Life as a trucker can be challenging at times, but it can also be incredibly rewarding—especially if you make an effort to learn from your experiences. At truck driving school, you’ll learn everything you need to earn your CDL, like the basics of operating a big rig and how to hook up a trailer. But during your first year on the road, you’ll learn other valuable lessons, like the following.
Goal-setting is important.
Driving for hours at a stretch can test your physical and mental fitness. Keep focused on the future by setting goals. Some common goals for new truck drivers are to get more “seat time,” which translates to more experience, to avoid accidents, and to reach financial goals.
Toiletries cost more at truck stops.
No matter which truck stop you’re at, it’s a sure bet that the toiletries available for sale will always be more expensive than at big box stores. Consider them to be a last resort if you happen to run out of something. Otherwise, purchase items like soap, shave cream, toothpaste, and deodorant at a supermarket. Package them neatly into a toiletries kit to take with you. Don’t forget your washcloth and towel!
Certain tools are worth their weight in gold.
Truck drivers swear by their flashlights. Get a top-quality flashlight and always keep extra batteries on hand. You’ll need it for checking underneath the truck and double-checking that the cargo is properly secured. You should also have a power inverter and a digital camera. Use the camera to document every problem you encounter, like if a broken pallet was loaded in the trailer even after you objected to it.
Yuma Truck Driving School offers world-class career training and job placement programs for aspiring truck drivers. Our instructors provide multiple training programs, so you’ll find exactly the right fit for you. Call our office in Yuma, AZ at (888) 647-3239 to ask about our next open house event.
