A career as a long haul driver offers adventure and flexibility; however, drivers also sacrifice a lot. Professional long haul drivers work long hours, can have unpredictable delays, and spend a lot of time away from home. This is why long haul driving is only a long term career option for those who truly love to be behind the wheel. Below is what a typical day on the road looks like for a professional long haul driver, including some things you might not know about.
A Day in the Life
As a professional long haul driver, you won’t be working a standard 8-hour day or 9-to-5. Rather, your day is determined by the contract you are fulfilling. This means you may have longer and shorter days depending on the final destination, weather, route, and traffic. However, it is important to remember that you can only drive for 11 hours within a 14-hour period, before requiring a 10-hour rest as per the FMCSA regulations. With that in mind, here is a typical day on the road.
Pre-Trip
Each driving day starts with a pre-trip inspection, this must happen before you start driving for the day, whether that is in the morning or at night. Make sure to complete the whole inspection checklist, reviewing everything from tire condition, brakes, fluid levels, lights, electrical systems, and trailer connections when relevant. This check is especially important if you have been parked for the night, as with cargo theft on the rise, someone may have tried to tamper with your load while you were resting.
Route Planning
Before hitting the road for the day every professional long haul driver reviews the route they want to take. By doing this right before leaving, you can spot any issues that have arisen including road closures, potential accidents, weather conditions, and more. This also allows you to plan for rest stops, making sure that there are the appropriate facilities you need and planning for where you will end your day. Remember to also plan where you can refuel, as on some routes, fuel stops are few and far between.
Getting Yourself Ready
Now that you have checked your vehicle and confirmed your route for the day, it is time to get yourself ready. Driving takes a lot of concentration and requires you to stay alert at all times. To help with this, you should set up a playlist of podcasts, music, or audiobooks to listen to as you drive. Furthermore, it is important to stock your cab with easily accessible drinks like water, coffee, or protein shakes and have ready-to-eat snacks in reach for when you take a break.
Driving
The majority of your workday as a professional long haul driver is spent behind the wheel. This requires a lot of focus, discipline, and time management. On some trips you will be driving on familiar roads, however, some contracts will take you to new places which requires additional focus. Throughout the day, make sure to stop when you need to, and be sure to take at least one 30-minute break during an 8-hour period as legally required.
Finishing Up
At the end of each day, you will need to park somewhere safe so you can eat, sleep, and shower if needed. Parking at truck stops is generally best, as there are often bathroom and shower facilities. Furthermore, most truck stops have a restaurant or store where you can get a decent meal. Finally, truck stops have good lighting and cameras, helping to keep both drivers and cargo safe. Once you stop for the day, it is recommended to do a quick check of the trailer connections, and any load bearing straps to ensure cargo is secure. Then, it is time to rest and rejuvenate for the next day.
Start you rest by grabbing a good meal, then having a shower before retiring to your sleeping arrangements for some downtime. This is the perfect chance to catch up on tv shows, read a book, or contact loved ones. Then, it is time to get some sleep; you should get at least eight hours to ensure you are ready and alert for the next day.
Being a professional long haul driver is a dream for those who love to be on the road and want to see more of the US. However, it is important to consider the downsides as well. For many drivers, the days are long and isolated, which can be difficult for their mental health. Furthermore, you are sedentary for many hours at a time, so staying fit and healthy is more of a challenge. This is why many long haul drivers choose to take contracts with a few days in between so they can go to the gym and get more exercise on their days off.
Drive for Classic Transport
Classic Transport offers competitive compensation while focusing on safety and communication to build a lasting career. Learn more about the various driving programs and apply to become a long haul driver on the Classic Transport website today.