Over-the-road (OTR) driving can be a rewarding career for people looking to travel while also earning a competitive income. Having two drivers who alternate shifts removes the necessity of stopping for sleep, as one driver can continue the trip while the other rests. This means more time on the road and a shorter trip overall, increasing productivity.
Earning a Good Living
When you drive as part of a team, you’re able to double the miles traveled, and since most drivers are paid per-mile, covering more miles in less time means a higher paycheck for drivers; making considerably more than solo drivers. Team truck driving is also beneficial for employers, as it means loads spend less time on the road and more time in the hands of distributors and customers.
Economic Impact
Truck drivers are truly the lifeblood of the American economy, now more than ever. With so much commerce moving out of brick and mortar retail chains and into online retailers, logistics are more important than ever. Consumers expect to receive products within hours, rather than days, and often those products must move from coast to coast.
OTR team drivers can keep their cargo moving for longer and get it from point A to point B in less time, making fast delivery possible for consumers, retailers, manufacturers, and other economic players.
Staying Safe While Going the Distance
On top of the salary and productivity, driving on a good OTR team also means better safety for drivers. When driving alone, routine stops are necessary in order to keep the senses keen and the body rested. This is vital for the safety of both the driver and everyone else on the road, but when you drive with a partner, you not only have someone to share the workload with, but you also have someone to get your back when you need it.
It’s impossible to plan for every scenario on the road, but with another professional driver at your side, you can make sure you’re always equipped with the resources and knowledge to handle any situation that arises; whether that’s bad traffic, inclement weather, or mechanical troubles, having a co-driver means less overall stress and better well-being for both you and your partner.
Enjoying the Adventure
While the practical benefits of OTR team driving are clear, driving as part of an OTR team can also be fun, as it means sharing the ups, downs, and overall adventure of coast to coast travel with someone you respect and enjoy.
OTR driving is a lifestyle. When you put two people together with a shared passion for that lifestyle, a routine trip can become something far more enjoyable. With this in mind, it’s important to find a co-driver who you know you’ll be able to work well with, a strong partnership is a key to finding success and enjoyment as an OTR team.
Military veterans, having experienced high-stress and goal-oriented work environments, are uniquely equipped with the skills needed to excel in a variety of employment opportunities. While there are many industries eager to hire veterans for their excellent character and admirable work ethic, there are few industries as eager as the logistics industry.
If you’re a military veteran who has experience driving large vehicles as your MOS, or even if you have no driving experience whatsoever, military veterans make excellent truck drivers and trucking companies are excited by the prospect of working with you, and want to help you find a job that will suit your needs.
Here are just a few of the many reasons why trucking companies are looking to hire military veterans, and why veterans should consider a career in trucking.
Leadership Skills
As a military veteran, you have a unique kind of leadership experience. Whether you led others while in the military or not, your discipline and resolve from your military experience means you know how to recognize, emulate, and encourage successful leadership strategies.
As a truck driver, you’ll need those kinds of leadership skills in order to take charge of every situation you encounter. Truck drivers need to show initiative, take the lead in order to resolve conflicts, and most importantly, stay on the road. These are all abilities that you, as a veteran, are well-versed in, making you a valuable addition to any trucking company.
Working as a Team
If there’s anything veterans know well, it’s operating as part of a team, and when you’re a truck driver, that’s a vital skill to have. Knowing how to work well with others and play to the strengths of you and your co-driver is a vital skill to have on and off the road.
Commitment
When you’re driving a truck, you need to be committed and focused on the task at hand. Since truck driving, and OTR driving in particular, requires you to spend large amounts of time behind the wheel, sometimes for days or weeks at a time, you need to be dedicated to seeing the job through to completion. As a veteran, your experience in the military has already proven your commitment to the job at hand, making you that much more attractive to trucking companies looking for dedicated drivers.
Adaptability
Another necessary skill to have as a truck driver and specifically an OTR driver is the ability to adapt to new situations on the go. You can never predict what the weather, traffic, or other drivers will do when you’re on the road, so it’s important to remain alert and focused so as situations evolve you can adapt quickly and seamlessly.
Some of the best truck driving companies for veterans, like Lily Transportation Corp., will even offer training programs for veterans to get their commercial driver’s license (CDL). In the case of Lily Transportation, our one-of-a-kind training program won’t deplete your GI benefits.
For more information on the military veterans careers and benefits at Lily Transportation offers, visit our careers page or contact us at 800-248-5459.
Over-the-road (OTR) driving is a lucrative career and allows drivers to see all corners and areas of the country. When you join an OTR team, you’ll not only have a partner to share the journey with, but you can also end up earning more than if you were driving solo.
Going the Distance
When you have a co-driver, you are able to drive longer and farther simply by keeping the truck going. Where a solo driver has to stop to sleep and keep their senses keen, team driving all but eliminates that, as it allows one driver to rest while the other keeps the truck going.
Getting involved in OTR team driving still requires commitment, and just because you have someone else to rely on doesn’t lessen your responsibility. If anything, team truck driving increases your responsibility, as you’re now responsible for not just your own safety and the safety of others on the road, but also that of your co-driver. This is why OTR trucking is a lifestyle, and its teams are some of the most well-respected and well-paid members of the logistics industry.
Doubling Down
When you drive with a partner, you can almost double the distance you travel per week. Since most drivers are paid for each mile covered, the more miles you and your partner can cover, the more you’ll ultimately be paid.
While driving on a team means splitting the profit with your co-driver, you’ll be covering so much extra ground that you’ll still be making more than if you were driving solo. As part of an OTR team, you not only get to cover more ground, efficiently, you also get paid significantly more per week.
Many carriers will even offer their teams referral bonuses to bring on other OTR teams because coast to coast driving is not only lucrative for drivers but an important part of the business for carriers. More miles traveled each day means more efficient arrivals of loads, which leads to happy customers, ownership, and most importantly drivers!
Joining a Team
Whether you’re ready to start a new career as an OTR driver or are looking to transition from a solo position to a team, Lily Transportation is here to help. We’re always looking for eager, experienced, and SAFE drivers to join our coast to coast operation!
We offer excellent benefits, provide competitive pay, and always the best fleet! If you’re interested in career opportunities at Lily, visit the Jobs Page on our website to get started. We can’t for you to join the Lily family!
Over-the-road driving, or OTR, is as much a lifestyle as it is a career. It’s demanding, but rewarding, as it’s not only a lucrative career but also gives you a unique lens to see the country through. It can get lonely out there on the open road for solo drivers, which is why team driving is becoming an increasingly popular option for drivers and businesses alike. If you’re interested in driving as part of an OTR team, these insights will help you gauge if team driving is for you.
Know What You’re Getting Into
Before signing up for anything, it’s important to know what you’re getting into. In the case of OTR driving, you’re committing yourself to spending days, sometimes weeks, on the road, usually with a designated quota of miles traveled to hit. When it comes to driving as part of an OTR team, you’ll be faced with the same responsibilities, but rather than facing them alone, you’ll have a partner at your side every step of the way.
This means that you can spend more hours actively on the road, cut down on the stops you’ll need to take, and ultimately, maximize the profits of you and your driving partner.
Find a Good Partner
Obviously, OTR team driving means that you’re never really alone on the road. Driving with a partner can lighten the mood, help pass the time, and generally keep the journey from becoming monotonous or lonely. As such, team driving has become popular for married couples who both possess a commercial driver’s license (CDL), as it’s a great way to spend quality time with someone important to you.
Not everyone has a spouse who they can travel across the country with, in which case you’ll still need to be able to find a good partner who is just as willing to work with you as you are with them. You can do this by talking to drivers you already know or by being matched with a co-driver. Whatever you do, just make sure you’re comfortable with your partner before the drive begins.
Understand the Payout
OTR drivers know that the farther you travel, the more money you make, and traveling with a partner basically guarantees that you can travel longer distances, make less stops, and thus, get paid more. While you’ll need to take into account that however far you travel and however much you’re paid will be equally divided between you and your co-driver, OTR teams still, on average, make more than solo drivers do.
Plan Ahead
When you plan a trip before hitting the road, you and your co-driver can rest easy knowing that you’re well-prepared for whatever you’ll encounter. This means setting up a rotation for who drives when; understanding each other’s driving preferences; stocking up on healthy snacks and food you can both enjoy; and, of course, knowing who likes what music. The more you plan, the less surprises you’ll both come across.
If you’re considering a new over-the-road, or OTR driving career but have never driven OTR before, you may have some questions. Driving OTR is very different from driving locally. Some aspects of OTR driving take some adjusting, but as a career choice, it also comes with a number of great benefits.
As you know, truck driving jobs are very different from the typical office job. Most experienced drivers, especially those that drive coast to coast, OTR truck driving jobs, will tell you that driving a truck is more of a “lifestyle” than a career. Driving OTR involves being on the road for many days at a time, and sometimes for weeks at a time.
Why Choose OTR Trucking?
While being away from home and family can be a challenge, many OTR drivers jump at the opportunity for a few key reasons. Perhaps the most obvious reason to drive OTR is that you have an opportunity to earn more money.
But better earnings aren’t the only reason people choose an OTR career. There are other benefits, such as the ability to travel, the chance to grow professionally, and the opportunity to become part of the greater trucking community. Coast to coast truck drivers get a unique view of the country. Many CDL holders choose OTR trucking as a way to earn more and reach their financial goals, but it also brings them closer to the reason many of them chose the trucking profession in the first place: the open road.
The Team Driving Lifestyle
Having a co-driver is a great way to keep company on the road, learn from someone else’s experience, and build a sense of camaraderie with another driver. As a lifestyle, team driving isn’t for everyone, but it could be the most rewarding truck driving career you embark on.
As you’ll be sharing space with another person in the truck, trust is an important factor in a team driving job. You need to be able to trust your co-driver to drive safe and your co-driver will need to rely on you to do the same. You’ll also be sharing responsibilities on the road, so it’s important to discuss a plan before you start driving.
Many drivers choose team driving because they want to earn more money and reach their financial goals. Others choose it strictly because of the lifestyle. For example, teams of married partners often drive OTR because they want the chance to travel together and experience the open road.
Whatever your reason, you won’t have to look far for an OTR driving job.
OTR Team Driving at Lily Transportation Corp.
If you’re looking for a new OTR or team driving opportunity, talk to one of Lily’s recruiters at 800-248-5459. You can also browse our available positions through careers page, and even apply online.
Military veterans, having endured some of the most difficult and stringent working environments, have the skills to excel in a number of careers when they transition to civilian life. While companies in several industries are interested in hiring veterans because of their unique skills and strong character, some of the most exciting career opportunities for veterans lie in the logistics industry.
Trucking companies are hiring veterans because of the many strengths they can bring to the field, such as their sense of duty, their ability to work well on a team, their discipline, their strong work ethic, and their ability to adapt to changing situations.
Whether you operated a large truck as part of your military service or not, there are currently plenty of truck driving jobs for veterans. Finding a truck driving job that suits you doesn’t have to be a challenge. In fact, as a veteran, you may have access to some unique opportunities.
Obtaining Your CDL
Before driving a commercial vehicle like a truck, you’ll need to obtain your commercial driver’s license or CDL. The most common way to do so is to go to truck driving school, but if you drove large trucks as part of your military service, you may qualify for the military skills test waiver program through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This waiver enables you to skip the skills test portion of the CDL test and only take the written test.
If you’re a military veteran without truck driving experience, you’ll typically need to obtain your CDL in the regular fashion. You can obtain a state CDL manual from your local department of motor vehicles to start studying for the written exam and also apply for a permit. After you take the written exam, you’ll need to pass a supervised skills test.
There are a number of training programs available to help you become a CDL driver as a veteran. If you decide to go to truck driving school, some schools offer discounts for veterans and special programs for veterans. However, unlike Lily Transportations veterans program, most others deplete your GI Bill benefits.
Finding a Truck Driving Career as a Veteran
Once you’ve obtained your CDL, you’re ready to apply for trucking jobs. The government offers numerous job placement and veteran support services that could help, such as the Hiring Our Heroes initiative from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and career services through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. You can also find tools for resume building and search for hiring events on many government websites.
Nonetheless, you’ll have ample opportunities if you apply for truck driving jobs by filling out applications and sending your resume directly to trucking companies. Many companies have unique programs for veterans. The best veteran truck driving programs, such as the Lily Transportation Corp.’s veterans program, won’t deplete your GI Bill benefits.
Lily Veterans Network
Lily Transportation Corp. values the characteristics that the men and women of our U.S. military possess. We need your knowledge, expertise, and your will to succeed. 15% of Lily employees are currently veterans. Our commitment is to increase that number by 10% each year.
Lily’s veterans program offers a fully-paid training curriculum with company benefits. Upon graduation, you can expect to receive compensation in the $70,000 range. The only requirement is that you accept a minimum one year commitment in an over the road assignment.
For more information on Lily’s career benefits, visit our careers page or contact us at 800-248-5459.
Why OTR team driving? There are so many advantages of being part of an over the road team. They cover more ground, and because they can keep the truck and its cargo moving for longer, team drivers can earn more money than solo drivers. OTR trucking can be a very lucrative full-time truck driving career.
OTR team drivers are also essential contributors to the national supply chain. In many ways, they form the backbone of the entire economy. By keeping their vehicles moving, team drivers can carry their cargo over long distances — essential for maintaining a supply chain that spans from coast to coast.
If you ask any driver who does OTR team driving, they’ll likely tell you that it’s as much a lifestyle as it is a rewarding career. It involves being on the road for days at a time, which means being away from your home and your family as well. That’s why spouses who are both CDL holders often act as co-drivers.
As a CDL driver, it’s up to you to decide if OTR team driving is the right career choice for you. OTR team drivers are focused and goal-oriented, and they’re some of the most respected and well-paid professionals in the logistics industry. OTR team driving also comes with many other advantages and benefits.
Table of Contents:
1. The Benefits of an OTR Team Driving Career
2. Finding a Co-Driver
3. Forming a Good OTR Team
4. Staying Safe on the Road
5. OTR Team Driving Careers at Lily Transportation Corp.
The Benefits of an OTR Team Driving Career
Team driving is an exciting opportunity and a chance to make a positive shift in your driving career. OTR team drivers tend to be driven, adventurous professionals. While it does offer some challenges, the benefits of driving over-the-road are worth working towards.
Earn a Good Living
Simply put, logging more miles with two drivers means making more money.
Have Company on the Road
One of the most difficult parts of driving solo is being alone on the road. While some drivers enjoy the solitude, it’s natural for people to want company while they work and drive. When you drive as part of an OTR team, you’ll always have company.
Having a co-driver is also helpful for planning your trips and solving problems. Your co-driver can help you navigate, give you help in tough situations, or just act as someone to share ideas.
Travel
One of the most rewarding parts of driving over-the-road is the ability to travel to new places and see more of the country. For drivers who love the open road, there’s no better way to do so than coast to coast team driving. OTR team drivers not only get to visit new places, they also have an opportunity to explore more scenic drives. If you love to drive, then OTR team driving is a good career option.
Gain Valuable Experience
Driving long distances is both challenging and rewarding, for those who choose professional truck driving careers. Team drivers get a lot of driving experience, but they also get experience with planning, problem-solving, and working as part of a team. If you’ve been driving solo for years, a team driving assignment is a great way to grow professionally.
Finding a Co-Driver
Most team drivers will tell you that the key to being successful is finding the right partner. Your co-driver should be someone you get along with, someone you can build trust with, and someone who you can rely on. Here are a few ways to find a co-driver:
Search In Your Own Network
If you have any experience in the logistics industry, you’ve likely met people along the way. Sometimes, a good way to find a co-driver for your OTR team is to ask the people you already know and trust. This could be your family, friends, co-workers, or other drivers you’ve met in your travels. Naturally, this is a limited pool of people, but it increases the possibility of finding someone you know and trust.
Drive on a Company Team
Get matched by a logistics company. Lily Transportation Corp., can match you with a co-driver based on your needs and preferences. Working with a company eliminates the risks of putting out an anonymous ad and makes the entire process easier. With a company, you can also trust in reliable pay and support on the road.
Forming a Good OTR Team
The success of your OTR team hinges on the success of your partnership with your co-driver. Good OTR teams are built on trust, professionalism, and a positive attitude. It should come as no surprise that many co-drivers are close friends. Spousal teams are also common, but many other successful teams are formed simply by two dedicated drivers who want to work hard and earn more.
Here are a few ways to form a good OTR team:
Share Responsibilities
Before starting out, it’s important to understand who is responsible for what. It could be that one of you prefers to drive at night while the other prefers to drive during the day, or it could be that each driver is responsible for driving a specific number of miles. Some drivers prefer to drive in the countryside, while others don’t mind driving near cities. When it comes to driving, you must work within FMCSA rules to determine driving, sleeping, and stopping times for both drivers.
Nonetheless, planning in advance makes the job much easier and reduces the chances of surprises. You can also set responsibilities for loading and unloading cargo, if necessary. That way, there won’t be any confusion when you reach your destinations.
Share Space
Driving OTR as a team requires you to share space with your co-driver and sleep on the road. You must agree on how to organize storage space, such as how to store personal items, food items, and work-related items in the truck. You’ll need to come to a basic understanding about each other’s personal preferences, such as noise levels, control over the radio, and cabin temperature. It’s important to stay open to compromise when discussing your shared space so both drivers can reach an understanding they both agree with.
Keep a Positive Attitude
Since you’ll be spending a lot of time together, it pays to keep a positive attitude with your co-driver when out on the road. Everyone has bad days, but being positive and supportive is often just what someone needs to turn their day around. When stressful situations arise, it helps to communicate and pool your wits to solve problems. For many team drivers, having company on the road is just what they need to stay positive and focused.
Build Mutual Respect and Trust
As a professional enterprise, OTR team driving is built on respect, trust, and understanding. When both drivers are honest with each other and dedicated to the task at hand, it makes for a more pleasurable and fulfilling driving experience. If you and your co-driver can set boundaries, know your responsibilities, and communicate effectively, you’ll build a strong professional relationship and a successful OTR team.
Staying Safe on the Road
For any CDL driver, and for every logistics company, safety is the number one priority. Most truck drivers understand basic safety tips like wearing a seatbelt, signaling properly, and driving the speed limit. However, there are a few safety tips that are especially important when driving long distances.
Get Enough Sleep
Getting sound sleep is perhaps the most important safety concern for OTR team drivers. It can also be one of the most challenging. Team drivers must sleep often while the truck is being driven by their co-driver, and sometimes during the day.
To achieve a sound sleep, it’s important to set rules about noise levels with your co-driver. Other things that might inhibit sleep are light, movement, health issues, and caffeine consumption.
If sleeping during the day, it helps to eliminate as much light as possible, whether with curtains or window covers. Discuss driving style with your co-driver beforehand to reduce the likelihood that you’ll be woken up by truck movements. If you have health issues that may affect your sleep, such as sleep apnea, it’s important to take steps beforehand to ensure you can sleep soundly on the road. If possible, avoid consuming too much caffeine when you’re getting close to the end of your driving shift. This will help you fall asleep faster when the time comes.
There are other steps you can take to get better sleep, such as bringing a comfortable mattress, using a noise machine, and avoiding smartphone use when it’s close to bedtime.
Stay Focused
While staying focused is often directly related to sleep, it’s also a practice that you can improve over time. Staying focused on the road is all about removing distractions. Common driving distractions include smartphones, food, and conversation.
When driving, it’s important to avoid using your smartphone. The screen can distract your eyes from the road, leading to danger. Nonetheless, some drivers rely on their phones for communication or even navigation. Before driving OTR, set your phone to operate in hands-free mode if you intend to use it on the job.
It can sometimes be tempting to eat or snack while driving, especially when you’re trying to keep the truck moving, but it’s much safer to only eat when the truck is stopped or when you aren’t driving. When it comes to conversation, there’s nothing inherently wrong with chatting on the road. But if your co-driver is distracting you from the task at hand, don’t hesitate to let them know that you need to focus.
Check Weather Reports
As part of your planning process, you should always check the weather. Even if it’s bright and sunny where you are, the weather can change almost instantly when you’re driving OTR. Knowing the weather beforehand will help you avoid weather hazards, select alternate routes, or give you the chance to mentally prepare to drive in more difficult conditions.
Plan Your Drives
Planning your drives with your co-driver is an ideal way to split up responsibilities and maintain a steady, reliable course. It’s also the best way to ensure that you earn as much as possible in your OTR position. Try to plan your drive based on dispatch instructions, hours of service regulations, stops, fuel, weather, location, road conditions, and even the preferences of you and your co-driver.
Stay Healthy
Part of leading a successful career in any part of the trucking industry is keeping yourself healthy, including eating right and getting exercise. Not only does staying healthy make driving more enjoyable, it can help you get better rest so you can maintain enough energy to stay focused on the road.
Sometimes eating healthy is a simple matter of substituting healthy food for unhealthy food. But you and your co-driver can establish a plan for meals to ensure you eat healthily and even set up an exercise regimen at stops to keep your energy up. Even just going for a walk is helpful for staying healthy on the road.
OTR Team Driving Careers at Lily Transportation Corp.
If you’re interested in an OTR team driving career, you don’t have to look any further than Lily Transportation Corp. Join our family of drivers to get matched with co-driver and receive competitive pay, great benefits, and dedicated runs. Our OTR team drivers even get customizable home time.
If you’re a veteran, find out more about our one-of-a-kind program for veteran drivers that won’t deplete your GI benefits.
Visit our careers page to talk with a recruiter, view our open positions, or apply directly online! If you’d like more information about OTR team driving at Lily, just download our free guide below.
Logistics companies across the country are posting truck driving jobs for veterans and seeking military professionals to join their teams. Military veterans possess strong teamwork and leadership skills, which are essential for successful CDL drivers. Numerous veterans have excelled in the logistics industry because of their relevant skills and their dedication to their mission.
Many veterans have a background in driving trucks or operating heavy machinery, but not all do. In order to work as a commercial driver, veterans and civilians alike must obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Obtaining a CDL involves training, written tests, and a driving test. However, there are some unique training opportunities for veterans that aren’t available for all drivers. Here are some of the best ways to get CDL truck driver training as a veteran:
Apply to Truck Driving School
If you don’t have any experience as a military truck driver, going to truck driving school is an option for getting the training and certification you need. At school, you’ll get a mixture of classroom instruction, training, and hands-on driving experience. Many truck driving schools have relationships with transportation companies, so it could lead to more opportunities when you graduate with your CDL.
When considering a truck driving school, there are a few things to look for. According to Military.com, veterans should apply to schools that use new or late-model equipment, have fair tuition rates, have a high rate of job placement for its students, and provide students with plenty of time behind the wheel. Some schools may also offer discounted or accelerated programs for veterans.
Use the Military CDL Waiver
Typically, a driver must obtain a commercial driver’s permit (CDP) before obtaining a CDL. This permit allows them to drive a truck with a CDL holder present so they can get some experience behind the wheel. They must hold the permit for 14 days before taking the CDL driving skills test.
If you have two years of experience operating trucks or buses in the military, you may qualify for a waiver of the skills portion of the CDL test, according to The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). You can apply for the waiver within one year of leaving the military position in which you operated such a vehicle. Currently, every state offers this waiver. The waiver form is available for printing on the FMCSA website.
If you qualify for the military waiver, you won’t need to go to truck driving school or hold a permit to get your CDL. However, you’ll still need to take a written exam, so make sure your study your state’s CDL manual, available through your state’s DMV (some states have electronic versions of their manuals available online).
You may be able to get sample tests from your state to practice with as well.
Get Training with a Trucking Company
Perhaps the best way for veterans to obtain truck driving training as a veteran is to look for a company that has a veteran training program. While many companies show a preference for veteran drivers, Lily Transportation Corp. has a one-of-a-kind program for veterans:
Who are interested in careers as CDL drivers but have no experience;
Who are current CDL drivers or who’s Military Occupational Specialty was as a heavy truck operator in the service; and
Who served in military leadership roles and want to apply their management skills in the transportation industry.
If you’re transitioning into civilian life after operating heavy trucks in the military, our three-to-six-week transitional training program will fine-tune your existing skills to meet the needs of the marketplace. This program does not deplete your GI Bill benefits.
During that time, you’ll be paid $800 per week and enjoy company benefits. Upon graduation, you can expect to be honored as one of “Lily’s American Heroes.” You’ll receive excellent compensation and decals that designate your branch of service will be placed on your truck.
If you’re interested in learning more about our unique training program for veterans, contact a recruiter today at 800-248-5459. Or, visit our careers page to apply directly to jobs online!
We all have people we rely on to get through life’s challenges, such as parents, siblings, mentors, spouses, and friends. The best driving teams are no different. You’ll depend on your co-driver and they will depend on you. There are many advantages of OTR team driving, and finding a reliable co-driver is key to pursuing a team driving career.
You’ll be spending a lot of time together in the truck. When searching for a co-driver for your OTR team, it’s important to find somebody you get along with and with whom you can build a professional relationship.
It can be challenging to find the right co-driver. Everyone has a unique personality, so it helps to know that your personalities work well together when you’re out on the road. But finding a co-driver for your OTR team doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are a few ways you can find the right person for the job.
Talk to Drivers You Know
Often, the people in your immediate circle are the best candidates for your OTR team. You’ve already built up a rapport with them and there’s already an element of trust and friendship between the two of you.
If you’ve spent any time in the trucking industry, you’ve probably formed relationships with other drivers, whether they’re friends or family. If you’re looking to start a new OTR team driving assignment, don’t hesitate to ask those you know if they want to partner up.
Team Up with Your Spouse
This isn’t an option for everyone, but spousal driving teams are some of the happiest, most successful, and most durable driving teams out on the road. If your spouse is a driver or is starting their CDL career, consider teaming up with them.
Put Out an Ad
There are numerous online forums and publications devoted to for CDL drivers where you can put out an ad looking for a co-driver. You can also use other ad-posting sites, like Craigslist and Indeed.
In your ad, you can specify your needs and preferences, such as location, gender, and smoking or non-smoking. As people respond to your ad, you can communicate with them to determine if they’re a good fit.
If you decide to look online, remember to stay safe. Don’t share any personal information online. If you meet someone in person to discuss team driving, do so during the day in a safe, public location and bring someone you trust along with you.
Team Up with a Company Driver
Most often, the best way to find a co-driver is to apply to a logistics company and get matched with a company driver. Most companies are on the lookout for OTR drivers and they typically have a pool of people ready to join a team.
This eliminates the risks of looking online and ensures you’ll find a co-driver who has a strong driving background. It’s also a great opportunity to build a professional relationship, find a mentor, or be a mentor to newer drivers.
If you’re having trouble finding a co-driver on your own, talk to us here at Lily Transportation Corp! One of our recruiters will be happy to discuss our team driving opportunities with you, or you can apply online through our careers page.
OTR team truck driving has many advantages. It pays well, allows you to travel and see the country, and provides you with the opportunity to form a lasting professional relationship with your co-driver. In many ways, a team driving career is also a lifestyle. Many CDL drivers love team driving and are some of the best in the industry. But is it the right choice for you?
If you’ve been driving solo for a time and are considering a career as a team driver, here are a few indicators to help you decide if teaming up is the right choice for you.
OTR Team Truck Drivers Love to Keep Moving
The key benefit to OTR team driving is the ability to keep the truck moving. When you and a co-driver take turns driving, you can cover more miles in less time and earn more than solo drivers. Most team drivers are driven and dedicated individuals who are highly focused on their work and are willing to (quite literally) go the extra mile. Because of that, they’re some of the most respected and well-paid professionals in the logistics industry.
Of course, being out on the road for days at a time means you must be away from home and your family. Spouses often form OTR teams so they can stay together, but that option isn’t always available to everyone.
While being away from home can be challenging for some drivers, most recognize that it’s a part of their career and is not unlike requirements in many other industries.
Nonetheless, there’s nothing more important than family. It pays to work for a company that prides itself on the amount of home time it provides its drivers, such as Lily Transportation Corp.
If your goals are to work hard, earn more, and travel to new places, OTR team driving might be a good opportunity for you.
OTR Team Driving Helps You Grow Professionally
If you’re looking to gain driving experience and grow professionally, team driving is a great opportunity to do so. If you partner with an experienced driver, they can act as a mentor. Many CDL drivers begin their career in a team driving assignment for this very reason.
Gaining this kind of experience can open up new career opportunities and solidify your place within the industry. Today, many companies are prioritizing positions for OTR team drivers, so there are many opportunities available to learn from the best.
OTR Team Drivers Prefer Driving with Company
One of the challenges of driving solo is the amount of time you must spend alone. While some drivers like the solitude, long hauls are often more enjoyable when you have someone to talk to. If you prefer to drive with company, an OTR team driving position might be the right career choice for you.
There are also practical benefits to having a co-driver. When you’re out on the road, you need to plan your route, adapt to changing road conditions, and overcome challenges as they arise. When you’re in a challenging situation, it always helps to have a second point of view, or at least someone to bounce ideas off of.
If you prefer to have a co-driver to help you out, then a team driving career is ideal.
OTR Team Driving is a Unique Experience
Most CDL drivers will either tell you that they love team driving or it’s just not for them. If you don’t know if OTR team driving is right for you, the best way to find out is to give it a try!
If you’re considering a career change into OTR team driving, Lily Transportation wants you to join our family of drivers! Visit our careers page to apply and learn about our current opportunities, or reach out to us directly at 800-248-5459.
