Tag: new truck drivers

Tips for Starting Out As an Owner Operator

Bob Holtzman

There’s nothing quite like owning your own business and being your own boss, but you have to take care to make the most of your investment of time, money and energy. The right approach and information can mean the difference between success and failure, so be sure you’re armed with new owner operator tips as you build your trucking company.

Know How You’ll Bring in Money

You likely have a loose idea of how you plan on making money as you’re sketching out your truck owner operator business plan, but you’ll be much better off solidifying that idea as much as possible. As an owner operator, there are two main ways to make money: leasing to a carrier and operating on your own by booking your own loads.

If you choose to lease to a carrier, you’ll need to get in touch with recruiters to see what will be expected of you as a driver in regards to how long you’ll be out, the pay you can expect and the type of insurance you’ll need. Be sure to talk to drivers as well to get a balanced idea of what you can expect if you choose to work with a particular carrier.

Like the idea of booking your own loads? Chat with brokers and potential customers, and check out load boards as well. Be clear on what brokers will expect from you and the type of equipment and truck you’ll need to be successful. Know that if you’re brand new to the trucking industry, you’ll have a lot of work ahead of you if you decide to book loads on your own.

Save as Much Money as Possible

Besides money coming in, you’ll also need to think about the money going out as you put your business together. If you don’t yet have a truck, save up as much as possible on a down payment or leasing your truck. Not only will your equipment payments be lower if you offer up a hefty down payment, you’re more likely to have an easier time securing financing with a sizeable down payment.

Besides money for your truck, you also have to think about operational costs. You’ll need trucking insurance and funds for out-of-pocket expenses, maintenance, food, fuel and unexpected repairs. There might also be a period where you’re unable to make runs because of a mechanical breakdown, so plan your budget accordingly.

Boost Your Credit As Much As Possible

Speaking of financing, something else you can do is increase your personal credit score as much as you can before applying for financing. Request a free credit report and look over it for any mistakes or discrepancies that need to be corrected before lenders pull your credit. Pay all bills on time, early if possible, and do your best not to use any more of your credit if you don’t absolutely have to. While you may have to put off launching your business for a little while as you increase your credit score, doing so will only benefit you later in the form of low interest payments, which means more money to funnel into the success of your business.

You might also want to look into getting a business credit card so you can make purchases specifically for your business. This is a good idea so you can keep your personal spending separate from your business spending. Just like your personal credit score, take steps to keep your business credit score as high as possible at all times.

Plan for Preventative Maintenance Before You Need It

Also be sure you think about preventative maintenance, even if you plan on purchasing a brand new truck. While you’re exploring options for which truck you think is the best fit for your business, look into how much preventative maintenance will cost. Even if that maintenance is several years away, putting money back for it now ensures you not only have a means to pay for that necessary maintenance, but that you don’t have to put that maintenance off. Just like with a regular automobile, taking care of small issues and taking steps to keep your rig as fully functional as possible helps avoid unnecessary breakdowns and the equally unnecessary expenses that come with them.

Think About Your Personal Relationships

If you have a spouse, significant other or family, think about how your relationship with them could change while you’re on the road. Issues can develop with you being away from home, so be sure you have this discussion with your loved ones about how you’ll address any problems that might come up in the future so that you don’t risk a disruption in your business or personal life.

Have a solid foundation underneath you before becoming an owner operator. The right insight paired with a little foresight is sure to serve you and your aspirations well.

Best Tips for New Truck Drivers

Bob Holtzman

The trucking industry is booming in the United States. Being a truck driver has a lot of rewards, but it can also be quite stressful and overwhelming in the first few months as you learn how to do everything that is required of you. Even experienced drivers hit curbs or miss a turn, but they know how to avoid turning that small mistake into a larger one. We’d like to offer these new truck driver tips to help you make the most of your new career. Here are some of the most common rookie truck driver mistakes:

Being Unorganized

One of the most common rookie truck driver mistakes is neglecting your paperwork, mismanaging your time and not handling money wisely. When you are unorganized, it leads to stress and frustration which can definitely affect your driving.

  • Know the rules that affect your hours of service. Plan for rest stops and breaks before you get out on the road.
  • Make sure you understand the regulations on your current load.
  • Do your paperwork as you go. Don’t try to remember it at the end of the week. Spending 15 to 20 minutes every day handling the paperwork ensures you get paid on time and avoid hefty fines for not having an up-to-date logbook.
  • Track expenses. Save receipts. Keep your cab clean and tidy. Have all paperwork for the current load at the ready to provide it when it’s needed.

Getting Lost

You’d be surprised how many truck drivers get lost on their first few runs. When you’re in the cab, it’s easy to miss exit signs or signs that alert you to a truck-only route. You have a lot on your plate, but if you do take a wrong turn, the worst thing you can do is to panic. The mistake isn’t necessarily in getting lost, but in how you handle finding the right route. Instead, stay calm and be prepared to get out of the situation.

  • Find a safe place to pull over
  • Check the GPS and make sure the address is entered correctly
  • Call the company and ask for directions once you can describe where you are
  • Get on the CB radio and ask for help

Avoid getting lost by not relying on just the navigation system to get you where you need to go. Google Maps won’t always tell you about truck-restricted routes or low bridges. Use a motor carriers’ road atlas to plan your route in advance. As a driver, you have to be efficient while considering practical routes for your larger vehicle.

Not Taking Care of Yourself

As with any job, you may have to work when you’re tired of stressed, but as a truck driver, you are handling tons of equipment and product on the road. Dispatchers, family issues, law enforcement, fatigue and weather changes can all lead to catastrophes with devastating results if you lose your cool. You have to take care of yourself by taking breaks and sleeping adequately on those breaks. No assignment is worth an accident.

Take care of your health with these newbie truck driver tips

  • Don’t abuse caffeine or energy drinks. In a pinch, they can keep you going for a little while, but when the effects wear off, you will figuratively crash.
  • When you take breaks, use them to take care of yourself. Stretch your legs by taking a walk. Take a shower. Get sleep. As a driver, you are expected to keep your blood pressure within healthy guidelines. You can’t do that without taking care of yourself.
  • Eat well. Shop at the grocery store for fresh fruit and healthy snacks to pack in the cab with you. When you do eat at a restaurant, choose lean meats that are broiled or grilled, not fried or sautéed. Ask for salads and vegetables instead of French fries and starches. Better nutrition makes you feel better and more alert.
  • Face it, you may get homesick. Have a way to deal with those feelings. Ask your family to make videos that help you keep up with what your kids are doing. Call your friends and family when you have time. Focus on your goals, much like an athlete does when they’re training. Don’t let your emotions get the best of you.

Not Asking for Help

So many people avoid using the resources available to them, but as a truck driver, you need to know when to ask for assistance and use the information that your company is giving you. The safety department in the organization is not an enemy. The safety officers are just as concerned with your success as you are. Your dispatcher may not be happy when you are running late, but it’s better to keep them informed than to try and pull the wool over their eyes. Ask for help when you need it. Always thank people for information and advice, even if you disagree. You never know when you may run into that person again. Be gracious and leave a good impression.