Commercial driving is different than personal driving. You need to follow specific rules of the road and keep your eyes peeled for hazards like construction zones, potholes and other hazards that might not be obvious to you as a passenger. If you’re thinking about driving a commercial truck for the first time, it can be overwhelming. These heavy-duty vehicles must adhere to specific rules of the road that don’t apply to passenger cars. Plus, there are safety precautions you can take as a commercial truck driver that aren’t necessary if you’re just driving your personal car to work. We have some tips to help get you on the road as safely as possible!
The best way to get comfortable with driving a commercial truck is to take on more risks and challenge yourself as soon as possible. However, that’s easier said than done. It’s important to set aside time each week to practice driving and receiving feedback from others. This will help you build muscle memory and get used to the feel of driving a commercial truck. You might also consider taking an online course or joining an online forum with other truck drivers who can give you insight into what it takes to drive a commercial truck. You can also sign up for driving tests to help you get your commercial driver’s license.Driving schools and companies that offer commercial driver’s training can also be helpful.
Commercial truck drivers need to plan their routes carefully. This will help them avoid hazardous weather conditions or other unexpected delays. You can find resources online that outline common routes and their hazards. You can also use a GPS device to plot your route and see where you can expect problems.
You want to build up momentum as you make your way to your final destination. However, you don’t want to drive too fast and risk losing control of your vehicle or getting stuck in traffic. It can be tempting to speed up during rush hours, but that can be extremely dangerous. Commercial trucks are a lot slower than passenger cars, so you don’t want to get complacent and speed up to pass a slow-moving car.
You might be tempted to move to the left lane when you see an opening, but don’t do it! When you’re on the highway, the right lane is for the commercial trucks. If you’re in the left lane, you could get cut off by a car or other commercial truck that needs to merge into your lane. Driving in the right lane will help you avoid getting cut off.
Commercial drivers are required to have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to alcohol. If you get pulled over by a police officer, they will want to see a breath sample. If there’s alcohol in your system, you could face a criminal charge and a long road ahead to clear your name.
Commercial driving is different than personal driving. You need to follow specific rules of the road and keep your eyes peeled for hazards like construction zones, potholes and other hazards that might not be obvious to you as a passenger. If you’re thinking about driving a commercial truck for the first time, it can be overwhelming. These heavy-duty vehicles must adhere to specific rules of the road that don’t apply to passenger cars. Plus, there are safety precautions you can take as a commercial truck driver that aren’t necessary if you’re just driving your personal car to work. We have some tips to help get you on the road as safely as possible!