Truckers Training

Everything you need to know to become a truck driver

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The Worst Part of Being a Trucker

The trucking companies still can’t seem to find enough Class-A Commercial Driver License (CDL) qualified drivers. Also, if you believe the media and industry representatives, the worst of the trucker shortage still lies ahead and it’s tied to one of the things that long-distance truck driver hate most; the excessive wait times that they experience on a daily basis.

Truck Driver Shortage

Changes in our culture and the expectations of young people entering the jobs market rank highly among the causes for the growing shortage of drivers. Even though this is bad for everybody from trucking companies to consumers, the shortage of professional drivers shows no sign of going away.

The statistics show that there will be a shortage of 50,000 in the United States in the next few years. In Canada, the situation is perhaps worse, a shortfall of 33,000 truckers in a smaller industry. As senior drivers in both countries retire, young CDL candidates aren’t replacing them at rates that keep up.

If you’re a trucker now or thinking about a future life on the road, a shortage of drivers may not be such a bad thing for you. The law of supply and demand means that the higher the demand, the more you can profit from the service you supply.

Wait-Times Kill Driver Income

Like any career, trucking and the transportation industry have good points and bad. Driving a truck long distances over the road, and being away from home for days at a time, isn’t for everyone.

Loading Dock for Trucks

You face stringent state and Federal rules that limit the number of hours you can drive in any given period of time. Since you’ll probably earn your living by the mile as a trucker, every minute on the clock where you’re not moving is income that is lost for good.

Additionally, the new requirement for electronic logging devices (ELDs) turns up the heat. Delays are frustrating, and the new ELD mandate is likely to mean longer wait times.

How to Avoid Wait Times

The idle time comes when drivers are waiting to drop off or pick up loads. It’s a painful burden when you’re paid by the mile, and that’s why it’s killing retention for trucking companies and driving costs up for customers.

Long wait times occur in specific situations, and they’re being made worse by the requirements of the ELD mandate. The whole logistics industry is under pressure to stay within the new rules.

The shortage is an opportunity for ambitious drivers and candidates, and you can use this to your advantage. You do have to pick and choose the job you sign up for and follow through with your assignments. It’s never good to just quit and hope to get hired again somewhere else. When you decide to move on, take action while you’re still working.

Look for jobs where the company controls loading, unloading, and books freight in advance. Full loads where you hook up and drop off single-cargo trailer loads will have better turn around times than LTL shippers where the depot managers struggle to fill your trailer before you roll.

Intermodal ports where giant ships load and unload thousands of containers at a time can be particularly congested. As your time in the industry and on the road grows, you’ll learn what to avoid and hear about opportunities that work out better for drivers like you.

Active Career Development

Fortunately, as a Class-A qualified driver, you are in a position to pick and choose what company you work for and what you’re willing to do. This strength doesn’t mean you can turn up at a depot and name your terms. What it does mean is that your CDL is more valuable than ever.

Once you have your Class-A license and you’ve cleared any contractual obligations to work off tuition fees, the road is yours. Be flexible and patient in your responses to frustrating situations and look ahead to the next opportunity.

As a new driver, you might have to compromise to get the training and experience so you can advance your career. With even a few months on the road that will change because it will bring you into contact with company recruiters who are attracted by your experience.

You Are Your Own Best Recruiter

Even though, as a trucker you get paid by the mile, the industry measures your experience by your months and years in the cab. Recruiters for trucking companies are always looking for experienced drivers.

However, you can’t assume that the promises they make will reflect the actual work environment of their employer. Don’t accept the word of recruiters at face value. The best way to avoid jobs with long wait-times and any other obstacles that drag down your income is to make informed decisions.

Talk to present and past employees directly, if you can. Check out trucker forums online and read reviews on sites like Glassdoor.com where you’re likely to get unfiltered opinions about employers.

Assert Your Independence and Build Your Resume

If you take the time to look for better truck driving opportunities, you’ll find them. Make the best of each job you choose and then move on when it suits you, adding certifications and endorsements as you go. As your career develops, you’ll be more valuable at each step along the way.

In the long-term, the way to fix the shortage is probably just to pay drivers for all of the work they do.

Wages and pay structures will have to change to attract more drivers eventually. Paying for time spent in congested traffic and waiting to load will remove a significant reason that truckers get frustrated and change careers. In the meantime, you can take the initiative and find the best possible role to suit your lifestyle and personality.

Trucking companies are actively seeking experienced drivers. Take the best job you can find now and then move on again when it suits you. By putting in the hours on the road, whether you’re clocking up miles or waiting to drop your trailer, you’re adding the experience that will build the truck-driving career that’s right for you.

  • The shortage of drivers continues
  • Regulations and the ELD mandate pile on the wait times
  • The demand for drivers gives you options
  • Be proactive and research your next career move carefully
  • Experience and endorsements will bring the best trucking jobs to you

What do you like least about being a trucker? Share in the comments.

Geoff Craig
Geoff Craig, MBA

Geoff is a freelance writer with 20+ years of experience in truck and bus driving, dispatching, supervising, and training commercial driving teams. He writes topics on the transportation and trucking industry.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I greatly appreciate your comment, because I am also going from professional to owning for my son to drive by the years end. He will be a new driver. Praying for better conditions by then.

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  2. If that wasn’t enough problems working for free for company’s that decide if you can make a living or starve you out or do things to mess up your settlement

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  3. All of U R right companies force U 2 drive ridiculous hrs sometimes in unsafe equipment not paying U honest pay then if U complaint punish U unfair labor laws don’t protect us so what can U do and we can’t get 5 of us 2 agree not 2 agree and really insurance companies control who works and who doesn’t ha ha ha the jokes on us

    Reply

  4. My husband is a truck driver. He drove trucks in the military also. Got out military, started driving or. Drove for some bad companies and some really good ones. Now he is with a company that treats him very well. Drop and hook. He is on a dedicated route. Gets paid as long as he is ready to go. He will retire from here. It’s what you make it.

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  5. There always has been plenty of drivers, just not enough to put-up with the bullshit.
    People are wiseing up about trucking, all the rules are against us.
    There was nothing wrong with paper log-books, the cops were jusy too lazy to add things up, now the eld does all the work, enforfcements a breeze.
    Really what has changed for the driver, certainly not the pay.
    It seems the people in the bubble are the only ones with rising expenses.
    Everyone complaines, few listen to commonsense, look at washington.
    Our leader can’t even tell the truth, how can anyone be expected to be honest, your alone, think about it.
    Gun rights, are certainly more important than say……wages, healthcare.
    Vote wisely, think of your family, community, our country

    Reply

  6. Trucking is what you make of it! In trucking and in life you are the CEO of your life,make changes,hire fire and do whatever makes you happy I have always wore short pants ,t shirts and Vans tennis shoes
    I have worked for some real crappy companies but I have also worked for some great ones. I now drive teams with my wife ,we have been together fifteen years. We honestly wouldn’t do this job without the other. It just isn’t what it used to be ,but IT IS WHAT WE CHOOSE TO DO ,WE LOVE THE ROAD AND WE LOVE OUR JOB. WE ARE AMERICAN TRUCKERS AND WE ARE PROUD OF THE JOB WE DO. WE ARE PROUD TO BE TRUCK DRIVERS.

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    • Thank you for a positive comment that is so needed. I am starting a small freight business with my son as a team driver planned by the end of the year. I was nervous, but you helped kill that. I now look forward to getting all my licenses and buying our truck.
      Thank you,
      A-AL& Mgmt, LLC

      Reply

  7. Woo 215-856,
    The USDOT needs to implement information and questions pertaining to how to operate/what to do around Big trucks on test exams and licensing class C drivers.

    Reply

  8. I’ve been on the road with my husband for 20 yrs and he’s been about 43 yrs. When I started with him, I enjoyed it. You were your own boss. And as long you did your job got delivered on time. That was good. Got on CB and talk to other drivers. Drivers would help each other out. But now its hurry up get load delivered doesn’t matter if tired or sick. It’s just changed so much. It’s like working another job. And telling you what to do or having camera watching you. I’ll be glad to retire in 3 yrs.

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    • Totally understand the world is a rush….rush….place with NO sympathy. Travel safe out there.

      Reply

  9. As a new driver who left a ‘professional’ industry, I have learned that the transportation industry is a pretty unattractive industry to work in for many reasons, many of which you have addressed. If the bar to being a driver were any lower, snakes would have a hard time getting under it. Bottom line is the industry pay, working conditions and treatment by the companies is absolutely horrid. Combined with independent (read:bull) minded drivers unwilling to unify and organize makes it one of the worst jobs you can have today.
    If pay were where it should be ($75K+) there wouldn’t b e the shortage there is and the quality of the driver would be better.

    Reply

  11. Mmmmm respect waiting times companies dont care… and perhaps talk to older drivers it’s not what use to be..

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  12. Yeah the situation in Africa is the same but in abroad could be better for us. We are truck drivers in Ghana and we don’t get the job to do or in a very high risk job with a low salary…we are ready to work anywhere.

    Reply

  13. Stop talking about it FOREVER make it a Federal law start charging shippers and receivers after 1hour and PAY the drivers !!! Enough talking

    Reply

  14. It’s a waste of time they don’t pay you right cheating and lying bamboozled you every time they want to punish you for everything that’s is trucking you don’t have to believe me go try you see

    Reply

  16. Being called a trucker as opposed to truck driver in my opinion is demeaning . Show some respect for professionals in our occupation. Give respect – get respect – pretty simple.

    Reply

  17. Companies & shippers treat drivers like crap.This also why many are quitting.They dont pay enough to be treated like garbage.All these companies care abiyt is the frieght.They cld care less about the drivers.RESPECTis a huge issue in this industry.Goodluck!

    Reply

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