New to the world of trucking? Truck driving is a career that appeals to many, but often new truck drivers find the work to be demanding and stressful at first, and it can take some getting used to. There will always be challenges when first adjusting to the career and way of life, but there are a few handy insider tips that you can use that should help you to find success and manage the challenges that all new truck drivers face. So, if you have recently started (or you are thinking of becoming a truck driver), then keep reading for a few tips that should help you to find success.
Use Load Boards to Find Work
One of the main challenges that new truck drivers face is finding work. Fortunately, this is easy with the use of load boards that allow you to pick and choose shipping work available in your area. You can browse loads for truckers and choose the work that suits you. This can be a great way to find steady work, earn money and build your experience levels as a beginner.
Avoid Taking on Too Much
The temptation with load boards is to take on as much work as possible to earn as much as you can. While this might be tempting, you should avoid taking on too much as a new truck driver. This is because it can get stressful and demanding very quickly, so you are better off focusing on fewer deliveries and ensuring that you will always be able to make the delivery on time to keep your customers happy.
Focus on Customer Service
Speaking of keeping your customers happy, you should also place a focus on customer service. Truck driving is a largely solitary role, but the small interactions that you have when picking up shipments and making deliveries (as well as speaking on the phone) are key. You want to develop a positive reputation for your business, and this will all come from the customer service that you provide.
Prioritize Your Health & Wellbeing
When you start spending most of your time behind the wheel and working to tight deadlines, it can be easy to stop looking after yourself, and this is dangerous. When starting out as a truck driver, you need to prioritize your health and wellbeing. This will include making sure that you are maintaining a healthy diet, drinking enough water, and getting enough rest. You also need to pay close attention to your mental health and try to really make the most of your time off by spending time with loved ones, enjoying hobbies, and relaxing.
Hopefully, these tips will prove to be useful for anyone that is new to the trucking industry. Working as a truck driver can be a great way to earn for many people, but it does have its own unique challenges that you need to be wary of, and often new truck drivers struggle when first getting started.
