Team driving within the trucking industry refers to a setup in which a pair of drivers drive the same truck and taking shifts. This helps them to be more efficient with their driving, and to get more time on the road in a way that still abides by FMCSA and U.S. Department of Transportation regulations.
Truck drivers are legally allowed to drive up to 11 hours a day after they take 10 consecutive hours off. This setup allows a single team member to drive for 11 hours while the other gets some sleep, meaning the vehicle can basically stay on the road at all hours of the day.
There are some benefits and drawbacks to this setup. Let’s take a look.
Pros
- Better pay: In many cases, team drivers will make more money than solo drivers. Though the pay gets split between the two drivers, the amount of distance the team can cover is far more than what a single driver could on their own. Team drivers can get up to 5,000 miles a week, compared to maybe half that many for a solo driver.
- Company: It can get lonely being all by yourself, isolated in your cabin on the road all the time. Having another person gives you someone to talk to, and helps you feel like there’s someone who’s got your back everywhere you go.
- Security: Having another person also improves security whenever you’re stopped. One person can watch the truck while another eats or gets a shower. You don’t have to worry about freight being left unattended.
- High priority: Team drivers often see priority loads come their way, and priority jobs typically pay more.
Cons
- Company: For some people, having company is a big plus, but for others it can be a big drawback. This all depends on your personality. You might find that having a lot of alone time is something you truly value and enjoy, so driving in a team setup might not be your cup of tea. That’s okay! Team driving isn’t necessarily for everyone.
- Compromise: Because you don’t have complete control over your truck and the journey, that means you’re going to have to get used to compromise. You don’t control when you’re on the road, and you’ll have to mutually plan out breaks, meals and sleeping schedules. If you find it difficult to not be in complete control over the journey at all times, team driving probably will not be for you.
For outgoing truckers who enjoy having company on the road, team driving can be an ideal setup. At Energy Trucking, more than 70 percent of our truck drivers are team drivers, so we know a lot about making team driving work successfully and helping team drivers feel comfortable in their partnerships.
Interested in learning more about the pros and cons of team driving in the trucking industry? We encourage you to get in touch with Energy Trucking, a trucking company in Orlando, FL, with any questions you have for our experienced crew.