Best Tips for New Semi-Truck Drivers in Canada
Analysts say the Canadian trucking industry will have more than 50,000 truck driver job openings within the following year. This is the perfect time for you to get involved in the industry.
When you know how to drive a semi-truck, you have guaranteed job security. You’ll also quickly discover that driving a truck for a living can be very lucrative.
You will, however, need to work very hard when you become a semi-truck driver to make the most of your time in the trucking industry. You’ll also need to be efficient, ready, and willing to learn how to be the best professional driver you can be.
Here are a few tips for new semi-truck drivers in Canada that should help you get started.
Get to Know Your Semi Truck
You and your semi-truck will spend a lot of time together in the coming years. For this reason, it will be extremely important for you to know your heavy truck inside and out.
It’ll start with you getting your hands on the right semi-truck through a company like RJames Management Group Ltd. From there, you should aim to familiarize yourself with every aspect of it.
Take All the Necessary Safety Precautions
There are more than 2,000 people killed and over 10,000 people injured in truck accidents in Canada, every year. This demonstrates the importance of taking the right approach to safety as a heavy truck driver.
Here are just a few safety precautions to take when you work as a heavy truck driver:
- Inspect your truck regularly
- Make sure you’re well-rested when driving a semi truck
- Maintain your distance in your truck
- Slow down, especially in severe and inclement weather
- Follow the rules of the road
- Become a defensive driver
Something as simple as maintaining your semi-truck will also play a huge part in your ability to keep yourself and others safe. You should have it serviced at regular intervals and make any repairs that might come up.
Practice Self-Care
There are a lot of laws that have been put on the books in Canada to protect truck drivers. These laws are designed to help truckers take care of themselves while they’re out on the road.
You should go the extra mile in this department and strive to practice self-care as best you can. This will mean pushing to get enough sleep, eating a well-balanced diet, and even trying to exercise when you’re not behind the wheel.
By practicing self-care, you’ll allow yourself to feel better when you’re on and off the job.
Get Your Truck Driving Career Off the Ground
By following the tips found here, you should be able to get your commercial truck driving career off to a strong start.
If there is anything RJames Management Group Ltd can do to make the beginning of your truck driving career easier, please don’t hesitate to let us know. Contact us to learn more about how we might be able to help you.