Earning a living traveling the highways as a trucker can be very rewarding for several compelling reasons. Excellent financial rewards and a clearly defined career path are entirely possible when you enter the trucking industry, but there are a few things to know before you take the plunge.
From knowing how to access the best business loans for your trucking company to understanding how to comply with industry safety standards, here are some key points to take on board.
1. You Will Be Entering An Industry That Always Delivers Solid Prospects
While some industries have not evolved as the way we live and work changed fundamentally, it is fair to say that the trucking industry has experienced even greater demand.
It is an industry that is rightly considered to be integral to the health of the economy. Every industry is reliant on truck drivers to play a key role in keeping the supply chain moving.
2. Technology Will Make It Easier To Do The Job More Efficiently
Trucking might be a long-established industry but it is experiencing seismic changes with technology helping to implement some major changes and benefits.
Your truck can be future-proofed with technologies that make the vehicle easier and safer to drive. There is even the prospect of more electric trucks on the horizon. These vehicles will help you to deliver great service while helping to protect profit margins with the help of technological advancements.
3. Your Services Are Sure To Be In Demand
It is well known that there continues to be a shortage of truck drivers. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has estimated that the industry needs at least another 50,000 drivers to be ab le to keep up with demand.
The driver shortage is not going to be resolved quickly. That means plenty of work for truckers who are qualified and available for work.
4. You Will Need To Be Aware Of Elds
Electronic logging devices(ELDs) are a major factor in complying with the Department of Transportation’s desire to improve driver safety.
If you are entering the trucking industry you need to be aware that your truck will need to be up to date and compliant with industry standards by switching from onboard recording devices to ELDs.
Make sure you factor this into your costings, or choose a truck that has already been upgraded.
5. Self-Driving Trucks Are Going To Have An Impact, But Not Yet
There is not universal agreement on how long it will take self-driving trucks to become commonplace. It is also hard to put an accurate timeline on how long it will take for a totally driverless option.
The way driverless trucks will evolve will likely be by having a driver in each cab to begin with. At some point, it may well come down to having a human driver in the lead truck, with several trucks traveling in a platoon.
It is likely to be at least another decade before self-driving trucks are going to change the role of drivers. These changes can be viewed positively, especially if you are running a trucking company.
If you are planning to make trucking your next career and business move, you can do this armed with the information you need to know about how this industry is evolving and to take advantage of the opportunities it offers.