CR England Girl

These days, truck stops and travel centers offer much more than just fuel; they offer truckers a wide array of amenities and features they can utilize during their down time.  Here a few tips to help you take full advantage of each and every stop.

• Make it your office!  Make use out of any business or communication center the truck stop offers where you can fill out paperwork, contact your carrier, complete your log, and do any other business-related work you can’t do on the road.
• Have routine maintenance done on your tractor-trailer – does it need an oil change or a wash?
• If you’re an independent contractor looking for your next load, many truck stops have load board where you can find your next job.  Sometimes even carriers looking to hire will post available truck driving jobs.
• Stop at places that offer workout and shower facilities and use your downtime to get in shape.
• Most truck drivers travel with laptops and most truck stops offer Wi-Fi internet access which you can use to send emails, search for jobs, and stay in touch with your family and friends.
• Sleep!  It’s important to feel well-rested before next shift so pull into a stop and get some shut-eye.  Don’t have a sleeper cab?  Many truck stops offer lodging for truckers.

If you are looking for a new, good paying truck driving job, a resume may just be what you need to secure one.  A trucking resume (as with any resume) gives you the opportunity to highlight your driving experience and skills and set yourself apart from other truckers out there.  As a result, you may be able to nab a trucking job that offers higher pay, increased benefits, and more flexibility than your current one.  It’s also good to have one if you are trying to break into a trucking-related administrative field, such as a safety or fleet manager.

Need help creating a trucking resume?  Check out Monster’s Resume Tips for writing truck driving resumes.

If you’re interested in becoming an owner operator, one of your biggest decisions is whether to purchase your own truck or lease one through a reputable carrier.  While there are certainly advantages to both, most drives opt to lease a truck since it does not require the money for a tractor trailer outright.  Here’s a basic overview of how a lease program works.

With most carriers that offer a leasing program, drivers can get a new or used truck with little or no money down.  Typically, a driver agrees to set aside a certain amount (7 cents a mile under the C.R. England tractor leasing program) into a general reserve account to cover maintenance, insurance, and other costs throughout the lease.  The driver pays a specified amount towards the lease per week or month depending on the type of equipment being used.  At the end of the lease, most drivers have the option to renew the lease, purchase the truck outright, or simply walk away.  In most cases, the carrier providing the lease has an abundance of resources available to owner operators to help support them as much as possible.

So how does C.R. England’s Tractor Leasing Program work?
• There’s no down payment or credit check required.
• Choose from a 36 month lease on a new truck or a used truck lease which ends when the truck is three years old.
• C.R. England also offers a six-month demo lease program which allows you to lease for just six months to help you determine if becoming an owner operator is right for you.
• Pay per week for the lease depending on whether you have a new or used truck.
• C.R. England provides independent contractors with a C.R. England fuel card and pay $1.25 with the company’s Fuel Cap program.

Click here to learn more about C.R. England’s Tractor Leasing Program to find out if it’s right for you!

While there are the select few truck stops where you’re probably better off not showering there, most offer clean, sanitary showers for $7 to $12 (depending on the truck stop).  That may sound like a lot for a shower, but the cost typically includes a small room you can lock with a sink, shower, a towel, a bar of soap and a washcloth – and most don’t have a time limit.  In addition, many travel centers will throw in a shower for free with minimum fuel and repair purchases.  Consider getting a frequent shopper card or joining a loyalty program which gives you points or credit with purchases that can also often be used towards free showers and other items.  Here’s a few other tips to ensure you stay “so fresh and so clean” on the road…

• You probably won’t be able to wash your hands on the road except when you make stops, so keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in your cab that you can use as a substitute.
• Make stops at travel centers that offer laundromats so you can do laundry during your down time.
• Wear rubber flip-flops in the showers.
• Keep all your personal hygiene items (deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, etc.) in a small duffel bag that you can easily grab and carry into the shower with you.

It’s no secret that truck driving school is expensive; the average cost of training is nearly $4,000. If you’re interested in attending trucking school but don’t have access to that kind of dispensable money (who does?), take heart! I’ll show you just a few of the many ways to finance your new and exciting career behind-the-wheel.

Federal Student Loan Programs – Students at truck driving schools are eligible for federal student loan programs just as students attending traditional colleges and universities. You can submit a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online to receive federally funded or federally guaranteed financial assistance. Federal loans are borrowed money that must be repaid (with interest) upon completion of your education.

Federal Grants – Sometimes referred to as Gift Aid, certain people qualify for grants which do not have to be repaid. Grants are often given to individuals with low income, people who have served in the military, and much more. You can fill out a FAFSA to see what grants you are eligible for or visit Grants.gov. The amount of a grant given depends on the individual’s needs.

Workforce Investment Act – Passed in 1998, the WIA allots federal funds that are used to help train disadvantaged and dislocated adult workers and youth.

Veterans Employment and Training – If you are a veteran, you can take advantage of the VETS program which provides funds to train veterans, reservists, and National Guard members.

Vocational Rehabilitation – If you are a veteran with service-related disabilities, you may qualify for The Department of Veterans Affair’s Veterans Benefits Administration’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E). The program provides disabled vets with vocational rehabilitation which enables vets to retrain for a job in the workforce.

Employer-Based Financing – Most truck driving companies offer employer-based financing in which they will pay your tuition with a predetermined interest rate. The terms of the financing will vary with each company, so ask about them before signing with a trucking company.

Tuition Reimbursement – There are many truck driving companies that will actually pay for your training if you agree to work for them after graduation. There’s typically a minimum amount of time you must work for them in order to not have to pay the tuition back (generally two to three years).

When checking out a truck driving school, speak to a financial assistance counselor to find out what all your options are. They can help determine which would be best for you and your financial situation.