Essential Things To Know Before Becoming A Dedicated Truck Driver
Updated: Jul 26, 2023
There are multiple things to consider before becoming a dedicated truck driver. It is a career with both pros and cons, and it's important to know what you're getting into before committing.
This blog post discusses a few essential things you need to know before becoming a dedicated truck driver. We shall also talk about the pros and cons of this career to make an informed decision.
The Pros of Becoming a Dedicated Truck Driver
1. Flexibility
There is a lot of flexibility in the dedicated trucking jobs. You can find jobs that fit your schedule, and you have a lot of control over your work hours. This is one of the biggest pros of becoming a dedicated truck driver. With this career, you have a lot of control over your work hours and schedule.
2. Job Security
There is job security in this career. As long as there's a need for dedicated truck drivers, you will always have a job. This can be relaxing to know, specifically if you are looking for a long-term career.
3. Consistency
You can be confident in your hauling plans because you know the route, what's on board, and how much work you can accomplish within a day. This can also help you make time for other things since you will always work with a proper schedule.
4. Longer-term agreements
Dedicated trucking agreements are popular among shippers and carriers to plan forecasts more accurately. Some brokers even offer shorter-term commitments that can be beneficial in some cases!
5. Growth Opportunities
Along with growing your fleet more efficiently, dedicated trucking can also help you save on costs. You won't have any shocks when it comes time for new equipment or additional drivers because there will always be a reliable source of revenue coming in no matter what happens outside work!
6. Home Time
Another pro for dedicated drivers is the amount of home time they get. Unlike OTR drivers who are on the road for weeks at a time, dedicated drivers usually only spend two or three days out on the road at a time.
The Cons of Becoming a Dedicated Truck Driver
1. Lower Pay
One of the main drawbacks for truck drivers considering dedicated trucking is the potential for lower pay. Since you're locked into a contract with the customer, you may not be able to get the best rates if another carrier comes along offering a better deal.
2. Lack Of Variety
You'll be taking the same routes daily, which becomes boring fast. You may start feeling burnout as well. Even if you want a change, that may not be possible due to the long-term contracts.
3. Greater Resposibility
As a dedicated truck driver, you'll be responsible for ensuring that your load arrives on time and in good condition. This can add pressure and stress to an already demanding job.
4. Directly Engaging With The Customer
You'll be dealing with the customer representatives directly. This means that you'll need to be well-versed in the company's policies and procedures and have good communication skills. Also, no matter your feelings towards the customer, you'll have to deal with them almost daily.
5. No Long-Haul Experience
If you want to switch to being an OTR driver, the experience of dedicated trucking jobs won't help you gain the necessary experience. For being an OTR driver, you need to have long-haul experience, and since dedicated drivers mostly work in a local area, that's not possible.
Conclusion
Although dedicated trucking jobs have disadvantages, they also have several advantages. This may be the perfect job for you if you can deal with the customers and are comfortable staying in one area. Just make sure that you weigh all your options before making any decisions.
If you're looking for a dedicated truck driver position, knowing the pros and cons will help you determine if dedicated trucking jobs is the right career choice for you or not. GP Transco is known to treat it’s employees and customers with the same level of respect and make sure the work environment is suitable for everyone.
So, if you want to give you trucking career a boost, apply for a truck driver position today!