spouse, but be sure to talk it over carefully before taking the plunge. When you and your spouse sign up for a CDL training course, you’ll both learn exactly what to expect from life on the road.

Spouse driving teams can earn more money.

Truck drivers are paid by the mile. The more miles you drive, the more money you earn. However, it’s mandatory for truckers to abide by work hour restrictions as determined by federal and state law. These restrictions are in place to protect the health and safety of truckers, as well as the safety of everyone else on the roadways. If your spouse also obtains a CDL and you two decide to form a trucker team, then you can drive more miles and earn more money. One of you will rest while the other drives, alternating according to the regulations.

Driving with a spouse eliminates loneliness.

Not all truckers are gone for days or weeks at a time. Some decide to pick up local routes only, allowing them to be home with their families on a regular basis. However, the trucking life can still be tough for families, and it stands to reason that some truckers may experience a little loneliness now and then while on the road. If you decide to drive with your spouse, it can renew your marriage and eliminate loneliness behind the wheel.

Your family is invited to attend the next open house at Yuma Truck Driving School, during which you and your spouse can take a turn behind the wheel of a big rig. Give us a call today at (888) 647-3239 to inquire about our next open house at our location in Yuma, AZ.

Busting Myths About the ELD Mandate

The electronic logging device (ELD) mandate intends to bring the trucking industry into the digital era by replacing paper logbooks. ELDs help drivers more easily track and record information about driving time. Although ELDs are supposed to simplify recordkeeping for truckers, there are still a few persistent myths about them.

Myth: ELD data is automatically transmitted to enforcement agencies.

Some truckers worry that violations of hours of service will be automatically logged and transmitted to enforcement agencies. Some might also worry that the ELD will commit errors when recording violations of hours of service. Actually, no data is automatically transmitted anywhere. There are only a few reasons for third-party access to the data, including roadside inspections, traffic infractions, and FMCSA compliance audits. When roadside inspectors do access the data, the inspections take much less time than they used to. The same is true of DOT audits.

Myth: ELDs are disadvantageous for owner/operators.

One of the most enduring myths about ELDs is that they will put owner/operators out of business. Owner/operators voiced these concerns due to the perceived potential loss of working hours and the cost of the ELDs themselves. Actually, most drivers who make the switch from paper logbooks to ELDs regret that they didn’t do it sooner. ELDs are far less pricey than they used to be. In fact, the cost is relatively negligible for owner/operators, compared to the costs of fuel, permits, and liability insurance. Plus, paper logbooks require drivers to round to the nearest 15 minutes. But with ELDs, drivers only round to the nearest minute. In other words, using an ELD can help owner/operators get more driving time in and earn more money.

The modern, comprehensive curriculum at Yuma Truck Driving School will effectively prepare you for a rewarding career in today’s trucking industry. Our nationally recognized CDL training programs available in Yuma, AZ include refresher courses and road testing. Call us today at (888) 647-3239.