Driving a Semi-Truck vs. Driving a Car

Evan Transportation Driving Semi-Truck vs Car

Driving a semi-truck isn’t quite the same as driving a car—if you’re interested in a career as a trucker, it’s important to know the differences.

If you are interested in pursuing a career on the road, one of the biggest questions that you have is probably whether or not you can handle driving a truck. Particularly if you have no commercial driving experience, it can be intimidating to switch over. What are some of the key differences between driving a semi-truck vs driving a car?

Parallel Parking Is Harder

Many drivers dread parallel parking, and it’s even more challenging to do when driving a semi-truck vs driving a car. The long trailer, heavy load, and larger vehicle can all make it tough to quickly get parked and get to work. In addition to parallel parking being more challenging, turning a truck is also much harder than turning a passenger vehicle.

You Can Only Drive So Fast

Did you know that trucks on the highway stay within a certain speed range for a reason other than speed limits? Truck engines have a maximum speed that is typically much lower than the maximum speed for a car. Additionally, when driving a semi-truck vs driving a car you also need to consider how much weight the truck is hauling. The heavier a truck is, the more time it will take to stop. 

Special Licensing Is Required

To drive a semi-truck, you must have a commercial drivers license or CDL. These require specialized training and testing to make sure that you can safely maneuver a vehicle the size of a semi. In order to receive yours, you will take numerous classes and tests, and go through screening to make sure that you are fit to receive one. A CDL will cover semi-trucks, buses, and 18-wheelers. 

Blind Spots Are Tricky

Checking your blind spots is critical whether you are driving your own sedan or a semi-truck. However, as a truck driver, you will have larger blind spots and need to use more mirrors and larger mirrors to combat the problem. 

Avoid the Dangers of Truck Overloading with Evan Transportation

Follow us here at Evan Transportation to get more updates on driving tips and the trucking industry. Evan Transportation provides trucking and transportation services for clients throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. All of our drivers and staff are offered competitive salaries, benefits, and are guaranteed to be home every day. Interested in finding out more? Visit us online or give us a call at 443-673-3365. For even more information, visit us on Facebook, TwitterPinterest, and LinkedIn.

 

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