Do you ever wonder how goods get from Point A to Point B? Do you ever think about who’s responsible for ensuring their safe delivery? It might not be something you think about every day, but it’s probably crossed your mind once or twice before.

How do all my favorite items get to my local Target store? The answer, of course, is the trucking industry. It’s one that most don’t pay attention to or often take for granted, but without it, the American economy would not be able to function as it does today.

Have you ever wondered how to drive a semi? Well, it’s not all scenic byways and independent time on the road. If you want to become an adequate driver, there are a few skills you need to possess.

Here, we’ll give you a quick rundown of them so you can get to work on improving your skill set and become the best driver you can be.

1. Training

One of our top tips for new drivers is this: to be a skilled truck driver, you need the appropriate training.

As you might know, you don’t need to have a high-school diploma, a bachelor’s degree, or otherwise…but you should attend a professional training class or two before starting your journey into truck driving. Learning from an experienced professional will make your journey that much easier and help to prepare you for your new career.

Also, most employers are going to prefer to hire a candidate with a certificate from a reliable training school, like the Professional Truck Driver Institute, for example, as opposed to a candidate with no prior experience or training in the industry.

To be a good trucker, you need a combination of knowledge, hands-on experience, and good driving skills. It’s not as simple as just driving a car, after all.

2. Navigation

As you might imagine, modern trucks are often well equipped with some of the most advanced navigation and GPS systems out there today. These systems have a lot of great features, such as:

• Alerting drivers of traffic congestion, road closures, and inclement weather
• Alerting drivers of route featuring toll roads
• Providing drivers the option of taking a more or less direct route, depending on their personal preferences

Of course, if you’ve ever used a GPS or navigation system, you’re well aware of these helpful features. While it’s nice to know that technology is on your side, to lean on it and not know how to read a map or navigate on your own can become problematic.

A good truck driver also has a good sense of direction. They have knowledge of interstates, highways, and an understanding of geography. They also know how to read a map, which no self-respecting driver should ever begin their career without.

3. Responsibility

To do the best possible job you can and enjoy all of the great benefits of being a truck driver, you need to have a sense of responsibility.

For the most part, trucking is a career path that’s a solitary one. There aren’t going to be a lot of people to hold you accountable if you make mistakes. If you’re late on a delivery, own up to it and be honest.

You’re also responsible for representing your company when you’re on the road. It’s your responsibility to be on your best behavior and act in a respectable manner, no matter who you’re dealing with. Whether it’s other drivers, dispatchers, or clients, treat everyone you encounter with respect. Be sure to follow safety and documentation best practices.

4. Motivation

Sure, when you’re driving by a beautiful scenic overpass, it might be tempting to stop and check it out. Or you may want to sleep in a few mornings here and there.

But, at the end of the day, you still need to get your job done and deliver the load. Having motivation on your own to ensure that the work gets done before you allow yourself to enjoy that scenic overpass or sleep in is critical.

And staying motivated to do your job to the best of your ability each day will only benefit you – so this is a skill you’ll definitely want to work on.

5. A Sense of Independence

When you’re on the road in your truck, it’s only you. There aren’t any coworkers you can call over for help if something goes wrong. Knowing this, it’s essential to have a sense of independence and an ability to navigate problems without the assistance of others.

6. Organization

You’re unlikely to be carrying tons of files in your cabin on your travels, but you are going to have some documentation with you.

Possessing the ability to keep all your necessary documents together and not lose anything important. Documents like your driver’s license, passport or certifications is crucial. The absence of one of these items may make completing your jobs impossible, and you don’t want to let anyone down, do you?

7. The Ability to Manage Stress

While truckers don’t face the same stressors as someone in a high-level office position would, they, too, have their own.

To have a successful career in any field, you need to know how to manage your stress levels. This is especially true in the trucking industry, where things like delays, lost shipments, and other errors happen often.

8. Mechanical Knowledge

Finally, to have success as a truck driver, you also want to have some knowledge of how the vehicle you’re operating actually works. It is your livelihood, after all. At the very least, know how to change a tire and lightbulb if need be.

Learn How to Drive a Semi

Once you learn how to drive a semi and work on developing each of these important skills, you’ll be well on your way to a successful career in the trucking industry.

If you have any questions about commercial driving, please contact us today.

We’ll be happy to answer them and assist you with your job search or application if you need it.