Successful truck drivers combine driving ability with patience, a desire to learn, adaptability, strong communication, responsibility, and a safety-minded approach. Building these six skills can help drivers succeed, grow their earnings, and develop long-term success in trucking.

Be extremely choosy with your load selection. Take a lot of downtime and a 34-hour reset every weekend. Take a lot of unplanned home time. Don’t save any money. Run freight that your truck isn’t designed to haul. Ignore your cost-per-mile.

Ready to dive into truck ownership and running your own business? That’s great news! You’re in a position that many drivers aspire to be in.