Truck driving can be a great way to make a living for many people. In recent times, many people have been quitting their office-based roles for delivery work and it is easy to see why when you look at the perks of this type of work and the freedom that it can provide. Being a truck driver is not the easiest work, though, and it is becoming more competitive. This is why it is important for truck drivers to be aware of a few tricks and tips that they can use to improve their performance and find success with their work.
1. Master Route Planning
The key to success in truck driving is route planning. You need to plan your routes in advance so that you can find the fastest, easiest and most efficient way to reach your destination. You should plan your routes in advance of your journey and use a GPS so that you can receive directions as you drive – this will allow you to focus purely on the road ahead. You can also use route optimization software for planning.
2. Know How to Look After Your Truck
As someone that earns a living behind the wheel, it is important that you have good knowledge of how to look after your truck and perform basic maintenance tasks. This should help you to prevent any issues from arising while on the job as well as get back on the road if there is a minor issue. You should give the truck a thorough inspection before and after every journey and have a reliable garage that you can take it to for repairs.
3. Never Travel Empty-Handed
As a truck driver, you want to avoid driving empty-handed if you can. If you can find a load for every journey that you make, you will be able to maximize profits and build up your experience. Fortunately, this can be easy with the use of truck loads boards that allow you to browse hundreds of jobs and find ways to ensure that you always have truck loads while working behind the wheel.
4. Make Customer Service A Priority
As a truck driver, you will spend most of your time alone and behind the wheel. Despite this, you still need to have excellent customer service standards and strong communication skills for the times that you are picking up and making deliveries. This can make all the difference and help you to develop a positive reputation – something that is key for getting ongoing work.
5. Look After Yourself
Finally, you need to make sure that you are looking after yourself. Work can be demanding as a truck driver, but you need to look after yourself so that you can drive safely and avoid burnout. A few tips for looking after yourself include never driving while drowsy, making sure that you have food and drink in the cab and taking regular breaks where you can get out and stretch your legs.
Hopefully, these tips and tricks will come in handy and help you to find success as a truck driver.
