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 [...]

Trucking is an industry with a with a surprising amount of mystery surrounding it. What’s it like being on the road for such long periods? What is a trucker’s free time like? How demanding is the driving? There’s a lot that the general public doesn’t about the trucking world, and given how much the team at Reliable Permit Solutions helps enable the industry we thougth we would shed some light on some of the mystery. Trucking Can Be Health Challenging You might not expect it from a career based solely on driving, but trucking can be very challenging to one’s health. Alongside the natural risk of vehicle accidents, truckers often have a difficult time getting to the doctor at regular intervals. These and other factors make actually make trucking among the most dangerous jobs in the country. It’s A Populous Industry While it’s easy to look at an office full [...]

If you’re new to truck driving, you might be surprised how difficult it can be to stay fit. Regardless, in most cases new drivers have to pass a DOT physical in order to begin truck driving school. All truckers are also required to pass a DOT physical exam before beginning any truck driving job and every two years. A DOT physical will determine if you are physically able to perform your duties while out on the road. From Reliable Permit Solutions, here is some information about DOT physicals and how to pass them. Prior Health Information The purpose of the DOT physical is to ensure the health and well-being of the CDL holder as well as the other drivers he or she will share the road with. Your DOT physical will begin by reviewing your personal information and medical history. You should state whether you have any conditions such as [...]

The trucker lifestyle is a unique one, taking truckers all over the country, sometimes from one side to the other in very short periods. Like industrial jobs, it involves powerful heavy equipment that comes with certain risks. One of our responsibilities at Reliable Permit Solutions is helping to reduce those risks, and we do that by more than just getting permits handled quickly and efficiently. We are very interested in the safety of all the truck drivers out there, and to help new ones prepare for the road we’ve assembled a few helpful tips for staying safe. Invest in sunglasses Glare can be a major hazard on the road, and it doesn’t just happen in the summer. It can cause trouble for any driver, but much more so for someone behind the wheel of a big rig. Get yourself a good pair of sunglasses that can handle the glare and [...]

At Reliable Permit Solutions, we can help you get your trucking permits fast. We specialize in Overweight/Oversize permits, trip permits, fuel permits, and super loads. In addition, we offer route consulting, pilot cars, and rate quotes. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, we take pride in being the most knowledgeable and courteous permit agents in the industry, and we offer personalized service tailored to every customer. If you need our services, feel free to call us today at 888-949-4220 or visit us online at ReliablePermitSolutions.com. Here at our blog, we’ll keep you updated with what’s going on at our company and in the world of trucking and the open road. Be sure to check back often for the latest news.

So, you’ve chosen to become a trucker and are excited at the prospect of hauling freight across the country. Excellent! You’ll certainly see many different places and people along your travels. The trucker lifestyle is certainly different from regular life, and for some, adapting to it can be the most difficult part of the job. What are some aspects of an OTR (over-the-road) trucker’s lifestyle and how can you acclimatize yourself to its demands? From Reliable Permit Solutions, here are a few facts that can help you adjust to your nomadic job. Learning to live in your truck As a truck driver, you’re going to be driving long hours, and its important to take breaks every once in a while to help you keep going. Living out of your truck means getting used to a very enclosed space, but it also means you’ll have everything you’ll need at arm’s length. [...]

From tractors and industrial equipment to trailer homes and steel beams, oversized trucks are engineered to transport the heaviest of loads across the country. Reliable Permit Solutions specializes in temporary permits for oversize and overweight loads. What are some of the unique challenges you’ll face compared to driving any other truck and how do you navigate the roads while transporting these enormous shipments? Here are some rules to follow to help get you and your shipment to your destination safely. Definition of Oversized/Overweight Loads You may need a temporary permit if your truck and its load: Exceeds 13’6” in heightExceeds 8’6” in widthExceeds 48’ in trailer lengthExceeds 80,000 lbs in overall weight Travel Escorts In some cases where the width of your shipment exceeds 12’, pilot vehicles or ‘escorts’ are required. The job of these escorts is to alert the shipment driver of special circumstances such as traffic, construction zones, [...]