Here are some more tips and tricks to help you get your truck-driving career off to a flying start.
1. Home from Home
Your truck is going to be your home and your office for long periods of time. It’s worth making it a pleasant environment and keeping it clean and tidy, both outside and in.
2. Watch the Diet
Spending a lot of time on the road, it’s easy to fall into a diet that involves takeaways and greasy spoons. For the benefit of your wellbeing, try to eat healthily when you can.
3. Stay Safe in Bad Weather
Coping with weather conditions is part of the job, but remember that safety is a priority. In snow or rain, slow down and take your time.
4. Leisure Time
You probably became a driver because you enjoy being on the road, but it’s important to take breaks. Choose a hobby that has nothing to do with driving: take up painting, read books, play an instrument, build models – anything for a change of pace.
5. Plan Ahead
If you’re set for a long trip, plan in advance. Make sure your HGV insurance is up to date, plan your route in advance and pinpoint any rest stops. This will avoid having to make unscheduled stops that can lose you money.
6. Plan to Save
Driving won’t make you rich, but you can earn a decent living. If you’re an owner-driver control, your costs with HGV insurance quotes available at https://www.quotemetoday.co.uk/hgv-insurance and shop around for other essentials. Put money aside for goals like going on holiday or buying a new car.
7. Be Polite
You meet a lot of people in the transport business. Treat them with respect and politeness and they’ll do the same to you.
8. Stick at It
Driving can seem a hard way to make a living, but it has many compensations too. You may get frustrated at times, but stick with it.
9. Live and Let Live
We can all help life to run a little more smoothly. Ease off to allow another truck to safely pass, or pull over to allow a queue of cars to go past.
10. Ask the Family
HGV driving can take you away from home a lot. Make sure that your family are comfortable with your choice of career.