Your New Career as a Trucker: What to Expect the First Year

It's like being a freshman all over again. As a newbie trucker on the CB airwaves, a bunch of old veteran truckers may or may not have the patience for doe-eyed green-eared drivers like you. While it may seem a little nerve-wracking navigating heavy traffic or coming up on the radio for the first time, hopefully we can quash some of your fears about making your first run.

The first thing you'll need to prepare yourself for are the hours spent away from home, and anything familiar. While it has been known to happen, most new truck drivers do not get their preferred route right away. Like all fields of work, you need to work your way into those positions. Even if it doesn't turn out to be that hard, you'll be doing yourself a favor if you just expect it to be hard at first. And remember: it's always toughest at the beginning. Don't give up just because you start right off with getting the worst loads, the worst routes, etc. It will get better, and eventually you'll earn your stripes. DON'T GIVE UP. Make a promise to yourself that, no matter what, you'll stick through that first year. It is impossible to get a proper gauge on what a career will turn out like by just "testing it out".

While it may be mentally challenging to be away from home for days or weeks at a time, there are many things that truckers report enjoying about life on the road- benefits that last well beyond that first year. For instance, many explain that they love the driving as much as they did in the beginning, especially when they get away from the city and out on the open road. They also enjoy the independence (no one directly supervising you), sense of accomplishment and responsibility, and that no two days are ever the same.

It is true that as you go through your career without having much (if any) direct supervision, with the exception of one time, and that's when you're partnered with a trainer. Most larger companies will have you drive with a trainer before sending you off on your own, which is a great learning experience. These trainers are experienced truckers who can definitely show you the ropes.

There is a physical challenge as well to which you'll need to become accustomed, and that is controlling the truck and trailer. It's not like getting behind the wheel of a pickup truck; a semi-truck typically has 12 or more gears. Backing up is probably going to be your biggest challenge, but with a little time and practice, you'll build up your confidence.

One of the best aspects of first starting out as a professional driver is the fact that you won't have to sit around and wait for a job. Truckers are so much in demand that companies will offer you a position before your training is even completed, so as soon as your CDL is in-hand you can get started. Companies will also pay for your training which, even if you didn't get employer reimbursement, is an excellent investment. The time and cost required to go to truck driver training schools is minimal when compared with the starting salary and benefits for truck drivers.

For more insight on what that first year as a trucker will be like, we will turn straight to the source. Below are articles and videos by experienced truck drivers.

http://www.alltrucking.com/faq/what-to-expect-as-a-first-year-driver/
http://www.truckingtruth.com/blogs/your_first_year.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIFTG3MW1jU