You have decided to become a professional truck driver. Awesome. Now what?

Well, you’ve found a good place to start. If you are reading this then you’re obviously seeking out all the info you possibly can. You know (or will know very soon) that you’ll have to do some research, pass your CDL test, get trained and find a job. But that’s not all, folks.

Finding your way in the trucking world takes a little well-seasoned know-how. There are many aspects to this industry you will learn along the way, things that all new drivers figure out as they go. However, we can clue you in on a few common tips for rookies. Just to give you a head start in the game:

Always be skeptical of a job that sounds too good to be true.

Recruiters will promise you the world: free schooling, high pay, good insurance, easy work schedules, free trips to Disneyland… you name it. It is their job to find new drivers, often because they have failed to keep the drivers they already had. Keep this in mind when comparing employers. There is always a catch, such as reduced pay to cover the costs of training, truck rental and insurance.

Do your homework.

Trucking companies have a serious driver shortage on their hands. That means they should be the ones trying to impress you. Don’t jump on the first opportunity you see. Do the research, ask around, and check out Trucking Company Reports to find the best employers out there.

It’s OK to take your time backing up.

Even the most seasoned drivers were rookies at some point. So, everyone knows how difficult it is to master the art of backing up. Just take it slow, get out to check if needed, and back up carefully. Backing up slowly doesn’t look nearly as stupid as hitting someone else’s truck because you were too embarrassed to reverse like a new driver should: slow and steady.

While we’re on the topic of backing up, there is one trick-of-the-trade that works well. Most drop-offs happen where there has already been a lot of truck traffic. The asphalt will show signs of previous backing paths that you can follow. Just look for the path that other tires took and stay aligned with those tracks.

Always pack the essentials.

There are some things that should always be in your truck before taking off. These items will come in handy at some point:

• Pen/pencil and paper
• Flashlight
• Wrenches (9/16, 7/16, 1/2)
• Phillips head and flat head screwdriver
• CB Radio
• Trucker’s road map
• Truck stop guide
• Duct tape