The trucking industry is an essential part of the American economy. Just about every industry relies on these trucks to efficiently deliver products and materials all across the country.
In order to succeed throughout your professional trucking career, you're going to need plenty of knowledge and skills. From understanding truckload logistics like overweight shipping rules to sticking to a diligent schedule.
Here are some essential things you should keep in mind when it comes to thriving in the competitive trucking sector:
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- You'll be riding for a long time -- Many people think that a typical trucking route is a few stops throughout the day and making a shipment stop about once an hour. That's not the case at all. Oftentimes, truckers will drive for hours on end without having to make a stop to unload. The length of haul has declined over the years, however, it's not all bad. According to Satish Jindel, president of SJ Consulting Group, public truckload carriers report that the average length of haul has decreased by 4% between 2011 and 2016.
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- You'll have to stay on top of shipping and freight regulations -- The Department of Transportation (DoT) has plenty of set federal requirements when it comes to trucking that you will need to be fully knowledgeable about. When it comes to overweight shipping requirements, safety regulations, and time spent driving, there are federal laws that you must adhere to.
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- Schedule preventive maintenance -- Your truck or trailer is your responsibility at all times. Make sure that you're staying on top of all its maintenance and repair needs to prevent breakdowns and potentially catastrophic on-the-road accidents. Additionally, neglecting truck maintenance will end up costing you and your employer a fortune.
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- Stick to your own strict schedule -- Once you develop your shipment schedule for the rest of your week, do everything you can to stick to the schedule. If you think you're going to run a few hours late or have to miss any stops along the way, at least give them a call so they are not waiting for your shipment all day.
If you want to learn more about specialty freight services, give Diversified Transportation Services a call today.
