The Requirements to Operate a Big Rig in the United States

Thousands of men and women drive big rigs in order to get the goods to the stores for us to conveniently walk in and buy. They also haul dirty and other materials for building homes and roads. Just as each person needs to fulfill basic requirements in order to get a traditional driver?s license, there are requirements in order to get a commercial driver?s license (CDL) to operate a big rig.

There are two types of tests that have to be successfully passed in order to obtain a CDL in the United States. There is a written test that goes over the various rules and regulations. This is completed first at any local Department of Motor Vehicles or through a truck driving school. There is also a driving test that has to be completed just like there is for operating a regular vehicle.

An individual must be at least 21 years of age before they are allowed to apply for a CDL. There are some special laws that apply for individuals from 16-20 years old who operate semi trucks used in conjunction with agricultural work. They also have to be able to successfully read and write English due to the many road signs pertaining to trucks on the road and the necessary paperwork.

The Department of Transportation requires all CDL license holders to successfully pass a physical completed by a doctor trained in their requirements. This physical has to be renewed annually in order for the individual to remain in compliance. Since the terrorist attacks of 09/11/01, those individuals applying for a CDL also have to be a citizen of the United States and pass a background check.

There are special endorsements for a CDL that a person can apply for as well. Hauling chemicals and flammable materials requires the individual to complete a Hazardous Materials course. Upon doing so they will be given an endorsement to acknowledge this on their drivers license. To find out the specification of obtaining such endorsements ask your local DMV or take a look at the information found online.

The driving record of an individual is going to determine if they are able to obtain a CDL. While you can if you meet all the other requirements and have a valid traditional driver?s license, it doesn?t mean you will be able to get a job. Most employers look very closely at a driving record when hiring drivers. The cost of insurance for big rigs is very expensive, and the get a discount when they have a fleet of drivers with a safe driving history.

Any individual holding a CDL has to understand that they can lose this privilege if their regular driving privileges are suspended or revoked. In many states failure to pay child support according to the court order can result in a driver?s license being suspended. This can also happen due to excessive amounts of speeding tickets, accidents, or driving under the influence of alcohol.

There are various ways in which a person can learn how to operate a big rig. Many students enroll in a truck driving school. This is a program that lasts for several weeks and teaches them all the fundamentals for both passing the written exam and the driving test. Most students master the rules faster than they do the driving skills. Instructors watch closely and work with students in many areas until they master the necessary skills to safely operate a big rig on the public highways.

Others learn from someone else who already holds a CDL. It is very common for fathers to teach their sons how to do this, especially if they have a business where holding a CDL is vital. The rules for obtaining a CDL in the United States are in place to ensure that the roads are safe. They are also in place to prevent those who have a poor driving record from having control of such a large and powerful piece of equipment.

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The Differences between Owner Operators and Company Drivers

There are thousands of trucks out there on the road each day, hauling goods and supplies to various locations. Some of these drivers are owner operators and others are company drivers. The jobs they do may be the same but there are plenty of differences that separate the two. If you are interested in driving a truck you want to take a look at what each one has to offer.

For those who have just received their CDL, becoming a company driver is generally the best option. At least in the beginning as it will allow you to decide if operating a semi truck is really where your interests lie. It will also help you gain work experience and built a reputation for being a quality truck driver.

Company drivers are provided a truck by their employer. They are generally paid by the hour if they drive locally and by the mile if they drive over the road. The company is responsible for the truck payment, the insurance, and all the repairs. They also pay for the fuel expenses. Many company drivers find they get to be in late model trucks because they replace the older ones in the fleet on a regular basis.

Some expenses that a company driver will have while on the road are food, showers, and phone calls. Some employers offer a per diem which is an amount per day they allow for such expenses. This per diem is added to their paycheck so the driver still needs to pay for it out of their pocket and then be reimbursed. If the driver doesn?t spend the amount offered per day then they can generate some additional income as well.

Most company drivers have the option of buying health insurance and they may be eligible for paid vacation time after they have been with the company for awhile. The specifics of these offers depend on the specifications of the company.

Owner operators are able to generate more income than company drivers, but they also have a high overhead. They are responsible for their truck payment, truck repairs, insurance, and maintenance expenses. Still, they have the freedom to haul what they want to through a broker or by leasing their truck to a company. They have more say in the loads they haul than a company driver.

They also have to pay for their own meals, showers, and fuel. An owner operator needs to make sure they put enough money away to cover their taxes as none will be taken out of their paychecks. They also need to have money ready for repairs should the need arise. Owner operators have to secure their own health insurance and if they take any time off, they won?t be paid for that period of time.

There are many legitimate expenses that an owner operator can take on their tax return. It is important to keep all receipts and to categorize them into the different areas of deductions. Being prepared for the end of the year filing is important so this paperwork should be carefully maintained.

There are many exciting jobs out there for truck drivers, but the decision to be an owner operator or a company driver is an important one. The decision is going to affect the amount of money you can earn, your expenses, and the responsibilities you will have in the trucking industry.

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Tips for Truck Drivers to Save Money

When it comes to driving a truck, there are plenty of expenses that come with the territory. The bottom line for a truck driver is the gross amount of money he or she makes less their expenses. Cutting down on various expenses can really help to increase the amount of revenue they are able to keep for themselves.

The most expensive investment for a truck driver is the truck so getting a good deal on a quality piece of equipment is important. The industry tends to have an abundance of used trucks on lots and you can get one that is in good condition for a reasonable price. New trucks are more expensive but they come with a better warranty and you have the peace of mind that it hasn?t been through too much wear and tear.

Getting a good interest rate on your truck is going to lower the cost of your overall payments. It is a good idea to pay extra on your truck towards the principal when you can. This will help you to pay it offer sooner and it will reduce the amount of interest you pay over the life of the loan.

Investing both time and money in routine maintenance is a good way to save money. Your truck will run better with regular oil changes and taking the time to check over all your hoses and lines will prevent you from having to buy expense parts on the road. Having the right amount of air in the tires will also save you on fuel expenses.

Pay close attention to the cost of fuel when you are driving over the road. You may be able to save several cents per gallon by going to another truck stop. Many of the chain truck stops offer fuel cards that will also save you money. Each time you use your card you can save a few cents per gallon. They can also offer a points system where you can buy meals or other items from inside.

Showers can become expensive for truck drivers, with many truck stops charging up to %7 for one. Most of them offer the shower for free if you get a set amount of gallons of fuel. It may be more cost effective to get fuel each morning instead of filling up at one location so you can take advantage of free showers. That is one expense that really adds up fast.

Food is another cost that truck drivers find puts a dent in their wallet. It is a good investment to get a small refrigerator for your cab. You can store lunch meat, fruits, snacks, and drinks in there. This is also more convenient than having to stop to get something to it. This will also help you eat healthier because many truck stops offer fast food options as well as a restaurant.

Truck drivers do need some hot meals though, and these can be eaten at any truck stop restaurant. There are also small stove tops that operate on butane you can buy for your truck. They work great for heating up meals you can enjoy in your truck instead of having to pay for a meal in the restaurant.
There are plenty of personal supplies a truck driver needs to carry with them. Paying for these items at a truck stop is very expensive. Pack plenty of soap, deodorant, toothpaste, mouthwash, and razors so you won?t run out. You should also carry plenty of clothing so that you don?t have to pay to do laundry at truck stops.

A good way to prepare is to pack a very large duffle bag with all of your travel supplies. Carry a smaller duffle bag with one change of clothes, your personal hygiene items, and a couple of towels. You can conveniently carry in the small duffle bag and leave the majority of your supplies in your truck. This is also a good safety measure in case you happen to leave your bag behind.

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Team Truck Drivers

Many truckers out there prefer to drive their rig alone, but others enjoy having a friend or their spouse to be on the road with. The idea behind team truck drivers is to get deliveries made faster. They truck is able to go further in a 24 hour period because you have two drivers that can drive. They can each drive all of their hours of service and then switch or drive in timed shifts.

Most team truck drivers decide to drive in full shifts so that the other person can get sufficient rest. Basically the team will stop at regular intervals so each can eat, shower, and use the bathroom. Each person that makes up the team has to keep their own log book of their hours of service, both on duty and off duty.

This is one of the few times when it is acceptable to have more than one log book in a semi truck. Generally this practice is banned so that truck drivers can?t be accused of running with more than one set of books in order to manipulate the hours of service regulations.

The biggest advantage to having team truck drivers is they can get deliveries to the destination in half the time of a solo driver. Most trucking companies send their team trucks on routine routes because they want to keep the customer happy by always having the deliveries completed on time.

Many team truck drivers are sent over the road with hazardous materials because they are on the open road for less time. The truck is generally on the move instead of being stopped for hours at a time due to the hours of service regulations that will result in a solo driver parking the hazardous load and waiting until they have new driving hours.

There are a couple of downfalls to the concept of team truck drivers though. First, many people have their own way of doing things and this will carry over to taking care of the truck. It can create issues when each person wants things to be done their own way. Secondly, it can make it difficult for couples because even though they are in the truck for many hours per day together, they get very little time to actually spend together.

It can also be difficult to stay with a set schedule when there are traffic hold ups, delivery delays, and other unforeseen events. If the team truck drivers aren?t doing their finances together such as best friends driving together it can be tricky to divvy up earnings. Most trucking companies pay team truck drivers half of the overall miles completed for a given trip to avoid such issues but this is dealt with on a company by company basis.

Many trucking companies place new drivers with an experienced driver to show them the ropes over the road. This type of team truck driving can be very uncomfortable and strained. Since neither person knows the other they may find it difficult to get into a routine that works for both of them. It is also hard for the new driver to learn because he or she should be sleeping during that period of time. Likewise, the experienced driver may find it difficult to sleep with someone so inexperienced behind the wheel of the semi truck.

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Trucker Talk

Truck drivers are professionals who have their own terminology for many different events that take place. They often talk to each other on the CB to offer assistance and information to each other. The most common phrase that truck drivers use that most of us are aware of is the term 10/4. This basically means they have acknowledged what was said and they are signing off.

Truck drivers generally warn each other about road hazards and safety issues. The term four wheeler refers to a regular sized vehicle on the road. They may want to let other drivers behind them know about a car on the side of the road ahead or other concerns. They also notify each other of cops by various terms ? a smokey is a cop on the ground in a car, Evil Kinevil is one on a motorcycle, and a bear in the air is in reference to speed being monitored by aircraft.

We have all seen those large pieces of rubber from semi truck tires on the highway. They are referred to as alligators. Road kill is a common site on many roads, and truck drivers refer to it as road pizza. Flat bed trailers are often referred to as skateboards. Tractor trailers are commonly referred to as a box.

If you see a truck moving without a trailer attached to it, truckers call this bobtailing. While it saves them of fuel mileage, it is a bumpy road without that trailer on the back to help smooth things out.

At truck stops you may hear the term lot lizard. This is in reference to the girls who are wondering around in the parking lot trying to get paid to perform sexual favors for truck drivers. They call them lizards because they scramble when they see light from security or the cops. You can even see them dangerously walking underneath moving trailers on semi trucks to avoid being caught.

Some of the lot lizards stay in their vehicles to avoid being detected by security. They use codes on the radio asking if someone wants their chrome polished or their truck detailed. These are code words for various types of sexual favors ? yet they can?t be charged with anything if a cop hears them say these terms over the CB radio frequency.

You will find that some of the slang used on the CB?s varies by location on the country. There are many different variations and many of the long term truck drivers are able to correctly identify the region another driver is from just by the terminology they use. For the most part though trucker talk is common knowledge among this profession.

The truck talk that pertains to safety issues seems to be more standardized across the board. It is the terms that refer to other aspects out there that seem to come with the most variations associated with them.

While most of us have no reason to learn truck talk, it can be interesting to understand what they are talking about if you work in a truck stop or you have a CB in your vehicle. I have learned various types of trucker talk listening to my husband and other drivers talking around me. While I find some of their terminology to be silly, it serves its purpose.

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