Team truck driving jobs can be a great way to make a living. With two drivers in the cab, both taking turns driving, team truck drivers can cover more ground in less time and get more done with less fatigue and stress. However, it’s not all sunshine and roses; there are certain pros and cons associated with team truck driving jobs. From the importance of finding the right partner to the challenge of dealing with different personalities and communication styles, team truck drivers need to be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of the job before leaping. This article will discuss the pros and cons of team truck driving jobs so that truck drivers can make an informed decision about their career path.
Overview of team truck driving jobs
Team truck driving is a job in which two truck drivers share the driving responsibilities of one truck. Trucking companies hire team drivers for a variety of reasons, including increasing the number of daily driving hours, decreasing the amount of downtime spent at truck stops, and reducing the amount of training time needed to get new drivers on the road. Another advantage of team truck driving is that it often pays more than company truck driving jobs.
This is because a team driver must be paid at least the minimum amount established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). In many cases, two team drivers can complete a trip that would normally take one driver. Because there are two drivers in the cab, team truck drivers must be good at communicating with each other and following a schedule to avoid hazards and ensure safety.
Pros of team truck driving
– Better daily and weekly driving time utilization – Team drivers can legally drive more hours per day than solo drivers because the time spent driving and off-duty time is split between two drivers. This means that team drivers can cover more ground and make more money in a day or week.
More efficient fuel consumption – By splitting the driving, team drivers get to their destinations more quickly than solo drivers. Because fuel economy is based on miles driven, quicker trips mean less fuel used for every mile.
Reduced downtime at truck stops – For fleet drivers, truck stops are an important part of the job because they provide the drivers with rest, meals, and fuel. However, solo drivers are often forced to split their driving time with their rest time, resulting in longer travel times and less time spent at truck stops.
More job security – Company drivers sometimes find themselves out of work when the company they work for has a shortage of work. Team drivers can cover for each other when one of them is out of work, which means more job security for both drivers.
Better utilization of trucks and equipment – Before team truck driving was popular, the old way to get two drivers to the same place at the same time was to have them split the cost of a cab.
Cons of team truck driving
Team drivers must be careful not to violate federal and state laws.
Finding the right partner is difficult and it can take a long time: Because there is a range of personalities, attitudes, and work ethics among truck drivers, finding the right partner to team drive with can be difficult. It can take truck drivers months or years to find the right partner because they must be willing to put up with each other daily, sometimes for years on end.
Some drivers are more interested in meeting their miles than meeting their time: Some drivers are more interested in driving their freight, miles, than getting the miles driven per hour worked. This can be a big problem for team drivers in terms of getting paid.
Different personalities and communication styles: Team drivers must be able to understand and live with the communication styles and personalities of their partners.
Finding the right partner
Finding the right partner can be a challenge. Truck drivers can find potential team driving partners by posting ads online, searching through truck driver forums, or even asking their current company if they have any partnerships. These are just a few suggestions for finding the right partner. One way to find the right partner is to use the Team Truck Driving Assessment Tool.
This tool helps truck drivers assess their personality and the things they need in a partner so that they can find the right match. Once a driver has assessed their personality, they can search for partners with matching traits.
Dealing with different personalities and communication styles
While finding the right partner is important, there are certain things truck drivers can do to deal with different personalities and communication styles. One way is to be proactive and communicate with your partner about their preferences, needs, and desires.
Another way is to be open to feedback from your partner. Finally, truck drivers can take steps to avoid any potential conflicts with their partners by focusing on their work, avoiding distractions, and getting enough sleep.
Financial benefits of team truck driving
While there are some financial benefits to team truck driving, it’s important to note that the exact amounts team drivers earn will depend on the type of team driving they do and the company they work for. There are certain financial benefits to team truck driving, such as the potential to earn more than a company driver. The potential for earning more comes from the fact that team drivers can legally drive more hours per day than solo drivers.
While one team driver can legally drive 10 hours per day, two team drivers can legally drive for up to 12 hours per day. Team drivers often have to pay for the costs of their partner, including the cost of their fuel and meals. Team drivers may also incur additional expenses because they must operate two trucks instead of just one. These additional expenses may reduce the overall financial benefits of team truck driving compared to solo driving.
Balancing rest time and work time
Team drivers must carefully balance their rest time with their work time to avoid breaking federal and state laws. While solo drivers must rest 10 hours after driving a certain number of hours, two team drivers must rest 10 hours after driving together a certain number of hours. When two drivers are in the cab together, they must both sign the log to document their hours.
As a team driver, it’s important to carefully track your rest time. While some team drivers are more focused on working their miles than working their hours, it’s important for all drivers to strictly abide by federal and state laws concerning rest time. The law exists to protect drivers from injuring themselves or others from falling asleep at the wheel.
Practical tips for team truck driving
Find a partner you click with: When team truck driving, it is especially important to find a partner that you click with and have good chemistry with. If you don’t click with your partner, it can make the job very difficult and unpleasant.
Establish expectations with your partner: Before you begin driving with your partner, it is important to establish expectations. You and your partner should discuss how you will log your hours, who will pay for what, when you will eat and sleep, etc.
Make sure your truck and equipment are well maintained: The way your truck and equipment are maintained can affect both partners’ income and your job security. Make sure your truck and equipment are well maintained so that they last as long as possible, which means more money for both drivers.
Don’t take issues with your partner home: Team drivers need to make sure that they don’t take any issues with their partner home with them. There is a time and place for everything, and the truck is not one of them.
Other considerations for team truck driving
Finding a partner who is in a different company: If you and your partner are in different companies, you will need to make sure that you are following the correct logbook rules.
Finding a partner who is in a different state: If you and your partner are in different states, you will have to abide by the rules for interstate driving. This means that each driver must have a federal commercial driver’s license (CDL) and medical card.
Finding a partner who is in a different trucking company: If you and your partner both work for different trucking companies, you will need to make sure that both companies allow team driving and are aware of the situation.