Trucking Company Requires Driver To Drop Truck Off At Terminal

Yep that’s what I usually do

QC also had a policy trucks and trailers had to be parked at a terminal. I had a 90 mile one way commute when I was a company driver. It was inconvient for sure.

They've purportedly changed or relaxed that, so they are still in the running w/ us.

~ Anne ~

Old School said:

Hey Uncle Rake, that stinks!

Is that a company policy for all their drivers?

Are you on any sort of dedicated account?

I'm just curious because generally most OTR drivers are not required to park at a terminal. I'd like to know more details.

I waited a while to answer since my time with Marten was short, and I did not want to cause any problems.

The company policy is that you can take your truck home if you have space on your own property to keep it. If not, you must have a place with a fence and locked gate.

When I first started, I received permission to park at the end of my street, and I did that a few months until the neighbors called the police. Then I rented an RV space for $150 per month to keep my truck for the four days I was home each month. Eventually, I worked out a deal to keep my truck at the terminal in exchange for a somewhat dedicated area. I ran 3-400 more miles a week with the new territory and came out ahead, despite the extra 700 miles in my own vehicle.

At this point, I am in my last week with Marten, and hope to write a detailed review of the company in the near future.

I'm with Roehl, and I take my truck home with me on home time, with trailer (loaded or not). But the deal with that is, I'm responsible for the truck. If a tree limb falls on the truck and damages it, it's on me. Someone vandalizes it? Yup, on me. Now I'm not sure of the exact distance, but I believe that if you are within a 50 mile radius of a terminal or drop yard, you have to park there. But with that comes a release of liability from damages.

Please explain this…

Are you financially responsible for damages if “a tree falls on your truck” or if “vandals break into it” while parked at home? Be certain. Is this in your drivers handbook?

If yes,… then does the same thing apply to truck stops and consignee property? Trucks get hit all the time when parked.

I'm with Roehl, and I take my truck home with me on home time, with trailer (loaded or not). But the deal with that is, I'm responsible for the truck. If a tree limb falls on the truck and damages it, it's on me. Someone vandalizes it? Yup, on me. Now I'm not sure of the exact distance, but I believe that if you are within a 50 mile radius of a terminal or drop yard, you have to park there. But with that comes a release of liability from damages.

Hey Uncle Rake, that stinks!

Is that a company policy for all their drivers?

It may be everywhere.

I was set to go driving at Marten until I was informed I would be required to park the truck at their Colonial Heights, VA terminal for days off. My drive would have been at least 120 miles from there, depending on which house I was heading to. That was the deal breaker for me.

I take my truck home every time I go home! If I’m only coming through for a ten I take my truck, trailer,and load! That was one of the first questions they ask me. Do you have a place to park your truck on home time. ? I think like the Walmart dedicated park at the dc, and drive their personal vehicles home.

Donna wrote:

I think like the Walmart dedicated park at the dc, and drive their personal vehicles home.

That’s what I always did.