Trucker Tips Master Guide: Expert Advice from experienced truck drivers in California

The truck drivers in California who have been in the industry for the past several years, possess key expertise and skills which can be consulted by beginner truckers before they step foot in the national logistics industry.

The important things to be glanced upon before stepping in the logistics industry are:

• Optimal Planning and Procurement of budgetary decisions
• Basic Health and Fitness
• Key skills for safe and professional operation of commercial vehicles
• Driving under extreme weather conditions
• Alert behind the wheel driving in heavy traffic conditions

In this blog we have extensively covered insights of experienced truck drivers in California who have spent years of service in the transportation industry.

PAID CDL TRAINING IN CALIFORNIA:

The first step for beginning a lucrative career in the national transportation industry is to begin with the attainment of the Commercial Drivers License (CDL) in California.

There are several available options for choosing between private CDL schools in California and company sponsored CDL training schools in California for getting a driver's license.

Tips For Beginner Truck Drivers in California:

The first year of truck driving is filled with many challenges. It's notably important that the beginner truck driver is mentally, physically and financially prepared to lead the way in this prospective career.

• Be particular about company you are looking to work for: The obstacles of the first year of commercial driving can be elated if the driver is working for a reputed carrier company. The prominent trucking companies equip their drivers with latest equipment and regular freight. Such companies treat their drivers with respect and work with enthusiasm and professionalism.
• Be specific about the services: - The driver must entitle themselves with the basic expectations like
  - Decent Salary
  - Lifestyle
  - Spending Time with family
  - Working in a congenial atmosphere with respectability and professionalism.
• Consistency: There are many drivers who don't work with a single company for a longer duration of time. It is a very arduous task for the trucking companies to hire new drivers. The drivers must carefully select the parent company and stick with them their whole careers unless the working conditions become unsuitable.

Truck Driver Safety Tips

In the trucking industry safety is the priority factor which is carefully addressed before beginning any task.

Following safety tips can extensively help in your trucking career:

• Seat Belts: The drivers should always strap their seat belts before beginning their job. The seat belts can effectively save the drivers life, in case of any incident.
• Sufficient Rest: All the trucking safety tips are useless, if the driver has not taken enough rest before beginning their work. The driver should be relaxed enough and they should have plenty of sleep before commencing their day. The drivers should D.O.T hours of services in their benefits.
• Alertness:

  The drivers should be very aware and awakened about their surroundings while operating the commercial vehicles especially in remote areas.

  Basic alertness includes: - Always staying present on the road
  - Looking well ahead and maintaining proper distance with other vehicles in traffic
  - Frequent use of side mirrors.
  - Awareness in the corners of blind spots
  - Pre-planned escape route in case of contingency situation

• Responsible Driving:

  Safe driving should be on the priority list for any beginner commercial driver.

  The tips for responsible driving are: Obedience with the set speed limits of the specific area
  Speed adjustment according to the weather and road conditions
  Curbing random lane changes
  Avoiding erratic braking especially in busy traffic.
  Following enough spacing procedures with the vehicles in the front and back
  Frequent checking in the side mirrors
  Awareness about the surroundings
  Complete adherence with the hours of service regulations

• Slow Driving:

  This factor is often overlooked by the drivers but this can significantly save drivers from unnecessary headaches and troubles.

  Peak benefits of Safe Driving: Eliminates the scope of ticket for excessive speeding
  Lesser levels of stress
  Enhanced Fuel efficiency and performance of the vehicle
  Reduces wear and tear of the equipment

• Mapping Out unfamiliar areas:

  Driving commercial vehicles within the speed limits can significantly reduce likelihood of any accidents or collisions.

  Turning trucks in the unfamiliar areas and narrow streets
  - Entering the loading or unloading facility from wrong areas.
  - Taking sharp turns at wide corners.

Winter Weather driving Tips for Truck Drivers:

• Avoiding Icy and Snowy Lanes: Driving semi-trucks in winter weather can be really challenging. In this case it is always to rely solely on the experience and gut instincts. If you are someone who is not comfortable operating trucks in snowy weather, you must avoid the lane at all costs. The driver must consult with their dispatcher before stepping with the load on such a lane.
• Ensuring Credibility:

  The drivers should conduct their regular pre and post trip inspections. Other mechanical components like hub seals, lug nuts and frame rails should be carefully glanced upon before beginning any trip.

  Other important things that must be looked upon are: - Heater and Defroster are working optimally
  - Inspection of wiper blades and windshield wiper fluids
  - Draining of moisture from air tanks
  - Regular cleaning of windows, mirrors and lights.
  - Removal of snow from air lines, cab steps and handrails

• Distancing from the crowd: The convoys appear better in the virtual world but it is very risky when operating commercial vehicles in close proximity with other vehicles. The drivers must ensure that they follow safe driving practices at all costs.
• Ensure The Tires of Trailers are turning fully: On the rough surfaces, it becomes an ardent situation if the tires of trailers stop functioning well. It is especially true with empty trailers. The tires sometimes size up due to frozen valves, clogged air lines or if the brake drums and shoes are not iced together. To efficiently fix this issue we need a de-icing agent for the airlines to release the trailer brakes all together.
• Always carry chains: It is always recommended that the truckers should always carry chains and dunnage with them. The drivers must be aware as to how they can chain their tires properly especially when driving the commercial vehicles in areas of heavy snowfalls.

Health Tips for Truckers:

The truck drivers must be aware about health and fitness. The trucking industry requires their professionals to be somatically fit so that they can perform at their highest capacity. The following tips can significantly support you in maintaining health and fitness. -Clean Eating
-Staying Hydrated
-Limit Caffeine
-Regular Exercise
-Quitting Smoking

Tips For Staying Awake Behind the wheel:

- Never rely heavily on caffeine and energy drinks
- Consume lighter meals
- Take a short nap before setting on the wheels
- Periodic walks for 10-15 minutes
- Listening to engaging audiobooks and podcasts.

Additional Trucker tips:

- Planning of trips with the GPS
- Avoiding texting and driving
- Using Bluetooth signal device
- Eradicating truck stops of dim lit areas to avoid criminal instances
- Avoiding hitchhikers
- Carrying blankets, water bottles and food beforehand.

Frequently Asked Questions: