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GPS devices have become an important part of our society. Many individuals utilize the GPS function on their cell phones to help them map out their commutes or plan a trip. However, as a truck driver, it can be difficult to maintain safe driving habits, while using the GPS features on your phone. Furthermore, the GPS functions on your cell phone don’t have the capabilities that you need as a truck driver. Thankfully, there are several advancements that have been made to the GPS devices on the market, supporting you in keeping your trucking business between lines and on the road. If you are a trucker looking for a new GPS device for your truck there are several features to keep in mind, to ensure accessibility and durability. Detailed Mapping Many GPS devices have been created specifically for truck drivers and the numerous vehicles they drive. The truck-specific mapping feature allows you to update your GPS with your truck weight, height, length, and specifics that may affect your route. This feature gives you the confidence to know that your route will be appropriately mapped out to ensure that you arrive at your destination safely and on time. Route and Mileage Capabilities The newest technology for GPS devices has enhanced features that allow you to receive current information about traffic, road closures, road infrastructure changes, and road work. This allows you to compare and pick from various routes to your destination to help you mitigate any delays and reduce your costs. Additionally, some GPS devices will update you when there is excessive engine idling to help you reduce fuel expenses. Driver Safety GPS devices allow you to keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road with voice assistants that provide directions to help you navigate your drive. They also come with features to warn you when you are going over the speed limit or braking too hard to mediate possible accidents. Some devices have Bluetooth connectivity that is paired with Siri and Google Now. As a result, you are able to connect your GPS to your smartphone, allowing you to make hands-free phone calls and receive text messages safely. Approved Roadways Now let’s talk about features specifically for GPS units meant for truck drivers. A good GPS for truck drivers will plan routes based on roads that are approved for semi-trucks. All you have to do is put in your truck’s information, including height, weight, length, and cargo. When the GPS knows this information, it will handle all the hassle of planning your route accordingly. Drive Assist Features A GPS for truck drivers will come stored with information that only a truck driver would be interested in knowing. They will have information on repair services, tow services, truck stops, weigh stations, rest stops, and more. These systems will also give information about curves, steep inclines, and narrow roads. Finally, a good GPS for truck drivers will provide lane assist to make sure you are in the correct lane in order to make an exit. Conserving Fuel Fuel is one of the most significant expenses that a trucker will face. That is why it’s important that your GPS can provide you with information in order to conserve fuel and make sure you aren’t spending too much. When you plan your route, a good GPS will let you know where to stop in advance to fill up with the most cost-effective fuel. Your GPS can also alert you if you are driving excessively fast or deviating from your planned route. Trip Logging Your ELD has to be synchronized with the truck’s engine to comply with the FMCSA’s ELD Mandate . This means that your GPS cannot be used as your approved ELD. However, the data that your GPS keeps can be used to verify that the numbers from your ELD are accurate. GPS units today can monitor your hours of service, driving status, hours of sleep, mileage, and IFTA fuel data . Fleet Management A collection of GPS units for truck drivers can also be used by a fleet manager to see the specific location of all of the trucks on the road. This can help improve the customer service of the company by allowing the manager to let shippers and receivers know how close their driver is to arriving at their destination. Managers can also make sure their drivers are on the correct route and driving appropriately. User-Friendly Interface When it comes to being in the trucking business every minute counts. This means that it is important to find a GPS device that is user-friendly and easy to navigate. Look for a device with intuitive controls and easy-to-read instructions. Furthermore, you may want to find a GPS device that has ELD integration, which can automatically track and log your hours of service. Durability You and your truck spend so much time on the road, it is important to find a GPS device that will endure the rough terrain and hard weather to ensure longevity. Look for a device that can withstand hot and cold temperatures, since it will be sitting near a window in your truck. There are also some devices that have a rugged waterproof casing and reinforced corners to handle the demands of the road. Best GPS Units for Truck Drivers Now that you know about the features that are available to you when purchasing a GPS, here are the highest rated GPS units for truck drivers that are on the market. Garmin Garmin is a well-known and trusted trucking GPS brand. Their devices have customizations available, which allow users to select different truck-specific settings, such as height, weight, and length. This information allows the GPS to generate the most efficient route for your specific vehicle. Garmin 010-02313-00 dezl OTR700, 7-inch GPS Truck Navigator Large display with its bright and crisp touchscreen display with long battery life Load-to-dock guidance: Guidance shows potential loading zones or storage lots to help clarify where you need to go See popular truck routes used by other truckers Driver Alerts: warn you of upcoming sharp curves, speed changes, railroad crossing, and more. Truck-Friendly Parking: See truck-specific parking at truck stops and rest stops along your route while connected to the Garmin Drive app paired with your GPS-enabled smartphone. Easy Break Planning: Receive timely notifications that help you make the most of each stop. Voice Assistant: Your voice assistant responds to your spoken requests Wireless Updates: Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity makes it easy to keep your maps and software up to date without using a computer Traffic, Weather, and Fuel: Download the Garmin Drive app to access live traffic, weather, and real-time fuel prices. Plus, access to photoLive traffic cameras. Learn more: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/search/?query=GPS Rand McNally Another popular choice for truck drivers is the Rand McNally brand. Their GPS devices have accurate and truck-specific mapping and hazard updates. Additionally, they offer Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing access to real-time traffic updates adjusting routes based on traffic patterns and road work. Their designs are built to withstand life on the road with a strong mount firmly holding the GPS in place, along with thermal resistance allowing for extended use. Rand McNally TND 550 Truck GPS Voice guidance: get advanced notifications of what’s ahead, such as turns, steep grades, or complicated interchanges Advanced routing: compare routes, use multi stop routing, and add up to 10 stops per route Exits quick view: quickly view amenities such as travel centers and fuel stops at upcoming exits Fuel prices and logs: view fuel prices on the map, then track fuel purchases and calculate fuel economy Service alerts: set service and maintenance alerts for your vehicle 3-D junction view: view upcoming junctions in 3-D with a split screen display with lane guidance for managing complex interchanges Warning: Set warning for speed limit changes, sharp curves and more Weather: Show the current forecast, or choose 10 different map overlays, like precipitation and wind speed. Toll costs: view estimated toll costs, compare routes without tolls, and plan routes to lower costs Millions of POI Listings: detailed information on travel centers, weight stations, service and repair stops. Address book: group and sort by name or distance, add custom POIs, then choose icons to display on the map. Learn More: https://store.randmcnally.com/truck-navigation.html TomTom TomTom is known for their intuitive interfacing, user-friendly controls, and accurate mapping. Their devices include voice-guided navigation, live traffic updates, and real-time speed camera alerts. They are slim, and lightweight, making them easy to mount. TomTom Trucker 620 6-Inch GPS Navigation Device with Wi-Fi Connectivity Active Magnetic Mount TomTom MyDrive: Plan routes, check live traffic, and save favorite POIs from your smartphone, tablet, or PC Customized truck routing: get customized routes for your vehicle type, size, weight, cargo, and speed, making your journeys more time efficient. Customized truck routing takes the guesswork out of driving, giving you a realistic arrival time and a safer journey. Compatible with Siri and Google Now: Activate and talk to Siri or Google Now by tapping a button and using the microphone on your TomTom Trucker. It can read messages aloud from your phone with your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. Needs Wi-Fi to update the device Learn More: https://www.tomtom.com/en_us/navigation/gps/ Xgody Xgody is a lesser-known GPS device known for their offline capabilities and reasonable prices. AV-in XGODY 8GB ROM SAT NAV System Navigator Includes Bluetooth and AV-In Battery is built in, but needs a charge every 1 hour or so (Car charger 12-36V/2A Charging time is 2-3 hours Voice narration Lane navigation: which lane to go when encountering multi-lanes Custom quick search POI you can find gas stations, restaurants, railway stations, airports, and hotels near you. Supports multimedia functions. You can enjoy the movie MPS when you are tired and want to have a rest. Set up your truck profile to customize personalized navigation routes according to the height, length, and weight of the truck. Intelligently avoid the risks which may have route time, speed limit, height limit, width limit, weight limit etc. Learn more: https://xgody.com/collections/best-navigation-gps Don’t Throw Away the Atlas Although these GPS devices are specifically designed for truck drivers, it is still recommended that drivers have a physical map with them at all times. Technology continues to advance but still can’t be 100% trusted. Systems fail, break, run out of battery, etc. However, these GPS devices should work most of the time and allow you to be able to operate your truck as efficiently as possible.

As an owner-operator, you’re a small business owner. That means you can’t just focus on how much money you’re making, you also have to focus on how much money you’re spending. Would you rather watch, or listen, to this article in video format? Click here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awPcYaaiNxA Owner-operators have to deal with many of the same common business expenses. Understanding these expenses, and figuring out how to minimize the amount of money coming out of your pocket, is an important task for any business owner. ATBS is here to help, as we identify five of the biggest expenses faced by owner-operators and how you can better manage them. Are you a 1099 truck driver who needs help managing your expenses? Click here! Fuel Fuel costs are the largest expense for most owner-operators. On average, you may spend between $60,000 and $80,000 a year on fuel, based on recent diesel prices averaging around $3.50 to $3.75 per gallon.. The easiest way to figure out how much you can expect to spend on fuel is by calculating your truck’s average cost per mile. This can be calculated by dividing the number of miles you expect to drive by your average MPG and then multiplying that number by the fuel cost per gallon. As a truck driver, you actually have some control over how much money you spend on fuel. There are several ways you can modify your driving habits right now that can put extra money in your pocket: Slow down - generally, 10 mph equals 1 mpg Find the “sweet spot” - lower RPMs burn less fuel Be smart with braking Stay in higher gears when possible Minimize idling To learn more about each of these topics and put these practices into action, read our article here . Truck & Maintenance Your truck is the second biggest expense you’ll face as an owner-operator. Truck expenses include the truck payment, maintenance, and tires. Even if your truck is completely paid off, maintenance and tire costs are still enough to be your second biggest expense. On average, maintenance is around 10% of total expenses. The most important thing you can do to keep your maintenance costs down is to plan preventative maintenance around home time. Try to catch stuff before it becomes a serious issue so you can wait for the part you will eventually need or get it fixed quickly before it becomes a big issue. This can be done with good pre and post-trip inspections and checking for any leaks or drips. The best way to manage your maintenance is to overestimate how much money you will need for truck repairs and put that money into a dedicated maintenance account. Tire expenses will vary between $1,000 and $4,000 each time they are replaced. Before buying tires, take into account the cost of the tires as well as their life expectancy. Insurance Insurance on a single truck typically starts at around $3,000 - $4,000 for a leased owner-operator and $15,000 - $30,000 for an owner-operator with authority . Insurance expenses can rise depending on how extensive the coverage is. Some of the different types of insurance that are typically required include bobtail, occupational accident, and physical damage. On top of your truck insurance, you will also need health insurance, which averages around $6,000 - $12,000 per year. Insurance is an expense that can vary significantly, depending on how much you want to pay. However, paying less for insurance usually means a higher deductible, which comes with a greater risk if an accident were to occur. To learn more about insurance, click here . Food and Drink Food and drink is a large expense that owner-operators might not expect. Eating out at restaurants every day can add up quickly. However, owner-operators are given a tax deduction known as Per Diem . The IRS allows you to deduct 80% of $80 for every full day on the road and $60 for every partial day on the road. Even though these costs are tax deductible, it is money you still have to spend. The easiest way to lower your food and drink costs is to buy food at the grocery store and keep it cold in your truck. The cost of groceries is a lot cheaper and healthier than eating out at restaurants. Taxes As an independent contractor, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires you to make quarterly estimated tax payments based on your business profits. Your quarterly estimated tax payments include: Self-employment tax: The self-employment tax rate is 15.3%. It consists of Social Security (12.4%) and Medicare (2.9%) taxes. Federal Income Tax and State Income Tax: This is calculated on your tax return. Those who expect to owe at least $1,000 in taxes are required to make quarterly payments of self-employment and income taxes. ATBS recommends that drivers set aside between 25 and 30 percent of their weekly net income for quarterly taxes . When you are self-employed the payment of Social Security and Medicare taxes is your responsibility. This is unlike those individuals who are classified as an employee as these taxes would be withheld from a paycheck and paid by an employer. When it comes time to file your taxes, you can minimize your tax liability by claiming every legal tax deduction and credit available. Understanding and recording all the deductions and credits appropriately will help you avoid penalties, reduce the risk of an audit, and minimize the amount you have to pay in taxes. How to Manage Your Expenses Know Your Numbers Do you know your break-even point? Do you know your cost or profit per mile? Don't operate your business in the dark. Make sure you keep your numbers up to date so you know how to stay profitable. Keep Good Records A good business always tracks its financials and monitors them at least monthly. A profit and loss statement can be used to make sure you are reaching your revenue and expense goals to hit the bottom line you need to achieve your own personal success. Plan Your Routes Aside from just taking the shortest route, plan out when you're going to get to certain places on your trip and where you're going to fill up. If possible, avoid driving through places at times you know there will be a lot of traffic and fill up in places where the net price will be lowest. Maximize Your Time If your truck isn’t running, you aren’t making money. Make sure you’re managing your time to make each week profitable. Don’t sit for long periods of time when you don’t have to. When you’re forced to shut down, use this time to be productive and complete tasks that need to get done. Anything you can’t do yourself, outsource to different services and professional partners. These expenses could be seen as investments that may actually save or make you money in the long run. Work With Professional Business Partners Running a business is difficult. It’s even harder when you’re on the road driving all day. Having someone who can help you run the business side of trucking can be a big asset. It can also be a tax deduction . Paying a company to help you with your accounting and bookkeeping allows you to focus on what you love...driving your truck! Over 150,000 owner-operators have made the choice to hire ATBS over the past 20 years. We offer a variety of services including accounting, bookkeeping, and tax preparation . We also offer unlimited business consulting for our RumbleStrip Professional clients. A dedicated business consultant will help you keep your business “between the lines,” just like rumblestrips on the highway. If you’d like to learn more about ATBS services or want to get started today, give us a call at 866-920-2827.

Even though semi-trucks aren’t known for their fuel efficiency, there are steps you can take to help improve how much fuel you’re using. In a previous article, we talked about how you can drive your truck more efficiently . In this article, we’ll discuss some of the quick and relatively cheap changes you can make to your truck to improve fuel efficiency. All of these suggestions shouldn’t take a large investment and are changes that can be made in a short amount of time. Pay Attention to Aerodynamics Aerodynamics contributes to 50% of your truck’s overall fuel economy. This is why one of the goals when it comes to spec’ing your truck should be to minimize aerodynamic drag. Aerodynamic drag is the force that makes it harder for a truck to go forward and it’s caused when air is no longer smoothly flowing around the truck and trailer. There are many improvements you can make to your truck to improve its aerodynamics. Below is a list of a few of the most common: Drive Fenders - The first chance to allow air to pass smoothly along the rest of the vehicle Cab Extenders - Reduces the airflow between the tractor and trailer where there is often a larger gap Wheel Covers - Closes gaps in the wheel to prevent air from getting into the crevices Side Skirts - Prevent air from going underneath the trailer by keeping it flowing smoothly along the side Trailer Tail - The tapered shape reduces drag from the low-pressure wake created behind the trailer These are just a few of the more common upgrades you can make to your truck and trailer to make it more fuel-efficient. The idea is to have everything working together on the truck and trailer to make the entire tractor-trailer as fuel-efficient as possible. Tires In addition to wheel covers, there are many things you need to pay attention to when it comes to your tires in order to improve fuel efficiency. One thing drivers are beginning to do is move to wide-based tires instead of conventional dual rib tires. Wide-based tires may help increase overall MPG by up to 4% due to their lower rolling resistance. Keep in mind that if you decide to put new tires on your truck it takes them approximately 35,000 to 50,000 miles before they are properly broken in. This will be when you really begin to notice a change in your fuel efficiency. Tires that are properly worn can give up to a 7% increase in fuel economy. Make sure to also keep your tires properly inflated. Not only will it help keep you safe and prevent possible blowouts, but if every tire is underinflated by at least 10 psi, you will see a 1% reduction in your fuel economy. Lubricants Using fuel-efficient lubricants is a change you can make with little to no increased investment that can help improve your fuel efficiency. Lubricants limit the damage of important components of the vehicle including the engine, transmission, and drivetrain. Without lubricants, these parts of your vehicle will grind together causing wear and tear. If you’re looking for a fuel-efficient lubricant, you should look for a low-viscosity lubricant that meets your vehicle’s requirements. Manufacturers generally consider low-viscosity blends as “fuel economy” lubricants, since the fuel-saving potential can be significant. Low-viscosity lubricants are less resistant to flow than conventional lubricants, helping reduce friction and energy losses. With a good low-viscosity lubricant, you could see between 0.5% and 2% savings in fuel efficiency depending on speeds and the temperature. While fuel-efficient lubricants typically cost more than conventional lubricants, for most trucks, the fuel cost savings generally outweigh the higher product cost. The combination of low-viscosity engine oils and drivetrain lubricants can save up to 500 gallons of fuel per year. This doesn’t even include the additional cost savings due to reduced component wear and maintenance. Additional Recommendations Think About Your Fuel Make sure you’re aware of the type of diesel you’re using and the amount you’re using. The type of diesel you’re using will make a difference in the performance of your truck. There will be a difference in fuel depending on the seasons and the weather. Make sure you’re using thicker fuel in the winter in places that will be cold. You’ll need to keep this in mind if you’re going from hot to cold temperatures or cold to hot temperatures. It’s also important to not overfill your tank. High temperatures can lead to fuel expansion in the tanks, which can lead to overflowing, which can lead to wasted fuel, which is wasted money. Too much fuel can also lead to extra weight which will lead us to our next point. Eliminate Unnecessary Weight Aside from extra fuel and big changes you need to make to your truck or trailer, there are ways to eliminate extra weight. Obviously, you have to haul the weight of the load you’re carrying. But there are other things you can eliminate. Take out anything you don’t need in your cab such as unnecessary tools or extreme amounts of food and clothing. Anything that adds significant weight to your truck should have significant use to you. Make sure what you’re carrying is what you need. Keep Your Equipment Maintained Pre-trip and post-trip inspections should be a part of your daily routine when you’re on the road. If you notice things that are broken or damaged on your truck, make sure you’re getting them looked at and potentially fixed. On top of avoiding major maintenance down the road, you can discover leaks, damage, corrosion, and other factors that could harm your fuel efficiency. A couple of simple things you should make sure stay maintained are wheel alignments and air filters. Wheels fighting against each other will decrease fuel efficiency and a clogged air filter can increase fuel consumption. Reduce Idle Time On average, truck drivers idle six to eight hours a day and as many as 250 to 300 days a year. Idling increases fuel consumption as well as increases engine maintenance costs. When you’re parked somewhere for a while, it’s better that you turn the engine off instead of idle. Auxiliary power units (APUs) and generators are a good alternative to idling your truck when parked. APUs are diesel-powered engines installed on the truck that can provide air conditioning, heat, and electrical power as well as run accessories like lights, equipment, and appliances. These are just a few of the ways you can make your truck more fuel-efficient without having to buy completely new equipment or make expensive upgrades. The money spent on these changes will pay for itself after saving money you would’ve spent on fuel. It will take some trial and error to find out what needs to be done to make your truck as fuel-efficient as possible. -- Sources https://freightliner.com/blog-and-newsletters/how-to-get-the-semi-truck-fuel-economy-you-were-promised/ https://keeptruckin.com/blog/spec-vehicles-fuel-mileage https://www.freightwaves.com/news/getting-the-right-specs-for-fuel-efficiency https://partsandservice.kenworth.com/articles/title/improve-your-trucks-fuel-economy https://www.fleetowner.com/running-green/fuel/article/21660208/fuel-economy-101 https://www.worktruckonline.com/153517/6-ways-to-save-on-fuel-with-medium-duty-truck-specs https://www.noregon.com/how-to-improve-fleet-fuel-economy/

Every month you get the statement in the mail and hesitate. Can I pay more this month? Or should I only pay the minimum balance? Too often we just opt to pay the minimum balance and promise ourselves we’ll make a bigger payment next month. However, if you make only the minimum payment each month, you could end up paying thousands in total interest. Not to mention, it will take you years to pay it off. So what do you do? Add It All Up Collect all of your credit card statements for the month, and make a list. Include the following information in your list for each card: The name/type of card The current balance The interest rate The minimum payment The monthly due date Find out how much total debt you have, and what your total monthly minimum payments are. Also note which credit card has the highest interest rate, and which has the highest balance. Ask Creditors For A Lower Rate If you make your payments on time and you have a good credit score, it doesn’t hurt to give your creditor a call and ask for a lower interest rate. If you get one or two percentage points lower, it can end up saving you hundreds of dollars annually. Transfer Your Balance Consider transferring your balances to a lower-rate credit card. While transferring a balance to a different card can be a smart move, it’s important to take a few factors into consideration first. Only transfer the balance if you’re committed to paying off the debt within the introductory low-rate window, which typically expires 6-21 months after the first billing cycle. Oftentimes the introductory rate is low, but the rate can skyrocket later. Avoid making any new purchases on your new card as sometimes the low-interest rate won’t apply to them. Keep in mind that you may also be charged a balance transfer fee which is usually 3-4 percent of the total amount transferred. Create A Budget Create a profit plan to show you how much money you can expect to keep each month after your expenses are paid. Once your profit plan is complete, find out what the maximum amount of money is that you can pay towards credit card debt. Is it more than your total minimum monthly payments? If so, great! This means you can pay extra to your credit cards each month. Stash Your Cards Start getting used to paying cash for all of your expenses moving forward, and stash your credit cards in a drawer at home. Don’t cancel the cards, just keep them in a place that isn’t easy to access. When you get into the habit of paying cash for all of your expenses, you’ll become more mindful of how much you’re spending. Pay Off One Card At A Time Once you’re ready to tackle your debt, choose the card with the highest interest rate, and pay this one off first. Keep paying the minimum payment on your other cards, and apply all extra money to this one high-rate card. Once that card is paid off, move to the next highest interest rate. If you have cards with the same interest rate, choose the card with the highest balance first. A structured, disciplined approach to reducing debt can help you pay off your credit cards whether your balance is $3,000 or $30,000. Working on your profit plan will keep you on track, and before you know it, you’ll be on the road to a debt-free life.

Being a truck driver is not a simple job and not all truck drivers are the same. Each haul different freight, in different types of trailers, at different lengths, for different types of companies, in different parts of the country. This means just because you are a truck driver doing one thing, it doesn’t mean you are going to be doing the same thing forever. Being a truck driver should be seen as a full-time career rather than just a job. Since 1998, ATBS has helped truck drivers become more successful through various stages of their careers. From those experiences, we defined what we call the "Driver Career Journey.” The Driver Career Journey is not a linear path, and many drivers will travel back and forth between the different stages of the Journey over the course of their careers. Let’s take a look at how we define the different stages along the Driver Career Journey and the advantages each offers when being a truck driver is your career. Company Driver Most drivers in the trucking industry are Company Drivers. Becoming a Company Driver is typically seen as the first stage in the Driver Career Journey. Many drivers enjoy the low risk and high rewards that come with being a Company Driver, and end up spending their entire career as an employee. Company Drivers don’t own their truck and drive the truck their carrier provides to them. They don’t have much control over increasing their earnings as it is often limited to longevity at a carrier and receiving bonuses for items like safe driving and good fuel economy. However, the personal rewards that come with being a Company Driver are high. This is because they enjoy the benefits that attract so many people to driving -- freedom, amazing views, and experiences, without the worries and stress that comes with being an owner-operator.  A truck driver can make an entire career out of driving as a Company Driver. Lease-Purchase Owner-Operators under Carrier Authority (Pioneer) The next stage of the Driver Career Journey is becoming a lease-purchase owner-operator under carrier authority. At ATBS, we call this stage the Pioneer stage. Becoming a Pioneer is a low-risk way for a driver to become an entrepreneur, running their own trucking business as an independent contractor/owner-operator.  Pioneers are typically first-time owner-operators who are still leased under a carrier’s operating authority. Pioneers are adventurous and courageous but still seek support networks for business and financial coaching. This is because they likely have good experience driving a truck, but may still be learning about how to run their own business. Most Pioneers acquire their truck through a carrier-sponsored program and usually have a more limited choice of what truck they can drive. Pioneers lease to a carrier to leverage that carrier’s freight network and buying networks. This makes it easier for them to find freight and also cheaper for them to purchase things like insurance, fuel, maintenance, and tires . Because Pioneers are responsible for managing the revenue and expenses of their business, they tend to earn more money than company drivers.  Pioneers are courageous, yet still on a learning curve. Compared to the other owner-operator segments, success rates are lower and there is a relatively high turnover. Successful Pioneers often transition into Hired Guns, which is what we will talk about next. Owner-Operators under Carrier Authority with Own truck (Hired Gun) The big difference between a Pioneer, and what ATBS calls a Hired Gun, is that a Hired Gun owns or finances their own truck rather than leasing it through a carrier-sponsored program. But, they still choose to drive under a carrier’s operating authority.  Hired Guns tend to be more experienced than Pioneers. They choose their truck in the open market in order to find exactly what they want to drive. They might finance their truck purchase, lease their truck, or they may pay cash and purchase their truck outright. Hired Guns enjoy the independence that comes with owning their truck but operate within certain norms established at their carrier.  Similar to Pioneers, Hired Guns typically leverage the carrier’s buying networks for things like insurance , fuel, maintenance, and tires. However, the primary reason most Hired Guns lease to a carrier is to take advantage of that carrier’s freight network. This way they don’t have to manage sales and revenue collection the way an owner-operator under their own authority does while they are also able to rely on more predictive revenue and miles. In general, Hired Guns make their own purchase and support decisions while maintaining an arms-length relationship with their carriers. They are experienced, reliable, trustworthy, and they enjoy their independence while operating within established norms.  Owner-Operator with Own Authority (Lone Ranger) ATBS calls owner-operators operating under their own authority Lone Rangers. This is the next step in the Driver Career Journey. Lone Rangers operate under their own authority which means they aren’t backed by a carrier. They make their own purchase decisions and have to manage their own customers. Often, Lone Rangers become members of associations in order to take advantage of discounts on items like fuel, tires, and insurance. Two of the largest owner-operator associations are the Owner-Operator Independent Driver Association (OOIDA) and the American Association of Owner-Operators (AAOO). As mentioned earlier, Lone Rangers are responsible for finding and managing their own customers. They have to be savvy when it comes to negotiating rates, collecting revenue, and paying all their vendors on time. Lone Rangers may find some success operating on the fringe of the mainstream industry and gravitate toward specialty/high-paying niches. Their income fluctuates based on economic and industry cycles, and Lone Rangers may go between being a Hired Gun and Lone Ranger based upon these cycles. Going back to a Hired Gun from a Lone Ranger will once again allow a driver to take advantage of a carrier’s freight options. Driving is a Lone Ranger’s chosen profession and they are in it for the long haul… no pun intended. They have proven to be accomplished entrepreneurs and are able to be self-reliant. Click here to download our list  of industry partners who provide services for truck drivers with their own authority and take advantage of exclusive discounts . Owner-Operator with Multiple Trucks (Trail Blazer) The last stage in the Driver Career Journey is owner-operators who own multiple trucks. We call the drivers in this stage Trail Blazers. Trail Blazers are the next generation of small but growing trucking fleets. They’ve been successful as a Lone Ranger and have proven their ability to make it on their own through the good times and the bad.  Trail Blazers are comfortable enough mentally and financially to take the next step in entrepreneurship by growing their fleet and managing multiple trucks . Trail Blazers often still drive, in addition to managing everything else it takes to make a small business run. They often run on their own authority, but they sometimes choose to operate their small fleet under the operating authority of a much larger carrier.  The job as a Trail Blazer hardly ever stops. However, their grit is a trait shared by others who have built some of the largest truck fleets in America. This is what motivates them to keep going. So can you have a career as a truck driver? What we’ve learned is that being a truck driver is very much a career. It is an occupation that provides a lot of room for movement, growth, and development. Truck driving as a career is not for everybody, but for those people who work hard and love what they do, the mental, emotional, and monetary rewards are well worth it.

Improving your fuel efficiency by 1 MPG can save you over $10,000 per year! Luckily for you, there are many simple ways to improve this. Here is our list of the Top 25 Ways for Truck Drivers to Improve Fuel Efficiency. 1. MINIMIZE CRUISE SPEED This one may seem obvious, but going faster means you are going to burn more fuel. Every 1 MPH increase in speed results in a .14 MPG decrease in fuel economy. 2. MANAGE CRUISE RPM Managing the speed of your engine is also important in maximizing your fuel efficiency. Find the “sweet spot”, which is the most efficient RPM to run your engine. 1250 - 1350 RPM tends to be a good “sweet spot”. 3. USE THE LOWEST COST STATIONS An easy way to save money on fuel is to fill up at the lower cost stations. Many trucking-specific GPS systems will plan your route for you to stop at the less-expensive fuel stations along the way. Are you a self-employed truck driver that needs help managing your fuel costs? Click here! 4. TAKE THE SHORTEST ROUTE There are often many different ways to get to the same destination. Take the route that requires the least amount of driving in order to use the least amount of fuel. 5. AVOID UNNECESSARY DRIVING If you are going to go out of your way to stop for fuel, you might as well use the restroom and purchase any items you need, in order to avoid going out of your way to stop again a few hours later. 6. AVOID UNNECESSARY ITEMS The more weight that is in your truck, the more it has to work to move down the highway. Your truck already carries thousands of pounds, don’t make it carry any more than it has to. 7. MONITOR TIRE PRESSURE Underinflated tires decrease your fuel economy. For every 1 PSI drop in pressure, your fuel mileage can be reduced by 0.3%. 8. MINIMIZE IDLING Only idle your truck when absolutely necessary. One hour of idling burns about a gallon of fuel. 9. DON’T OVERFILL THE TANK When fuel is heated, it can begin to expand. This means if you fill your tank to capacity, the expanded fuel can cause the tank to overflow and waste fuel. 10. BE MODERATE WITH BRAKING Braking is a necessary part of driving. However, every time you slow down from braking, it takes more fuel to get back up to speed. Leaving more distance between you and the vehicle you are following can reduce braking. 11. STAY IN HIGHER GEAR Driving in the highest gear possible is a good way to help maximize fuel efficiency. Traveling at faster rates in low gears can consume 45% more fuel than is needed. 12. KEEP LOAD HEIGHT LOW The more evenly distributed the load is in the trailer, the less effort the truck will need to get moving. It’s good practice to keep the load as low and as level as possible. 13. USE YOUR MOMENTUM Your foot doesn’t always need to be on the gas pedal, burning fuel. If you see a hill coming up, use the downward part of the hill to build speed and use that momentum to get yourself up the other side. 14. MINIMIZE AIR CONDITIONING Every time you use your A/C, you are increasing fuel consumption by 0.2-0.4 miles per gallon. Sometimes this can be unavoidable, but when you can, just crack the window! 15. CHECK VEHICLE ALIGNMENT Another important factor to getting the best possible fuel efficiency is to make sure your tires are pointed straight down the road. A tire that is even ¼ degree from perfectly straight will try to travel 10-15 feet sideways every mile. 16. INSPECT THE FAN Your engine fan will typically run 5%-7% of the time the engine is on, but will run much more frequently if there is a problem with it. This affects fuel efficiency because the more the fan runs, the more horsepower the truck uses. 17. USE CRUISE CONTROL When you are able to, use cruise control. Cruise control can limit unnecessary acceleration and deceleration and can actually save you up to 6% in fuel consumption on the road. 18. CHECK BATTERY CABLES Check and clean your battery cables any time you are getting an engine check-up. If your battery cables are corroded, it causes the alternator to work harder. 19. INVEST IN AERODYNAMICS There are many add-ons you can purchase for your truck to improve aerodynamics, which leads to improved fuel efficiency. Three of the most common add-ons are tractor side fairings, deep angled bumpers, and trailer skirts. 20. LEARN FROM THE EXPERTS There are drivers out there who specialize in fuel efficiency and aerodynamics. Don't be afraid to look up their videos or read their articles and listen to what they have to say. 21. UNDERSTAND YOUR TRUCK As you know, the technology of trucks has advanced greatly over the years. Make sure you understand your truck inside and out and are taking advantage of all the technology on your truck that will help with your fuel efficiency. 22. PLAN YOUR TRIP Aside from just taking the shortest route, plan out when you're going to get to certain places on your trip and where you're going to fill up. If possible, avoid driving through places at times you know there will be a lot of traffic and fill up in places where the net price will be lowest. 23. TRACK YOUR NUMBERS Make sure you are keeping a record of your fuel mileage daily, weekly, or monthly. This way you will able to see how you're improving over time and if the changes you are making are working. 24. BE OPEN TO CHANGING YOUR DRIVING HABITS It can be hard to make changes if you've been doing something the same way over time. However, you can start by making small changes and once you see how these small changes improve your fuel mileage you'll be more likely to keep making changes over time. 25. KEEP FUEL EFFICIENCY IN MIND Lastly, one of the best ways to improve fuel efficiency is to make it a priority. Keep this list in mind and think about these things while you are on the road. Soon, you will be maximizing your fuel efficiency without even realizing it.

An owner-operator's No. 1 challenge today is keeping more of their hard-earned money. We’d like to tackle this problem by listing four key steps that help owner-operators hold onto the revenue they generate. Before looking at your expenses, you will need to understand them fully. Look at your expenses over the past 60 to 90 days. If you have an ATBS Profit and Loss Statement, this tool will serve as your expense road map. If you don’t have an ATBS Profit and Loss Statement, you will need to calculate every expense in your business and personal life. Once you have a strong sense of the money coming in and going out the door, you can get started planning how to lower your expenses and increase your profit. Step 1: Personal Expense Allocation Your first expense strategy is to identify the total funds you have each month after you’ve paid your trucking expenses. A typical owner-operator will have gross revenue in the range of $14,500 a month and truck expenses of $9,250 per month, leaving a net income of $5,250 a month. Owner-operators should allocate approximately 60% of their net income for all personal expenses. If you exceed 60%, then you might need to review your list of personal expenses and cut back. Step 2: Cover Taxes and Retirement – Then Have Fun The next step is to divide the remaining 40% of your net income into three areas including; 25% for Tax Estimates,10% for Retirement, and 5% for Fun and Unexpected Expenses. If you have the discipline, remain committed to saving as much as possible by maximizing the retirement bucket whenever possible. It is remarkable how quickly you can reach retirement goals by putting away as much money as you can early in life. Step 3: Tend Your Financial Garden Understanding your expenses is not an annual task; it’s a task that should be addressed every month if possible. We’ve compiled a list of the biggest expense areas that are opportunities for an owner-operator to consider: 1. Credit Card Debt. If you have credit card debt, consider paying it as soon as possible. Credit Cards are good cash management tools but they are typically one of the worst ways to rack up debt because of high interest rates. A monthly credit card bill includes information on how long it will take you to pay off your balance if you only make minimum payments. It also tells you how much you would need to pay each month in order to pay off your balance in three years. 2. Extra Cars. Does your family have more than one car? If there are extra or unused cars and trucks in your driveway, consider selling them immediately especially if you are making a payment; not only will you save on car payments but you will save on car insurance, taxes, and gas purchases. 3. Luxury Expenses. One of the “low-hanging fruits” in your financial garden is the “Entertainment and Food” expense. Decide to eat at home more often and find entertainment that does not cost a lot. You’d be surprised to find that most public museums, zoos, and art houses offer “free days” throughout the year. 4. Unnecessary Expenses. Review your housing expenses and look for unnecessary expenditures such as cable TV, home phone, and Starbucks coffees. Consider calling the competition to ensure you are getting the best rate possible. 5. Comparison Tools. Be vigilant with your Smartphone bill and your insurance bills. It’s no cost to inquire and some sites make comparing fast, and easy. Step 4: Fuel Expenses Owner-operators face high fuel expenses and we’ve compiled some ways to save money on fuel: Slow down Find the “sweet spot” of your engine Be smart with braking Minimize idling Use your carrier's fuel network Take advantage of fuel-saving cards and app Owner-operators live with the day-to-day challenge of rising costs. This means today’s owner-operators need to continually focus on ways to be smart with their money. From expenses at home to fuel expenses on the road, each expense is an opportunity to either save money or waste money. At ATBS we hope you take the time to consider ways to save money.

The Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Mandate was officially put into place on April 1, 2018. It was at this point that commercial motor vehicle drivers would be placed out of service if their vehicle was not equipped with an ELD. The ELD Mandate was put into place in order to simplify the tracking of a driver’s Hours of Service (HOS) and simplify the enforcement of the HOS rules. Since the ELD Mandate, some things have changed in terms of hours of service. Certain violations are no longer seen as often and other violations are now easier to get caught for. With a lot happening since the implementation of the ELD Mandate, let’s take a look at how hours of service violations have changed in the ELD Mandate Era. What hours of service violations are still in effect? Here is a list of the HOS violations that are very much still in effect with the ELD Mandate: Going over the 14-hour limit Truck drivers have 14 hours after coming off duty to complete their driving for the day. Going over the 11-hour driving limit Within the 14-hour limit, truck drivers are only allowed to drive for 11 hours within that time frame. Not taking a 30-minute break Also within the 14-hour limit, a driver must take a 30-minute break before 8 hours of driving time has passed since the end of their last off-duty or sleeper-berth period of at least 30 minutes. Going under the 10 hours off duty Once a driver goes off duty, they must stay off duty for at least 10 consecutive hours in order to reset their 14 hour clock. There is flexibility with this rule by using the 8/2 or 7/3 sleeper-berth split. Learn more about the rules by clicking on the links. Going over the 60/70 limit Truck drivers can only be on duty for 60 hours in a 7 day period or 70 hours in an 8 day period. After, you must take 34 consecutive hours off duty if you want to refresh your driving cycle completely. Prior to the ELD Mandate, all of these HOS rules had to be tracked on paper logs. This made it hard for drivers to accurately keep track of all of them. Drivers also had the ability to falsify their on-duty and off-duty time which made it hard to enforce. ELDs make it really easy to accurately track all of these HOS rules and violations. What hours of service violations are no longer as common? Even though the ELD Mandate didn’t get rid of any HOS violations, these specific violations were a lot more common when hours were kept on paper logs. Form & Manner Violations When there were paper logs, form & manner violations were one of the most common violations. Now that there are ELDs, there is less information that a driver has to put in manually. This means there is a smaller possibility of a driver getting caught for a form and manner violation because almost everything is being tracked and inputted automatically. Falsification of Records Because hours of service data is being tracked by an electronic device, it is very hard to falsify your records. It used to be possible for a driver to log whatever hours they wanted when that information was being kept on paper logs. Now, all of this information is being tracked automatically as you drive which makes it hard to falsify. Missing Logs Violations Missing logs violations used to be common because there was a lot of paper that needed to be kept track of. ELDs have significantly reduced the chance of losing a paper log. All of the HOS logs are now just kept organized within the ELD which means if you don’t lose or destroy the ELD, you shouldn’t lose those logs. *As of 2024, FMCSA also no longer requires drivers to carry a printed ELD manual or instruction sheet, as long as that information is available digitally. What are the penalties for violating the hours of service rules? Violating HOS rules can lead to a variety of penalties for both the driver and the carrier. If a driver is caught over their HOS, they may be placed out of service until the driver has spent enough time off duty in order to be back in compliance. Depending on the severity, the driver could also be assessed fines by both state and local law enforcement officials. Driver’s and carrier’s CSA scores can also take a hit if they aren’t complying with the HOS rules. We go into a lot more detail on CSA scores here . The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration may also force civil penalties onto the driver or the carrier. These penalties can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the severity. If a carrier is caught with a pattern of violations, its safety rating can be downgraded. Patterns of violations that are caused by a carrier knowingly and willingly allowing HOS violations can lead to federal criminal penalties which may result in fines or complete shutdown of a carrier. How do you get caught violating hours of service rules? There are a few ways to get caught violating the hours of service rules: If you drive for a carrier they will keep track of your hours and are able to see if you are in violation. If the police see that you are violating HOS you will be placed out of service until you are in compliance and could end up with a ticket. The DOT can catch you violating HOS rules at a weigh station or if your company happens to get audited. The DOT may allow some violations to go without penalties as long as you are not way over the limit. The last and worst possible way to get caught violating HOS would be if you were to get in an accident while operating over the HOS limit. If you are operating over an hours limit, you will be held civilly and criminally liable if an accident were to occur. The consequences can include fines, license suspensions, and possibly even jail time. Even if the accident isn’t your fault, a prosecutor will be able to say that you shouldn’t have been on the road during that time and the prosecutor will be correct. The HOS rules were put into place as a safety measure so getting in an accident while violating the rules means you have caused exactly what the HOS rules were set out to avoid. Hours of Service Exemptions There are exemptions to the hours of service rules that you need to keep aware of. These are just a few of the more common exemptions that you may be eligible for permanently or on a one-off basis. If driving conditions are affected by weather or an emergency, drivers are permitted to exceed the 11 hour maximum driving time by two hours. However, they may not go past a 16 hour-limit. Another common exemption is the 30-minute break exemption. Short-haul drivers who qualify for the 150 air-mile radius provision can be exempt from taking the 30-minute break. A driver may be able to extend their 14 hour shift to a 16 shift, as long as the 11 driving hours are not exceeded if that driver started and stopped their workday at the same location for at least the five previous workdays. This rule may be invoked once per 34-hour reset and the driver must be relieved from work after the 16th hour. Lastly, a driver’s HOS rules may be temporarily lifted if they are helping with direct emergency assistance. A governmental Declaration of Emergency has to be issued and the driver has to be providing support to state and local efforts to save lives, property, or protect public health or safety. Even with these rules suspended, a driver is still expected to act in good judgment and not operate their vehicle if they are under conditions that could lead to a clear hazard to others on the highways. Stay Compliant to Avoid Hours of Service Violations The ELD mandate has made it easier to keep track of the HOS rules. However, it has also made it easier to get caught being in violation of them. Even if you don’t like the rules, stay compliant in order to avoid unnecessary penalties and fines. It’s tough being told what to do and how long to drive, especially when you have been driving for many years. However, these rules were put into place for your safety and the safety of others in mind. So be safe, stay compliant, and you will be able to avoid those hours of service violations. Sources: https://eldmandatefacts.com/6-common-hos-violations/ https://www.samsara.com/fleet/eld-compliance/hours-of-service https://www.jjkeller.com/learn/hours-of-service-faqs http://www.arnoldsafetyblog.com/what-happens-if-i-violate-the-hours-of-service-rules/

Every so often, truck drivers are put through a DOT inspection to make sure they are complying with all of the rules. These inspections are carried out by a state police officer or a DOT inspector. There are six levels of DOT inspections that can last somewhere between 15-60 minutes. Make sure you are aware of these six levels so you know what to expect during your next inspection. Level 1: North American Standard Inspection The level one DOT inspection is the most common level, and the most thorough. This level of inspection includes a complete check of both the driver and the vehicle. The DOT official will inspect the driver’s documents including license, medical certificates, logs, HOS documentation, inspection reports, and Hazmat endorsements. The driver will also be checked to make sure they aren’t under the influence of any drugs, alcohol, or any other hazardous material. The official will also do a complete check of the vehicle, including the cargo being securely fastened. You should expect the following elements to be checked: seat belts, brakes, suspension, tires, windshield wipers, headlamps, turn signals, steering wheel, and fuel systems. This level of inspection usually takes between 45 - 60 minutes to complete. Level 2: Walk-Around Driver and Vehicle Inspection The level two DOT inspection is very similar to the level one inspection. The only difference between level two and level one is that the official who is checking your vehicle will only inspect items that can be checked without physically getting under the vehicle. The level two inspection only takes about 30 minutes to complete. Level 3: Driver-Only Inspection The level three DOT inspection is a driver-only inspection focused on the driver’s credentials. With this inspection, drivers are checked for: Driver’s License, Endorsements, Medical Card, Skill Performance Evaluation certificate, RODS, HAZMAT requirements, Vehicle Inspection Report, and HOS documentation. They are also checked for things like seat belt usage, and use of drugs and/or alcohol. This inspection usually only takes about 15 minutes to complete. Level 4: Special Inspection The level four DOT inspection involves a one-time check of a specific item. This inspection is done to confirm or deny a possible trend carried out in DOT inspections. There is no average length of time this inspection usually takes because the item being checked varies. Level 5: Vehicle-Only Inspection The level five DOT inspection involves only the vehicle inspection from the level one DOT inspection. This inspection has to be conducted without the driver being present. The vehicle-only inspection includes brakes, fuel, cargo, exhaust, steering, lighting, suspensions, tires, steering wheel, trailer, windshield wipers, emergency exits, engine, and battery. A vehicle-only inspection can take up to about 30 minutes to complete. Level 6: Enhanced NAS Inspection for Radioactive Shipments The level six DOT inspection is for those who are hauling radioactive freight. This type of inspection involves an enhanced level one inspection, with a check of the radiological shipments and requirements and an enhanced out-of-service criteria. The vehicle, the cargo, and the driver must be defect-free before they can leave for delivery. A special decal will be given to those that meet the level 6 inspection criteria. It is given at the point of origin of the shipment and removed at the point of destination. Each decal is valid for one trip only. This inspection takes the longest amount of time at about 60 minutes to complete. Are you ready for your next DOT inspection? Keep all of this in mind so you are prepared the next time you are stopped for a DOT inspection. This way you will know what you need to keep an eye on so you don’t ever fail an inspection. If you are following all of the rules and maintaining everything with your truck and trailer, there should be no reason to worry about not passing any level of a DOT inspection.

Greetings, fellow drivers! It’s an exciting time of year for sure…summer is here now, and the weather has gotten quite a bit warmer around much of the country. I find this particularly exciting because I can get out again and exercise with my dogs on my 30-minute breaks, and I can wear athletic shoes instead of clunky boots and heavy coats. I really missed getting outdoors daily, stretching, and just enjoying movement during the long driving shifts. I realize that I have slacked off a bit (well, more than a bit) since the weather got cold, and it’s actually pretty apparent in a concrete way, as I recently reviewed the results of my yearly lab tests (you know— A1C, cholesterol, and all that good stuff). Now I know for certain that those daily exercise sessions really do have a significant impact on my overall health. In fact, I truly thought the best part of my daily exercise routine was all about walking and/or jogging, and that’s why I inadvertently regarded exercising in the truck (which obviously involves some ingenuity to make up for lack of space) as fairly ineffective and inconvenient, in general. But since then I’ve changed my mind…or my entire mindset, actually! There are plenty of other good ways to stay fit while you’re in the truck, even though they may not feel as exciting or impactful as some of the full-on outdoor activities. Some research and discussion with my doctor has, in fact, shown to be beneficial, and I’d like to share with you what I learned: mixing your exercise routine is extremely effective, and it can actually be fun to develop and implement new habits and techniques into your daily routine! In fact, a mixture of cardio, strength training, resistance exercises, and high-intensity workouts will optimize your results. Equipped with this new knowledge and a mindset that now accepts that it’s not always possible to do those preferred outdoor activities, as well as a healthy dose of motivation after seeing my less than perfect numbers from the lab, I’ve set out to create a more consistent and effective plan for daily exercise, and it includes a bit of everything from walking outside, to lifting free weights, to resistance training and strength exercises, high-intensity exercise, and now my new favorite…Yoga! Now, in case there is anyone out there who needs ideas or even a little inspiration, please note the following fun fact: Exercising in the truck doesn’t have to be all about pull-ups or sit-ups. You can incorporate some really good yoga moves to help with toning and stretching, and overall joint health. Now I do carry a yoga mat with me, but it’s not really for the faint of heart because a lot of us don’t like to pull that mat out in public and get busy on the side of the truck stop or somewhere else! But my research has keyed me in on some trending exercises that can be done in bed! Now keep your mind out of the gutter, and let me share a link with you: https://www.realsimple.com/health/fitness-exercise/stretching-yoga/yoga-in-bed The good news about doing these exercises is that the majority of the space we have in our truck is actually the bunk area. Yoga is excellent for winding down and relaxing before bed, too. There are lots of apps out there that you can download for free, and they offer techniques that range from beginner to advanced, so you can learn progressively throughout the year! I also strongly recommend getting a fitness tracker (I use an Apple Watch) to keep track of workouts, steps, calories, etc. It plays a huge role in keeping me accountable and motivated, and it may do the same for you. Of course, be sure that you’re physically fit enough to do the types of exercises that you enjoy and, as always, consult your physician if you have any questions about your physical condition and ability to exercise regularly and safely.

A fuel surcharge is a mechanism in the trucking industry that helps balance the fluctuations in the cost of fuel. Incorporating a fuel surcharge into transportation pricing became a widely accepted practice in 2005 after fuel spiked above $4.00/gallon for the first time in U.S. history after Hurricane Katrina. This spike in fuel prices would have put the trucking industry out of business if the fuel surcharge hadn’t offset the additional cost of fuel. In today’s world, there are a variety of sources for fuel information and the fuel surcharge is calculated in many different ways. For simplicity, we will look at the most common method to calculate a fuel surcharge. The Fuel Surcharge Equals: The current price of fuel: $3.47/gallon (as of 6/9/25) The base price of fuel in a shipping contract: $1.25/gallon The increased cost of fuel: $3.47 - $1.25 = $2.22/gallon Divided by the average miles per gallon of a truck = 6.5mpg The fuel surcharge is $2.22 divided by 6.5 = $0.34 cents per mile. So, if a shipping contract offers to pay $2.00/mile base rate, plus a fuel surcharge, you would get paid $2.34/mile based on the example above. You often hear Independent Contractors who say they “make money” off of the fuel surcharge. The higher the price of fuel, the more they make! How can that be? To win this game you have to get better fuel economy than the mpg the fuel surcharge is based upon. Let’s say we are hauling a load 1,000 miles and the fuel surcharge is paying us $0.34 cents per mile based on the calculations we did above. That means we will get $340 to pay for the higher fuel cost. Let’s compare what we get with 7mpg versus what we get with 6mpg. At 7 MPG If we need to travel 1,000 miles at 7 mpg we will need to buy 143 gallons of fuel This means the cost of fuel at the pump is 143 gallons times the price of fuel at $3.47 which equals $496. But our fuel surcharge compensation is $0.34 per mile times 1,000 miles which equals $340 So the net cost of fuel after our fuel surcharge is $496 minus $340 which equals $156. Where we save money is with our base rate built on the cost of fuel being $1.25 times the amount of gallons needed to travel 1,000 miles at 6.5 miles per gallon which is 154 x $1.25. This equals $192. So we only paid $156 when the base price was $192 which means we “made” $36 in profit. At 6 MPG If we need to travel 1,000 miles at 6 mpg we will need to buy 167 gallons of fuel This means the cost of fuel at the pump is 167 gallons times the price of fuel at $3.47, which equals $578. But our fuel surcharge compensation is still $0.34 per mile times 1,000 miles, which equals $340 So the gross cost of fuel after our fuel surcharge is $578 minus $340 which equals $238. Where we lose money is with the base price of fuel being $1.25 times the amount of gallons needed to travel 1,000 miles at 6.5 miles per gallon which is 154 x $1.25. This equals $192. So we paid $238 net for fuel when the base price was $192 which means we “lost” $46 in potential savings. The chart below shows this scenario at different Miles per Gallon where 6.5 miles per gallon is the average miles per gallon of a truck. One thing to keep in mind is that fuel prices typically adjust faster at the fuel pump than fuel surcharges adjust in shipping contracts or the spot market. This means that in a falling fuel market, you will pay less for fuel than the fuel surcharge is paying until fuel levels off. This can mean a windfall of cash during falling fuel prices. On the contrary, when fuel prices rise, you will be left with a cash deficit until fuel prices level off. This is something to be prepared for with extra cash in your savings account so you can weather the fuel cost increases. Overall, the fuel surcharge is a fair mechanism to level the playing field and take the risk away from truckers during times of fluctuating fuel prices. The fuel surcharge can be a difficult thing to understand when it comes to calculating rates and what is fair. So, make sure you take time to read and understand how you will be compensated for the excess cost of fuel!

Stress is a part of life, but as truck drivers, we deal with a unique set of circumstances. Whether it's navigating through a congested city, stopping traffic to dock at a customer, or getting a routine inspection by the DOT at some point, there can be pressure and anxiety associated with trucking. How we respond in these moments will contribute to our success and peace of mind, or dissatisfaction, if we allow it. So, here’s my quick and simple formula for managing stress, I hope it helps: Accept Acceptance allows us to recognize that we are choosing to focus on one emotion, yet we are capable of choosing another. Life is going to throw us curve balls, and we don’t need to worry about things outside of our control. Don’t waste valuable mental energy ruminating over something that can’t be changed. Remember that we’re human, and it’s okay to have an impulse to give in to anger and stress. Often we behave in patterns, and creating new patterns of behavior and trying to condition ourselves to have new initial reactions, takes practice. It’s a skill. Take responsibility for your emotions. Anger can sometimes be the result of a victim mindset if our perception is one of injustice. Life is happening “for us,” not “to us”. This segues nicely into the next step. Select We should ask ourselves, how do we want to respond? Are we responding in haste, thoughtlessly, or otherwise limited? There is an infinite number of responses we can have. How often do we consider one response, or even two? I strive for wisdom, grace, and tact, but as a human, I find it challenging sometimes. There’s one thing that we do have supreme control over, and that’s how we choose to respond to situations. Learning how to take charge of this power should not be undervalued. Selecting is understanding that our thoughts create our emotions, and becoming aware of different perspectives is the same as becoming aware of different thoughts. A quick example to illustrate my point is as follows: Someone cuts you off in traffic. One response may be, “What a jerk, this guy is being reckless and inconsiderate of other vehicles on the road”. Another response could be, “There might be an emergency, possibly a hurt child or pregnant woman”. Even a third response, “That guy must really have to use the bathroom”. Notice how each one of these could influence our behavior and temperament. Embrace So something happens, we have an impulse to respond, we’ve considered multiple different responses, and have settled on what we feel is the best perspective. Now it’s time to embrace our choice. We may need to set little reminders for ourselves until sitting in a new emotional state becomes a habit. I have set reminders on my phone asking, “How do I want to respond?” or maybe a post-it note, or jewelry, that reminds you of this incredible power. Get creative, and if you want more information on why this is so important consider these implications: The negative health effects of stress. People say “Don’t stress, you’ll give yourself an ulcer”. That goes deeper than we know. Our thoughts can make us sick, but is the opposite true? People say “laughter is the best medicine,” and don't realize that this is truer than we know. Emotions are hormones and chemicals in the body. “Research has found a link between an upbeat mental state and improved health, including lower blood pressure, reduced risk for heart disease, healthier weight, better blood sugar levels, and longer life.” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2018) I’m convinced that if more people knew how this worked, everyone would be shifting their emotional states to reap these benefits. Thanks so much for reading and remember, how do you want to show up today? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2018, November 1). Positive emotions and your health . National Institutes of Health. Retrieved September 15, 2022, from https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2015/08/positive-emotions-your-health#:~:text=Research%20has%20found%20a%20link,sugar%20levels%2C%20and%20longer%20life.