Breakdowns throw a wrench in the plans of truck drivers on their transportation journeys. Breakdowns cause delays in the strict schedules many drivers keep, and this time delay can mean late transportation of goods and less family time for the drivers as breakdowns increase the time that drivers must spend away from their family. 

The good news is that there are many ways to effectively manage breakdowns that will help save yourself time and effort. From effective stress management techniques to knowing who to call, it is possible to experience a breakdown without it being the end of the world. Meaning you can return to transporting goods quickly. 

Stay Calm 

The most important thing to remember when your truck is starting to break down is to breathe and stay calm. If you can pull off on a wide area, that would be the best, and if you can catch the breakdown early, finding an exit or stop along the way with a semi repair shop nearby would be the best decision. The main thing you want to avoid when you feel a breakdown coming is to be stranded in the middle of the highway. 

After you pull off, allow yourself to gather your bearings and call the correct people. This will likely vary by company, but the best decision if you are somewhere remote or unknown, is to contact your boss or someone in charge at the company you work for and they will be able to provide some guidance. Also, prop your hood up to signal you are broken down and then set out the triangles or flares behind your truck in 50-foot increments. 

Driver Help 

Some drivers may have experience working on trucks or have been trained to fix issues, but it is a good idea to leave the repairs to the experts. If you are an owner operator who is responsible for your own semi, make sure you have a resource that you can refer to when locating repair facilities and searching for safe stopping spots. 

If you are a driver for a company, your dispatcher or manager should be able to inform you on how to handle the breakdown. They can tell you information such as who to call for a tow truck and what facility your truck should be taken to. 

It is very important to remember that your safety is of utmost importance. With that in mind, please remember the safest place to remain until help arrives is in the cab of your truck with the

doors locked. Standing on the side of the road can make you a target for speeding, inattentive drivers. Stay alert and be aware of the dangers around you. 

Final Thoughts 

Breakdowns can be scary, especially if it is your first one, but there are people who can help you. The most important thing is to stay calm and call assistance if you cannot repair the truck on your own. As a final safety tip, pulling off to a wide, well-lit area will pay off in safety and allow help to find you easily. Being a driver will mean that you will likely see at least one breakdown in your life, but they are manageable as long as you remain calm, everything will be okay soon!

To be successful in any field, it’s important to be a hard worker, safety conscious, and versatile.  Versatility in a truck driver is the ability to adapt in order to get a job done, whether it’s taking on a new route, literally going the extra mile, or being able to haul any load.  In order to be able to haul anything, CDL endorsements are needed, each requiring additional testing. The CDL endorsements are T (Double/Triple Trailers), P (Passenger Vehicles), N (Tankers), H (Hazardous Materials) X (Tanker plus Hazardous Materials), and S (School Bus).  Hazardous materials are potentially dangerous cargo that falls into one or more of the following categories:

1. Explosives
2. Gases
3. Flammable Liquid and Combustible Liquid
4. Flammable Solid, Spontaneously Combustible, and Dangerous When Wet
5. Oxidizer and Organic Peroxide
6. Poison (Toxic) and Poison Inhalation Hazard
7. Radioactive
8. Corrosive
9. Miscellaneous

Because of their potential danger, hazardous materials need to be handled differently than other materials.  Besides proper handling procedures, drivers need to be trained on what to do if there’s an accidental spill.

Having a HazMat certification makes drivers more marketable. Trucking companies look for truckers who have obtained their HazMat certification because they want drivers who can drive any load, even if they rarely handle hazardous materials.  Typically, drivers with their HazMat certification find jobs quicker and earn higher pay because they are in higher demand and there’s less competition.

Since 9/11, those looking to be certified to haul hazardous materials have faced strong scrutiny due to the increased threat of hazardous materials being used to cause harm to the public. Strict requirements have been put in place.  In order to transport any materials that are deemed hazardous, a hazmat certification is required. HazMat Certification applicants must have:

• A current CDL
• Proof of full legal name
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent legal presence
• Proof of identity and date of birth
• A Social Security Number
• A valid DOT medical card

And must also:

• Pass the Hazardous Materials Endorsement Knowledge Test
• Pass a TSA criminal background check
• Pay all associated fees

These requirements vary from state to state and individual state requirements can be found here. The HazMat test covers Federal and State HazMat regulations, how the various materials are transported, and the proper way to safely load and unload them.  

Failing to pass the HazMat test or meeting the aforementioned endorsement requirements has no effect on a driver’s CDL.  The TSA will notify applicants whether or not they have been cleared after they receive all the information they need for a criminal background test.  A failure can be appealed as long as it is done within 60 days.

Obtaining a HazMat Certification is a great way for drivers to expand their knowledge and open more doors.  Specialized truckers who can handle any job are always in high demand.

For drivers with a HazMat Certification, Trucker Search can be a useful tool in finding hiring companies looking for HazMat drivers.  It has searchable jobs so truckers can see exactly what hiring companies are looking for and it allows truckers to post a resume that includes all qualifications along with any added endorsements.  It’s a web-based service that’s quick and easy to use and a vital tool for truckers in search of great companies to work for. Start your search today at TruckerSearch.com.

Sources:

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/Nine_Classes_of_Hazardous_Materials-4-2013_508CLN.pdf

https://www.dmv.org/articles/how-to-apply-for-a-hazardous-materials-endorsement/

https://www.dmv.org/cdl/hazmat-endorsement.php

https://www.dmv.org/apply-cdl.php

With the current shortage of drivers in the trucking industry, you may be thinking that you can merely snap your fingers and you’ve got yourself a gig.  Perhaps. But is the job you really want? Does it have the hours you want? Does it have the pay you want?

The truth is, it may not be that difficult to land a job as a trucker right now but these are typically the lower-paying jobs that few really want.  The jobs that have high pay and good benefits are still highly competitive and if you want one of those jobs, it’ll take some work that includes a good resume.

A hiring manager could post a job and receive 2 applicants or 200.  You don’t know. Assume there are 200, and ask yourself this question:  

Will my resume rise to the top of the pile?   

Style

They say that you can’t judge a book by its cover and while this is true, it’s often the cover that catches our eye and prompts us to pick up the book and read the back to see what it’s about.  This is what the style of your resume is for. A plain black and white list of your accomplishments, no matter how outstanding you may think they are, will be lost in a sea of other plain, black and white lists of accomplishments.  

Use color but very little and don’t use anything too bright.  Dark blue, hunter green, or grey can add a professional look but should be used sparingly, such as a line separating your identifying information from the rest of the resume or an outside border.  It’s important not to distract from the information on the resume. Color should only be used on paper resumes, however. When applying on online sites such as TruckerSearch, resumes should be black and white only.  A color that you choose on your computer may not look the same at the other end for the hiring manager so it’s best to not risk it looking bad.

Use legible fonts.  Again, if you’re using unusual fonts, the hiring manager may not receive them the same way so you should stick with popular fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Verdana.  Keep the size at 12 points but you can make headings 14 so they stand out a little or make them bold, italicized, or capitals.

Make sure there is some white space.  If everything is crammed together, it will be difficult to read.  At the same time, double-spacing will make it seem empty and resumes should be kept to one page, if possible.  

Opening

After your contact information, include a brief 2 or 3 sentence summary of who you are and what you can do for the business at which you’re applying.  These sentences shouldn’t be too detailed, simply a couple of your main selling points.

Example:  

Truck driver with over 15 years of experience making on-time deliveries operating reefers.  Proficient in light truck repairs and maintenance and possesses CDL as well as HAZMAT certification.  

Of course, all of these things should be highlighted within the body of the resume as well but the short opening paragraph should entice the hiring manager to read further.  

Body

Here’s where you put the meat of your experience and qualifications.  List your experience in reverse-chronological order as your latest experience is usually the most relevant.  Read the description of the job you’re applying for and make sure that any of those experiences or qualifications that you possess are emphasized in the resume.  You want them to know that you’re the applicant they’ve been looking for.

Be specific as much as possible; don’t speak in generalities.  A hiring manager wants to know what you can specifically do, not what you can generally do.  Highlight your strengths.  Ask yourself how you will benefit the company.  It’s not just about your experience and qualifications (although be sure to include all of those!), it’s also about what they can expect from you.  On time. Safe driving record. Ability to lift cargo. Good customer service skills. Math skills. Have you trained anyone? What types of vehicles can you drive?  They need to know you’re everything they’re looking for and more.

After your experience and qualifications, include an “activities” or “interest” section.  You may wonder why this would have anything to do with a job driving a truck but it does. If you do any kind of sports or weightlifting or running, it will show them that you’re fit.  Long hours spent in a truck can cause health issues and they want someone who isn’t going to be out sick all of the time. If you’ve done a martial art in the past, include that. It shows that you are disciplined.  Include any volunteer work you do. It shows you care about your community. Be selective, however. The activities section should be brief.

Action Words

Some of the action words that you should include on your resume if they apply are:

Your resume should be an overview of who you are and what you bring to the table.  It should be thorough yet to the point.

At TruckerSearch, we know there are many great truck drivers out there looking for great jobs.  We make it easy to post a resume for top companies to see. Or search our database for jobs and email them your resume directly.  It couldn’t be easier. So polish up that resume and go to TruckerSearch today!