Some people have misconceptions about trucking, thinking it’s as simple as sitting behind the wheel and driving.
However, truckers who responded to this idea on Truck Stop Facebook’s page made it clear that this perception is far from reality. In this article, we give voice to professional drivers.
A Misguided Perception of the Job
Truck drivers report that their work involves far more than driving, with many tasks occurring outside the cab.
“I spend more time outside my truck than inside. Think of me next time you’re drinking a glass of milk, my friend!” says Gabrielle, a driver specializing in milk transportation.
For flatbed haulers, tasks include securing and unfastening tarps or straps, sometimes under extreme weather conditions.
The Diversity of Trucking and Challenges
The trucking profession varies widely depending on the type of haul. Tasks differ significantly between a driver handling freight that requires manual labor, a tanker truck driver, or a dump truck operator. Food delivery truckers, for example, often spend long hours loading and unloading trailers multiple times a day.
“Come try food service. They should unload a 31-foot trailer daily for a week, and then we’ll talk,” says one driver.
In specialized transport, such as oversized loads or heavy material hauling, the challenges are significant. Drivers must handle complex vehicles, manage delicate cargo, and navigate tight spaces. As one professional put it:
“Try backing a B-train through a mess of car drivers who aren’t helping and are just in your way.”
These truckers also face unexpected situations like traffic jams, road rage, or harsh weather conditions such as snowstorms, white out and ice, requiring constant vigilance—often beyond that of a regular driver.
Truck Drivers’ Multiple Responsibilities
Beyond driving, truckers perform a range of essential tasks to ensure their job runs smoothly. Each driver is required to keep a detailed logbook to comply with legal driving hours. They must also conduct regular vehicle inspections to ensure everything is in order. Route planning is crucial not only to meet deadlines but also to avoid roads prohibited to heavy trucks.
Truckers must be familiar with local, national, and sometimes international regulations to transport goods legally. In winter, some drivers must install chains on their tires when crossing mountainous regions, adding another layer of difficulty. Whether cleaning their trailer, maintaining refrigeration units, or ensuring equipment functionality, these tasks highlight the physical and mental demands of the profession in the trucking industry.
Vigilance and Safety: A Major Responsibility
One of the most underestimated aspects of trucking is the constant vigilance required to ensure road safety. Driving a heavy truck loaded with tons of cargo demands concentration and anticipation of hazards far beyond what a car driver might imagine. As Jeff, trucker, reminds us:
“A brain surgeon makes a mistake, one person dies. A trucker makes a mistake, multiple people die. That’s the responsibility we bear.”
This level of attention requires truckers to monitor not only their own driving but also the actions of other vehicles, pedestrians, all while adhering to strict safety regulations.
“Driving a truck is easy; the hard part is managing pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers,” adds another.
A Mentally and Physically Demanding Job
Contrary to popular belief, sitting behind the wheel for long hours is far from relaxing. It requires intense mental alertness, which, combined with physical fatigue, quickly takes a toll on both body and mind. The stress of meeting deadlines and dealing with traffic weighs heavily on truckers.
“You have to be attentive all the time, driving for others, managing time and stress!”
The physical impact is also evident: joint pain, back issues, and chronic fatigue are daily realities for many in the profession.
The Reality of Schedules and Life on the Road
Drivers often face demanding schedules in the trucking industry. Long hours behind the wheel (up to 13 hours), sometimes overnight, and weeks spent away from home take a personal toll.
“Humans aren’t made to live alone! Long-distance truckers often face a lot of solitude,” says another driver.
This reality complicates not only social life but also affects the mental health of some drivers.
An Essential Job for the Economy
Despite these challenges, many truckers are passionate about their work. They emphasize that without them, the economy would collapse, as everything we use daily has been transported by truck at some point.
“What a tough industry, you have to experience it to understand. Hats off to all of you; you’re the backbone of the economy!”
Yet, the profession remains largely underestimated by the public, who often only see the surface. One driver concludes:
“The job may seem easy based on the simple image of sitting behind a wheel. From experience, managing a truck with its ups and downs is less exhausting than managing human relationships.”
For flatbed haulers, tasks include securing and unfastening tarps or straps, sometimes under extreme weather conditions.
