Common Mistakes of New Truck Drivers in Omaha, NE

There were 3.5 million truck drivers employed in the U.S. in 2015, and each day, new truck drivers get behind the wheel all over the country. That being said, new drivers often make some rookie mistakes that truck driving school can inform you of. With that in mind, here are just some of the most common mistakes that new truck drivers make as well as the best strategies to avoid them.

Underestimating how long it takes to slow down or come to a complete stop.

It should come as no surprise that a truck takes much more power to control and therefore takes longer to slow down or stop. In fact, experts say that an 18-wheeler takes about 40% longer to stop than a car. Knowing this, it’s vital to accommodate for this extra time by putting your foot on the brake sooner than you would when driving a regular vehicle. Don’t hesitate to ask your truck driving training instructor for more safety tips when it comes to slowing down and stopping in time.

Driving while you’re too tired.

It’s also no surprise that some truck driving jobs require drivers to work longer hours than they may be used to at first. Don’t push yourself to go as fast as you can — make sure you give yourself time to rest and keep self-care in mind. Overexerting yourself physically or mentally behind the wheel can have dangerous consequences, so take time to find the right balance between resting and working as you start your first job.

Generally being overconfident in your abilities.

Finally, it’s important to remember that the level of skill you’re acquired is most dependent on the level of training you’ve had. While going to a high-quality CDL driver school is of the utmost importance, there are some things you will only learn after a certain amount of time on the road. In the meantime, try to learn as much as you can from your class instructors and don’t hesitate to ask questions about safety.

Ultimately, avoiding these mistakes when starting off as a truck driver can keep you safe as you find your way. For more information about attending truck driving school and applying for local truck driving jobs, contact Custom Diesel Drivers Training.