How to Choose the Best Trucking Company

How to Choose the Best Trucking Company

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You’ve got your license, passed the exams, and are ready to conquer the trucking world. Now you face a stressful task of finding the best trucking company to work for. Once you ask Google about various options, you get plenty of negative responses for any company you consider. How is it possible to tell a good company apart from an unworthy one? Here are few tips to make your search easier.

  1. What Freight?

All trucking companies work pretty much the same way. They try to deliver their freight as fast as possible by spending the least amount of money in the process. Before choosing the right company for your needs, determine which freight you’d like to work with. More often than not, your pay depends on the freight you haul. Tankers can help you earn more money, while dry vans are the cheapest.

  1. What Time?

How much time are you willing to spend on the road without coming home? Do you want to sleep in your bed every night or is once a week good enough for you? Once you determine this, your choice of the trucking companies will be easily narrowed down.

  1. What Size?

Many people believe that working for a large company is the best way out. However, there are pros and cons to working in big, medium, and small companies.

 

  • Big companies

The main advantage of working in a big company is ongoing work. You’ll doubtfully be waiting for freight at any location. The work is always available. Some big companies offer CDL training or other benefits that smaller companies can’t provide. However, the wages they pay are often not too high. At the same time, you are just “one of the many” so there is no consideration for some of your needs

 

  • Medium companies

Medium-sized carriers often offer higher wages than bigger companies do. They also have better relations between the workers. The director or owner is easier to access and speak to if you have any issues. Meanwhile, medium-sized carriers are not always ready to offer you the type of job you are looking for.

 

  • Small companies

The rate in the small companies varies, but it’s often higher than in the bigger companies. Each driver in the small company is highly valued and the owners are ready to offer some benefits in order to keep you working. However, a small company doesn’t have too many drivers. Accordingly, if you need a break or a day off, you might not get it since there is no one to replace you.

 

  1. What Kind?

 

What kind of a truck do you prefer to drive? A brand new and shiny vehicle or an old piece of bolt bucket that needs constant maintenance? If this issue is important to you, make sure you check out the equipment before choosing a certain company.

Whatever company you end up choosing, you might make a mistake. This is not a big problem. There are plenty of companies out there so eventually you’ll find the best one for yourself.

 

 

 

choosing best truck parking spot

How to Choose the Best Truck Parking Spot

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Choosing the best Truck Parking Spot is tricky and requires a bit more patience. Whether you are an experienced trucker or a newbie, you are always in need of good tips to make your time on the road as enjoyable and hassle-free as possible. If your company is using trucking software to plan your trips, you’ll probably be spending less time on the road than the coworkers whose bosses are trying to save money on the newest technologies.

While the company owners are looking for ways to maximize their profits, it’s up to you to take care of yourself while you are behind the wheel. What can be complicated about choosing a parking spot, you’ll ask. Absolutely nothing if you find a nicely equipped rest stop. Unfortunately, not every road or even every state is ready to provide good parking solutions for a trucker. The trucking software can help your owners plan your stops, but it’s up to you to make them comfortable and safe.

  1. Before choosing the rest stop to park, make sure you think of a list of things to do while you are there. Do some quick planning beforehand. Try to take care of such things as fuel, restroom visits, and eating at one stop. Otherwise, you’ll be losing time looking for another rest area.
  2. Take advantage of all the services at the rest area. Most of the time even the most experienced truckers don’t know how many things they can use at a rest stop.
  3. Use a rest area instead of a truck stop. Rest areas allow you to pull through to a parking spot so you don’t have to back up. More accidents involving trucks happen at the truck stops than at the rest areas.
  4. When you have a choice, never park at the end of a row. End of a row is a high traffic area. At the same time, many tired drivers choose the end of the row. By avoiding it, you’ll keep your truck safe.
  5. Try to park so you don’t have to back out. Obviously, you’ll have to back out many times throughout your careers, but each time puts you into a certain danger. Try to minimize this danger whenever you can. Choose a “pull through” or a “back into” option when parking.
  6. When choosing a parking spot, make sure you don’t park across from the trucks that will need to back out. By not parking this way, you are taking your truck away from the “line of fire”.
  7. If you don’t have a choice of a spot and need to park next to an oddly parked truck. Make sure to write down its name and the DOT number.
  8. Try to find the spot with a lot of space around you. Such spaces are usually available in the back of the parking lot. Think about the safety of your vehicle rather than the extra 3 minutes it will take you to walk to the café.

If your company is advanced enough to use trucking software, ask for help when planning your stops. The more convenient the truck stops and rest areas are, the more chances you and your vehicle will be safe.

 

Trucking Jobs-6 Different Types of Trucking Jobs

6 Different Types of Trucking Jobs

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Most people believe that a truck driver is simply a guy (or a gal) sitting behind a wheel of a large vehicle and driving hundreds of miles a day. Essentially, this is true. However, not all trucking jobs are created equal. They vary in intensity and pay as well as benefits. Whether you are just starting out on your way to becoming a trucker or getting ready to change professions, you might want to get a better idea of the various types of trucking jobs.

  1. Long-Haul Trucker

These truckers work with heavy trucks carrying various loads. They usually drive for long periods of time, be it within the state or interstate. The work schedule of long-haul truckers can vary greatly. Some come back home the same night, others travel for days or weeks at a time. Long-haul drivers often work in teams in order to avoid layovers.

  1. Pick up and Delivery Trucker

These truckers work with all types of trucks from heavy to light. They usually have regular routes for pickup and delivery of various goods. They make several stops a day and have more interactions with the clients/customers than the long-haul drivers have. Such truck drivers can earn more money if they also have sales skills.

  1. Specialized Truck Drivers

These truckers transport unusual loads, including oversized or sensitive materials. They work both within the states and between them. Such drivers often need extra training to learn how to operate the equipment that handles the specialized loads. Depending on the type of the load, various permits might be required.

  1. Hazardous Load Truck Drivers

These drivers require training to learn how to handle hazardous loads. They need to know the characteristics of the materials they are carrying and how to handle them safely, as well as how to act in an emergency. Hazardous load truck drivers must pass an extra test when applying for CDL.

One of the highest paid hazardous load truck drivers are tanker drivers. They have to deal with liquefied or gaseous loads. The high wages come from the danger such truckers face if the load is not handled properly. The containers these drivers carry can be either pressurized or non-pressurized. Such containers make the driving harder. Meanwhile, tank truck drivers risk their lives.

  1. Refrigerated Truck Drivers

These truck drivers deal with refrigerated containers. They haul them to different destinations, both within the state and out of it. Temperature sensitive loads need special attention since they can spoil if carried too slowly. That’s why such truck drivers are obliged to keep to the time limits.

  1. Flat Bed Truck Drivers

These drivers operate flatbed trucks that are usually used to load construction materials, such as pipes, wood, timber, and more. Improperly fastened cargo is one of the main reasons for accidents caused by the truckers.

Before choosing a trucking job, make sure you have the proper permits and ask yourself whether you are ready to execute dangerous tasks.

 

How to Start a Trucking Business with trucking management software

How to Start Trucking Business

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The global marketplace is expanding and the need for the product transportation is growing faster than light. Trucking business is on the rise and opening your own trucking company can be a profitable endeavor. You have the dream, the goal, the funding… what’s next? It may be the time to Start Trucking Business with trucking management software.

  1. Decide Which Trucking Business You Need

You can choose from two commonly used trucking company operating standards.

  • Company that uses sub-contracted drivers

This is a cost-cutting option, which has you using drivers who are employed by another company. You own the business and deal with the contracts while your drivers are managed by someone else. While such business requires significantly less spending, it brings lower profits. However, you can still find profit maximizing solutions by working with trucking management software.

  • Company that uses privately hired drivers

This is a more common type of trucking business that requires substantial initial funding. You hire your own drivers, deal with contracts, buy equipment, cover insurance costs, etc. You exercise full control over your business and the drivers.  Accordingly, you get higher profits. Such business owners benefit from trucking management software to cut operating costs and get fuller control of their company.

  1. Draft a Business Plan

Just as any other startup, a trucking company needs a good business plan. Outline the information about your goals, timelines, and strategies. Determine which accounts you will be servicing. Mention your profit-generating plans and approximate deadlines. Underline your goals, values, and wishes.  Include purchasing trucking management software in your plan since it will help you reduce the costs and improve the output.

  1. Get a commercial driver’s license (CDL)

Even if you are not planning to drive a truck yourself, you need to make sure that all your private truck drivers have valid commercial driver’s licenses.

  1. Obtain the Necessary Documents

 

  • Federal DOT number and Motor Carrier Authority Number
  • IRS tax form 2290
  • International registration plan
  • International fuel tax agreement
  • BOC-3 filing

 

  1. Get Insurance

Since trucking business carries certain hazards, the insurance requirements for it are rather strict. You need to closely study your insurance requirements and purchase the policies. It’s better to consult with your local expert. Make sure all you truck drivers have health insurance as well.

 

  1. Buy the Equipment

If you decide to hire drivers on your own, you need to acquire the vehicles. Depending on your initial funds, you can evaluate how many trucks you can afford. Remember, that most of the trucking businesses start small. You can expand your fleet as your company grows.

Before choosing the right vehicles for your company, consider the type of cargo you are planning to carry. You might need additional equipment for various types of cargo. You can also consider leasing the trucks instead of buying them. Consider using trucking management software to help you service your fleet on a regular basis.

 

  1. Find Customers

Building a client base is hard work, so start as soon as possible. Make a list of potential clients and pick up the phone.  Be ready to start with small local contracts.

Make sure to take full advantage of your business by using trucking management software. In the modern world of technologies, having an online assistant is vital to keeping up with the workload.

Women in Trucking

Women in the Trucking Industry

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When we talk about truckers, we tend to imagine a 200-pound guy with a crew cut sitting behind a wheel of a huge vehicle with his large elbow sticking out the window. This stereotype is a thing of the past. Ever since the trucking business started experiencing a rise in popularity, more and more women are thinking of getting on to the bandwagon.

Being a Trucker is a career, which is becoming attractive to women in North America. The work hours, the benefits, and the freedom that trucking offers women of all ages is truly impressive. If 50 years ago a woman driver might have had serious trouble surviving in the male-dominated world of trucking, the 21st century is slashing the stereotypes thanks to the shortage of the truck drivers on the roads.

Women in trucking can take advantage of larger salaries. While in the female-dominated professions, males can count on more benefits, the same works when the tables are turned. In order to attract female truckers, many companies are raising pay and offering additional perks just to get them working. Women can count on tuition reimbursement programs just as men do.

Many fleet operators are happy to hire women since they have a lower accident rate. Surprisingly or not, women do not get into accidents as often as men do. Moreover, when it does happen, the damage is usually much smaller. Now, only about 5 % of all truckers are women, but more and more fleet owners realize the advantages of hiring a female truck driver. Some companies have more than 10 % of women truckers working for them.

Becoming a truck driver is a great opportunity to travel. Getting on the road is usually a big advantage for women who used to be homemakers. While a truck driver is a great career for a young woman, it’s also a solid choice for housewives, whose children are old enough to take care of themselves. More often than not, such women are looking for ways to earn money without spending years on education.

At the same time, there are some disadvantages to becoming a truck driver for a woman, and the main one is safety. Even though men face the same safety problems as women do, they often have an easier time dealing with it. Knowing how to protect her is a skill a woman can master just as well as a man can.

Another disadvantage of the life on the road is, well, life on the road. Women are usually tied to a home and family and have a harder time being away for weeks at a time. That’s one of the major reasons why women don’t take up truck driving. Most of the time, it is either suitable for girls, who are just out of college, or for middle-aged women.

Trucking has plenty of benefits to offer female drivers. That is why we should expect to see more of them behind the wheel in the near future.

 

Self Defense for Truckers on the Road

Self Defense for Truckers on the Road

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While it might seem that you are safe when locked in your vehicle, truckers often face security threats that make them consider self-defense. Defending yourself when you are a trucker is tricky. Each state has its own set of laws about weapons. One state might allow you to carry a firearm while another will frown upon a Taser. Some truckers go through over 40 states in one month and keeping all the requirements in mind is not just frustrating but often impossible. What can a truck driver do to keep himself safe without breaking the law?

  1. Carry a Stun Gun

Stun guns and Tasers are probably as close as you can get to carrying a firearm without actually holding a deadly weapon. Most of the states have loyal laws regarding the stun guns. If a Taser or a stun gun are your choices for self –defense, be careful when entering the following states:

  • Connecticut – Legal, but only at home
  • Hawaii – Illegal
  • Massachusetts – Illegal
  • New Jersey – Illegal
  • New York – Illegal
  • Rhode Island – Illegal
  • District of Columbia – Illegal

 

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Compact

Cons:

  • Costly
  • Illegal in some states

 

 

  1. Buy a Baseball Bat

Striking weapons are another good option for a trucker’s self-defense. However, carrying a baseball bat in the driver’s cabin might be suspicious. Truckers are subjects to various searches and finding a baseball bat lying around can cause certain problems.

In order to minimize the suspicion factor, you might want to carry the bat together with a glove. The main disadvantage of a bat as a striking weapon is its size. You might not have enough room to maneuver a bat when you need to defend yourself and, just like any other weapon, it can be turned against you by an attacker. You can consider other “harmless” things to become your defense weapons, such as brooms.

Pros:

  • Legal
  • Moderately-priced

Cons:

  • Bulky
  • Might be suspicious

 

  1. Get a Pepper Spray

This compact and effective self-defense weapon can be very useful for truckers. Manufacturers claim that the pepper spray is legal in all the states. However, there are some restrictions as to the strength of it. By doing some research and studying the restrictions closely, you can buy a great weapon that won’t cause any suspicion while being surprisingly effective. Pepper sprays are often disguised as pencils, pens or other things that allow you to wield them unexpectedly. This weapon can be used up to 20 feet away from the attacker.

Pros:

  • Legal
  • Versatile
  • Affordable

Cons:

  • Affected by the wind
  • Some risk of explosion

 

  1. Master hand-to-hand Self Defense

This is one of the most useful ways to protect yourself since you don’t need any extra weapons to deal with an attacker. At the same time, this method can’t be used against you. However, it requires you to take classes and get yourself into a good shape. Can there be a better reason to start exercising?

Pros:

  • Always with you
  • Completely legal
  • No extra expenses

Cons:

  • Time consuming
what is takes to be a truck driver

Do You Have What It Takes To Become a Truck Driver?

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Not many little kids dream of becoming a truck driver when they are having fun on the local playground. However, with time, the priorities change, and they find themselves searching for a career that doesn’t involve saving lives or jumping with a parachute.

A truck driver is a solid job with certain benefits that are attractive to many people. However, as it is with many other jobs, there are specific skills you need to master in order to become a high-paying trucker.

So, whether you are thinking about a career change or already found yourself behind a wheel, you must be wondering if you have what it takes to become a good truck driver.

Education

While you don’t need to get a Ph.D. to become a truck driver, most of the companies will check if you have a high school diploma or good GED scores.

Health

Truck driver is a job with many hazards. You need to be healthy enough to handle them. While high blood pressure or a smoking habit won’t keep you from getting a job, you must be healthy enough to pass a DOT physical.

Clean Driving Record

Don’t hope to get a high-paying trucker job if you have a poor driving record. This doesn’t include a couple of parking tickets you got 10 years ago, but a reckless driving charge can put an end to your career before it even starts.

Stamina

Long and boring driving hours can take a toll on your nervous system. If you don’t know how to entertain yourself and alleviate stress, this job might not be for you. Truck drivers face hazardous road situations every day. They require stamina to literally keep their sanity.

Desire to Learn

Driving a truck is not just about turning the wheel and listening to your favorite audio books all day long. There are many things you must learn before getting into the vehicle. Before becoming a truck driver, you need to pass Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation Exam.

Experience

If your driving experience ends with driving from your home over to the friend’s house, you’ll have a hard time becoming a good truck driver. Ask yourself, do you know enough about driving to conquer interstate highways? Perhaps you need to get some driving experience first.

Independence

A truck driver is a job that gives you independence and a certain amount of freedom. You won’t have someone looking over your shoulder and correcting your mistakes. Most of the time you’ll be on your own, making your own decisions. Accordingly, you should master a good work ethic.

Alcohol –free life

Truck drivers must pass random alcohol and drug tests. That’s why you’ll have to forget about wild alcohol parties. In fact, CDL holders have lower alcohol limits than regular drivers. If you fail a drug test, you can say goodbye to the truck driver’s career.

Family Issues

Many truck drivers spend more than half of their lives on the road. Before becoming a truck driver, consider whether your family is ready to deal with not seeing you for weeks at a time.

trucking dispatch software

Trucking Dispatch Software – The Best of Both Worlds

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Paper, envelopes, pens, and pencils are a thing of the past. You will hardly meet a trucking company owner, who is ordering stationary for his tracking, accounting, load planning, and route optimization. The trucking dispatch software is conquering the world of trucking, and if you haven’t gotten on the bandwagon yet, you are in trouble.

You’ll have a tough time finding a business out there that doesn’t use some kind of software to maximize its profits. Most of the time such software comes with a team of developers, production support, maintenance charges, and more. However, most of the business owners are ready to put up with the numerous fees in order to make their lives worry-free and the work more convenient.

Thankfully, when it comes to the trucking dispatch software, much simpler programs can help you organize your business. The web-based software gives you full-time access to the information about your company from any place on planet Earth, where you can find an Internet connection. So, if you are still unsure whether you need such a software, let us look at the obvious benefits and a few not so obvious ones.

Mobile Access

Most of the trucking dispatch software is adapted to mobile platforms. You can organize your business from your smartphone or tablet, whether you are sitting in an office, going on a skiing trip, or dancing at a nightclub.

Timely Maintenance

When looking for the trucking dispatch software for your needs, make sure it comes with timely maintenance. If you make the right choice, all the software testing, maintenance, upgrading, and bug fixing will be done on a regular basis without you even knowing about it.

Route optimization

High-quality trucking dispatch software offers the real-time route optimization options. Your trucks will not be losing money on closed roads or in traffic. Planning a route can also help you calculate miles and approximate the fuel costs.

Fleet Tracking

Trucking dispatch software is one of the best tools for your fleet tracking. It will save you a significant amount of time on trying to keep your trucks and truck drivers in check.

Truck Maintenance

Most of the truckers’ job-related injuries happen due to improper and untimely truck maintenance. The trucking dispatch software keeps track of the regular vehicle checks and schedules periodic maintenance.

Logistics

Having high-quality trucking dispatch software at hand allows the trucking company maximize the services they offer and the profits they get. It offers solutions for complex scheduling of regular deliveries and allows you to optimize the use of your fleet.  Eventually, a trucking business owner can reduce the time the trucks spend on the road, the amount of fuel used, and the maintenance frequency.

Living in the digital world without taking advantage of the software specifically designed to boost the profits of your business is like using a coal stove to heat up a high-tech apartment in New York. Keeping up with the times is the key to allowing your business evolve.

Pass your DOT Physical

How to Pass DOT Physical?

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Five Tips to Help You Pass a DOT Physical with Flying Colors
If you are a truck driver you need to pass DOT Physical, you must have good health in order to avoid problems on the road. Since good health is vital to your safety, you need to prove it once in two years. Let’s face it, in the modern days, not many people have excellent health. Truck drivers often face such problems as obesity and high blood pressure.

All these conditions can be kept in check by medication and shouldn’t be an obstacle to passing the DOT physical. However, many truckers fail it due to silly mistakes. Don’t become one of them and prepare for the checkup like you would for one of the most important exams of your life. Here are some tips to help you on your way.

  1. Evaluate Your Condition

If you feel healthy and nothing bothers you, you will probably pass the physical without any problems. However, you might not be aware of some hidden conditions, such as high blood pressure or not-so-perfect vision. Two weeks before the physical, check your blood pressure and your vision to know what you are up against. Your best bet is to make an appointment with your physician to find out which problems you need to deal with. Otherwise, you might be unpleasantly surprised with the results of your DOT physical.

  1. Take a Healthy Approach

Even if you’ve been slacking when it comes to your health for the past two years, it’s time to pay close attention to what you are eating and drinking. One or even two weeks before the physical cut down on unhealthy food, caffeine, sugar, and, of course, alcohol. It wouldn’t hurt to factor some exercises into your routine as well. Give your body a chance to show the best results at the checkup.

  1. Don’t Forget the Meds

Truckers with blood pressure and heart problems often forget to take their medication. High blood pressure is a silent enemy and won’t remind you about itself every time it spikes. However, your body suffers anyway and the doctor will see it clearly. That is why at least one week before the physical you need to pull yourself together and start taking your medication on a regular basis.

  1. Act Smart

If you’ve got a cold or the flu, make sure to reschedule your physical. Even if you don’t have anything more serious than a runny nose, a common cold can affect the results of your physical. Each sickness, even the slightest one, impacts your body. You might not notice it yourself but if you have some chronic conditions, they can worsen. Even a harmless stuffy nose can impair your hearing. Make sure you are completely healthy on the day of the physical.

  1. Stay Calm

The fear of white coats can do you a bad service at the DOT physical. If you are unable to relax at the physical, your blood pressure might spike and the vision can blur. If you know you have such a fear, study a few breathing techniques to help you relax and pass the physical with excellence.

 

 

how to choose truck stops

How to Choose the Best Truck Stops

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how to choose truck stops

how to choose truck stops

If you are an experienced truck driver, you know that not all truck stops are created equal. In fact, some of them are outright terrible. When you are planning your route, it makes sense to do some research about the places you are planning to stop at. But even if you need to suddenly park somewhere and get a bite to eat or take a bathroom break, there are a few tips that can help you make the right choice.

  1. Check Out the Fuel prices

The highest cost you’ll incur at a truck stop is the fuel price. That’s why you need to start watching for the prices a long time before you start running out of gas. After passing a few stops, you’ll get a good idea about the average price in the area. Gather information about at least three of them to make a decision.

Plenty of truck stops offer some kinds of cash back program. The next time you stop to refuel, ask if they have loyalty cards that will help you save money in the long run. While $5-$10 might not seem worth the effort, in 5-10 months it can add up to a significant amount.

  1. Look for Truck Stop Chains

Large truck stop chains usually have a significant advantage over individually owned truck stops. Most likely, a chain will offer higher quality fuel which can be a deciding factor for most truckers. Chain stops offer membership cards so you can enjoy discounts and service benefits. Owners of chain truck stops are always ready to spend extra money to attract customers so the truckers get additional bonuses for using their services. Chain stops are usually larger and have wider parking areas.

  1. Ask About The Services

Nowadays, a truck stop is not limited to a gas station, a café, and a parking lot. The modern truck stops are offering a wide range of services such as truck wash, gym, laundry machines, bowling alleys, and even chiropractor services. You are more likely to find a longer list of services at a large chain truck stop. However, smaller individually-owned stops can offer a few interesting benefits, such as medical and dental services, free internet connection, and a big variety of tasty food.

  1. Look at the Parking Lot

A good truck stop has a big parking lot with wide spaces. Unfortunately, such stops might also be more expensive than smaller ones. However, a large parking lot is often the deciding factor for truckers since it can save you plenty of time and nerves. Even if you are a parking guru, a spacious parking lot can be a great advantage and give you peace of mind.

  1. Trust Your Intuition

After all the research is done, allow your intuition to guide you. Sometimes, your inner voice does a better job choosing a place to rest than your brain does. If you feel that you don’t like something about the way a truck stop looks, just go on to find another one. After all, there are thousands to choose from.