Should you stick it out longer with your first trucking company, or should you move to a new company as soon as a better opportunity presents itself? Determining when to stay at your first trucking job versus switching to a new company can be a challenging decision for a new driver.
Wondering how long to stay at your first trucking company is a frequent question many new CDL drivers have. Overhearing other companies offering better pay, nicer equipment, and even increased home time options may make you question your current job.
Now, there is no universal timeline that a driver should follow to gain experience and knowledge in this field. But by extending your stay at a company, you may have more doors opened for you in the future!
Keep reading for insights and advice on determining when to pursue a new opportunity or stay with your first trucking job!
Why Your First Trucking Job Matters
Your first truck driving job sets the foundation of your future career. Truck driving school provides you with knowledge, but your first trucking job gives you experience. As an inexperienced driver, your first trucking job is going to give you firsthand experience in the field that CDL school may not have prepared you for.
Let’s be upfront: your first trucking job is probably not going to be your dream job. But it can provide you with extended training to help build your resume and open up future opportunities. As a new driver, you may not be expected to have specific skills or qualifications.
Other employees and managers can provide you with extra training to build your skills and confidence behind the wheel. Building your confidence and establishing a reliable work history is a strong and valuable component of your first trucking job.
Because this experience is so valuable, many drivers struggle with the decision of staying or leaving.
What Should You Expect at Your First Truck Job?
As a first-year driver, a key aspect you should seek is employment with reputable carriers that offer training programs. Your first trucking job may involve tough or undesirable loads, so having an employer willing to work and train with you is important.
Your first trucking job will also most likely require a significant lifestyle adjustment, where you may face steep learning curves during initial months of hiring. The truth is, new drivers should mentally prepare for high stress and fatigue during training.
Facing long hours and maybe even weeks on the road as a new driver can be challenging, but rewarding if you are with a strong company that helps acclimate you to the lifestyle changes.
Many truck driving companies require at least two years of experience. Learning and growing as much as possible at your first truck driving job can greatly accelerate your skills and knowledge, making you a competitive candidate. This is why your first trucking job is so crucial to future career opportunities.
How Long is Too Long?
There’s no perfect answer or timeline to answer this question. Figuring out when to switch companies depends on your career goals and how quickly you gain experience and knowledge in the field.
Some truck drivers may find they need to switch companies sooner than others. Those decisions are decisions that are formed based on your personal experiences and the opportunities you encounter on the job.
With this said, there is a rough guideline to follow when evaluating the right time for a job switch!
Less Than One Year
As a brand new driver, there may be situations where you need to leave the company sooner than expected. Some reasons you may want to leave a company after less than a year could be that you’re experiencing inconsistent miles, poor communication, lack of support for new drivers, or even broken promises during hiring.
As mentioned, one of the biggest concerns could be lack of support for a new driver. As the ‘new guy’, you may need more CDL training from your team. Not receiving this support can greatly impact your experience and make you feel unprepared for future opportunities.
One thing to note when considering switching companies less than one year into a contract is the stigma of job jumping. Displaying frequent ‘job jumps’ or switches could indicate an inconsistent employee and may raise concerns with future employers.
If you are considering switching companies within less than a year of employment, make sure you evaluate all your options and consider talking to management before abandoning ship!
The Golden Rule: One Year
The golden rule for many new drivers is to stay at a trucking company for about one year. Not only does this demonstrate commitment and consistency, but it also gives new drivers the time to gain experience in other areas such as specialized freight and over-the-road hauls.
Another benefit of staying around one year is gaining qualifications for better pay. Showing that you can safely operate vehicles and equipment can demonstrate responsibility and career growth. Employers are likely to recognize this and reward you with increased compensation or benefits.
Confidence is another skill that grows with time. The more time you have working with a trucking company, the more confident you feel working with their equipment and successfully completing their hauls. As a brand new driver, building confidence is a very important component of becoming an experienced driver.
Above And Beyond
Now, let’s discuss what it looks like to stay longer than one year at your first trucking company. You can be presented with some great opportunities by staying longer at your first company. On the flipside, staying too long could damage or stunt your career growth.
Some great opportunities you may encounter could be access to premium trucking jobs or the opportunity to become a trainer or mentor to inexperienced drivers. These opportunities, combined with time, can be great activities for building a stronger resume.
Although these opportunities can enhance your resume, staying too long can limit the amount of growth you experience. Some signs you may be at your company for too long could be a plateau of earnings, inconsistent miles, or no more advancements.
Another tell-tale sign you may be at your first trucking job too long is burnout. Staying in the same routine for years may result in demotivation, making you feel unhappy driving there anymore.
Training and Benefits At Your First Job
Okay, so we’ve covered some general information about your first truck driving job, how long you should aim to stay for, and what your first job may entail or look like. There’s one component we haven’t mentioned yet that makes your first driving job so important.
As previously mentioned, your first driving job can provide you with training and experience that you’ll need for future jobs. But we didn’t mention how you can get this experience.
Double Down: Combined Schooling and Work
There are several ways to get your CDL license. You may choose an independent CDL school before job hunting. Many companies will offer a tuition reimbursement for CDL training costs.
You can also complete a company-sponsored training program if one is offered. This means that the company will provide the option for CDL schooling to be combined with your first truck driving job.
Expectations and Qualifications
Having your first driving job combined with CDL school can be a great training and learning opportunity to gain real hands-on experience with driving. There are various types of tests you must be able to complete when working for your CDL license.
You are required to pass the Department of Transportation physical exam, where they assess your vision, hearing, and blood pressure. Alongside this, you are also required to obtain a valid driver’s license and a commercial learner’s permit.
For driving, the federal law mandates the completion of entry-level driver training before taking any road tests. Employer training can be a very valuable asset for completing this type of training requirement. The final CDL exam consists of a pre-trip inspection, basic parking, and a road driving test.
Being able to have active training through a real job position can help prepare you and give you more confidence for these final tests and exams. Employers can help you focus on specific skills or areas of improvement to help you successfully pass your CDL training.
Your company may also offer specific classes or mentors to help guide you in successful training. Having the ability to complete your CDL training with your first employer helps prepare your skills but also your professionalism in the trucking industry.
Timing and Takeaways
To sum it all up, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to the length of time you should stay at your first trucking job. Some drivers may need extra time to gain experience, work history, or confidence to gain better opportunities.
Others may find themselves outgrowing a company faster than expected. Even legitimate concerns like inconsistent miles, unsafe equipment, or lack of support may influence a driver to change jobs sooner.
Instead of focusing on a hard deadline to switch jobs, try to evaluate if your current company is helping you grow as a driver. Stop and ask yourself questions like: am I continuing to learn, receive necessary training, earn competitive pay, and move closer to my own long-term career goals?
Determining where you are, where you want to be, and what your company is doing to help can give you a better idea of when you want to switch trucking companies.
Headed Towards Greatness
Regardless, remember that your first trucking job is your first job, not your last. The experience you gain at your first job will heavily influence and shape your career in the future. Make it a focus point to build strong skills, and gather a work history that supports your goals and long-term career!
Hopefully this information helps you feel more confident in navigating jobs and career changes in the trucking industry. Although job changes can be difficult and intimidating, following this rough guideline should give you the confidence and knowledge to make good decisions!
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