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A truck driver's job is to drive, right? Obviously, driving the truck is the biggest responsibility, but it is certainly not where the job ends. As a truck driver you need to take on several additional responsibilities in order to be successful. Here are five of the most important duties that a truck driver has on top of driving:

1. Know the rules:  As a truck driver you need to know and abide by the rules of being on the road. For example, your hours of service rules, traffic laws and how they may vary by state.
2. Know proper procedures: You need to know unloading and loading procedures, how much weight your rig can handle, etc. What are the procedures if you get involved in an accident? Take time to understand these before hopping on the road.
3. Know your equipment: You need to keep your equipment in good repair. While major repairs are handled by maintenance or a mechanic, truck drivers need to do basic, routine stuff like keeping the truck clean, inspection before and after any trip, checking your oil, etc. It's also your responsibility to note anything that needs to be repaired.
4. Become a planner: You need to be a good planner. Choosing the best route is up to you and can greatly impact your success as a truck driver. It helps to be familiar with GPS and other route planning technology. However, be careful to not become overly reliant on it. Even in this day and age map reading is a useful skill. You will need to plan alternative routes to get around traffic congestion, accidents, or weather-related problems in order to get your goods to the client on time.
5. Keep good records:  Although many modern trucks have black boxes that log certain things automatically, truck drivers need to be able to keep all of the required logs. You have to log break times, load and unload times, delivery instructions, etc. In many cases, it is the driver's responsibility to know what should be loaded onto the truck and make sure that the goods match what they are supposed to be.

Being a truck driver does involve long hours behind the wheel, but there are other skills you need to develop as well. Without these skills, you may not find the quick path to success that you were hoping. Take pride in being a truck driver and with that, take the time to perfect your skills. To find out more about getting the best training to prepare for this demanding job, contact Advanced Career Institute today.

So you’ve completed Truck Driver Training with Advanced Career Institute, what’s next? There are a variety of routes you can take in your new truck driving career. In the previous articles in this series, we’ve compared Over the Road, Local and Specialized Truck Driving. Now, it’s time to take a look at the pros and cons of Team Driving. Do you have what it takes to become a team driver?

Team Driving…What Is It?

Team Driving is basically what it sounds like, two drivers to a cab rather than a single driver. Two truck drivers sign with a carrier to deliver loads together. The drivers alternate between driving and relaxing. The goal is to keep the truck in motion and the freight continually moving. This keeps productivity levels high and customers happy.

Upsides to Team Driving

There are many upsides to team driving. First, keeping the truck in constant motion moves product faster, which pleases your customers. Not only are there benefits for the company, but the drivers benefit as well. During the downtime in the truck, drivers are able to relax. You can read a book, snooze a little or catch-up with your family. When a driver works alone, they are required to stop to rest for a period of time before they can resume their route. However, in a team setting, the truck is able to run constantly. Team Driving jobs are always in high demand. Carriers and their customers love the idea of moving product faster, so they are always looking to hire team drivers. Team driving is oftentimes the springboard to securing a job with a desired carrier. Additionally, this high demand also results in higher pay. Since there will be two drivers, the mileage per week will increase significantly.

Downsides to Team Driving

Every career option always comes with its downsides. There are two obvious disadvantages to team driving. First, you will be stuck with another driver in a tight space where you must share everything…cleanliness, your bunks, radio stations, driving habits and endless conversation. Furthermore, you are no longer solely responsible for looking out for yourself and the other drivers on the road, but you have another person’s life in your hands at all times.

How to Choose Your Partner

The most common team drivers are husband and wife. This gives couples the opportunity to see each other regularly, rather than to be away from one another for days, weeks or even months at a time. However, you don’t have to drive with your spouse. You can choose to drive with a friend or a carrier can match you with another driver. Carrier or truck driver matching sites will compare each driver’s location and personality to make sure they are a good fit for one another. Think of this as the E Harmony of truck driving. However, if you prefer to drive with someone you know, sometimes carriers will pay for your friend to complete Truck Driver Training through a referral program. Ultimately, truck driving is a lifestyle, so it is vital to determine which path is the right one for you.   Interested in beginning Truck Driver Training? Advanced Career Institute offers Truck Driver Training for Class A CDL, Class B CDL and Ag Transportation. ACI is a California Truck Driving School with campus locations in Merced, Fresno and Visalia. To learn more about our Truck Driver Training, check out Our Programs! Take a look at our previous blogs in this series comparing OTR, Local and Specialized Trucking Careers. Keep an eye out for the last blog of this series covering Owner-Operator Trucking Careers.