Once you finish trucking school and are ready to start your career, you still have quite a bit to learn. Even though you have the basics down, and you know the techniques of how to drive your truck with the best of them, you will still be learning for some time. The tips below can help you get a better grasp on what to expect and how it might differ from school. This will also tell you why scheduled maintenance is important.
Learning the Real World
The real world, and all of the varied real world conditions that you will face as a trucker, will keep you on your toes. You have to be content with drivers who do not always know or respect the rules of the road. They might cut you off, follow too closely, and cause a number of other issues. It is important to be ready to handle anything that the other drivers throw at you. However, you also need to be ready for varying weather conditions. The winters in Calgary, for example, can be difficult for drivers who have not experienced them in a heavy truck before. So it is important to also always have scheduled maintenance for your truck.
Keeping Healthy and Safe
One of the things that many drivers forget is the importance of scheduled maintenance and keeping healthy and in shape. When you are healthier, you tend to be more alert. Driving does not take as much of a toll on you. Try to implement a simple fitness program even when you are on the road.
Take the safety rules of driving a heavy truck to heart too. Do not ever get behind the wheel under the influence. Do not drive tired or distracted, and always abide by the Canadian regulations and laws when you are on the roads in Calgary. This also includes not driving more than the maximum hours in a given day.
Remember the Importance of Scheduled Maintenance and Repair
New truckers also have to understand just how important it is to maintain their vehicle. This is true whether they own their truck or they are part of a fleet. If there are issues with the vehicle, it could cause accidents or a breakdown on the road. Scheduled maintenance from a certified professional is essential. The same holds true if the truck needs to have any type of repairs.