7 Things Every New Truck Driver in Their First Year Should Know

New Driver

If you are a new truck driver, there are some truths you ought to know.

This information is not meant to scare you away from a job as a trucker.

It’s meant to give you some straight-up information and knowledge for that first and important year of your new truck driving career.

I’d like to connect especially with the new truck drivers as well as the guys and gals who are just entering the trucking industry.

If you have just finished CDL training or are still in the process of completing one, you may benefit from this knowledge.

The First Year as a New Truck Driver is the Toughest

There is no doubt that your first year as a truck driver is going to be the hardest one. 

You’ll be making lots of adjustments like getting accustomed to the job, getting familiar with the truck you drive, utilizing your new driving skills, and getting accustomed to the lifestyle.

There are still so many things to learn about the job that you haven’t learned yet.

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My First Year as a New Truck Driver

With several million miles under my belt as an experienced truck driver, I still remember, after all these years, my first year as a truck driver.

The worst part of that year for me was finding some of the delivery locations and maneuvering the truck into some of the older areas of big U.S. cities with narrow streets and low bridges.

Happily, I never peeled the roof off my truck and trailer, but I came pretty damned close upon occasion.

In those days, there were only maps to rely on. Those maps did NOT show low bridges. I personally found city driving highly stressful.

Here are 7 things you should know about and some things to expect from your first year as a new driver.

7 Things to Be Aware of For Your First Year as a Trucker

1. Getting Driving Experience

Experience is important when it comes to getting the best truck driving job. The more experience you have behind the wheel, the better driver you’ll become.

The more experience you have, the more money you’ll make.

Experience will also help you relax more and ease the stress, and you’ll enjoy your driving job more.

Related > 5 Things You Need to Know About a Truck Driving Career

Truck Driver and Dashboard of Big Rig

2. Getting Seat Time

Keep in mind that the main goal of that first year as a new truck driver is seat time.

It won’t be easy seat time, especially for those people who have been hired by a big carrier for a company-sponsored CDL training program. Enduring such a program can be a challenge in itself.

The Trainer

Chances are that you’re being trained and driving around with a driver trainer.

Some driver trainers are good, and some are not so good. There’s another adjustment you’ll need to make.

The long and the short.

You’ve got two drivers in one truck, and it’s a pretty small space. You’ll need to learn to spend your workday with this trainer, whether you like him or not.

If you and the driver trainer are on the road for long-haul driving, that will mean sharing the same sleeper bunk.

THAT’S a whole challenge unto itself, which you will have to cope with.

You’ve got another person with you in very tight quarters, and that can create all sorts of problems, so be prepared for this.

Related > What You Need to Know about Driving With a Team Partner

Row of White Fleet Big Rig Trucks

3. Paid CDL Training Program Wages Can Be Lousy

To add insult to injury, chances are that the time you spend on the road with your driver trainer, won’t pay particularly well.

New truck driver training pay can be lousy. So be prepared to take somewhat of a financial hit. Most carriers pay poor wages for the training period.

However, driver pay doesn’t improve very much, even when you hit the road on your own in that first year or so.

You should be prepared for this. It’s not fair, but it’s reality.

You’re not going to make great money the first couple of years as a trucker. 

It’s the price of getting the experience and sharpening your driving skills. It’s a sacrifice I suggest you take in stride if you want a truck driving career.

You may get long trips, which usually pay better as there are more miles.

However, you won’t be able to travel as efficiently as a more experienced driver, as you’re still learning.

Consider it part of the learning process.

On the other hand, if you’re running short-haul, sometimes you won’t get the miles you need from all the waiting time, border crossing, and delays. That translates to low pay.

More on Paid CDL Training programs.

Wallet with a c clamp

Be Prepared For ‘Thin Living’

There are sacrifices you’ll need to make if you plan to stay in the trucking industry.

It can be ‘thin living’ at times. Don’t expect to get rich for a little while. In fact, you may never get rich from a truck driving career.

But, personally, for me, it was worth it.

As a new truck driver, I invested my time to get the experience I needed. As a result, I was hired by the trucking company of my choice. I truly loved the job, too.

Eventually, I did end up getting paid a very hefty driving wage.

Don’t be surprised to see experienced drivers getting dispatched with better loads… the better loads pay better.

Fact: Junior drivers tend to crappiest work.

Dispatchers know the work is crappy. They don’t care, for the most part, how crappy it is. They have a job to do, and that is to move freight.

So be prepared financially.

It can be very expensive to live on the road. But, it’s part of the program. Budget and make adjustments to your spending. It’s necessary if you want to have a successful, profitable truck driving career.

Related > What You Need to Know About Paid CDL Training

4. Minimize Accidents

One of your most important goals is to minimize the chances of having an accident. 

Accidents are very common in that first year as a professional truck driver.

In that first year, there’s the challenge of getting accustomed to the truck.

Do your very best to avoid accidents. They will show up on your driving record (DAC report, in the US, CVOR in Canada).

Many incidents are preventable and unnecessary.

They are also embarrassing.

Not only can they hurt your pride and shake your self-confidence, they can be expensive.

The really stupid and expensive incidents could end up costing you your driving job. And no one wants that.

Related > 7 Sure Fire Ways to Avoid Accidents

Truck Roll Over Accident

5. Adjust To Being Away From Home

Nowadays, it’s a fact of life for new professional drivers, to be on the road for several weeks or more at a time.

Be prepared for that. It’s not as easy as you may think.

If you are married or in a relationship, that’s a factor you must be prepared to deal with as well.

Your family needs to know what to expect as well and be prepared. It’s simply part of the lifestyle of a trucker.

Being alone for long periods of time can be tough emotionally for some people.

Loneliness, depression, and anxiety are not uncommon issues truck drivers face.

A trucking career can take its toll on both the physical and mental health of a trucker.

Related > What You Need to Know about Depression in Truckers

6. Keep Focused on Your Goals

I’m not going to lie to you.

That first year as a new truck driver can be rough.

But, it’s important not to get discouraged and overwhelmed.  The ultimate goal is to accumulate seat time and rack up driving experience.

It’s part of the learning process when chasing after a truck driving career. 

The more experience you have, the more impressive it will look on your resume, should you decide to change driving jobs. Trucking companies want drivers with experience.

  • Always do a good job and keep yourself safe while doing it.
  • Aim to do your best and avoid damage to the vehicle and property.
  • Practice makes perfect, they say, but as a truck driver, let me tell you, it’s NEVER perfect. But, with practice and experience under your belt, your skills and abilities, just get better and better.

Related > CDL Truck Driver Skills – Tips, Tricks + Knowledge to Kick Your CDL Skills Up a Notch!

Truck Driver Leaning on his Truck

7. It All Boils Down To ‘Survival of the Fittest’ – Hang in There

Perhaps trucking companies want to see if you can survive the tough stuff.

If you can survive the toughest stuff they throw your way, chances are you’re able to survive anything that comes your way.

Think about it.

The trucking company REALLY doesn’t know you at all.

If they’ve got an ugly load, they’ve got to get rid. Chances are, they’ll assign the load to the new truck driver on the board rather than give it to someone that they consider a friend, co-worker, or a valuable experienced driver.

Yes, you’ll get some ugly work. But, don’t worry, that will improve with time. Keep in mind the end goal.

Yes, it will be tough at times. But, you will accumulate the driving experience and the seat time.

THAT’S the long-term plan to reach your goal.

Yes, it will get easier and better as time goes on.

Check out our Master Guide of Trucker Tips — By the Million Miler Truckers!

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