1 April 2016
 Categories: , Blog

After you get your CDL, starting your career becomes your main priority. How enjoyable your career is and how lucrative it is has a lot to do with the trucking company you decide to work for. As a new driver just starting out, it's important that you know what to look out for in order to choose the best trucking company for your career and lifestyle needs.

Route Availability

Route availability is one of the most important factors to consider. You don't want to choose a company that can't meet your availability needs. Take a driver who has small children and wants a route that will get him home most days of the week, for instance.

In this scenario, it wouldn't be wise to contract with a company that primarily only offers extended routes that would keep the driver away from home for several days at a time. Make sure you get a clear understanding of route availability early on so that you don't waste your time with a company who can't meet your needs.

Dispatcher Assistance

When it comes to professional truck driving, your dispatcher will be your lifeline. Whether it's securing a new route or getting assistance should you run into an issue while on the road, it's important that the dispatcher be available to meet your needs and, most importantly, have good communication skills. When researching a company, find out about dispatcher availability.

If the company is large, is there a sufficient number of dispatchers or will they be overloaded, making it harder for them to resolve your problem. Do the dispatchers at the company have a reputation of poor communication? Finding out this information is very important because it will have a direct impact on your ability to perform your job with as little stress as possible.  

Safety Protocols

Returning home after your route safely is the most important goal. Make sure you are choosing a trucking company that keeps safety protocols a top priority. First, during your initial research, ask questions to other drivers as to whether or not the company often encourages drivers to violate DOT regulations, such as driving without adequate breaks.

For instance, does the company create route schedules that seem less than humanly possible to adhere to safely? Secondly, how well maintained are their trucks? If the trucks appear poorly maintained, this also puts your safety at risk.

The more effort you put into choosing a trucking company, the better your experience. Make sure you are taking the time to make the right decision best suited for your short and long term needs. Contact a company like Bobby Hoelscher Trucking Inc to get started.