Team truck driving jobs are ideal for those who want to maximize their earnings by splitting the driving shifts, but it’s not for everyone. It’s important to understand the full range of benefits and challenges associated with team truck driving jobs before deciding if it’s the right career for you.
Not only will you need to consider the financial benefits of higher pay, but you’ll also need to consider the practical challenges of sharing a truck and working with a partner. You’ll also need to think about how truck driving jobs fit into your lifestyle and commitments. With the right information and preparation, team truck driving jobs can be an incredibly rewarding and lucrative career.
Overview of team truck driving jobs
Team truck driving jobs normally consist of two drivers sharing one truck, earning a set salary, and having a certain amount of miles guaranteed per week. Team truck driving jobs can include driving for a dedicated account, driving for a brokerage, and driving for a fleet and trailer company.
Dedicated account team truck driving jobs and brokerage truck driving jobs are generally reserved for those with a significant amount of experience. Fleet and trailer team truck driving jobs are open to drivers with a Class A license, but the requirements vary from company to company.
Benefits of team truck driving jobs
Team truck driving jobs allow drivers to earn higher salaries by sharing the driving shifts. Higher earning potential – The main benefit of team truck driving jobs is that it allows you to earn a higher salary by splitting the driving shifts with another driver. You and your partner can choose to take turns driving every single day, or you can take turns driving every few days. This can lead to a significant increase in your total earnings over time.
Greater opportunity for advancement – Team truck driving jobs also provide you with the opportunity to earn more as you gain more experience. This can be particularly beneficial if you intend to stay in truck driving for a long time. Greater flexibility and control – Team truck driving jobs also allow you to have greater flexibility and control over your schedule and lifestyle. This can be particularly beneficial for drivers who want to spend more time with family, but still earn a good income. If you choose to take turns driving every few days, you can still spend a couple of days off at home each week.
Challenges of team truck driving jobs
Increased responsibility and risk – The most significant challenge of team truck driving jobs is that there is an increased level of responsibility and risk involved. You and your partner will be responsible for the truck and all of the cargo that it is carrying. You will also need to share responsibility for driving and navigating the truck. This means that both you and your partner will need to be careful every time you get behind the wheel.
Increased maintenance – Another challenge is that you will have to share the maintenance costs of the truck with your partner. This includes everything from oil changes to tire rotations and everything in between. You will also need to split the costs of truck repairs with your partner.
Financial and lifestyle considerations
Team truck driving jobs can lead to higher salaries, but they can also lead to greater maintenance costs. This means that you will need to consider how this will impact your overall finances. If you are in a committed relationship, you will also need to consider how it will impact your lifestyle. Will your partner be willing to share the truck and maintenance costs? Will your partner want to be a part of a team truck driving job? These are things that you will need to consider before starting a team truck driving job.
What to look for in a partner and truck
Partner – You will need to carefully consider who you partner with in a team truck driving job. You may want to consider finding a close friend or fellow member of your family. You will have the opportunity to meet other experienced drivers who are looking to go out on team truck driving jobs.
Truck – You will also need to carefully consider the type of truck that you are driving as part of your team truck driving job. The truck will be shared with your partner, so you will want to make sure that you feel comfortable with it. You will also want to make sure that the truck is well maintained and that it is large enough to comfortably fit both of you and your equipment.
How to get started in team truck driving jobs
First, you will need to decide what type of team truck driving job you would like to do. You can either drive for a specific account or drive for a brokerage. Or you can choose to drive for a fleet and trailer company. You will then need to create a truck driving resume, find a hiring company, and go through the hiring process. This can take anywhere from several weeks to several months, depending on the type of team truck driving job you are applying for.
How to find the best team truck driver jobs
If you would like to find the best team truck driving jobs, you should start by joining a professional truck driver association. Not only will you have access to the latest industry news, but you will also have access to a network of other truck drivers.
You can use this network to share information about the various team truck driver jobs that are available. You can also use it to find someone to team truck drive with.
Tips for success in team truck driving jobs
Be careful to split the driving shifts and maintenance duties fairly. You don’t want to find yourself resenting your partner or feeling like you are doing more work.
Make sure that you have a good understanding of your partner’s strengths and weaknesses before you start driving together. You don’t want to find out the hard way that you are better at navigating than your partner.
Stay on top of your finances so that you can make sure that you are making enough money to support yourself, your partner, and your family.
References:
- Hours of work, and perceptions of fatigue among truck drivers
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0001457597000262 - Risk factors for depression in truck drivers
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00127-008-0412-3