Improving the fuel efficiency of a company’s fleet of vehicles can have many financial and environmental benefits, especially with fuel prices on the rise. Fuel can be one of the largest and most difficult expenses to predict and control. Therefore, it’s important for vehicle fleet managers to conserve fuel, maximize efficiency and reduce vehicle emissions by implementing fuel-efficient policies, technology, and maintenance strategies.
truck drivers
There are certain risks that only a community of truck drivers are aware of. From road hazards, comfort, and safety, it’s important to know how to prepare for short trips and long hauls. There are also certain ins and outs about trucking regulations that drivers must know and keep up to date with. From BASICs to SAFER scores, commercial auto operators must remain compliant with tons of federal and state regulations. Drivers and fleet owners must also take into account their options for operating authority and insurance coverage/compliance so that their business can run smoothly.
Here’s where we talk about everything truck drivers need to know. We’ll go over truck ergonomics, regulations, event recorders, and even snacks! We’ll also break down the proper way to insure your truck drivers and keep them safe so that you can breathe easy every time they buckle up.
Your First Year in Trucking: What to Expect
Being a truck driver can be extremely rewarding. You have the chance to make some good money and explore new and exciting places. However, just starting out in the profession can take some getting used to. It’s completely normal to hit some rough patches along the way if you’re a newbie.
In this guide, we’ll share with you what the first year in trucking looks like. Let’s get started.
Hot Weather Tips for Truckers
Summer is finally here and in full swing. Unfortunately, driving during the summer months can be brutal. Therefore, truck drivers in particular must be cautious when temperatures reach record level highs. This is because truck drivers spend all their time behind the wheel of their vehicle or loading/unloading their goods. In short, this means there’s no escaping the sun for them.
If you’re looking to stay cool this summer and keep your truck up and running then here are some hot weather hacks.
A Guide to Screening Truck Drivers
While hiring new truck drivers, you have to follow strict industry standards regulated by the US Department of Transportation (DOT). The organization evaluates the transportation and trucking industry to ensure they follow firm safety guidelines. Thus, during the hiring process, you need to screen the truck drivers so you can identify who would be a good fit.
If you don’t know how to go about it, here’s a beginner’s guide. After reading this post, you’ll know how to identify good quality truck drivers that obey the DOT’s regulations.
CDL Requirements: How to Qualify
Are you interested in becoming a truck driver? If yes, then you’ll most likely need a commercial driver’s license. Without one, you wouldn’t be able to operate the majority of commercial motor vehicles. However, before applying for your CDL, you should be aware of the basic qualifications. That way you’re prepared and know what’s expected of you.
In this article, we’ll discuss the many CDL requirements and what can disqualify you from operating a commercial motor vehicle.
The Effects of the Truck Parking Shortage
Truckers have spent years and years complaining about the number of parking spaces available for trucks. Unfortunately, this dilemma is rather common among the nearly 4 million American truckers. Its become extremely challenging for truckers to find an authorized parking spot, especially in densely populated areas.
Although many trucking companies and organizations have advocated for more spaces available, they have yet to be successful. Moreover, the problem is only getting worse with time.
In this article, we’ll discuss the truck parking shortage happening now in the US. Also, we’ll touch on how its affecting the stress and safety of drivers.
The Impact of Rising Gas Prices on Truckers
The rising gas prices have affected the trucking industry tremendously. Also, let’s not forget that they’re still struggling with labor shortages and supply chain disruptions due to the ongoing pandemic.
This recent surge in fuel prices is costing fleets tens of thousands of dollars in just a matter of a week. Even when diesel prices increase by 5 cents truckers feel the impact, so imagine it going up a whole dollar.
The CEO of Swint Logistics Group fears these costs will ultimately end up on the consumer. If you think about it, every product we use is transported by truck. If it’s costing more money to transport goods then the price for these items will climb.
In this article, we’ll discuss how trucking companies are being hit hard by the surging gas prices and how it’s impacting fleets’ overall costs.
DOT Physical Exam: What to Know
If you want to pursue a career as a truck driver then you need to pass your DOT physical exam. The exam focuses on various aspects of a driver’s health and failing one of the tests can result in their driving privileges being revoked.
This exam is mandatory by law since operating a commercial vehicle entails numerous risks. The results of your exam are valid for 24 months unless you have a health concern that needs to be monitored more closely.
We understand these strict guidelines can make the process a tad overwhelming. Therefore, to make it easier we’ve provided a brief overview of what’s included in the DOT physical exam. Let’s begin.
Company Driver vs. Owner Operator: Pros and Cons
Choosing between a career as a company driver or an owner operator is an important decision that every truck driver has to make. Although their daily tasks are relatively the same, there are major differences behind the scenes that you need to be aware of. Such as, do you need more time at home? How’s your current financial situation?
Therefore, you wouldn’t want to make this huge decision without evaluating the pros and cons first. In this article, we’re going to take a deeper dive into the true meaning of a company driver and an owner operator. Let’s begin.