If you have a love for the open road but don’t mind working long hours in solitary conditions, truck driving may be a good career for you. Entry-level truck driver salaries can vary widely based on a number of factors, such as geographic location covered, the company you work for, mileage and cargo value.

National Salary

Long-haul truck drivers should expect to be paid by the mile, while more local drivers earn an hourly wage. First-year drivers will earn less than their more experienced counterparts, and will likely fall in the lower spectrum of average earnings. According to national 2010 data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the lowest 10 percent of drivers earn $24,730 annually. The lower 24 percent earn $30,270 annually. The median salary is $37,770, while the top 10 percent of driver earn $57,480.

Geographic Factors

A driver’s route and location also plays a part in determining salary. The BLS cites Alaska and Nevada as the top-paying states for truck drivers, with mean salaries of $48,250 and $46,470, respectively. New Jersey, Massachusetts and New York round out the five top-paying states, with annual mean wages around $43,000. The Chicago-Naperville-Joliet area is the highest-paying metropolitan region, with annual mean wage of $45,400.

Industry

The cargo for which drivers are responsible for hauling influences wages. Certain industries pay more than others. For example, truck drivers for the postal service typically earn the highest, with an annual mean salary of $54,040. The industry with the highest levels of employment — general freight trucking — pays an annual mean salary of $41,100.

Bonus and Advancement

First-year drivers earn on the lower spectrum of hourly wages and may not have a fixed route or schedule in the beginning. Some truck drivers begin by substituting for regular drivers who are out sick or on vacation. As a driver progresses in his career, he has the potential to earn bonuses or more preferable routes and schedules. The longer a driver works with a track record for safety, the more he will likely earn.

According to UnitedJustice.com, highway deaths make up 94% of transportation deaths. More than 100 people die in transportation accidents every day in the United States. Local transportation safety plans and guidelines are intended to prevent unnecessary accidents and save lives. Identifying trends is key to eliminating as many accidents as possible and promoting transportation safety for everyone on the road. If you’re hoping to improve transportation safety issues in your area, take into consideration traffic signals, emergency response and traffic flow, which are are all important safety issues for every type of vehicle on the road.
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Focus on roads that have a history of accidents. Areas that are known for congestion can be made better by geometric improvements or new signals. Road safety audits are examinations carried out by a team of people in order to determine potential safety issues on roads and at intersections.

Educate your local townspeople about crashes involving deer. According to Rutgers, drivers should understand that deer/vehicle collisions happen most often during the fall season at both dawn and dusk, when visibility is low. If you spot a deer in the road or on the side of the road, slow down but don’t veer to one side. Let the deer pass and be forewarned that other deer may follow.

Finance the safety programs. Without financial backing, transportation safety programs cannot be established and safety issues won’t change or improve. Funding can come from local, state and federal sources, as well as local transportation agencies. Fire departments and rescue departments may be willing to contribute money for this cause.

Encourage drivers not to use their cell phone while driving. Whether dialing a number, texting or being involved in a conversation, drivers who use their cell phones run the risk of being distracted and having an accident. Drivers can use a headset or Bluetooth device if they need to talk on the phone while driving. However, according to PacificTel.com, hands-free devices are still not as safe as simply not using a phone while behind the wheel.

Promote different modes of transportation, such as walking or cycling. Less people in vehicles on the road means less congestion and accidents. The amount of greenhouse gases being emitted would also be reduced.

Increase safety at crosswalks to prevent pedestrian accidents. Pedestrians who get into accidents with motor vehicles must be protected under transportation safety initiatives as well. Providing crossing guards at crosswalks during heavy traffic times would improve safety. Also, installing timers at crosswalks that designate 30 seconds for pedestrians to cross the street would help to ensure that motorists are stopped at the intersection.

Used trucks once sold by running ads in newspapers and magazines, posting them on a public bulletin board and by word of mouth. Some people still use these methods even though they are not as effective as the Internet. The web has continued to grow attracting more and more people of all age’s everyday. Internet advertising reaches more people than any other media outlet. Online ads allow millions of people worldwide to see the product resulting in more sales and for buyers it allows them to locate better deals. It is a win situation for everyone.

The web is the ideal place for truck dealers to advertise their product. An Internet experienced dealer knows hot to list their trucks to get the best results. Start by taking pictures. When a shopper is not physically on site pictures are the next thing. Take photos from every angle from the top of the truck to the bottom showing that you have nothing to hide. Post pictures of the inside of everything from the seats to the dashboard, and on the outside from the tires to clearance lights on top.
Written text is as important as photos. List all the trucks specifications as if you were the buyer. Using this method to list your specifications and features makes it more likely that your listing will be complete. List any special or outstanding features that would attract buyers. If it is possible list the maintenance the truck has received. A detailed maintenance schedule attracts buyers because a well-maintained truck indicates the past owner has taken good care of it leaving less for the buyer to perform. Strong descriptions and pictures increase the click rate by 85 percent.

Choose the online advertising site where the pictures and text will appear. Some sites allow you to set up a storefront where you decide the trucks you want to feature. A shopping cart and checkout is included that calculates the tax and shipping charges. You can list your trucks on an auction site but space is sometimes limited. There are places to set up your own website that gives you total control. Some sites charge a small fee to list your products, but because many of them already have an established audience, it is a good choice. The more exposure the trucks receive the faster they will sell.

Truck buyers and sellers save money by using the web. Sellers have little overhead, so they can sell trucks cheaper online. Buyers can browse at their leisure without traveling from lot to lot. Those who will not buy without personally looking and test driving the truck can narrow their choice down to a few. Online sales will be more successful by establishing a good reputation. Be honest about everything listed. Take pictures that show the truck as it really is and list any major flaws. Your listing is only one among many, so make sure the price you list is fair.

Make certain your contact information is accurate and easy to locate. Eliminating unnecessary e-mails or phone calls to establish the true condition of the truck will quickly put you on the favorite list of many repeat buyers. Word of mouth advertising is still the best or worst there is and is the one thing that has not changed.

If you are in the middle of moving across the country, getting all of your belongings to your new homestead can seem overwhelming. You will most likely invest in a moving truck for all of your belongings. After investing in the truck, the only other obstacle in the way of your successful move is figuring out how to get your car cross-country. Luckily, you have a few options when it comes to transporting a car.
1

Find a car-shipping company and hire them to transport your vehicle cross-country. Car-shipping companies transport vehicles on freight trains or on tractor-trailers. Your decision may change based on where you are moving to, so you should explore both long-haul options. Movecars.com has a large directory of car-shipping companies across the United States.
2

Clean out your car before you ship it because you’re leaving it in the hands of others. Though you most likely will have insurance on the transport, don’t leave any valuables in the car that could get stolen.
3

Take your car to the shipping company and find out the drop-off point. Take down all of the shipper’s information, including where your car is being dropped off and who you can contact if there is any trouble.

Driving Your Car Cross-Country

1

Another option for transporting your car cross-country is to drive it yourself. Plan your drive so you can plot places to stop, what routes to take and how long the trip will take.
2

Bring someone with you. Not only will having a companion add to the fun factor, it will keep you from getting worn out. Driving endless hours across the country can tire mentally and physically, so it is good to have someone else along to help you drive.
3

Practice proper car maintenance on your drive. One of the worst things that could happen on your cross-country transport of your car is for it to break down. To help ward off unforeseen breakdowns, check your oil level, tire pressure and other fluid levels when you stop for gas.

It should not be taken for granted that anyone can just hop into any vehicle and haul a scrap car to anywhere. Not only are there many regulations that must be followed that apply to this activity, but there are also many regulating agencies who are consistently updating the rules.

Regulating Agencies
States have own regulations

Federal regulations that apply to hauling of scrap cars are made by the Department of Transportation through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. In addition, the Department of Environmental Quality has its own waste hauling requirements that are applicable to the hauling of scrap cars. Many states and counties also have their own regulations to follow.

Factors Being Regulated
Trucks and drivers are regulated

Federal and local regulations applicable to hauling of scrap cars include those that apply to the drivers, the vehicles used in hauling, the scrap that is being transported, the hazardous materials that may be part of the scrap car, and the companies that haul the scrap. Below are some examples.

Regulations on Drivers
No part of cargo can fall off

A driver is not only limited in the number of hours he or she may drive each day, but must also be sure all the hours driven are logged. The driver cannot drive more hours than allowed because this can cause accidents. A driver must have a logbook, insurance information, a camera and other equipment in the vehicle at all times. There are also regulations on drug and alcohol testing and special training requirements.

Regulations on Vehicles
All roads have weight limitations

Regulations on vehicles used to haul scrap cars include length, width and weight limitations, compliance with interstate noise emission standards, and parts and accessories necessary for safe operation. Almost every road in the country has axle weight regulations that must be followed. It is important to know exactly which roads are going to be taken, and that a truck is not too heavy for any of these roads.

Recent Change in Vehicle Regulations
Debris Falling Off Trucks

The FMCSA recently changed rules that require motor carriers to change the way they secure cargo to prevent parts from shifting or falling while in transport. While these carriers were not required to buy new equipment for securing cargo, the intention was to reduce accidents. This caused many vehicle owners and manufacturers to make changes in the design of their vehicles.

Regulations On Hazardous Materials
Gas and oil have to be drained

In trying to improve safety on the highways, the FMCSA aims to reduce the number of incidents involving hazardous materials. The organization has drawn up lists of hazardous materials, how to comply with these regulations, driving and parking rules, fueling rules, and rules on tires. Thus, before a car is crushed and shipped for melting, fluids are drained, tires and batteries removed and catalytic converters cut off.

Regulations on Hauling Companies
Hauling companies are also regulated

While companies hauling scrap make profits, many regulations by so many agencies make it a difficult business to learn and compete in. There are rules that define levels of financial responsibility, forms required for all kinds of operations, and many possible violations and penalties defined for such companies. These are in addition to having to know and follow rules on drivers, vehicles and hazardous materials, and to cope with rule changes.