Mechanical Skills– When a problem occurs, very rarely does it happen near an auto shop. You need to be able to fix some things on your own. Stay Updated on Weather Changes: Mother Nature is unpredictable. Subscribing to weather alert services can give you a heads-up, allowing you to either adjust your route or schedule to avoid adverse conditions. Drivers often, let one or two aspects of their lives take over their schedule, with these things taking up the majority of their time. For example, a driver spends a lot of hours working on their rig, and the rest at work, living on the road…. not exactly a healthy scenario for a happy family. Keeping a Regular Schedule In the USA, I’m limited to 11 hours each day. I have to take a certain number of breaks within a 14-hour working day as well. In Canada, I have a 16-hour working day and I can drive 13 hours straight, if I want.

If utilized properly by the carrier, the driver can lead a fairly relaxed schedule on the road. An 11 hour work day is still a longer day, than most people work. Shippers and sometimes carriers will push for the 18 -20 hour day. Well, it's been a while since I did my last post. Too much time driving and not enough free time or energy to log on. What a poor excuse! The USA also limits me to up to 70 hours in an 8-day period while Canada has a limit of 70 hours in a 7-day period. It’s harder to get as many miles in when I’m in the states.” How many hours do you usually drive? It’s early morning across south Wales, but with 2,300 miles of motorways to conquer, the team are busy getting in gear and drawing up battle plans, powered by diesel and cups of tea.Since I drove during the day, I started my shift early in the morning. If you drive at night, however, you may do some of the following in the evening. Here's what my mornings often looked like: Trip Planning is Key: Before setting out, map your route. Consider factors like traffic patterns, construction zones, and potential weather disruptions. Modern GPS systems support drivers by providing real-time updates and alternative routes, ensuring you're not caught off guard. Since I knew where my day would end, I would plan where I would be spending the night ahead of time.

You’ll be meeting people at your stops, and during those times you might be able to strike up a non-work-related conversation with them. Attentiveness– The road might seem predictable, but tuning out isn’t an option when safety is the number one priority.

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Parking: Since I usually started my days early, I’d do my best to be parked no later than 7 p.m. Some of the places I would stop included:

Therefore, be sure that you stay on top of simple safety practices that will not only keep you safe, but will keep other drivers on the road safe as well. Some good safety practices that you should never neglect are: Newly qualified driver Laura may have her HGV test behind her, but she still has challenges to overcome. Today she is facing her nemesis: the most complex intersection on the British road system, serving 18 routes on five different levels – aka Spaghetti Junction. Can Laura face her fears to become a master of the pasta? Post-trip inspection: Once parked, I'd do my post-trip inspection of the tractor and trailer to make sure the equipment was still in good shape after a day on the road. Before even accepting a load from your dispatch, take a good look at the trip distance, and the expected delivery schedule.Dinner: By carrying your own meals in an electronic cooler or fridge you can keep your food costs down. Every driver must discover his or her own way to manage meals on the road. A little innovation can go a long way to prevent yourself from eating out for every meal. There’s so many things aprofessional drivertries to fit into his life, both personal and for business. There’sfamily time, exercise, leisure activity, and of course thelong hoursit takes to complete the job as required. Independence– Life on the road means taking care of yourself, and stepping up when something goes wrong.