What Are The Biggest Challenges You Face On The Road?

Hi everyone,

We're looking to understand the daily challenges truck drivers face on the road. What are the most common issues you encounter, and how do you typically handle them? Any tips or advice for newer drivers?

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

Dumb@ss dispatchers who have never been in the driver's seat.

Safety teams made of people trying to "make their mark" instead of valuing privacy, and understanding that previous attempts at the new policy have resulted in large financial losses....

Lack of healthy food options for a reasonable price without having to use a third party (Uber Eats, InstaCart, DoorDash et al.)

Lack of safe clean parking.

Delays at shippers/receivers.

There. Does that cover the terminal rat talking points?

Hi everyone,

We're looking to understand the daily challenges truck drivers face on the road. What are the most common issues you encounter, and how do you typically handle them? Any tips or advice for newer drivers?

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

Just so you know, this site is geared toward assisting new drivers to enter the trucking industry. We support company drivers and advise against outlandish claims of ridiculously high profits made by leasing carriers. You won't find customers here.

However... i second NaeNae.

Sitting in docks or other delays by customers.

Customers not allowing overnight parking or restrooms. Police or towns not allowing parking. Weigh stations or rest areas being closed so no parking. I have gone 150 miles in NY state and IN with no open rest area. Why???

Entire companies with thousands of in house support who have never even stepped into a truck. I seriously think anyone wanting an operations job should have to do 2 weeks as a passenger OTR. Even better... put them through the entire training process. If you tried this, you wouldn't need to ask this. You would know and take pity on your drivers. Try a ride along with someone.

Alternating sleep schedules, sleep being limited due to stupid appointment times or customers waking us every 2 hours. I mean seriously... why hold me in a dock for 10 hours and keep calling me to wake me up? Just wake me when you are done!

Being away from home. The first day home I want to sleep the whole damn day. Create more dedicated or local runs and you will get more drivers.

Customers.with no staging areas who then say "cannot check in more than 15 min to 30 min early".

Parking. I would rather park at a weigh station or rest area than at a tight major truck stop chain. I would rather pay for a shower at a mom and pop than wait in line for an hour at a Loves.

Restrooms... there are never enough stalls in the womens room. In the summer, more women travel with kids so when i have to go... i often use a shower credit to go right away rather than wait in a line of 6 women.

Lighting. So many roads, freeway entrances, and customers are just plain black at night.

Customers with a confusing check in/out process and the inability to communicate theur needs.

Pets OTR... finding vet care in emergencies. Or worse.. having to walk a dog in -45 degree weather... or in 105 degree weather and their paws are burning so you have to wrestle with them to put booties on their paws.

Transporting animals to a hotel when the truck is in the shop.

Taking a shower in summer and needing another before you get back to the truck in 100 degree weather.

Having the truck/heater/ reefer die in winter and you spend hours regen-ing and jumping cables.

Stupid brokers or planners who send you to wrong locations, wrong times, or when the customer is closed.

Customers who seem to think we are all pigs and have entire lots of mud. Wilbur may have been okay playing in the mud while talking to Charlotte... but I am not.

stupid drivers who wreck in construction zones and waste 5+ hours of my time cause they couldnt wait.

You ladies are on a roll!

I'm thinking Rayden Dispatching Service should have an education by now, but sadly, I'm probably mistaken.

Customers who tell us to "wait until door 78 is open, then back in"... meaning i could be sitting in an aisle waiting hours for tgat guy to get unloaded before I can sleep.... after doing days of 7/3 splits and just wanting to sleep. I am exhausted and if i lay down, i wont wake up. Im an hour after my appt and no door.