7 Essential Unwritten Rules for Truck Drivers
If you’re new to the trucking industry, there are a few things you should know. Trucking can be a tough business, and there are certain unwritten rules that everyone is expected to follow. In this blog post, Warrior Logistics will give you a rundown of some of those rules – everything from how to behave on the road to what to do (and not do) at truck stops. So read on and learn the ropes of one of America’s most essential industries. Welcome to the world of trucking!
First rule of hauling…Don’t talk about your haul
It’s easy for anyone to overshare when they feel they’re amongst friends (as we hope our WL drivers feel), but always remember to stay buttoned up and professional at least when it comes to what you’re carting around in your truck. Be aware of other people you don’t know who is asking suspiciously about your cargo or maybe oversharing about their own in hopes you’ll let down your guard.
Plan ahead for where you’ll park your truck overnight
Long haulers, this one’s for you… You don’t want to get stuck somewhere you don’t really want to be or end up having to push your daily limits trying to find a good place to stop and rest for the night. If you’re new to the profession or just new to the route, we
recommend you pro-actively ask around to find where others who are more familiar with your route suggest you pull over.
Get Your Diesel and GO!
You remember how irritating it is when you can see that people are just sitting in their car while you’re also sitting there, waiting for a parking space to open up? same kinda thing.
If you’re done fueling up, be courteous and move away from the diesel pump before getting settled back in with your GPS or popping in the convenience store for that snack you’ve been craving. It may only take you a minute or two to go inside, but that added time could end up cutting into another trucker’s schedule and/or, even worse, their paycheck.
Keep Your Distance When Passing
It’s bad enough that the average car driver on the road cuts off a truck driver without a second thought; so don’t do it to another truck driver.
Keep at least 200 or more feet of space between the front of their cab and the back of your trailer/bumper before passing. A shorter distance between may prevent the driver you’re passing from having a safe, full view around them.
Remember the Golden Rules of Lot Courtesy
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Mind your headlights.
If you’re getting situated in a lot at night, think about where your lights are shining in relation to where other truckers may be trying to get some shut-eye.
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And don’t block anyone in.
Think about it logically – if you pull in in front of someone who is already there, their break will very likely be over before yours and they will need easy access to pull out around you.
Look Out for Each Other, Too
No one understands the trucking life better than other truckers. When there’s an issue, odds are you’re not the first to experience it, nor will you be the last.
Extend a helping hand or even just advice or a listening ear to your fellow truck drivers wherever possible. Pass along tips you’ve learned, warn of bad weather or traffic to those on the same or similar routes, and especially if you see a truck on the side of the road in
distress, pull over (only if it’s safe to do so) and make sure they have help on the way.
And finally…
Honk That Horn!
It’s a time-honored tradition to honk your horn when signaled by a kid in the minivan or school bus beside you. A bit of harmless fun makes everyone’s day better, and you can’t tell us you don’t love seeing the smiles your honk elicits. Don’t let ‘em down!
How Can Warrior Logistics Help You?
The trucking industry is full of unwritten rules that help keep everyone safe and moving along. As a new driver, it’s important to be aware of these rules so you can avoid any penalties or dangerous situations on the road. At Warrior Logistics, we want to make sure our drivers have all the information they need to stay safe and successful while hauling freight. If you have any questions about the rules mentioned in this post or anything else related to truck driving, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re always happy to help out our drivers!
