- Violations
- Paperwork and settlements
- Time management
- Parking
- Delays
- Preventative maintenance
- Repairs
- Difficult customers
- Communication
- Physical demands
- Loneliness/isolation
Trucking school gives you the basics — how to handle a rig, a rundown of the parts of the truck, and how to pass the CDL test.
But as any experienced driver will tell you, that's just the beginning. The real education starts when you hit the road solo, navigating tight turns and impossible shipper sites, dealing with unpredictable weather, and figuring out how to manage your time when your delivery window is tight but your tank (and stomach) is almost empty.
From understanding violations and running your clock efficiently to mastering the art of parking and handling difficult customers, there’s a lot that trucking school doesn’t cover.
The good news? The best lessons come with experience — and a few pro tips from those who’ve been there.
We’ve recruited some current and former drivers at Anderson Trucking Service (ATS) to discuss what they wish they’d learned at trucking school but didn’t.
This information will give you a good baseline of information to thrive in your first year on the road. (Plus, we’ve sprinkled helpful links for further education throughout.)
Understanding Violations
There is a seemingly never-ending list of violations you can get as a truck driver, from going over the speed limit to having a light out on your trailer to failing to have the proper paperwork on you if you get pulled over. It can be exhausting.
Plus, citations can go against your Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) score. Too many violations and you can be out of a job.
Not only that, but there are also warnings to consider. Warnings are a precursor to the citation, but it doesn’t necessarily mean a warning is the better option. Citations appear on your Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) once you pay the fine and/or go to court.
However, a warning shows up on your Pre-Employment Screening report (PSP). This distinction is important to remember because while you can have your day in court and fight to have a citation removed from your MVR, you can’t fight a warning. It’ll stay on your PSP and will carry CSA points.
Learn more about CDL citations.
Paperwork and Settlements
Trucking school doesn’t teach you how to read your paperwork or your settlements. It’s up to you to figure that out. And what might seem like random paperwork is the very valuable piece of paper you need to get paid.
Take the time to read through load details, load paperwork, and your settlements. If you don’t understand what you’re reading, call the company. Your driver manager and/or pay team will be able to help you. It’s very important to understand how you’re getting paid!
Related: How to read your settlements
Time Management
Time management as a truck driver can be very different from time management for a traditional 9-5 worker. If you’re a long-haul trucker, you’re literally living out of your office.
Not only do you need to learn how to effectively run your clock to maximize your day and stay within your mandated Hours of Service (HOS), but you also have to juggle taking care of personal tasks like eating and showering.
Scheduling showers, laundry, meals, and rest stops across varying time zones while adhering to strict delivery deadlines is a chaotic dance that’s rarely covered in the yard. Doing all at once in the truck stop is an art form few have mastered.
The key is to make the most of every bit of time you have on the road — minimizing downtime and boosting your earnings. This is certainly not a skill you learn in trucking school.
Related: Learn how to manage your Hours of Service
The Art of Parking and Navigation in Tight Spots
Maneuvering a 53-foot trailer into a crowded truck stop or a narrow loading dock is a skill honed through repetition and sheer will. School provides the basics, but the real world throws you into situations that require improvisation and nerves of steel.
Pulling into fuel islands is also challenging as a rookie. This is why they don’t give brand-new drivers in training the shiny, expensive trucks.
There’s also the not-so-minor problem of trying to find parking — which has become notoriously difficult in recent years. Without planning, you could end up parking on the side of the road or on an off-ramp (which is a definite no-go). You must juggle starting your day early to snag a parking spot early alongside paying to reserve a spot.
Related: A guide to parking
Dealing with Delays and Disruptions
Weather, traffic, breakdowns, and unexpected detours are a constant reality. Trucking school focuses on ideal scenarios, but the ability to adapt and problem-solve on the fly is crucial.
You’ll learn little tricks as you go, but we’ll give you one little tip now: Carry books or DVDs and a portable player with you if you’re going out West because Wyoming has literally no cell service. Consider yourself warned.
The Importance of Preventative Maintenance
Trucking school emphasizes the importance of maintenance, but it doesn't always convey the urgency of preventative measures.
Understanding the long-term impact of neglecting routine maintenance can save you time, money, and headaches down the road. Never skip a preventative maintenance appointment! Keeping up on those checks will not only keep the truck within warranty requirements, but it’ll also save you a lot of unnecessary breakdowns.
Plus, there are certain supplies truck stops don’t carry, so if you’re in a pinch, you might just be out of luck.
Handling Roadside Repairs
Knowing how to change a light, replace a fuse, grease the tractor, or perform other minor repairs can be the difference between a minor delay and a major breakdown. (Bribing mechanics also helps.)
However, you aren’t necessarily taught this in school. Plus, there may be things your carrier won’t let you fix on the truck.
You may not have a clue what to do if you have a roadside issue as a new driver. It’s important to talk to your carrier to determine what their process is for roadside breakdowns.
Dealing with Difficult Customers and Shippers
Not every loading dock or shipper/customer site is a smooth operation. Patience, diplomacy, and the ability to handle conflict are essential skills learned on the job. (See above about bribing people.)
Again, trucking school isn’t going to teach you how to deal with rude customers and shippers. Over time, you’ll learn. If you’re dealing with a particularly difficult customer, however, know that you can always talk to your driver manager for assistance.
Communicating with Your Driver Manager
The driver/driver manager relationship isn’t always an easy one. Just like not all people get along with their boss or supervisor, you might not particularly like or get along with your driver manager.
This can be a huge source of stress for a lot of drivers and it’s one of the top reasons drivers leave carriers to go elsewhere.
The key to a good relationship is to be honest about your needs upfront and engage in open communication. Knowing what their job is and how they can (and can’t) help you is also important.
Related: How to communicate with your driver manager
The Physical Demands of the Job
Long hours, irregular sleep patterns, and the physical exertion of loading and unloading can take a toll on your body.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for longevity in the trucking industry. Arby’s beef and cheddars at the truck stop are tasty, but they won’t help you make deliveries on time if you’re stuck in the bathroom or lacking the energy needed to do your job.
Trucking school doesn’t teach you just how hard this part can be. It’s one of the reasons drivers can gain weight when they start trucking. You’re not very active, and the food on the road that’s easily accessible isn’t good for you.
Meal prepping or cooking on the road and regularly exercising are the keys to success here.
Loneliness and Isolation
Trucking school teaches you how to drive, not how to cope with the emotional toll of long stretches away from family and friends. The isolation can be profound, and the mental fortitude required is often underestimated.
Regular phone calls home or conversations on the CB radio help, as do engaging in your hobbies (like reading, gaming, exploring new cities, etc.).
Find the Best Carrier for New Drivers
Trucking school gives you a foundation, but real-world experience is the true teacher. From navigating tight spots and managing your time effectively to dealing with difficult shippers and maintaining your health on the road, there’s a lot you’ll learn only by doing.
The first year can be a steep learning curve, but with the right mindset, support system, and willingness to adapt, you’ll develop the skills to thrive in this career.
The key is to stay patient, keep learning, and choose a carrier that supports your growth. The right company will provide the tools and guidance to help you succeed — not just in passing your CDL test, but in building a rewarding, long-term career as a truck driver.
This article is a great reminder of why you need to be selective in choosing a trucking school and the first carrier you’ll drive with. The right ones will teach you what you need to know with advanced trainers.
That’s why we’ve put together this article about the best carriers for new drivers. These carriers have great reputations and will give you the training you need to be successful in your career.