Why Semi-Truck Drivers Should Consider Team Driving

With any new profession, it's difficult to enter into it feeling completely alone. In trucking, you don't just feel alone, you are alone. This means that if you need on-the-road advice or mentoring, there aren't many ways to readily have access to it. Even for an experienced driver, this can be difficult. It is for this, and many other reasons, that we recommend you take a look at team driving as an option for after you graduate from SWTDT and earn your CDL. 

Team driving keeps you on your toes.

Team driving helps you make the most out of your time on the road, while still following the rules.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association, or FMCSA, has very specific rules about how many consecutive hours you may drive, and how many consecutive hours you must rest. The Hours of Service for Drivers; Final Rule states that

• The maximum average work week for drivers may not exceed 70 hours.
• If drivers reach this maximum, they may continue to driver only after 34 consecutive hours of rest.
• Drivers must take a 30 minute break during the first eight hours of a shift.
• Drivers are limited to 11 hours of driving, after 10 consecutive off-duty hours. (note that rules are more stringent for drivers of passenger commercial vehicles).

As you can see, this limits the distance you're able to cover on any given job. However, when you choose or are assigned a driving partner, you can cover twice the distance in half the amount of time. 

Team Driving Helps Keep Everyone Safe

One of the most common reasons for semi-truck accidents is driver fatigue. Having the option of trading off with another driver is a great way to ensure that you're well-rested and making safety a priority. 

Team Driving Increases Earning Potential 

Many trucking companies offer incentive pay for driving teams. These benefits may also include an increase in safety bonuses but, most importantly, is the increase in pay per mile. The payout from driving with a partner can be very lucrative when you take into consideration the fact that you are splitting the work evenly. Your team will easily cover more miles than you ever could alone. Although the full number of  miles calculated will be split between the two of you, the speed in which you complete jobs increase allowing for your team to accumulate income by logging more miles. 

Team Driving Can Strengthen Relationships

Perhaps one of the best perks of team driving is when you get to do it with a spouse or loved one. Many drivers choose to work with their spouses which works beautifully and keeps all of the  income with in the household. In addition, it effectively removes the typical struggle that most truck drivers have, which is long periods of time away from their family. This may be one of the most difficult aspects of trucking that most drivers report: they miss their spouses.
There are many couples who have a made a tiny home out of the space behind the wheel, and some even have their children along for the adventure as well.


Whether you're thinking about team driving or going it solo, Southwest Truck Driver Training will teach you everything you need to know about being a safe and professional truck driver. Contact us today to learn more about how you can get started on the road to a better future!