Interested in becoming a truck driver, or simply wanting to get a sense of the trucker lifestyle? We’ve put together an overview of a day in the life of a truck driver in Orlando, FL. Take a look!
The early bird…
Truck drivers often have to get off to an early start in their day so they can get in plenty of time on the road and also have some contingency hours built in in case they run into any unexpected issues on their journey, especially for long hauls. Most drivers get up and on the road between 3 and 5 a.m., though this depends both on the driver and on the specific job.
Before getting into the vehicle, drivers will survey the weather forecast in the areas where they’ll be driving, and the road conditions for their route. They will also need to perform a complete inspection of the truck and log any necessary information.
On the road again
After drivers depart, they are typically on a tight schedule. They’ll need to stay apprised of any delays, such as accidents or traffic backups. They may run into some issues that cannot be controlled, such as dangerous weather conditions or equipment breakdowns, but they are still expected to make their delivery on schedule and make every effort to do so.
The days can be long, but there are some federal regulations in place to limit how much time a driver can spend on the road in a 24-hour period (as well as in a seven-day period). Under U.S. Department of Transportation rules, truck drivers are only allowed to drive a maximum of 11 hours per day, and those must be completed within a 14-hour window. Any driving over that limit could result in some stiff fines.
Taking breaks for food or rest can also lengthen the work day, and truckers generally only earn money when they’re actually driving, so taking too many breaks could cut into the profitability of the work.
These long work days can make for a difficult lifestyle, but many truckers take advantage of their time by listening to podcasts, music or audio books, or practicing a new language while on the road.
End of the day
As evening arrives, truck drivers will search for places to pull off the road and rest. They may have a spot to sleep inside their truck, but otherwise they’ll need to find a facility where they can rest, be it a rest stop, motel or other spot. The evening hours are for calling home, eating, reading and sleeping to get rested up for another long day of driving.
The days can be tough individually, given how long they are, but people in Orlando, FL with a certain personality can find the trucking lifestyle relaxing, as it allows them to spend a lot of time out on the road and take in the countryside up close and personal. If you’re interested in learning more about what it’s like to be a long-haul trucker, we encourage you to contact the team at Energy Trucking.