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Over-the-road truck driving is one of the most stable and well-paying jobs in the country, but it requires its drivers to possess specific qualities. If you’re looking to start your career as a professional truck driver, your CDL is not the only requirement! 

A good truck driver should be responsible. They should always be able to meet their deadlines and deliver their shipments to the correct place and in the right condition. Most importantly though, they must follow all traffic laws and abide by their company’s regulations. Having a well-developed sense of responsibility makes a truck driver incredible valuable to their carrier, while also making them more trustworthy and reliable. If you show your employer that you are a responsible driver, they won’t have to worry about sending you on longer delivery routes.  

A good truck driver must remain focused at all times, and this can be challenging while driving for long hours. In addition to following all of the road safety rules, truck drivers should stay alert and remain aware of all other vehicles, any pedestrians, and dangerous weather conditions. Over-the-road truck drivers should also always pay attention to the condition of their truck and their surroundings and should know when to slow down or stop.  

It is critical that a truck driver is well-organized. They should always have their ID, licenses, permits, expense sheets, fuel receipts, and other miscellaneous paperwork on hand at all times. They also have to keep track of all of the information pertaining to their delivery load and shipment. Long-haul truck drivers are a phenomenal asset to their carriers, and these skills contribute getting paid on time and moving onto the next shipment without any delays.  

Every single profession requires punctuality, not meeting deadlines as a truck driver can absolutely destroy your career and not allow you to progress. Employers expect their drivers to deliver their goods on time, and customers expect to receive their products without delays. If you observe your schedule and always arrive on time, both your company and the customers will be able to trust you. Safety first should always be a factor – road conditions are always subject to change, especially in the more unpredictable winter months, and a wise truck driver will adjust their driving accordingly.  

As in any good relationship, communication is key.  Truck drivers are in contact with various customers throughout the country and need to master effective and efficient communication. Although driving for several hours or days can be stressful, a good truck driver is always polite while interacting with clients, and this mindset allows for good and lasting customer relationships.  

Good truck drivers are always safety-conscious, responsible, punctual, focused, organized, and great at communication. These qualities and mindset are just as important as knowing how to drive and having a spotless driving record.  

If you’re looking to start your career as a truck driver, U.S. Truck Driver Training School can help you get on your road to success today. Get in touch with our Admissions office and set up a call or meeting with one of our helpful staff!

8 Responses
  1. You made an interesting point when you mentioned that truck drivers are always safety-conscious. It seems like there are a lot of preparations that need to be made before a truck can be driven to make it safe. Taking a CDL course would probably be a good way to learn more about these safety precautions.

  2. I liked it when you shared that it is important to find a good truck driver who is able to remain focused at all times, especially for long hours drives. My uncle just mentioned the other day that he is planning to find trucking jobs so he can make money to support his family. I will suggest to him find the right one that requires his license and make sure to stay focused at all times.

  3. It got me that most when you explained that truck drivers should always adhere to their deadlines and bring their loads to the right place and in the good condition. My cousin wants to pursue a professional career as a truck driver. I’ll advise him to apply to a trucking company if he has the qualities you mentioned.

  4. I love that you talked that responsibility on and off the truck is one of the most important qualities of a truck driver. A few nights ago, my uncle said he was planning to consult a truck-hauling company that could transport decorative rocks and aggregate for his farm property development. He asked if I had any opinions on the best plan to consider. I love this enlightening article. I’ll tell him we can consult truck hauling services because they can provide details about their services.

  5. I appreciate what you said about making sure you have a clean record as a driver. My wife needs her car shipped to Europe. We’ll have to consider hiring a shipper who has good ratings to take care of the trip.

  6. I have a cousin who’s starting a trucking company in a few months, so he wants to start hiring his crew. I think that my cousin wants to try a few of his candidates by asking them to drive the trailers from a few states away, so I believe that your hiring tips could help him get started. Thanks for the information on how truck drivers must be punctual and focused.

  7. Thank you for explaining that it’s important that a truck driver is focused all the time. My brother is thinking about becoming a truck driver for his job. I know that he has this quality about him, so I’m sure he’ll be a good one once he gets hired.

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