What Should I Look For In A Trucking Company?
If you are a driver looking to change careers, trucking companies might be a good option for you. Professional drivers love the feeling of being on the road and making money while they are at it.
Being a truck driver comes with the added responsibility of the vehicle and the load, and requires you to be on guard at all times.
Choosing a shipping partner for your business is just as important as opting for a new career in the trucking industry. This article covers both aspects of finding a trucking company, for drivers and for business owners.
Table of Contents
Choosing a trucking company as a driver
It might sound easy, but finding the right trucking company is not easy. Not every company will consider your personal preferences and expect you to tailor your life around your job. Therefore, you must work with a company that aligns with your values.
Driver requirements
In order to work with a company, you can look for Trucking Jobs in the paper or on the internet. Most companies will ask you the following things:
- Age
- Driver’s license
- Criminal records and driving history
- Passport or credit card
- Truck drivers will need a USDOT number (you can apply for this after getting hired)
Overall, every company has a different set of requirements. For example, some companies do not ask for credit cards if the person is not comfortable in providing it. If you are new to the world of truck driving, we suggest signing up at a good truck driving school for a headstart.
The demand for truck drivers has been on the rise, and employers are looking for trustworthy companies. Trucking is a crucial part of every business, where goods move from one location to the other. As the truck driver, you become in-charge of that transportation and safe travel.
Pay
No matter how tough your job is, do not settle for a meager pay when starting out. If you have a significant driving experience, you can negotiate for better pay. Companies must be able to pay good salaries to their truck drivers because they handle tough tasks on a daily basis.
Checklist
If you have settled for a trucking company and everything looks good, here is a checklist of questions that can help you move in the right direction:
- Does the company pay for miles? And are they hub miles or practical miles?
- Is the company rated well in safety ratings?
- Does the trucking company provide retirement and benefit plans?
- What is the track record of the company and their years in business?
- Will you get reimbursed for travel costs?
- Can the company pay for your driving school cost?
Consider as many criteria as you can before making a decision. In order to confirm the company’s values, you can talk to other employee drivers and hear their opinion. Current drivers will paint a true picture for you and guide you even when you take up the job offer.
Be flexible
In the end, it is your decision to choose based on your preferences. Job satisfaction and safety matter a lot for truck drivers, and the checklist will help you define those needs. Many companies offer custom routes close to your house or offer you to work from a station nearest to your house.
Choosing a trucking company for business
Business owners looking to hire a trucking company must weigh a lot of factors before signing a contract. Some companies offer inexpensive rates and make you fall for the price tag. When the time comes to deliver, you face delays or face product damage, which does not add up. Accepting a high shipping fee also means that you cut down on your profit margins and settle for less of your hard-earned money.
Licenses
Check for relevant licenses and documentation before you make a move. It is important to check whether the company covers the regions where you need to ship. Improper authentication might land you into legal trouble and cause harm to your goods.
Always ask for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration documentation and license of your particular state from the trucking company. Next, look for any criminal offense or records on the company’s behalf in recent history.
Equipment
Is the company using dated vehicles and equipment? You cannot work with a trucking partner that still uses vintage machinery that can fall down any time. We advise business owners to prefer quality over the cheap fee and choose a company that uses good quality machinery. Checking equipment is even more necessary in case of shipping perishables. After all, these matters will affect the quality of your goods and your reputation.
Make the right call
For business or as a driver, you will know the right trucking company based on their records and customer service staff. You should not risk your career or reputation by going for companies that shy away from revealing their records and business operations. We hope this article helps you in making the right choice.
Author bio
Andrea Bell is a blogger by choice. She loves to discover the world around her. She likes to share her discoveries, experiences and express herself through her blogs. You can find her on Twitter:@IM_AndreaBell