How to Find a Co-Driver for an OTR Team

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.

Is OTR Team Truck Driving Right for You?

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.

Safety Tips for OTR Team Drivers

As with any trucking assignment, safety is the number one priority in an OTR team driving career. All the same safety tips apply to OTR drivers as they do to solo drivers, like giving the truck ample time to slow down and signaling early when turning or changing lanes.

But long-haul trucking presents some new challenges. Driving for long hours can cause fatigue. Changes in driving conditions require OTR drivers to stay alert. It’s important to avoid distractions and get enough sleep so you can stay focused.

Nonetheless, team drivers have a few advantages that other CDL truck drivers don’t. Mainly, they have a co-driver to watch their back and help them whenever they need it. If they get in a bind, they know they can rely on their co-driver to back them up.


Here are some of the most important safety tips for OTR team drivers:

Avoid Distractions

There are many different types of distractions out on the road, but they typically fall into three categories: visual, manual, and cognitive.

Visual distractions include anything that might take your eyes off the road. Historically, this category might include billboards, other drivers, being distracted by objects on the side of the road, or being distracted by the radio.

These days, the most common visual distraction is one’s cell phone. If a phone rings or buzzes, we almost instinctively look at it to read the notification or reply to a text. When driving, the safest thing to do is turn your phone off, put it in “Do Not Disturb Mode” or “Driving Mode,” or use a hands-free device if you rely on your phone for communicating on the road.

Manual distractions include anything that might cause you to take one or both of your hands off the steering wheel. Food and drink are common manual distractions, as are adjusting your seat or searching through your pockets. But your phone can fit into this category, too. If you need to eat or make a phone call, always wait until you park.

Cognitive distractions include daydreaming, being distracted by conversation, or being drowsy at the wheel. It’s always okay to inform your co-driver or anyone else you may be speaking to that you need to focus on driving.

It can be difficult to avoid daydreaming on the road, but you can beat it through practice. Avoid staring straight ahead and focus instead on your surroundings. Make a mental note to avoid daydreaming before you start driving and check yourself whenever you start to.  

Get Plenty of Rest

The best way to avoid fatigue while driving is to get plenty of sleep before you get behind the wheel. Getting restful sleep while a truck is moving can be challenging, but there are steps team drivers can take to make easier for both drivers to sleep.

Drivers can establish rules about noise, like how loud the radio can be and if it should be on at all. It’s also important to be conscientious of the sleeper, as sudden accelerations and jolts and disturb them. Generally, if you drive safely, your co-driver can sleep soundly.

Making the cab as comfortable as possible can also be conducive to getting enough sleep. Using a high-quality mattress can help make the bed more comfortable. Earplugs, blackout curtains, and a sleeping mask can help drivers sleep during the day, when they need to.

Also, team drivers should follow the hours-of-service regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to ensure they have enough time for rest.

Stay Aware of Road Conditions

Often, road conditions will change repeatedly when driving OTR. Drivers must be constantly aware of their surroundings so they can adjust their speed when needed. Changing weather conditions, traffic patterns, work zones, curves in the road, accidents, and daylight conditions may require drivers to slow down.

By staying aware and informed, OTR team drivers will be prepared for any and all road conditions so they can keep the truck moving.

Wear Your Seat Belt

Wearing your seat belt may seem like a no-brainer, but when you’re spending long hours in the cabin of a truck, it can be tempting to make yourself as comfortable as possible. But wearing a seat belt is the single best way to stay safe on the road. According to the CDC, seat belts reduce the risk of serious injury to drivers by 50% and reduce the risk of death by 45%.

Communicate with Your Co-Driver

Communication is key to making a good OTR team and is important for building trust with your co-driver. When an OTR team has trust, they can rely on each other to overcome tough situations and avoid risks on the road.

Start Your Next OTR Team Driving Career

Are you looking for your next OTR career opportunity or are you tired of driving solo and want to try team driving? Lily Transportation Corp. has a number of opportunities available for OTR team drivers. Visit our careers page to speak to a recruiter or apply online today!

Why Military Veterans Make Excellent Truck Drivers

If you’re a military veteran, you’re in a unique position to excel in the trucking industry.

Even if you don’t have experience driving trucks or heavy vehicles, there are several training programs available that can help. While many of these programs use GI benefits, Lily Transportation Corp. offers a training program that won’t deplete your GI Bill benefits at all!

If you have at least two years of experience driving military trucks, you may even qualify for a military waiver for your CDL skills test, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (though you’ll still have to take the written exam). The FMCSA also notes that this waiver is currently available nationally.


You’re positioned to benefit from the current job market as well. Transportation and logistics companies are actively seeking veteran truck drivers. The skills you learn in the military aren’t just transferable to this career type – they’re the types of skills companies actively seek in their drivers.

Communication Skills

The ability to communicate clearly and effectively is essential in the military and just as important in the trucking industry. Trucking and logistics require a great deal of coordination and accurate timing to be successful. When drivers are on the road, their ability to communicate effectively with dispatchers and other drivers is key to overcoming challenges and staying safe.

Teamwork and Leadership

Whether you’re a solo driver or an OTR team driver, it takes a team of highly trained professionals to accomplish the mission. On every job, an entire support team is working to make sure a load gets from point A to point B safely. Strong teamwork skills are essential for any team OTR assignment, as you and your partner will need to manage your time effectively and work together to accomplish your goals.

Likewise, leadership is an important skill in logistics, and not just for managers. Drivers need to be assertive, observant, and task-oriented to be successful. In many situations, drivers need to take the lead to resolve problems and stay on course.  

Discipline

Self-discipline is a skill that is taught to, and expected of, every military professional. In the trucking industry, self-discipline is necessary for making deliveries on time, but also for driving a truck over long distances. It can be tempting to get distracted on the road, but self-discipline will keep you safe and laser-focused on the task at hand.

As a veteran, you also understand the importance of following through on a task and leading by example. Trucking companies seek these traits in all their drivers as they can lead to more efficient operations and a more productive working environment.

Problem Solving Skills

When driving for long periods of time on public roads, problems will inevitably arise. The ability to think quickly to solve problems is essential for completing your mission and staying safe. It’s also an important skill set for identifying problems that others may have missed. Veteran truck drivers can bring their problem-solving skills to the table not just to resolve issues, but also to make operations more efficient and effective.

Commitment to the Mission

Perhaps the most important skill among veteran truck drivers is their commitment to the mission. Most trucking companies have a mission statement or ideological higher purpose. But to achieve that higher purpose, they need professionals who are focused on carrying out their daily activities with focus, determination and attention to detail.

Military veterans make excellent truck drivers because they possess the skills, talents, and attributes that every trucking company looks for. Not only does your military experience make you an excellent candidate for a position in trucking, but it’s also exactly what you need to thrive on the road and in this competitive industry.

Trying to find veteran truck driving jobs? Start your new career  with Lily! Visit our jobs page or talk to a recruiter at 800-248-5459.

What Makes a Good OTR Team?

OTR team driving can be a lucrative and rewarding career path. When you drive as part of an OTR team, you can keep the truck rolling longer – not only can you earn more, you get to share the entire experience with a driving partner. That’s why team driving is so attractive to couples (father/son, mother/daughter, best friends, cousins, partners, married couples, siblings, and more).

Like any career, team driving requires professionalism and a can-do attitude. A successful OTR team is built on a common set of principles. When both drivers can reach an understanding, they become a formidable, reliable team that can earn a good living and have a great time in the process.

So, what makes a good OTR team?


Trust

If you’re a part of an over the road team, one of you will often be driving while the other is sleeping. It’s important that you’re able to trust your partner to handle the truck and look after your safety while you’re not at the wheel. Likewise, your partner needs to be able to trust you to do the same.

Establishing trust is the foundation of a good OTR team. If you aren’t already acquainted with your co-driver, you should take the time to get to know them. Discuss each other’s driving styles and lifestyle habits. Establish that safety is your number one priority. You’ll need to depend on one another out on the road.

Respect

If you become an OTR team driver, you’ll be spending a long time in close quarters with another person. So, it’s important that you’re both considerate of the other’s needs and personal space.

Learn about your partner’s habits, likes, and dislikes. Establish rules for the radio and be considerate of each other’s music choices.

A Positive Attitude

To form a good team, it pays to have a positive attitude. You’ll be interacting with your partner often and for long periods of time, so interpersonal skills are key. If your partner is having a bad day, keeping a positive attitude can keep you both on track. Your positivity may even rub off on them.

The best teams can enjoy long conversations and long periods of silence. A good attitude will not only make driving together more pleasant, it will help you overcome tough situations together and stay safe on the road. When each driver is prepared to help the other, they can solve problems faster and reduce each other’s stress levels.

A Reliable System

Since OTR driving teams share responsibilities on the road, it helps to establish ground rules for how you’re going to operate. This includes rules for stops, driving rules, and rules for your responsibilities regarding your cargo.

For example, you may decide that one of you is in charge when loading cargo and the other is in charge when unloading. Or, you may decide that you are both equally responsible. You’ll also need to decide your sleep schedule. It could be that one of you is more comfortable driving at night while the other prefers to drive during the day.

Whatever you decide, make sure you stick to your system. Staying consistent will ensure that both of you know what to expect on the road.

Start a New Team Driving Career

It takes a commitment from both drivers to run a successful team operation. But good OTR driving teams are some of the happiest and highest-earning professionals in the trucking industry. It’s an attractive option for both new and experienced drivers.

If you’re preparing to start a new career as an OTR team driver or looking for a change from your current OTR position, consider a career with Lily Transportation Corp. We’re always on the lookout for safe, experienced team drivers. We provide excellent benefits, competitive pay, custom clothing, and top-of-the-line equipment.

For more information, visit the Jobs Page on our website.

The Advantages of OTR Team Driving

If you’re considering a career in the trucking industry, or if you’re looking for a change from driving solo, you might want to consider becoming an OTR team driver! Team driving isn’t for everyone, but if you find the right partner, it can be a lucrative and rewarding experience for both of you. You can even form a team with your spouse if you’re both licensed commercial drivers.

If you’re adventurous and you love to see new places, OTR driving is a great opportunity. Here are some of the other advantages of OTR team driving:

You’ll Be More Efficient

When two people can drive, you can spend more time on the road and log more miles, which means increased earnings. While one driver takes the wheel, the other can rest or sleep. Because OTR drivers must cover such long distances, team driving is an ideal way to increase productivity.


You’ll Always Have Company

Some commercial truck drivers enjoy their alone time on the road. But going without conversation for extended periods of time can impact your mental health and even increase fatigue. When your part of an OTR team, you always have someone to talk to.

Conversation isn’t just a great way to pass the time. It can also help OTR drivers stay positive if they are missing their families and their home. Nonetheless, you’ll be spending a lot of time with your OTR partner, so it’s important to work with someone you trust and get along with.

You’ll Always Have Help

Whether you need a navigator or just someone to bounce ideas off of, your OTR partner is always available to help. Breakdowns and traffic jams happen. Having someone right by your side to help you through them can make them less stressful. You can combine your knowledge to solve problems – two brains are better than one.

You Can Earn More

Every commercial driver is subject to Hours of Service Regulations and must take breaks after driving for a specific number of hours. Simply put, solo drivers must stop driving to rest periodically while teams can switch drivers and keep going. Because OTR team drivers can log more miles in less amount of time, they can often earn more.

Consider OTR Team Driving with Lily

Lily Transportation Corp. is a family owned and professionally managed business. We believe our people are our greatest asset. We’re proud to provide all of our drivers with competitive pay, excellent benefits, and meticulously-maintained equipment.

For more information about career opportunities at Lily, visit the Jobs Page on our website.