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Commercial trucks are vital to the American way of life; they transport the goods we buy to the stores where we shop. Unfortunately, when that truck is headed to its destination, it may present a hazard. Many 18 wheeler accidents occur every year because of the truck driver’s negligence.

As with any automobile, driving a truck negligently is a dangerous action. Truckers are, in many cases, more dangerous when being driven negligently because of their large size and the weight that they carry. Commercial trucks tend to pack more force than traditional automobiles, which spells trouble for automobile driver should they collide with an 18 wheeler.

Driver negligence comes in many forms. Many forms of driver negligence are the same for cars and trucks, but some dangers associated with negligent driving are exclusive to 18 wheelers. Some of the causes of truck driver negligence include:

• Tiredness
• Failing to observe warning signs
• Paying little or no attention to the road
• Disregard for smaller vehicles
• Speeding

Any of these forms of negligence may lead to serious injury or even death. Truck drivers, like all other drivers, have an obligation to drive safely and to avoid accidents with their fellow motorists to the best of their abilities.

When truckers, or any drivers for that matter, fail to exercise proper caution and commit a negligent action, they may be liable for any injuries they cause in an accident. When this happens, the injured individual may be entitled to financial compensation for his or her injuries.

Even in today’s disastrous economy, truck driving jobs are in demand. Transportation companies are practically begging for qualified drivers to transport their goods across state lines. Even with fuel prices as high as they are, having good drivers on hand is invaluable for today’s transportation companies. There are so many things to transport (food, furniture, clothing, toys, etc.), that there’s never enough people to do it all. If shipments are late, that reflects poorly on the company doing the shipping. Therefore, it’s critical that each transportation company have a hefty roster of qualified drivers at all times. This could spell good news for you if you’re in the market for such a position.

If you want to be a truck driver, you should know that the job is physically demanding, so you need to be fit. You also need to be aware that since most truck driving jobs involve long-distance driving, you may be away from your family for a week at a time, and possibly longer. The farther you have to go, the longer you’ll be gone, so this is something your family will have to be ready for, as well. Usually, truck drivers and their families get used to this type of lifestyle fairly quickly, and the good money it brings in often makes up for the amount of time the truck driver has to spend away.

Entry level salaries for truck driving jobs are around $30,000 a year, and typically increase significantly as one gains in experience. Also, the longer trips usually pay more, so if you want to make the really big bucks, volunteer for lengthy drives. You could make close to $70,000 a year to start if you’re willing to drive far enough during that time. This is good money for any family, especially in an economy such as this one.

Just remember that it’s not always as easy as it sounds to drive long distances alone.. You’ll be having to fight off both sleep and weather, as well as a healthy degree of boredom. The upside is you have no boss looking over your shoulder all the time to see what you’re doing–your degree of autonomy is very high. This makes truck driving jobs perfect for those with an independent streak, or anyone looking to make excellent money with a flexible schedule and the opportunity to see a variety of interesting places across the country. Companies are hiring like crazy all the time, so now’s the time to get in on this wonderful economic opportunity.

Truck driving jobs often surprise newcomers with the amounts of benefits that are offered to them. If you are considering a career change and are thinking of accepting a truck driving job then this is a must read for you. The best part is that getting truck driver jobs is pretty easy to obtain as these jobs are in very high demand. Consider these following benefits.

If you haven’t already heard, truck drivers get paid A LOT of money! Because there is a national shortage of truck drivers, companies are willing to give bonuses and increased pay to truck drivers. If you are a safe and reliable truck driver you will also get paid much more money as companies value stable employees that lower their overhead risk. Seniority also matters as a truck driver because companies give raises each year that you are a truck driver.

Major benefits are offered to drivers by big trucking companies. Benefits for truck driving usually include medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage, life insurance, and retirement plans such as 401K’s. Truck drivers often get paid holidays and paid vacations. The benefits offered to truck drivers rival benefit packages found at fortune 500 companies.

Flexibility is another great benefit for people looking for truck driving jobs. Schedules can be decided by drivers and drivers can also select what types of hauls they would like to drive. If you are a solo driver, you can sometimes get permission to bring a pet or child to accompany you during the drive.

Beauty truly is all around you as a driver. The U.S. is so amazingly beautiful and most drivers love the things they see along their driving routes. Its the best office view anyone could ask for.

With this country in it’s current recession, job security is the most sought after benefit people are looking for. Job security is another great benefit of being a truck driver. Trucking companies always need more drivers and the population and needs for services continue to increase. Truck driving jobs will never go away, no matter what kind of economic status the country is in.

As you can see truck driver jobs offer a lot of realistic and privileged benefits. As a truck driver you can make sure that your family has health insurance and you can also start planning for your families future by knowing there are retirement options available to help you with the expenses of life. We hope you will seriously consider the benefits of being a truck driver as you continue your career search.

As a sales and marketing professional with many years in the trucking industry, I have witnessed professional truckers who have spent many years in good paying CDL truck driver jobs. Only to watch them stretch to maintain a continuous and effective job search. Primarily, these pour souls are always searching for the world’s best truck driving jobs.In this article, we will share a limited number priceless job search secrets and strategies. If implemented correctly, you will put yourself in a position to land your dream truck driving job and negotiate the best possible compensation plan for you and your family at the same time.Before we begin, keep in mind that the probability of these priceless job search techniques ever being uttered from the mouths of trucking company hiring managers or truck driver job recruiters are slim at best. Why? The primary function of a trucking company hiring manager is to staff its local truck driving jobs at the lowest possible cost to it’s bottom line and to maximize its profits.,/P>The primary goal of a truck driver job recruiter is to collect commissions for getting you hired on to one of his clients. Their concern for your compensation package is not on the top of their priority list.All too often a trucker will leave behind a good CDL truck driving job at a company with a solid business model and a good record of taking care of their drivers. Only to realize that they could have avoided making an incredibly bad career move, had they only thought it through more carefully. If there is one common mistake that I have seen dedicated, hard working truck drivers make through the years, it is poor career decisions.Hopefully our top 5 secrets to a successful truck driving job search will help you avoid a poor career move in the near future. They include:1. The key to a successful truck driving job search is to plan your work and work your plan. The first step in any considerable life changing move is to be realistic with your expectations and create a list of objectives and strategies to achieve your short and long term goals.Many professionals in search of the best truck driving jobs fail to set realistic job search career goals. If you were an olympic archery expert would you not agree with me that you would be highly focused on your target during your event. Of course you would. Setting career goal strategy has two major benefits. First, it helps you develop laser focus in establishing career priorities. Second, it will dramatically improve your self esteem for this highly stressful process.2. Prepare a list of short and long term career goals. Before you start your career search process, spend some serious time laying out on paper 1,3 and 5 year goals. Is you long term goal to become and independent owner operator, or are you more likely to work for a trucking company? There are positives and negatives with each opportunity. Most employers consider an employment package to include approximately 70% salary and 30% benefits. This may be more suited for someone with a young family with a wife who has decided stay at home with the children. Whereas and owner operator may make more money, they usually have to acquire benefits on their own which can be an enormous expenseBottom line: As an employee of a trucking company, you’re more likely to be offered a compensation package that includes salary and a benefits package.3. Inadequate pre-employment research is the primary reason why professional truck drivers is unhappy 1-2 years following a job change from one company to another. The last thing you or your family wants to do is to accept a new truck driver job position by hastily jumping to a company that offers you $.50 more per hour or $.05 more a mile. Far too many times good truck drivers make a quick move from an established company that has treated you well to a company that offered you the sky for a small, short term economic gain. This can ruin your mine emotionally and inflict real havoc on your family.Bottom Line: It is imperative that you take this process seriously and spend the necessary time researching all truck driver job opportunities.4. Evaluate your current job satisfaction. Keep a written journal of your daily reactions to your job situation for at least 30 days. Along the way look for recurring themes or events that bring pleasure to your mind and soul. This will help you focus in on which aspects of your current truck driving job deliver the most positive and negative job satisfaction.Bottom Line: You must determine whether or not your primary positive and negative responses related to the duties related to your job, the company culture or the individuals with whom you work everyday. This will go along way in helping you pinpoint key job satisfaction areas for your next truck driving job career move.5. Contract with a professional trucking jobs recruiter. Listen carefully. A successful truck driving job search is a full time job and unless you can be in two places at one time, this is the best investment you can make. In most cases, with an 80,000 job shortfall, a successful recruiter would gladly take a phone call from an educated, professional owner operator looking ot make a career move. A reputable recruiter will have established relationships with the key decision makers you are looking to connect with and in most cases their fees are paid for by the trucking companies. They will make sure your resume is professionally prepared and provide you with a customized cover letter. The additional services of resume/cover writing and interview preparation are skills you should definitely consider investing in.Key Point: Contact at least 2 or 3 professional trucking industry recruiters and meet with them to discuss your results from the previous step.Always remember this, trucking company human resource personnel do not have your best interests in mind. All companies have one primary objective. Obtain the best talent available for the least amount of money. In today’s economic climate, as long as that industry’s job market is tight, the hiring managers have the upper hand. However, with the trucking industry’s current truck driver shortage, a professional OTR independent owner operator has more room to negotiate the best compensation package available.The author has spent 20 plus years in the automotive industry, is an internet publisher and internet marketing consultant. You can find part 2 of this two part series series of articles titled truck driver jobs - job interview tips in the article section of http://www.truck-driver-jobs-online.com.

The life of a truck driver is not your normal 8 to 5 lifestyle. Because of the odd hours a truck driver may keep eating healthy may be no easy task. With the limited amounts of healthy food at truck stops, and a life style where your always eating on the go it is no wonder that many truck drivers suffer from high blood pressure.

If you’re a truck driver or know one, you can use these tips to live a healthier lifestyle and keep blood pressure in check.

1. Quit or reduce smoking. Not every driver can quit smoking cold turkey but the sooner they quit or cut back the better. If your going to get your pressure checked, stop smoking 30 minutes before you test to get a more accurate reading of your blood pressure.
2. Get some exercise. This one can be very tricky for a truck driver who is trying to keep the wheels moving. But here is a tip. Try walking a few times around the parking lot, or your equipment. If you do this a few times each stop and when you’re off duty, you’ll begin to finds ways to get 30 minutes of walking in each day.
3. Lose some weight. This can be especially tuff to do. Exercise and portion control seem to be the secret to success. Start by cutting something out of your diet each day or substituting water for it. For example, instead of that large Coke, try a large ice water.
4. Another way to reduce your blood pressure is to cut your sodium, caffeine, and alcohol intakes. Cutting these and substituting juice and water for these can make a huge difference.
5. Lastly, believe it or not, but just relaxing can reduce your blood pressure. That’s right if you can do nothing at all, try sitting back and relaxing a few minutes each day. I believe the common phrase for it is “Take A Load Off!”

Follow the tips above and you will be cruising your way down the low blood pressure highway. High blood pressure can be regulated to keep you healthy and with a little extra attention you can live a healthier life.

Truck driver schools are vocational schools where students and prospective truck drivers go to learn how to drive a truck. Truck driver schools are designed so that upon graduation, students can pass the commercial driver’s license (CDL) test. After a student passes the commercial driver’s license test, they can begin to look for work for a carrier company and start their career in the lucrative, yet demanding world of truck driving.

How much does truck driver school cost? The average school will cost just a few thousand dollars. Many trucking companies will actually pay for students to enroll in classes and then deduct the cost of schooling from their paycheck after the student has graduated and is hired by the carrier. Students should accept these offers with caution because if they are terminated by a carrier that has paid for their education, they will owe any money that is still due on the tuition balance.

How long does truck driver school last? Trucking school can be as short as three to four weeks, but can last longer depending on how thoroughly a school covers the training materials and how many hours a student is required to attend per week. Prospective trainees should beware of “license mills” that may only cover what’s going to be on the CDL test and leave out important behind-the-wheel training. These classes may be cheaper and put students on the road sooner, but the lack of educational experience may hamper some students’ careers in the long run.

What is covered in truck driver school? At a qualified truck diving school, you’ll learn all about the many facets of safety, maintenance and how to operate a semi truck both in the classroom and by driving the truck itself. Many trucking schools have their own driving course or a large parking lot so students can safely drive a semi and learn the rules of the road without putting anyone else in danger. Some schools also have wet skid paths where drivers can learn to control the truck if it were to go into a skid on a wet highway. The best schools are those that offer one-on-one behind-the-wheel training. The better the trainer-to-student ratio, the more time and better instruction they’ll receive.

In the classroom setting, students are taught the various laws and safety procedures that they must be familiar with before getting behind the wheel. Students will also be taught how to perform maintenance inspections and various pre-trip procedures on their training vehicle. In a good school, instructors will be sure to thoroughly cover everything that will be on the commercial driver’s license test. In many schools, before students are allowed to get behind the wheel, they’ll learn how to properly shift gears in the vehicle by training on truck simulators. A good school will also be sure to cover how to stay fit after spending hours and hours in a cab, how to log hours, get paid for bringing in a shipment, and the proper skills to manage life away from home and family.

Trucking school provides the training that is necessary to attain a CDL license and can be the beginning of a career on the road. Students should thoroughly research the schools they plan to attend before making a decision on which school to attend because the quality of education can vary from school to school. Students should also think about whether they would like to attend a school near where they live or attend one where they can reside in off-campus housing while enrolled in the program. Finally, prospective truck drivers should understand that truck driving is a lucrative career but is can be very demanding on their personal lives.

A driver is a person who drives a particular vehicle. This process is known as driving. Professional driving is not easy at all. It is a highly skilled job. Driving a huge truck is always difficult. To be a good truck driver you should have a valid driving license and good driving skills. A cover letter makes you known to the employer. Writing an effective cover letter is very important in this field.

Now, given below is one of the best sample cover letters for the post of a truck driver:

Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State, Zip Code

Date

Employer Name
Company
Address
City, State, Zip

Dear Mr. / Ms. Last Name,
With reference to your advertisement in one of the local newspapers for the want of a Truck driver, I hereby present my job application for the same. I really feel that I am an apt candidate for this post. So, please do consider me for this significant position. I have a valid truck driver’s license.

I have worked as a truck driver for about seven years. I worked on several transportation projects in my previous transportation agency. I always make sure that all my licenses are updated on time so that I am aware of the present necessities. I also think it is essential to keep adding up to my skills and have sustained with specialized expansion throughout my livelihood. I have recently completed the training for driving in various routes, which has helped me grow as a truck driver.

My record as a driver is absolutely clean. I am a safe and sound driver. I very well understand the needs of my customers and furnish them consequently. I have the ability to drive under all circumstances. I can even drive large trucks.

So, if you think that there is mutual consent then please contact me on the numbers given above. I really look forward to meet you in the near future. I have enclosed my resume along with this cover letter for your review.

I express my gratitude for considering me for this post.

Sincerely,

Signature

Typed Name

Truck Driver - Getting Home Daily

With the current state of the economy and many businesses collapsing as we speak, no one more than the truckers of our country have felt it more. Truckers first hand deliver the majority of all goods to our stores, supplying the life blood of our nation. Let’s face it…from food to cars, from gas to lumber, we downright depend on truckers. The current state of our union is making it harder and harder for truckers, with carriers closing down, and miles running short, all the while companies are hiring more and more new drivers even though they have a perfectly good stream of experienced drivers waiting, needing miles and jobs to support their families back home.

Jobs aren’t the only thing shrinking, according to a recent study, the salaries of truck drivers is also shrinking, almost 20 years ago, salaries were higher due to more mileage, and a few other factors, according to one of the nation’s major truckload carriers. Benefits are also deteriorating, with such items such as vacations only being 1 week after 1 year, compared to the average retail workers vacation of 1.6 weeks after one year.

As a former OTR truck driver, I can first hand express the difficulties, and the respect I have for truckers, Determination isn’t even close to the correct word to describe them. Living 2 - 4 weeks in a truck cab comparable to a small walk in closet, having to deal with less than popular characters at truck stops while trying to sleep, eating greasy truck stop food, all the while usually having to fight over issues such as deposits being never returned when trading in trucks, and payroll issues including but not limited to, accusations of destroyed tires, mileage discrepancies. The stress and frustration of being known as ‘truck number xxxxx’. I can recall my first carrier I worked for, my dispatcher, or ‘freight manager’ never would refer to me by my real name. He would always ‘alright, truck 12541, looks like you’re going to Oakland, CA.’

There are many other problems with the trucking industry, which are not going away. With an average life expectancy that carriers are well aware of, most truckers hope to eventually achieve a local position, so that they can be at home every night with children, spouses, with no more working on Christmas or other holidays. If you’re at all like me, I started thinking about entrepreneurship. I wanted to help other truckers solve problems, so I set out to start my own carrier, but I found something extremely different. I found a system called Carbon Copy Pro, backed by Wealth Masters International.

I originally found Carbon Copy Pro while trying to find information on starting my own carrier/becoming an owner operator. I started to weigh the costs, of the industry performing diligently, providing me with consistent miles, and then there was home time. I still wouldn’t be home often, and I was completely relying on someone else for my paycheck. Being a trucker, I was a hardworking person, just like all other ‘real’ truckers. I decided to hold off on buying my first semi, and stay a company driver for a bit longer, and give Carbon Copy Pro a chance. I set up the system, exactly how the website said. Within my first few days, while I was driving OTR, I made my first sale, putting money into my pocket. Before I had the chance to finish my 14 days out, I had made another sale.

While I still drive trucks for a living, because it is something I love…I now have my own truck and drive locally part time. The recession we’re currently in hasn’t affected me because I no longer rely on trucking solely for my own income.

Benefits of Being a Truck Driver

If you’re thinking of changing careers, a move into the truck driving industry may offer you more benefits than you might think. Due to a shortage of trucks drivers, many trucking companies are paying even more for qualified people to haul loads across the country. With more than 70% of the nation’s economy being delivered by trucks, more truckers will continue to be needed as the economy grows. In other words, the trucking industry has plenty to offer interested candidates. Consider the following benefits of being a truck driver.

• Good pay

With a national shortage of drivers, companies are willing to give bonuses and increased pay for truck drivers, particularly for long-haul truckers. Companies also pay substantially more for reliable, safe drivers because they are rare. In fact, they can earn more than some college graduates. Another bonus is that unlike some companies, they are usually guaranteed pay raises as they add on years of experience.

• Benefits

Most trucking companies offer major benefits for their employees. Benefits for truck drivers can include medical, dental, vision, prescription medication coverage, life insurance, and retirement plans. Truckers may also receive paid vacation and holidays. Their great benefits rival many large companies, even some in the Fortune 500 category.

• Bonuses

Trucking companies may offer bonuses for certain loads carried or distances traveled. Bonuses may also be given for safety records or longevity with a company.

• Flexibility

A flexible schedule is available to truck drivers through many trucking companies. Drivers can also decide what type of hauls they would like to drive. They can decide between local runs, long distance runs or cross-region runs. Some companies even allow pets or children to come along during the traditionally solo rides.

• Changing Scenery

Truckers can see most of the U.S. while they work. The scenery constantly changes and there are usually points of interest to see along the way. Is your office view as good as a trucker’s view? Becoming a truck driver can be a great way to start seeing and doing.

• Job Security

Truck driving provides job security for those that move frequently. It also promises a secure job market because trucking companies always need drivers, particularly if you have a few years of safe driving under your belt. A job is as secure as you make it.

• Teams

Working as a team with a spouse or colleague gives truckers a way to earn a higher income on long runs. Teams receive bonuses for making faster deliveries and can earn over $100,000 per year.

With benefits better and above some office jobs, a career as a truck driver may be the right move.

Students should be fully aware of truck driving school scams. Some schools offer training programs that are extremely overpriced. Students of these schools will end up going into serious debt just to pay for their training. Students also need to be aware that there are schools which are owned by trucking companies that require the students to load and unload trucks and warehouses, without pay for the company, during time when they are not attending school. This is a form of tuition compensation. Some schools will also misrepresent their business connections with trucking companies, promising the students jobs after their graduation. No school can guarantee all students a job. There are quite a few schools that offer students fast training. Those schools simply don’t meet state licensing requirements, and don‘t adequately qualify students for truck driving jobs.

The cost of tuition is naturally a major concern when selecting a truck driving school. Some schools offer several forms of tuition assistance for students, and there are some that don‘t. Privately owned schools may or may not meet the requirements for financial aid. Public institutions such as community colleges do meet the requirements for financial aid. They also offer grants and loans to offset tuition costs. Students shouldn’t sign contracts that bind them into a financial agreement they don’t understand or don’t have the means of paying or repaying. There are some trucking companies contracted with truck driving schools that pay for tuition, housing and travel arrangements. Tuition reimbursement is applicable only if the students graduate, are hired by that company and remain with the company for at least a year. If for any unforeseen reason a student doesn’t graduate or the newly employed driver doesn’t remain with the company, accrued tuition expenses from the school then become the responsibility of the student/driver.

Choosing the best school will mean that you will succeed in passing your CDL and that you start out in your new career as a safe, dependable, and qualified driver. It is a very good idea for students to check with the Better Business Bureau or any other consumer protection agency, for complaints that have been filed against a school that is being considered. This small step can save you from making a big mistake. Knowledge is the key issue here, which will allow you to make an informed decision when selecting the best truck driving school.

There is a golden rule for students who are looking for a truck driving school, and that is to “know before you go.”
The task of making an informed decision should be based on your research and the process of elimination. Spend some time and do as much research and verifying as possible. This can mean making sure that the chosen school is in compliance with the rules and regulations of the state in which it operates. If applicable, choose a school that meets the demands of trucking companies that pre-hire students. A school known to go the extra mile to ensure that graduating students are successful candidates for the trucking industry job market would be the perfect school.

If it is at all possible, try to visit prospective truck driving schools way ahead of the enrollment date before deciding to attend. A well-established school would more than likely provide an informative tour for prospective students. The tour should provide a general idea on how the school operates, as well as an opportunity for intending students to ask questions, and have them answered face-to-face by staff, trainers and graduates.