The beginning of the new year is the perfect time for setting successful goals for the upcoming twelve months. Are you an owner operator or want to become one? Not sure where to start when setting goals or business plan? Congrats—you’re not alone! Plenty of business owners struggle with where to begin when it comes to determining business goals (especially the newbies). Matrix Trucks is here to guide you through a trucking plan for 2021. After all, the main goal is to be a successful owner operator and turn a profit in your trucking business.
This is especially ideal for you if you already own your own truck. All you have to do is to ensure that you equip yourself with the required commercial driver’s license (CDL), business network and the right attitude.
What does the OTR driver do?
This is definitely not your typical 9-to-5 job. OTR trucking (also known as long-haul trucking) is a type of driving that involves using large tractor-trailer trucks to haul freight of all kinds to long distances. You can choose whether you want to be a solo or a team driver. Team drivers can log more miles because the truck never stops moving (your partner drives while you rest and vice versa), and they split the pay, which can average up to $100,000-$150,000 per year.
If you are an owner operator but don’t have the authority to run your own business, Matrix, Inc is the right place for you. We are an owner operator based company. Nothing matters more to us than ensuring that our owner-operators have consistent work, work hand-in-hand with an experienced dispatch team, and receive quick and easy payment for every job completed. Apply now !
Click Here to see the difference between the OTR trucking and Regional Trucking
HazMat or Dry loads ?
Hazmat loads, in most of the times, are paid better. Before getting started it’s good to get familiar with the different types of opportunities you will have. For example, do you want to haul HazMat loads? If you do, you will need hazmat endorsement.This requires an application and passing a test. You can also operate refrigerated trucks, which requires a refrigerated unit in the cargo area of the trailer, to transport products like produce and other foods. At Matrix , we give you Safety Bonuses if you choose to haul hazardous materials.
Find the Right Information
The best way to assess your professional truck driving responsibilities is to ask a lot of questions. Seek out Driver Managers (DMs), operations managers, safety personnel, and log clerks to learn their daily job requirements, and how they work with each other. Take plenty of notes, especially if you are new to professional truck driving.
Route Options
When it comes to routes, there are several options truck drivers can pursue. Local routes are great options for drivers with families as they can return home most nights.
Regional routes are another option for truck drivers. These routes venture within 1,000 miles of a driver’s home and keep the driver on the road for 7-10 days at time. Regional routes carry from state to state and allow the driver to see more of the country.
At Matrix, we give you the option for a dedicated driving route, that allows for predictable home time and varied routes.
Effective communication is key
As a part of your trucking career, you need to learn how to communicate and manage the people that you’re dealing with. Over the road trucking is not just freedom of the road and you’re all by yourself. There’s people to deal with along the way at various levels.
-The first person you need to know how to communicate with is your dispatcher. He needs to know what your needs are so that you can successfully deliver his load in a timely fashion. That way, the trucking company makes money…it’s their number one concern.
– Manage your relationship with the customers so they’re not leaving you out in the back 40 waiting to unload. This is also crucial for getting a detention paid.
Changes are sometimes necessary
You’ve got to be compensated for all your time on the road, all your time away. If you struggle with getting your money for a waiting time, down time or whatever it is and your carrier doesn’t seem to work it out, it’s time to change the company you work for.
There are better carriers out there that will pay you for your time. ( Matrix Trucks has a high quality dispatch team that fights for a driver’s rights. We guarantee you 100% detention paid)
Don’t let yourself stagnate at a trucking company, who’s not treating you well or not paying you fairly, just because you’re afraid to move.
How do you know if Trucking is for you ?
How many people have ever experienced being a truck driver? Pretty much nobody. So how are you supposed to know if it’s for you? Before even considering starting a career as a truck driver, ask yourself if you enjoy driving. Before you put the time and effort into this career, you should make sure it’s something you will enjoy. Be sure you are physically and mentally able to sit for several hours. Depending on the company you start driving for, you could be responsible for loading and unloading your truck. Ask yourself if you want to do this. ( Matrix guarantees you 90% of the loads are no touch freight).
If you don’t like the ,,easy” things, if you are independent, adventurous and hardworking, don’t like the routines and love challenges, then most probably Trucking is for you!