Profile For ex-Driver

Hello truckers,

I would like to share my thoughts from the former newbie truck driver's point of view. I've got my CDL at April 2015, and I have closed the truck's door at November. I drove different trucks, from old International (12 years old) to brand new Volvo. But I decide to quit, and here's why — maybe it will help someone to decide where to go...

As a newbie, I did not do a bad job. I had no tickets, no out-of-service notices and no accidents. I never even touched any object with my tractor or trailer. I was not so good in backing up, but it was just a question of time. I ended as an OTR driver, my typical ride was 2-3 weeks non-stop over the East Coast.

So I quit for 2 reasons.

1. Logbook

2. Rates.

I decide to comply with the DOT regulations and I did my best to stay in the white zone. But nowadays if you are a lawful person, you have 2 choices: a) get the lowest pay OR start cheating with logs. It was not a "forced dispatch": nobody was telling me like "Go drive or get fired". No. But if you decide to decline the pickup because you're out of hours, next time you will get no load. Period. Sometimes I was staying on the truck stop for 1-2 days because of that. They answers like "Sorry man, there are no loads for you today".

The situation when one driver works under the regulations at the same company where another driver goes beyond the limits is not fair. I was unable to compete with the drivers who was able to do 1000-1100 miles per day. Physically I can do that. With the clean logbook, I can not. Nobody can do 1000+ miles over East Coast per day with the clean logbook.

For sure, I had a choice. For example, change the company. But the rates! I had $0.50 per mile. For most companies with e-logs my rate will be something like $0.30 per mile, but I am able to get the same money here, at home instead of being without family for 3 weeks. Makes no sense, I am right?

I miss the trucks sometimes. But... if there are no equal rules for all the road players, I will stay out of the truck's cab. Good luck to anyone who's on the road guys.