There is no denying that the trucking industry is the backbone of the Indian economy. It provides an essential service for transporting goods and raw materials from one destination to another. This is the reason why many industries, from pharmaceuticals to retail and construction, rely heavily on the services and functionality of truck drivers.
Still, as enticing as the profession maybe, becoming a truck driver is a challenging task that can be accomplished with dedication and hard work. For a truck driver, continuously driving for days with little rest can take a toll on you both mentally and physically. Besides, truck driving is a sought-after profession that provides a steady income along with some level of freedom and flexibility.
If this is something that interests you, we have some trucking driving tips for freshers to kick off their careers well in the trucking industry.
Trucking school tips to master truck driving
Certification is a must if you want to become a truck driver, be it for mini trucks, or heavy or light-duty trucks. For this, you have to enrol in a good truck driving school. The following points will help you in navigating through a school:
- Search your various options, and don’t settle for the first school you learn about. Instead, make sure to research and shortlist schools of your interest.
- Contact local trucking companies and see what certification or training requirements they require. Then, make sure the school you opt for fulfils the needful.
- Call or visit the institutions you have shortlisted and ask them questions about their training programs.
These key pointers will help in selecting the best truck driving school to start your training efficiently.
Job searching tips to start your career
Finding a job is the most challenging part of becoming a truck driver. To improve your chances of landing a dream job, take note of the below-mentioned pointers:
- You can find a trucking school that offers job placement after your training.
- Search for jobs online.
- Explore your network and ask other drivers or other students you trained with if they have any leads.
- If you opt to be self-employed, make sure you know the basics of accounting and business. Otherwise, you become vulnerable in case of an economic downturn.
The aforementioned points are vital to follow for getting yourself a reliable job to start your career.
Safety tips for secure travel
After getting a job, your next goal should be to remain as safe as you can. The following tips will help you practice road safety while driving a truck:
- Pre-inspection is necessary before hitting the road. Check the brakes, windshield wipers, oil levels, mirrors, horn, and fuel level, and ensure the cargo is safe.
- Always follow the basics. Wear a seatbelt, and don’t use your phone while you drive.
- Follow all traffic rules. Keep a safe distance from other vehicles on the road, and remember that light-duty trucks take longer to stop.
- Try to avoid and steer clear of aggressive drivers. Let them pass you if you do come across them on the road.
- Drive cautiously in construction sites and work zones.
Along with these, pay heed to fuel saving. Drive slowly and load the cargo evenly to conserve as much fuel as possible. Also, planning needs to be done beforehand to avoid congested roads and promote fuel wastage.
Start Your Journey to be a Professional Truck Driver Today!
If you seriously want to build your career in the trucking profession, waste no time and start your training today. Be a part of an industry that literally and figuratively drives the economy forward. The profession continues to grow as demand for drivers increases day by day.
