Saving Time When Driving a Truck
One of the great truck driving tips drivers can learn is saving time. Driving delays impact earning capacity, but with the right tips and techniques, you’ll become a master of time management.
Truck drivers have immense freedom, and while most loads won’t have a time crunch, there are always some that will.
Learning to limit driving delays and waste as little time as possible is something most truckers learn on-the-fly. However, we’re going to walk you through a few of the best ways that truckers are saving more time, reducing delays, and making more money.
Types of Trucking Delays
As a truck driver, you face new challenges every day that you’re on the road. The job is constantly changing, and you need to be prepared for delays. A few of the many issues that can throw your schedule off track, include:
Detention and Dock Delays
Detention time is a significant issue, and it’s one that the FMCSA recognizes and tries to change. One main change being proposed is the push to collect data on driver detention and to help learn what the main issues are surrounding detention and dock delays.
When truckers have detention and dock delays, it means:
- Waiting at receiving
- Waiting at the shipper
- Waiting even more
Often, truckers wait for two hours or longer. One study from DAT found that 84% of freight brokers and carriers state that detention is in the top 5 issues in the trucking industry.
GPS Issues
GPS has revolutionized the trucking industry with information at a driver’s fingertips. Now, you can boot up your GPS, plug in the destination, and never have to open a map. However, truckers have also become sometimes too reliant on this very technology.
Some of the main issues that delay load delivery are GPS-related, such as:
- GPS systems bringing trucks to non-dock locations
- Re-routing issues, which bring truckers far out of their way
- System issues, which can lead to delays in shipment and other key concerns
Poor Planning Delays
Planning is a major part of avoiding delays, and it’s one of the main reasons truckers are logging less miles. Top-tier truckers know that if they plan out their routes, they’ll deliver loads faster and more efficiently.
A few of the key poor planning issues in the industry are:
- Lack of route optimization to improve delivery times
- No pre-planning time to map out the best routes
- Switching deliveries last minute on the driver
Planning is a mixed issue, and it’s one that relies on both the driver and dispatch to handle. However, as drivers become more comfortable in their position, they can often build lasting relationships with dispatch to alleviate many of these planning-related issues.
Truck Driving Tips: Saving Time and Avoiding Driving Delays
Delays happen in trucking, but you can take steps to minimize them and get back on the road ASAP. Here are some helpful tips.
Check GPS Routes Ahead of Time
Your truck’s GPS is a helpful tool, but don’t be 100% reliant on it. Some GPS routes will make it difficult to get safely to the dock or exit the customer’s parking lot. In addition, detours, traffic delays, and other unforeseen incidents can waste loads of time.
To ensure that you’re following hours-of-service regulations and still delivering shipments on time, it’s important to know your route and how to efficiently navigate to your destination.
Your GPS can get you most of the way, but the written instructions on your trip sheet can help you avoid busy parking lots and reach the dock more quickly. Compare your GPS route to the written instructions and use a combination of the two to get to your destination with fewer headaches.
Have a Plan
Time management can be a significant challenge for truckers. Having a plan can help. Knowing the best way to reach your destination is one piece of the puzzle. Preparing for your arrival can help ease anxiety and ensure that you get in and out of the customer’s location as quickly as possible.
- Use Google Maps to get a better view of the customer’s location. Satellite view and street view can help you prepare for navigating to the dock.
- Make a note of locations that are difficult to maneuver and have a plan to make the process as quick and stress-free as possible.
- Get a basic understanding of the terrain, turn and interstate entrances and exits. This will help you prepare for the trip and manage your time more efficiently.
Taking a few extra minutes to create a plan and know what to expect can save you more time in the long run.
Be Proactive with Communication
Proactive communication is crucial. Sometimes, it’s impossible to avoid a delay, but staying in touch with your dispatcher can help minimize the impact. Additionally, make sure that you’re logging communication using Qualcomm or your company’s electric device. The documentation can provide some clarity if necessary.
Truck drivers and fleet managers should work together to prevent delays and ensure that loads arrive on time. Fleet managers can also go the extra-mile by building deep relationships with the key figures at shipping and receiving to ensure that all personnel are ready to load or unload trucks upon arrival.
Saving time while driving a truck can be challenging, but if you adhere to the tips above, you’ll be well on your way to maximizing trucker efficiency in a fleet or when driving your own rig.
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