Author: Mary Lorenz

Requirements for becoming a truck driver: An overview

Posted on by Mary Lorenz

Whether you’re just starting out in your career or need a change from the daily 9-to-5 routine, a career in truck driving could really, ahem, take you places.

Not only are job prospects for truck drivers projected to be very good in the next few years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), but the hours are flexible, the pay is good (the median salary for truck drivers was $45,260 in 2019), and it offers a unique opportunity to see and experience different areas of the country.

But getting a job as a truck driver isn’t as simple as having a good driving record and the desire to live a life on the open road.

Below is an overview of truck driver requirements and common considerations before becoming a commercial driver.

Education and certification

Anyone hoping to become a commercial truck driver must obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL); however, specific qualifications to obtain a CDL vary by state. In most cases, one will have to pass both a skills test and a driving test. While some states may not require formal training to receive a CDL, it is highly recommended that one attends an accredited truck driving school or community college, where programs typically last between a month to six weeks.

Not only do many employers require it, but you will acquire the skills needed to obtain a CDL – including behind-the-wheel training – and learn the various state and federal guidelines for professional truckers. (The BLS recommends two resources for finding a truck driving school, the Commercial Vehicle Training Association and the National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools.)

Keep in mind that some truck driving schools may require you to have a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) in advance of taking the program.  

Driving record

It should come as no surprise that truck drivers must have a clean driving record and good work history, so prospective truck drivers should be prepared to undergo a background check prior to being considered for a job. 

Physical requirements

Due to the physical demands of truck driving – from sitting for long periods of time to loading and unloading cargo – commercial truck drivers must be in good physical health. The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires commercial truck drivers to pass a physical, vision test, and drug test in order to prove they are fit enough to operate a heavy vehicle safely and for the protection of everyone on the road.

(The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration offers more specifics on health and physical requirements for truck drivers.)

Age

One can obtain a CDL at the age of 18 or 21, depending on the state administering it. In order to drive across straight lines, however, the DOT requires professional truck drivers to be at least 21, and most trucking companies require licensed truck drivers to be at least 21 as well. 

Experience

Experience needed may vary by the company you want to work for, and job prospects will open up as you log more hours on the road. Attending a truck driving program where you can train behind the wheel will give new truck drivers a leg up in their job search. 

Other skills and considerations

While not a requirement, having a certain level of mechanical knowledge will come in handy for making small repairs and maintaining the vehicle. In terms of soft skills, truck drivers should be reliable, safety-oriented, and excellent communicators for when interacting with clients, colleagues and customers.

It’s also worth taking into consideration that trucking often means hours, days or even weeks on the road and away from family, so the ability to manage occasional loneliness is key.

At Centerline, we are always looking for safe, qualified drivers. Think you have what it takes? Apply to be a driver with Centerline Drivers today.

Staying safe during the upcoming holiday season

Posted on by Mary Lorenz

Tis the season to be wary. From weathering snow, sleet, ice and wind to fighting holiday traffic and working longer hours, truck driving during the holiday season is anything but merry and bright. In fact, it can be downright dangerous.

To help ensure the well-being of yourself and others on the road this holiday season, make a list of the following safety tips and check it twice.

Slow down

With more deliveries and tighter deadlines, you may be eager to speed things up, but the weather has other plans for you. Between rain, sleet, snow and fog, the roads are slicker and your visibility is compromised. And while coronavirus concerns may have more people staying inside this winter, their reliance on online shopping means more delivery vehicles on the road.

Combined, holiday traffic and winter weather can be a deadly mix – quite literally – so be smart, stick to the speed limit and slow down when necessary. If you tend to feel rushed and anxious during the holiday season, make a concerted effort to plan ahead: Check the weather and traffic conditions before you head out, look for alternative routes and give yourself extra time by leaving earlier than you think you need to. 

Do some holiday prep

Now is the time to make sure your truck is in top form and ready to handle the obstacles that holiday weather can throw your way.

Make sure your tires are in good condition, maintain a full tank of gas, keep an eye on your windshield wiper fluids and don’t leave home without antifreeze. 

Don’t be frosty

Before you get behind the wheel, remove any snow or ice that may have gathered on the windshield, windows or roof, under the hood, around the lights and in other crevices.

Not only can these elements create blind spots for you, they can be a hazard for the drivers behind you and wreak havoc on your engine if left untreated. 

Put your phone away

When the weather outside is frightful, distractions can be so delightful – but also dangerous. Keeping your eyes on the road is essential to ensuring your safety and the safety of those around you.

If you’re prone to texting or checking social media on the road, put your phone away and let the temptation go – let it go, let it go, let it go.

Get your Zzz’s

The holiday delivery season often means larger hauls, more shifts – and more pressure to keep up with the demand. Skimping on much-needed rest, however, is not the way to do it.

Driver fatigue is a hazard to yourself and others on the road, accounts for nearly 800 deaths a year, and is largely why the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) established regulations that limit the number of hours truck drivers can work at one time.

Know the safety rules for the road before you get behind the wheel and make time to get under the covers. 

Don’t be a Grinch

Even if you aren’t feeling especially charitable this holiday season, being courteous to others on the road isn’t just polite – it’s a safety issue.

Make room for other drivers, especially when they’re trying to change lanes or merge, and give others sufficient warning when doing the same. These and other defensive driving tactics will help you stay off the naughty list and out of harm’s way.

Be nice…to yourself

Staying safe also means staying healthy, which is a tall order this time of year. In addition to the threat of coronavirus and the seasonal flu, you’re also likely to be dealing with longer hours and holiday-related stress and anxiety.

These elements can take a toll on your physical health, leaving you distracted or lethargic and compromising your ability to focus when you need to most. Do everything you can to reduce your exposure to coronavirus, but get your flu shot as well. Take your vitamins, eat right and, as mentioned above, get plenty of rest – it’s the gift that keeps on giving. 

Traveling safe in construction zones

Posted on by Mary Lorenz

Safety in the age of COVID-19 often refers to stocking up on hand sanitizer, practicing social distancing and wearing masks. For truck drivers, who encounter dangerous road situations as a regular part of their job, staying safe adds another layer.

This is particularly true when it comes to navigating busy construction zones, which can be challenging for even the most seasoned truck drivers.

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), 30 percent of all work zone crashes involve large trucks, and many of them prove to be fatal. From 2014 to 2018, work zone crashes led to 1,000 fatalities and over 18,000 injuries, according to the FHWA’s most recent data.

Avoid being another statistic and use these tips to navigate construction zones safely.

Plan ahead

Before you get on the road, check your GPS or use a travel app, such as Waze, to see if there is construction on your route, and consider leaving earlier in anticipation of reduced speeds. Better yet, look into an alternative route. It may be slightly longer, but chances are you will ultimately save time–and frustration–by avoiding construction-related traffic and road hazards. 

Follow the signs

Those cones, barrels and work zone signs are there for a reason (and that reason is not “to annoy you”). They’re there to help you navigate the construction zone and keep traffic moving as much – and as safely – as possible.

Don’t try to game the system

It may be tempting to speed through a construction zone when you think the coast is clear, but it is absolutely critical that you stick to the reduced speed limits. In 2018, speeding was to blame for over 25 percent of fatal work zone crashes.

Even if you think you’re perfectly capable of getting through a work zone without slowing down, the drivers around you may not be so adept. Should something unexpected happen, you will be in a better position to stop or navigate around it if you’re obeying the speed limit.

Watch for flaggers

Oftentimes, traffic routes and detours change so quickly during construction, it’s easier to have a flagger out on the road conducting traffic. If you see a flagger, pay attention and follow their direction as you would any other work zone signage. After all, they’re not out there for their health – they’re out there for yours.

Play defense

If ever there’s a good time to practice those defensive driving skills you learned way back in driver’s ed, this is it. While you may be paying attention, the drivers around you might not be. As you’re driving, be mindful of other drivers who may be trying to merge at the last minute, speeding or driving erratically.

Give yourself space

Rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of work zone crashes and accounted for 21 percent of fatal work zone crashes in 2018, according to the FHWA. Leave plenty of distance (about three to four seconds) between you and the driver ahead of you, as you never know when they may stop suddenly. 

While you’re at it, try to see what’s happening further down the road, so you can prepare to slow down or change your route if necessary.

Keep your eyes on the prize

 A distracted driver is a dangerous driver. Avoid texting, eating or checking out the construction around you – anything that forces you to take your eyes off the road, even if it’s “just for a second.”

Accidents can happen in an instant, so stay alert and focused on the task at hand for your safety – and everyone else’s.   

The #1 priority at Centerline is safety. Learn more about safety topics by visiting our safety resource center here.

3 ways to boost driver morale at your company

Posted on by Mary Lorenz

If ever there’s a time to focus on maintaining the morale of your drivers, it’s now. In addition to dealing with larger workloads and longer hours due to high demand, drivers have had to face more restrictions and regulations since the pandemic, on top of trying to stay safe and healthy themselves.

These physical and emotional demands can take their toll—on both your workers and the business: Research shows that low morale is associated with lower levels of productivity, poor performance and higher turnover, all of which can impact the bottom line. The following steps can help you mitigate the impact of low morale on your workforce and overall business.

Recognize and reward hard work

These days, with drivers working longer hours due to high demand, dealing with more regulations and taking on more risk of exposing themselves to coronavirus, it is particularly important to show them that the work they do matters.

Of course, money is always one of the fastest and easiest ways to reward hard work, so consider offering cash bonuses or providing hazard pay to keep them motivated and show your appreciation for the work they do. 

Another way to recognize and incentivize drivers is by giving them top-of-the-line equipment or the latest and greatest technology to work with.

Think about investing in new dash cams with all the bells and whistles, a more sophisticated navigation system, or advanced collision mitigation, to name a few. These upgrades will help ensure a safer, easier and more enjoyable driving experience that keeps your workers happy on the job. 

Put their safety first

Safety is top of mind for drivers. However, a recent Workhound survey showed that many drivers feel frustrated if their company doesn’t have a plan or effective measures in place.

Don’t let such frustrations affect your drivers’ performance. Show your drivers that their safety is a priority by creating a plan to protect drivers from coronavirus, and then act on it.

In addition to providing drivers with basic protections, such as alcohol-based hand sanitizer, extra cleaning products and personal protective equipment (PPE), implement guidelines to limit contact with customers and fellow drivers where possible.

These are just a few of the measures employers the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends to protect truck drivers against coronavirus and prove that their safety is your priority.

Listen to them

Communicating with employees and being transparent is always important, but it’s particularly important now, when there is so much uncertainty about the future. Don’t keep your drivers in the dark, as that will only leave them guessing and you risk increasing their stress. Be as candid as you can, and err on the side of over-communication.

Better yet, let them be part of the discussion. Solicit their feedback and ideas, and ask them to voice their concerns. When workers feel a sense of ownership over their work, as opposed to simply taking orders and running errands, they are more motivated to perform.

And in addition to showing drivers that their opinion matters, getting their insider insight can help identify opportunities to improve processes and overall business outcomes.

Bottom line: Your customers aren’t the only people who deserve a best-in-class experience. Your drivers need to know that they are a priority as well. Show your drivers that you support them and want to see them thrive, and they will return the favor.