How to Make Good Money Driving a Truck
Anyone can make very good money in the truck driving business, and I am here to help you with what worked for me. I consider myself not only successful, but quite happy doing my job. Let me show you some tips and common sense goals to follow, and some secrets I have discovered.
1. Find the right fit for you. This is a rule I gave to all my students, you can talk to 100 drivers and get 100 different opinions on the company they drive for, or any other company, for that matter. You have to find the company that works for you. It may take alot of job hopping, going from one company to another, but you just have to find a company that you are comfortable with.
2.Be homeless. I am not kidding. If you are single, why pay rent or a mortagage when you can live in your truck? I actually did this, and the savings are incredible. You could even sell your car, saving a payment on that and insurance. This is real good advice, especially in your first year of driving. I put two kids through college doing just that. Of course, this does not work if you are married!
3. Forget home time. Most companies promise you great home time, but when you are home, you don't get paid. So why go home? You can, with the new hours of service, get a 34 hour re-start, and get your down time anywhere. You will become the ultimate tourist, and can really have some fun in the bigger cities, or just relax in the country. Think of the places you can visit, and you don't even have to pay for a hotel! I once stayed out on the road for three months, just working and driving, and made a small fortune. Your company will give you more miles if you are willing to stay out and run them, instead of crying you need to go home every week.
4. Stay away from lease programs. If your company tries to get you to become a lease operator, filling your head with grandiose ideas of ownership, ask them this: "Why should I pay you to drive your truck, when you are more than willing to pay me to drive your truck?". I have seen more than one good driver go broke and leave the business because of so called lease operator programs.
5. Find a real good accountant. There are so may tax deductions we drivers don't know about, and we lose money because of it. Ask around, there are some great truck driving accountants out there, who know the business and know what tax savings they can find you.
6. Learn to live on the road. This goes along with step two, get yourself a laptop, have your bank sign you up for online bill pay, get direct deposit. You can pay your cell bill or anyother bill right from the truck. Try not to buy anything from a truckstop, their prices are out of this world, so stay away from their so called deals. Get some 12 volt equipment and learn to cook in the truck.
7. Try to get a dedicated run. If your company offers dedicated to one customer runs, try to get on one. They pay better and you can schedule yourself for the week better.
You have to be honest with yourself, if you are getting into this business because its the only thing you can do for money, you won't make it. However, if you are willing to buckle down, learn the job right and sacrifice some of your life, you will make very good money at this job.
