New to the UK Haulage Industry? Tips to Stay Safe and Happy

If you're new to UK haulage, you may not know much about the industry or, rather, you are probably not aware of much behind-the-scenes information. Although the Internet is a great place to research your new job thoroughly and keep up to date, you may find contradicting material.

Evidently, what works for seasoned truckers doesn’t always work for the first-timers of the UK haulage industry. If you've just got a job in the delivery industry or are thinking of getting the necessary qualifications, here is some useful advice to help you going forward.

What Is the Main Thing to Keep In Mind?

If you've just started in UK haulage, remember this: do not compare yourself to veteran truck drivers. As a rookie, you will most likely not be able to turn the miles that an old-timer does - and that's okay and as it should be.

The reasons for this include that you haven’t yet had the chance to adapt physically and mentally to the demands of truck driving as a profession, and you haven’t developed the skills necessary to drive thousands of miles without making rookie mistakes – due to heavy traffic or lack of parking.

What Do You Mean By Lack of Parking?

If you ask veteran truckers what they wish they would have known before setting off on their first trip, many will tell you they underestimated the importance of parking spaces. Choosing your parking location is fundamental to your personal safety, as well as the safety of your vehicle.

Remember to plan ahead where you intend to park for the night, and make sure you get there before all the parking spaces have filled up. In the UK, haulage drivers are usually parked by around 19:00h in the summer and 18:00h in the winter. If you haven’t prepared for this, it will mean extending your journey and increasing your fuel costs whilst looking for somewhere else to spend the night, as most spaces along the main routes will be occupied.

I’ve Heard Heavy Traffic Can Be An Issue. How Do I Manoeuvre Around It?

The best way to handle heavy traffic is to simply avoid it at all costs. Inevitably, there will be times when you will get stuck due to an accident or unannounced road works. Most of the time, nevertheless, you can do a lot to circumvent it.

If, for example, delivering a load will inevitably take you along the M25 at one point or another, calculate your journey so you do not drive on that particular highway anywhere close to rush hour. Not only will you spare yourself a frustrating few hours sitting in slow-moving traffic, you will also keep to your carefully planned schedule.

Finally, What Is the Best Way to Keep Healthy on the Road?

Early on in your UK haulage career - and especially if you're planning on eventually transferring to cross-continental trucking – you'll need to learn that your mind needs time to rest and recover. Moreover, the more exhausted you allow yourself to get, the longer it will take you to recover.

When you're feeling tired, don’t resist stopping for a short nap or even parking early and getting a longer night’s sleep. When you wake up, you'll feel a lot more awake and enthusiastic, and you will be ready to take on a hard day’s work. Furthermore, driving whilst tired is incredibly dangerous for both you and your fellow drivers and you should always avoid it.

Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll be well on your way to a productive and enjoyable career.