There are currently over 3.5 million active truck drivers in America.
Truck drivers fuel the everyday commerce that keeps our nation going. They are behind the groceries you buy and the products you bring home from that big weekend shop.
A lot of people, however, don’t quite know what it’s like to be a truck driver. Many even fantasize about being paid to drive across the country on a daily basis.
There’s a lot that goes into the life of a truck driver. In this post, you’ll catch a glimpse of what this position is like!
Read on for insight into this compelling career.
What is Truck Driving?
Truck drivers are individuals who earn their living by transporting various goods from one location to another. They typically drive semi-trucks or eighteen-wheelers.
Some drivers transport products from select manufacturers to specific retailers, driving long stretches to do so. Whom they service and where they drive will depend entirely on the company drivers work for.
However, most truck drivers start out as Over the Road drivers (OTR), meaning that they will be gone from their home location for two or three weeks at a time. Once drivers have been in the industry for a while, they are typically able to visit home at least once a week.
Many drivers start out in the industry to eventually become independent owners of truck fleets or partners in a trucking company. Others stick around for a few years before migrating to another career.
Truck driving can be an exciting form of employment for people who value mobility and don’t want to maintain a typical “nine to five” job. Truck driving is also a vital need in our industrialized society, so many drivers feel proud to contribute to America’s commercial network.
The Life of a Truck Driver
Many people speculate about what the life of a truck driver is really like. Every driver’s experience of truck driving is different, of course. But here are a few components that are fairly universal when it comes to life on the road.
Shift Flexibility
A lot of truck drivers are able to choose when they want to take shifts, such as whether or not they want to hit the road in the morning or at night.
Both have advantages. For example, daytime provides easy visibility but nighttime driving often offers empty roads.
Some companies may require that shifts begin at certain times, but others are less stringent. In general, Off the Road (OTR) drivers don’t have to commit to a specific starting hour.
This, of course, means that a truck driver’s sleeping schedule is often inconsistent. Some drivers find themselves catching up on sleep during the day after a night shift while others catch a few hours here and there.
Driving Limits
Truck drivers typically work up to 70 hours within an eight-day period. Most aren’t allowed to drive more than this number of hours within this period of time.
Truck drivers also have daily driving limits to prevent fatigue and low morale. As a truck driver, you can’t drive for more than 11 hours a day. After 70 hours in a truck driver’s work week, drivers must take a mandatory 34 hours off.
These driving limits are in place to ensure that drivers bring goods safely to their destinations. It is also important given the fact that drivers spend their shifts sitting, which can be fatiguing.
A Lot of Miles Under That Tread
The average trucker puts in at least 500 miles of highway a day. Given the fact that most truckers work seventy hours in an eight-day period, many will end up driving nearly 128,000 miles every working year.
This is especially because truck drivers don’t get a lot of time off. Long shifts and short rest periods between shifts means that most drivers work at least 300 days a year.
The good news about this is that many drivers get to cover extensive parts of the country. Drivers get to “play the tourist” in this way, experiencing towns, cities, and highways they may not have seen before.
Varying Pay
The way a truck driver is paid depends on the company he or she works for. Most companies pay drivers by the mile. Others may pay by the hour.
Every company will have a different way of keeping track of miles, particularly when it comes to distinguishing between working miles and “personal” miles.
For this reason, a lot of truck drivers won’t be able to forecast their annual pay. In general, however, most drivers begin with salaries of at least $35,000. Many can work their way up to $60,000 after some years of experience.
Long Hours
There’s no doubt about it: the life of a truck driver is demanding.
Many drivers make full use of their daily limit of eleven hours of driving. These long hours can feel tedious, although many drivers fill the time with phone calls, music, audiobooks, and thinking.
Long hours and long shifts can keep truck drivers away from family members for weeks at a time. For this reason, life on the road can be tough on relationships.
Most truck drivers sleep off the long drives when they can by catching a few hours of rest at truck stops or motels along the way. However, many maintain an erratic sleeping schedule.
Other Obligations
Most truck drivers have to be well-versed in the basics of driving a semi-truck, including gear shifting on specific inclines or declines, general repairs, and emergency manoeuvres.
Some drivers will have to unload the deliveries they bring to retailers. Others merely “drop” the supplies for others to unload.
These obligations will depend on the company you’re working for.
Don’t let these rules and obligations deter you. Many truck drivers will speak to the community of drivers they’ve discovered with their role, and most drivers make lifelong friends through their careers.
Final Thoughts: The Life of a Truck Driver
Truck driving is no easy task, but its lifestyle is appealing to many. Life as a truck driver involves long hours on the road at any given time, erratic shifts, and many miles under those tires.
However, it can also be a flexible life, with the option to start working at any given hour and private time on the road. For this reason, the life of a truck driver can be independent and inspiring.
If you’re curious about launching your career as a truck driver, we can help. Head over to our job search portal now!
