The Benefits of Joining a Truckers Network for Advice and Support

Truck drivers require career and safety advice and support like other professionals. Drivers face unique career and safety challenges, such as high career demands and assault risks. Truckers transport valuable cargo, including eCommerce purchases.

Therefore, it makes them targets for individuals with nefarious intentions. As crime increased in large cities across the United States from 2020 to 2022, drivers had to brace for potential contact and impact.

Moreover, the trucking industry faces regulation by the federal government, and laws can change annually. Thus, professionals can rely on their employers to keep them up-to-date.

It also makes sense to lean on networks for the trucking industry.

What Is a Truckers Network for Advice and Support?

A truckers network for advice and support is a professional organization that operates a private or non-profit entity. Professionals can become members by paying annual dues that give them access to information, perks, and events.

Some organizations that cater to truckers include:

• American Trucking Associations
• Truckload Carriers Association
• Commercial Vehicle Association

In addition, truck drivers can form informal networks and discuss issues impacting them.

For example, drivers who run similar routes or haul similar cargo might incur the same issues.

Truckers face safety issues during the daytime and at night. Therefore, professionals benefit from sharing information, such as:

• Best routes
• Traffic issues
• Safety concerns and solutions
• Best places to stay
• Best eateries

Drivers interested in finding more truck-friendly business hotels can check out this guide from Hotel Engine.

We look at the benefits of joining a truckers network for advice and support.

Obtain Safety Information

Most professional trucking industry networks focus on providing members with safety information. The information ranges from safety on the road to equipment safety.

Professional mechanics usually handle truck maintenance. However, truck drivers must learn equipment red flags.

For example, drivers should know if the tires have enough air and if the engine can handle another 500 miles.

Discounts on Insurance

Freelancers and entrepreneurs have traditionally had difficulty obtaining professional and business-related insurance. Then, services started catering to them by forming networks and insurance groups.

Trucking professionals must also purchase insurance, such as commercial, professional, and disability. Since collisions between truckers and passenger vehicles have catastrophic results, truck drivers can face additional hurdles when purchasing insurance.

Truckers can purchase insurance on their own and buy it through networks.

Networks help truck professionals obtain insurance at discounted prices.

Learn about New Career Opportunities

Truck drivers fall into a few employment categories. Some work as employees. Others operate as owner-operators.

Regardless of the label, truck drivers can obtain new and better-paying opportunities by staying in the know through networks.

In addition, truck driving does require some physical exertion. Although drivers usually sit, even sitting can become uncomfortable after several hours.

Therefore, drivers can reach points where they want to stop driving but want to remain in the industry.

Networks help veteran drivers find other industry opportunities, such as administrative, executive, and ownership.

Join a Lobbying Organization

Since the federal government establishes rules and regulations for the population, individuals must decide if they agree or disagree with them.

Federal and state governments often establish regulations in direct opposition to the interests of the population, professionals, and groups. Thus, trucking networks double as lobbying groups.

In 2019, California passed AB5, targeting Uber and Lyft and their classification of rideshare drivers. As many laws do, AB5 also swept up other independent contractors, such as writers, entertainment workers, and truck drivers.

Thus, truck driving networks had to take swift action to oppose California’s AB5 law.

Network with Other Truckers

Lastly, trucking networks help drivers network with each other. It’s essential to share war stories to learn about the trends from one another on the ground.

Drivers can discuss delivery experiences, routes, and safety concerns. Professionals can also discuss the best places to stay, how to optimize the weight scale experience, and what essentials to pack for trips according to weather and geographic area.

Although trucking organizations do not hold annual events, members can meet during lobbying events and at specific locations.

Conclusion

The trucking industry faces a lot of bureaucratic oversight at the federal level. Truckers can remain abreast of industry changes by joining networks for advice and support.