The trucking industry is massive, with over 3.5 million truck drivers in the US alone. Competition is fierce, and job security is often tenuous. However, there are a few tips and tricks you can implement to make yourself indispensable to your company and ensure stable long-term employment.
We’re going to show you how to maximize your skills, strengthen your relationships, leverage your experience, and position yourself as the go-to driver that your company can’t live without.
What Makes a Truck Driver Indispensable?
Reliability. Safe driving record. Flexibility.
Show up on time, every time. Be ready to roll when scheduled and avoid unnecessary delays. Develop a reputation for dependability. Also, prioritize safety. Obey all traffic laws and company policy. Maintain a spotless driving record. No accidents, tickets, or violations. Your skills and caution make you an asset.
Additionally, be willing to take on additional loads or longer routes when needed. The more versatile and accommodating you are, the more valuable you become. If you cultivate these attributes, you’ll rise to the top of the list for the best loads and routes.
Tips for Marketing Yourself as a Valuable Driver
To prove your worth as a driver, you need to market yourself. With safe driving, experience, great service, and dedication, you’ll make yourself an indispensable truck driver that every company wants on their team. Below are more tips:
Choose the Right School
Before enrolling in a truck driving school, research your options thoroughly. Compare programs based on cost, course offerings, job placement rates, and credibility. Look for schools with high industry standards, and a track record for setting their students for success.
Talk to recent graduates about their experience. See what they liked and wished was different about the program. Their insight can help determine if the school will prepare you well for a career as an indispensable truck driver.
Maintain a Spotless Driving Record
You must also keep a clean driving record. This means:
- Obeying all traffic laws and speed limits. Going too fast or running red lights will rack up violations that hurt your record.
- Driving safely and defensively. Watch out for other vehicles and pedestals, obey signs and signals, and avoid aggressive or distracted driving.
- Reporting any accidents immediately to the police and your trucking company. Even if it’s a minor fender bender, failing to report it will damage your integrity and record.
- Completing required safety courses. Many trucking companies require additional training to maintain a spotless record. Take any assigned courses seriously.
Keeping a flawless driving record proves you can be trusted behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound vehicle. It shows your reliability, responsibility, and safe driving skills to your trucking company and customers.
Stay Up-to-Date on Regulations & Technology
As a truck driver, it’s crucial you stay on top of the latest regulations and advancements to do your job safely and efficiently. Things are always changing in the trucking industry, so make it a habit to read industry publications and follow reputable trucking news sources. New laws and technology are constantly being introduced that will affect how you operate.
Also, take regular training courses. Many are offered online or through trucking organizations. Stay up-to-date with the latest safety standards, equipment, and best practices. Connecting with colleagues is also one of the best ways to get insights into what’s really happening on the roads and pick up useful tips.
Check with your company about any policy or procedural changes as well. Make sure you understand how new regulations or systems will impact your daily responsibilities. Staying on the cutting edge of your field will ensure you continue to be an asset as a truck driver.
Communicate
Stay in regular contact with dispatch and report any delays, issues, or concerns right away. Let them know if you’ll be late for a pickup or delivery so they can notify the customer and adjust schedules if needed.
Provide updates on your location and ETA’s during long hauls. Check-in when stopping for breaks or overnight stays. Keeping the lines of communication open at all times will make you an asset to your company and its clients.
Be Reliable
Being reliable and dependable is also essential. Show up on time for your routes and deliveries. If there are any delays due to traffic, weather, or other issues out of your control, communicate proactively with dispatch and customers. Try your best to avoid calling out sick or taking unplanned time off whenever possible. Make safety and punctuality your top priorities each and every day.
Continuously Improve Your Driving Skills
Take additional courses on defensive driving, cargo securing, and hazardous materials handling. Stay up-to-date with the latest truck technology and safety features. Practice difficult maneuvers like backing up trailers, navigating tight spaces, and driving on steep grades. The more you practice, the more adept and confident you’ll become.
Have Some Mechanical Knowledge
As a truck driver, having some basic mechanical knowledge will make you indispensable. Know how to perform routine maintenance like checking oil and coolant levels, inspecting tires for wear and damage, and ensuring brake pads are in working order.
Being able to spot small issues early on and address them quickly will keep your truck running smoothly and avoid costly repairs down the line. Your company will appreciate a driver who takes good care of their vehicle.
Present a Professional Image
Your appearance also matters. Dress in clean, pressed clothing—avoid wrinkled or stained shirts and pants. Make sure your hair is neatly combed and any facial hair is trimmed. You never know when you might interact with customers, so always aim to present a professional image. Looking put together also inspires confidence in your abilities.
Adapt to Change
The trucking industry is constantly changing. New vehicle technology, updated laws and regulations, and shifts in shipping needs mean you have to stay on your toes.
To become valuable, adapt rapidly to changes. Stay up-to-date with the latest truck models so you can operate any vehicle. Refresh your knowledge of road laws and safety practices annually. Pay attention to trends in shipping and routes so you know where the jobs are. The more versatile and flexible you are, the more valuable you’ll be to employers.
Be Able To Manage Your Time
With this job, your time is not always your own. You need to efficiently manage the hours you do have available in order to maximize your productivity and income.
Plan your route ahead of time. Know where you need to pick up and drop off loads so you can estimate drive times and schedule breaks. This helps ensure you meet delivery deadlines and also prevents wasting time figuring out directions on the fly.
Being able to manage your time well is indispensable as a truck driver. Careful planning and consistency will allow you to make the most of the hours you do have available while still meeting the demands of the job. Maximizing your productivity will lead to more loads, more miles, and more money in your pocket.
Be Open to Learning
As mentioned, the industry is constantly changing with new regulations, technologies, and best practices emerging all the time. To make yourself indispensable, adopt a growth mindset. Take every opportunity to build your knowledge and skills.
Being curious and willing to continuously improve will ensure you remain at the top of your game as a truck driver. An openness to learning is what separates good drivers from truly great ones.
Conclusion
So there you have it, some easy ways to become indispensable as a truck driver. The keys are simple: develop expertise, build relationships, go above and beyond, and keep learning. Focus on being the driver that dispatchers and customers know they can count on in any situation. If you follow these tips, you’ll find more job security, better pay, and increased opportunities over the long run.
Marina was in corporate communications for over 15 years before becoming a freelance writer for TruckersTraining.com. She's been writing about transportation, and the supply chain and trucking industry for over five years. Her father was in the trucking and logging business which exposed her to the industry. Her passions include travel, nature and entrepreneurship.
