If you've found your way to this article, then you might be contemplating getting your Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and beginning your journey as a professional truck driver. Congratulations! As Obi-Wan Kenobi would say, "You've taken your first step into a larger world."

When winter weather moves in, the right equipment — and the confidence to use it — makes all the difference. After 19 years on the road, and more than 2 million accident-free over-the-road (OTR) miles (including through many snow-covered mountain passes), I've seen what winter can throw at a driver. Now, as part of the Anderson Trucking Service (ATS) safety team, I'm here to help drivers chain up correctly, stay compliant, and make confident, safe decisions when winter weather hits (and it will!).

Winter means bright snow, hot cocoa, holidays with friends and family, and a pensive time for reflection. However, for truck drivers, the winter season is...less idyllic. While ice-covered roads and whiteout conditions can certainly take their toll on drivers, they're not the only things they have to worry about when temperatures start to drop. Because as cold as you might feel, remember that your truck doesn't get a break from the cold. Its engine feels every degree, and if not properly cared for, it'll stall up on you — or worse.

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.

If you've ever applied for an over-the-road (OTR) truck driving job, you've likely seen something like this: "Six months OTR experience required," or "One year of OTR experience required." You might've then asked yourself: "How do I build experience when I need experience to get started?"

The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires every trucking company to send new drivers through orientation. The DOT also requires carriers to cover specific information during orientation, including safety information and hours of service (HOS).