What's the best way to learn the ins and outs of trucking?

I'm changing careers (have been a nurse for years) and am enrolled in a CDL class that starts tomorrow.

I've wanted to drive truck for years but am clueless about how it all works. What's the best way to find out? Even simple stuff like do you sleep in the truck? or at a truck stop?

I know this is probably funny to people who do this all the time but I'm a total newbie. thanks

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Dec 11, 2011
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Welcome to the site and the trucking industry
by: NickV

Well since you are going to be going to school more than likely and I would actually suggest that your first company will send you out with a trainer for quite sometime. It is this persons job to train you on everything he/she knows about trucking.

As of right now, honestly all you need to worry about is learning to drive the truck. Once you get out of school and get a job they aren't going to just throw some keys at you and tell you back up to 456321 and see ya later.

Every company has a orientation process to teach you about paperwork, qualcomm's, etc..

Once you get on the truck with your trainer if at any point you don't feel as if your trainer is doing what he/she is suppose to be doing, you will have plenty of numbers and make sure you call and get a new trainer.

Too many trainers these days are more worried about making money than actually being a good mentor. Once you are done with your time in training you should feel absolutely 100% positive you can handle that truck and trailer alone and do your job.

If you don't, your trainer hasn't done his job and either get more training or ask questions. Remember there are never stupid questions and a good truck driver can be in it for 50 years and tell you they learn something new everyday.

Look around on this site, it will give you a lot of answers you may be looking for, if you have more, feel free to ask and someone will give you an answer and if we don't have it we will find it.

This site is all about helping people understand truck driving to see if it is something they want to do. Its also about educating drivers as well as 'newbies' as to whats going on in the industry.

Like I said no question is a dumb question. Good Luck to you and keep us updated on your new journey

Dec 05, 2011
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the best way to learn the ins and outs of trucking...
by: Hervy

...is to ride with a trucker if possible.

No actually it's not that uncommon of a thought. Although many people never think to ask, they just assume it is like what they think it is like until they are living the truth first hand. That is exactly why the site is here.

You as with all of the visitors here, deserve a lot of credit for doing your research. Just as the moderators and contributors deserve credit for filling you in with info.

And there is your answer. You already have it, and you are already here. Read this page
the best way to learn about trucking life. (Of course you can do research all day on google and the rest of the net also, lol)

It takes you through one of my days. Where you will learn the specific questions you asked and more.

Enjoy the ride,
Hervy

P.S. By the way if you have someone you can ride out with that will of course be even better, but since your starting school, I don't think you will be able to do that.

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