







5 Most Common Mistakes for New Truck Drivers <h2></h2>
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Many truckers try to get into the business every year and end up racking up violations and unnecessary expenses due to Rookie Mistakes. Dave of Smart Trucking shares some rookie mistakes for all the rookies entering the trucking world.
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Here are the 5 of the most common mistakes new truck drivers make:
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<strong>1. Misjudging a corner:</strong> You may be swinging too wide or not swinging wide enough. Always check your spacing and clearances.
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<a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b30-1.jpeg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b30-1-300x156.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="156" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5043" /></a>
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<strong>2. Not getting clear directions to a delivery or pick up:</strong> Ensure good directions to avoid getting lost or in an awkward spot where it's impossible to get turned around. Plan your trips using a trip planner (check out <a href="http://vip.truckerpath.com/gold-member?utm_source=email&utm_medium=nurture-interest">Trucker Path</a> while you're at it).
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<a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b31-1.jpeg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b31-1-300x156.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="156" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5044" /></a>
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<strong>3. Lack of focus when backing up:</strong> This is one of the greatest challenges as a professional truck driver. Get out of the vehicle and survey the vicinity first. Check for obstructions and clearance. Do it slowly and safely and always focus on your driver aids (side mirrors, cameras, etc).
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<a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b32.jpeg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b32-300x156.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="156" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5045" /></a>
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<strong>4. Hurrying:</strong> Hurry for no one. Hurrying leads to mistakes. Mistakes as a professional truck driver can be fatal. Take all the time you need to get it right EVERY TIME.
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<a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b33.jpeg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b33-300x156.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="156" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5046" /></a>
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<strong>5. Complacency:</strong> Experienced truck drivers as well as the new truck drivers can be guilty of being complacent and overconfident. Be thorough and 100% focused at all times and never ever take something for granted. Complacency can get any driver into serious trouble.
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<a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b34.jpeg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b34-300x156.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="156" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5047" /></a>
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There are many more tips out there but in general it all leads to focus, and safety. Got some tips to share? Let us know down the comments section.
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<h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4>
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Industry Update - May 19, 2020 <h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4>
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<img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/05/b1.jpeg" alt="Truck Stops" />
<h3><strong>Truck Stops to Remain Open</strong></h3>
As the nation endures the Covid-19 pandemic, <a href="https://www.ttnews.com/articles/truck-stops-remain-open-pandemic-despite-hit-bottom-line">truck stops have been working to ensure that drivers have a helping hand</a>. Some truck stops like Iowa 80 have enforced measures to limit the Covid-19 spread while keeping the showers and restrooms open. Loves installed plexiglass at all its stores, restaurants, and truck registers. Petro has remained open and has packaged their convenience store foods in a way that prioritizes customer safety.
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<img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/05/b2.jpeg" alt="FMCSA" />
<h3><strong>FMCSA HOS Rule Updates</strong></h3>
The <a href="https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/hours-service-drivers-final-rule">Final Rule</a> features four key changes to existing Hours of Service requirements.
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<li>The Agency will increase safety and flexibility for the 30-minute break rule by requiring a break after 8 hours of consecutive driving and allowing the break to be satisfied by a driver using on-duty, not driving status, rather than off-duty status.</li>
<li>The Agency will modify the sleeper-berth exception to allow drivers to split their required 10 hours off duty into two periods: an 8/2 split, or a 7/3 split—with neither period counting against the driver’s 14‑hour driving window.</li>
<li>The Agency will modify the adverse driving conditions exception by extending by two hours the maximum window during which driving is permitted.</li>
<li>The Agency will change the short-haul exception available to certain commercial drivers by lengthening the drivers’ maximum on‑duty period from 12 to 14 hours and extending the distance limit within which the driver may operate from 100 air miles to 150 air miles.</li>
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<img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/05/b3.jpeg" alt="Jobs" />
<h3><strong>More than 80,000 Jobs Lost Last April</strong></h3>
According to the<a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t17.htm"> Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>, 88,300 jobs were lost in the trucking industry, a 6.2% year-over-year decline, as the entire economy continues to suffer due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is estimated that around 60% of the jobs mentioned are drivers.
