Posts

The Power of Team Driving

, /by

Team driving: Why more truck drivers are choosing this option

Have you ever felt lonely on the road? 

 

Truck drivers face many challenges throughout their career, but few are as persistent as the feeling of loneliness that comes with being far from home for hours on end. Some might simply view trucking as a solitary profession, but this doesn’t have to always be true. 

 

What if there was a way to drive with a companion while also earning more money and increasing your chance of receiving priority loads?  

 

For many truckers, the solution is team driving. Keep reading to learn the benefits of being a team driver, as well as what other truckers have had to say about how they earn more and better enjoy driving when they’re part of a team.  

 

What is team driving? 

Simply put, team driving is when two (or more!) professional drivers ride together in the same truck and share driving duties while transporting freight. Most carriers allow team driving, and many even encourage it, due to the more efficient mileage covered and turnaround allowed by alternating drivers.  

 

Team driving is an especially popular option for married drivers or close friends who already know they work well together and don’t mind the close quarters required of OTR truck driving teams. Team driving allows one partner to drive while the other takes a break, either in the passenger seat or in the sleeper berth. This way, both drivers can receive valuable downtime while keeping the truck moving.  

 

This arrangement is also a smart way to abide by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations on commercial driving breaks.  

 

According to the FMCSA, truck drivers are allowed to drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. With team driving, one team member can drive for 11 hours while the other driver catches up on sleep, allowing the truck to be on the road for longer periods of time.  

 

The FMCSA also mandates that a driver must take a 30-minute break after driving 8 consecutive hours. During this break, the driver cannot be behind the wheel. With team driving, the driver can take their 30-minute break to rest while their partner continues the drive, resulting in fewer stops and faster deliveries. 

 

What are the benefits? 

Team driving is an increasingly popular option for many truckers because of the higher earnings, increased safety, and companionship.  

 

Although team drivers split their earnings for each load, they still make more on average than solo drivers. This is because team drivers can drive nearly double the number of hours per week as solo drivers, and they are often first selected for priority loads and loads that are in higher demand. In fact, according to Prime Inc., team drivers log an average of 4,500 to 5,000 miles a week, compared to an average of 2,400-2,800 miles a week for solo drivers. As a result, team drivers can find more consistent work and earn more money per mile driven than solo drivers.  

 

Besides providing a solution to the potential loneliness of trucking, bringing another driver along for the ride also increases the safety of yourself and your freight. Team driving allows you to ensure that your truck and freight are never left unattended. While one driver grabs food or hits the truck stop showers, the other driver can remain in the cab and keep watch.  

 

Team driving can also be a great option for female truck drivers who have valid safety concerns and might feel more comfortable sharing their cab with a trusted colleague while at truck stops and on the road.  

 

Are there any cons? 

While team driving is the perfect solution for many truckers, it’s important to consider the potential downsides as well.  

 

For drivers who are used to having the cab to themselves, it can take some time to adjust to a partner, even if they’re your spouse. Team drivers must always take into account another trucker’s opinion when making decisions, whether it’s about break times, what route to take, or even what speed to drive at.  

 

Trucking might feel lonely sometimes, but it can feel overcrowded quickly if you don’t get along with your partner. It’s important to get to know your partner before you set out on the road, so consider comparing your driving habits and personal interests to make sure the fit is right.  

 

The alternating schedule of team driving can be beneficial, but it can also affect your sleep quality if you’re not a heavy sleeper. Adjusting to sleeping during the day can be harder if there’s additional noise from your partner and the road, not to mention the bumps and braking that could keep you awake. Being well rested and alert is essential to trucking, so keep this in mind if you think sleeping in shifts could impact your ability to sleep while on the road.  

 

 

 

Whether you’re looking to earn more money per mile, gain experience by driving with a seasoned driver, or just feel a little less lonely on the road, team driving could be the right option for you.  

 

For more tips and strategies to make the most of your trucking profession, be sure to check out our social media or check out our other recent Truck Driver Blog posts.  

 

5 New Year’s Resolutions to Add to Your List

, , /by

This New Year, people around the world created resolutions about fitness, hobbies, relationships, and more. However, many forget that creating goals for your career and work environment can decrease daily stress and improve productivity all year long.  

 

In a field like commercial trucking, your job can often feel more like a lifestyle. This means that by creating New Year’s resolutions that prioritize your health, safety, and enjoyment on the job, you can improve your overall quality of life. 

 

Keep reading to find out 5 New Year’s resolutions every CDL driver should add to their list this year, and how to set yourself up to have a successful and safe 2024.  

 

Health & Wellness 

For CDL drivers, who spend an average of 40-60 hours a week on the road, it can be difficult to remember to prioritize your physical and mental health. This year, create realistic and quantifiable goals that allow you to focus on your well being no matter where you are.  

 

Take advantage of your break times to get out and stretch your legs or go for a walk. Consider making it a goal to walk for 15 minutes a day, or incorporate calf and other muscle stretches into your daily routine. Being stationary for long periods of time can have a greater health impact than you might expect, and just a little bit of movement can go a long way.  

 

In 2024, you should also keep in mind that mental health is just as important as physical health. Try listening to new podcasts or audiobooks that deal with health and wellness, and be honest with yourself about how you feel. With nearly 14% of CDL drivers facing depression, the first step to every solution is to recognize the problem. This year, don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it, and look into what services your carrier may provide to help you along the way.  

 

Diet & Nutrition 

What you eat plays a large role in your health and how you feel overall. Seven out of every 10 truckers face obesity, and this problem can be made worse by the difficulty in finding affordable and nutritious food on the road.  

 

This year, consider making it a priority to bring food from home, or seek out truck stops and restaurants that offer filling food high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats. If you find yourself drinking more than 2-3 cups of coffee a day, try to make a goal to lessen your daily intake by half and see how you feel. By eating better and listening to your body, you might be surprised by how much energy you have.  

 

Make Time for Loved Ones 

One of the most difficult parts about truck driving is the long time spent away from home. Being far from loved ones and special events can have a direct impact on mental health, and it can be hard to remind yourself to remain connected while on the road.  

 

By involving your family and loved ones in your own resolutions, you might also be more likely to keep up with them! This year, call home at least once a week, and try out new activities to make the distance seem less difficult. Video calling might not feel the same as being there in person, but apps that let you watch movies together virtually or online board games can improve your mood and remind you of who is waiting for you when you get back.  

 

Maintain Regular Rest Time 

When you’re on the road, it can be easy to try to drive as much as possible to get the job done faster. However, scheduling regular break times is not just legally required for CDL drivers, it’s also important for your safety.  

 

Allow yourself time to rest whenever you begin to feel tired, even if you just pull to the side of the road for 15 minutes. This will barely affect your overall run time, and could help you avoid dangerous and costly accidents.  

 

Always Be Open to Learn  

The trucking industry is always changing, and sometimes it can feel overwhelming to keep up with evolving trends. However, remember that by staying up to date on the newest technologies and legislation, you can remain ahead of the game and find ways to make your day-to-day routine easier.  

 

Consider making it a goal to attend a new conference or hiring event this year. Even if you aren’t looking for a new job, finding out about developments in the industry could help you discover new useful tools and plan for the future.  

 

 

Stay up to date on driver advice, events, and opportunities this year by following our social media or reading other posts on our Driver Blog.  

Drive My Way’s 2023 Driver Happiness Report Available Now

, , /by

Are you happy at your job? What could make you happier?

These were some of the questions answered by over 500 truck drivers nationwide as part of Drive My Way’s 2023 Driver Happiness Survey. The results of this survey were recently released in a report now available to be downloaded as a PDF from this page.  

 

If you’re unhappy in your current position, you aren’t alone. The survey responses highlighted the issues facing today’s truck drivers, and the factors that could increase driver satisfaction rates across the nation.  

 

In 2023, only 51% of surveyed drivers said they were happy at their job. Younger and newer drivers especially expressed less satisfaction than older, more experienced drivers, with only 44% of drivers with 1-2 years of experience saying they were happy in their current position.  

 

These surprising results revealed that driver happiness nationwide has decreased since Drive My Way’s last happiness report in 2019, when 54% of drivers said they were happy in their positions. Today’s drivers are also now nearly twice as likely to look for a new job than those surveyed in 2019.  

 

When asked what employers could do better to increase satisfaction rates, many drivers agreed on two things: compensation and communication. Communication is seen as especially important by female drivers and new employees, with twice as many women as men reporting that communication was the one thing employers could improve.  

 

To download Drive My Way’s Driver Happiness Report on the state of satisfaction among professional truck drivers in 2023, just click to this link and enter your information. https://hiring.drivemyway.com/2023-driver-happiness-report/ 

 

Drive My Way is a truck driver recruiting platform completely focused on drivers and their needs. We match company drivers and owner operators with CDL jobs based on more than 20 personal lifestyle preferences. If you believe we could help you reach your career goals, or you’re interested in being a part of our next Driver Happiness Survey, be sure to visit our driver platform here and sign up for our email alerts.