Truck driver home time depends largely on the type of driving job you choose. Local truck drivers typically go home daily, regional truck drivers take weekly home time, and over-the-road (OTR) drivers typically stay on the road for two or three weeks at a time. At ATS, OTR driver managers aim to get company drivers home every other weekend.

The Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius wrote in his Meditations that "the universe is change." Change is a constant, and while exciting and full of promise, change comes with its own set of challenges, too.

If you've been feeling like your hard work isn't getting the pay or respect it deserves, you're not alone. Many truck drivers look at the industry's top-paying carriers and wonder what it takes to drive for them.

A TWIC card gives truck drivers access to secure areas of maritime facilities and vessels without needing an escort. If your freight takes you into ports or other restricted maritime facilities, having a TWIC card can expand the loads you're able to haul and help you avoid delays associated with escorted access.

Leasing a semi-truck allows a professional driver to operate a commercial truck through recurring lease payments rather than purchasing the truck outright. For drivers who approach leasing like running a small business, it can provide more independence, flexibility, and earning potential. It also creates added responsibility for truck payments, fuel, maintenance, taxes, and other operating expenses.

Truck drivers can be paid by the mile, by a percentage of load revenue, by the hour or load, and through additional pay, such as detention, stops, accessorials, and bonuses. For over-the-road (OTR) drivers, cents-per-mile (CPM) and percentage pay are two common pay structures.