If you fancy life on the road then the OTR or Over the Road Trucking Business may be for you. Driving across the country delivering loads may not seem like much, but it is a very profitable and very accessible career for most OTR truckers and trucking company owners. It is quickly becoming a very competitive industry. There are a growing number of large trucking companies and all of them are competing for loads and customers. If you’re thinking of starting your own trucking company, here are some tips to get you started: Start Small – if you can’t afford a fleet of trucks, start with one. It can be bought leased, or even leased-to-own. Hire Process Agents – A process agent is essential for proper representation with regard to court papers. They are the individuals who can help your company when your trucking company is sent court papers in [...]

As on Over the Road (OTR) Trucker; your livelihood, and even your very life; depends on your driving ability and skill. However, there may be times when you are tempted to leave caution at the door and engage in some risky driving; or times when your concentration may not be a hundred percent. This driving behavior puts you and other people at risk; so your Reliable Permit Solutions team would like to remind you to keep driving safely by offering the following tips: Keep your Lane Changes minimal; and change lanes with caution.Try to be extra-cautious when driving at night: be alert, aware, and move cautiously   and slowly.Try to avoid areas with high-volume traffic and avoid traveling during peak traffic times.Check weather reports and driving conditions often to be prepared for sudden changes in road situations.Use a GPS that has been customized for Truckers, but use other sources of information [...]

Being on the road can be a bit stressful if you’re not prepared. For OTR Truckers, having the essential items with you can spell the difference between being able to deliver the loads on time or having road emergencies that cause missed deadlines. In order to keep you rolling (and trucking), your Reliable Permit Solutions, LLC team has compiled a list of items that you always need to have on hand: A Flashlight, Tool Kit, and specialized tools such as a tire gauge, multi-cutters, and fifth wheel pullers. Extra Food and Water in case of unexpected delays.Universal Lubricant, Duct Tape, and Electrical Tape.Some basic Replacement Parts like extra headlights; fuses and fuel filters.Extra clothing, Work Gloves, a Reflective Safety Vest, and an extra pair of Work Boots.Glass Cleaner, Hand Cleaner, Soap, Disposable Wipes and Towelettes.Maps or a Road Atlas (for when the GPS doesn’t work).A First Aid Kit.     Now [...]

As a Truck Driver you have to deal with a lot of things. Making sure that you get the loads, making sure that they are delivered on time and everything else in between. As if these things weren’t enough to worry about, there is also the risk of falling prey to various unscrupulous people who want to cheat you out of your hard-earned cash. Trucking scams are a dime a dozen so you need to know what you can do to protect yourself from them. Here are some suggestions: Always verify the identity and billing address of the customer before giving and accepting payment information. Verify business names, addresses and contact info which can easily be done with a phone call or internet search.Always have voice confirmation/authorization before every transaction.Always document everything: notarize legal documents, scan important documents, keep them in a safe place.Always be cautious of people persistently trying [...]

The life of a trucker can be a bit challenging, but it can also be financially rewarding: that is, unless you aren’t good at managing your finances. Sure, you have to spend for food and parts, truck maintenance, and bills payments; but that doesn’t mean that you can’t save money as well: there are little things you can do to keep your expenses to a minimum. Your Reliable Permit Solutions team would like to give you some tips on how you can make the most of your spending (or cut it down), so that your trips don’t cost you an arm and a leg: you’ll need both of those for driving.   Be on the lookout for CDL perks – Some establishments give you discounts when you show them your commercial driver's license (CDL). Take advantage of this, and ask restaurants and hotels if they offer this discount.Avoid Cash Advances [...]

Truckers are called upon to transport cargo all over the US. More often than not, they are tasked to deliver incredibly heavy and incredibly huge loads; items that you would never think could be delivered by truck: huge construction pylons, bridge beams, generators, industrial equipment, prefab housing, construction vehicles and huge pieces of construction elements. Transporting these items requires the use of specialized cargo trailers with features that will make your trip a lot easier. But which type of cargo trailer should you use? Your team from Reliable Permit Solutions is here to give you an overview of the five basic trailer types, as well as some information about the kinds of loads they are best suited for. Let’s begin, shall we? Flatbed trailer – The Flatbed is one of the more common trailers around. Essentially just an open platform with wheels: no walls, no roof, just a flat loading [...]

Being a trucker is a demanding job. In a previous blog post, we gave you tips on how to stay fit while on the road. But just as keeping yourself in shape is important, you also have to see to the maintenance and upkeep of your trusty partner: your truck. Truck maintenance and care pays dividends for you because keeping your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently means less money spent on service and parts, less fuel consumed going to and from repair shops, and less stress for you. Here are some things that you should do to keep your truck in perfect working condition. Check your Brakes – Have your brakes professionally inspected and maintained after every oil change. Brake shoe indicators should be checked for possible replacement. If you can, replace the bushings, pins, and brake springs, and brake drums as well.Check your Engine – do complete checks for [...]

Life on the road can be hard: The isolation, the physical demands of driving great distances  and staying alert for countless hours (and sometimes days) at a time, the constant urgency of being able to get from point A to point B safely and on time…being a trucker takes a toll on you mentally, emotionally, and especially physically. According to a 2014 survey by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 69 percent of long-haul truck drivers were obese, and 17 percent were morbidly obese. All of that sitting, driving and eating makes it easy for truckers to pack on the pounds. We at Reliable Permit Solutions know how hard it is to keep yourself in shape when you drive for a living, and we suggested several ways for you to keep healthy while on the road in our November 2017 post. One of the tips we gave was [...]

No matter what vehicle you take out on the road, a driver must never fail to be mindful and attentive. A truck driver however must be twice as mindful and attentive for transporting heavy cargo is no easy task. Remember to give complete focus on your job and apply these tips: Look Ahead More than keeping your eyes on the road, you should also look as far ahead as you possibly can. Try to anticipate possible incoming trouble. Look out for cars or for anything unusual.  Keep in mind that whatever is on the road up ahead can be a potential problem to deal with. Look for Escape Routes You should be constantly aware of your surroundings. When driving, it is a good idea to look for escape routes in case you would need to avoid anything. Constantly be alert on what are on the two sides of your truck [...]

At Reliable Permit Solutions, we know how important it is to deliver right on schedule, perhaps even early. Setting your standards high for yourself can present you with many opportunities from your dispatcher as well as the from the customers you serve. Whether you know it or not, if you’re a trucker, you’re in competition with every other trucker on the road, even those from your own fleet. Why? Because being reliable, agreeable, and patient is a hot commodity, and every trucker should learn to have these qualities. Complaining and Griping Something you might come across if you’re new to trucking (or something you might experience yourself, if you let it) is complaints about dispatchers and certain routes, complaints about schedules and difficult customers, complaints about certain jobs… The list goes on and on. Just like any job, people will find something to complain about. But trucking can be one [...]