As a professional truck driver, you want to be the best at your job. Keeping your truck and yourself in top shape is key. You have an important role in transporting goods across the country. In this article, we’ll give you tips on representing your company well. Read on for our best practices for being the ideal company truck driver.
Have Strong Driving Skills
To be the best company truck driver, you need to demonstrate excellent driving ability. First, know how to properly handle the size and weight of your rig. Practice precision driving and learn how much space you need to stop, turn, and change lanes. Having control over your truck at all times is key. Also, follow all traffic laws and speed limits. Drive defensively and watch out for other vehicles.
Always Be On Time
Being on time is also very important as a truck driver. Your schedule is tight, and any delays can throw off your entire route. Show up to work early so you have time to do a thorough pre-trip inspection of your truck. Plan your route carefully before you leave home. The more prepared you are, the less likely you are to encounter unexpected delays.
Manage Your Time Efficiently
As a truck driver, time management is essential to your success and productivity. When you’re on long hauls, it can be easy to lose track of time or not utilize it as efficiently as possible. Therefore, plan your route ahead of time. Review the details of your delivery and map your route to determine how long the drive should take. Factor in extra time for traffic, stops, and unloading. Sticking to a schedule will help ensure you reach your destination on time.
Be Easy To Work With
To be the best company truck driver, you also need to be easy to work with. Your dispatcher and the people at the loading docks and delivery points you frequent should actually look forward to seeing you pull up. Make their lives easier by being flexible, communicating proactively, and maintaining a professional attitude.
Prioritize Safety at All Levels
Safety should also be a top priority. This means following all regulations and best practices to ensure you arrive at your destination incident-free. You are responsible for your truck, your cargo, and everyone else on the road.
Check your truck thoroughly before each trip. Make sure your lights, brakes, tires, and all safety features are in working order. Never skip routine maintenance or drive with faulty equipment. If there are any issues, report them to your dispatcher immediately.
Be Good at Solving Problems
As a truck driver, you’re bound to run into issues from time to time. Maybe there’s a traffic jam, construction blocking your route, or a problem with your truck. The ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently is key.
- Stay calm under pressure. Panicking will only make the situation worse. Take a few deep breaths and assess the issue rationally.
- Identify the root cause. Figure out exactly what the problem is before trying to fix it. Ask clarifying questions if needed.
- Come up with options. Don’t just go with the first solution you think of. Try to brainstorm two or three good options for resolving the issue. Consider the pros and cons of each one.
- Learn from your mistakes. After the crisis has passed, evaluate how you handled the situation. Look for ways you can improve for next time. Discuss with colleagues or managers if needed.
Solving problems effectively is a skill that takes practice. But as an experienced truck driver, you have likely encountered your fair share of issues already. Staying calm and thinking critically will help you handle whatever comes your way.
Be Proficient in a Common Language
Being proficient in a common language like English or Spanish will make your job easier and help you communicate effectively with everyone in the supply chain. Most large trucking companies in the U.S. and Canada require drivers to speak English fluently since it’s the dominant language for business. However, being bilingual is an advantage, especially if your delivery routes frequently take you into areas where other languages predominate.
Knowing some key phrases in a common second language like Spanish can help you interact with people at shipping and receiving docks, border crossings, and weigh stations. It also allows you to greet others courteously, ask simple questions, and understand basic instructions.
Be Open to Adapt to Different Cultures
As you travel across the country, you’ll encounter folks from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Some may have different communication styles or ways of doing things that you’re used to.
The keys are to be open-minded, respectful, and willing to adapt. Pay attention to cultural norms regarding personal space, eye contact, and gestures. Listen for changes in tone or word choice that might indicate discomfort. Be sensitive in how you phrase questions and requests. Your ability to effectively communicate across cultures will make you an asset to any trucking company.
Conclusion
So there you have it: some tips and strategies to help you be the best company truck driver out there. By focusing on safety, organization, communication, and your health, you’ll not only make your company and customers happy, but you’ll feel good about the work you’re doing each day.
TruckersTraining.com provide information, tools and resources to potential truck drivers in the U.S. We hope that you can use the content on the site to help you decide if want to drive trucks for a living.
