Maintain a healthy eating, sleeping, and shower schedule
Clearly, this is easier said than done, but it is very important that you keep up your sleep, food intake, and showering as a truck driver. When driving over the road you have a limited amount of time to get in a good 8 hours of sleep, a good meal, and a hot shower. During your 10 hour break is the ideal time to complete this. You should use most of your 10-hour break to get some sleep. You do not want to neglect sleep as this can be incredibly dangerous! Driving while sleepy can end just as bad as driving while under the influence and you can put yourself and others in danger. So please be sure to prioritize getting enough sleep during your breaks. You can use the rest of your break time to grab or prepare something to eat and. Shower as well. Being an over-the-road truck driver can take a lot out of you. So use your break time to recharge and take care of yourself.
Track your hours of service (HOS)
This is another important aspect of driving. You must stay in compliance with your hours of service. That means taking your breaks at the proper times, and ending your shift before you run out of hours. Going into violation is the last thing you (or the company you work for) need. Some companies use ELD's that Track your hours for you when you log in. For those who still rely on paper logbooks, you must be responsible for staying in compliance by tracking your own hours.
Plan your trips/routes
Another helpful tip is to plan your trip out. Take note of whether or not you need fuel and plan how long into your trip you should stop for it. Use navigation apps to help you avoid traffic jams and accidents. Some companies have their dispatchers plan out the routes for their drivers so drivers don’t have to worry about much other than stopping for fuel and food.
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