How to Handle Driver Burn Out

[@richdoherty370]

Been driving for fifteen years and am at the point where I can't stand this job. Somedays every mile I drive is torture. Mostly fedup with stupid dispatchers, corrupt companies and customers that abuse detention.

[@happypappy6371]

The hardest part of driving is the HOS we have to deal with. The 14 hour clock pushes drivers to drive when they would normally stop and get some rest or get a good meal. ELD's are not going to help that.

[@Zeviander]

I did four months OTR last year over the summer and almost burned out in late September. Luckily my company had a regional spot open up and I get up every morning looking forward to going to work. Love driving the truck, but could not live out of it. Props to all those who do!

[@johnnydubec4394]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO, IM IN MY FIRST YEAR AND I LOVED THIS JOB, AT THE START, BUT I HAVE EXPERIENCED THESE SYMPTOMS ,AND HONESTLY I'VE STAYED ON THE ROAD FOR 4 MONTHS AT A TIME NOT REALIZING HOW IT WAS DESTROYING MY LOVE OF THE ROAD I LOVE YOU OLDER EXPERIENCED GUYS YOU TEACH ME MORE THAN THE COMPANY EVER HAS I WANT TO CONTINUE TO PROGRESS AND KEEP AMERICAS BLOOD FLOWING

[@garysizemore158]

Man I needed to hear this”. I knew everything you said. But sometimes you need to hear it.. I’m taking the weekend off and relaxing

[@1BEAVIS13]

I switched to being a city driver for a LTL carrier. About 40-45 hours a week. Off weekends and holidays. Paid by the hour and treated like a human being. OTR is just a sweatshop on wheels.

[@aaronsanborn4291]

1BEAVIS13 I work construction way better than OTR and none of those retarded E-logs

[@josron6088]

What LTL company are you working for I've never known any Trucking company work you just 40 to 45 hours a week

[@josron6088]

1BEAVIS13 every local trucking company I work for works you 70 to 80 hours what company are you working for now

[@julewestcott6715]

I miss the old truck stops with home cooked meals. Now it's almost all fast food.

[@michaeldow4707]

Jule Westcott it's all damn Dennys now

[@ashqelon7267]

Jule Westcott , Not even fit for a animal

[@MrBigR928]

Yep...they say, don't worry about the mule, just load the wagon! If the mule dies, we'll buy another one. If we fire the mule , we'll hire another one!

[@SpragginsDesigns]

I switched to a $24/hour local trucking job 4 months into my trucking career. And holy crap am I happy I did. Overtime and double time. $1/hour raise every year. Monday-Friday 6:00am-4:00pm. Weekends and holidays off. Holidays paid. I love it. It's trucking in the perfect amount of mediation. My wife and kids love it too 😆

[@SmartTrucking]

Yeah, that's what I'm doing now and I could never go back. Not for what it pays these days. Dave

[@hugoherrera2138]

Austin Spraggins where are you working man? that work schedule and paycheck sounds sweet

[@rogerholloway8498]

Good video, I also believe burn out can happen in every occupation, trust me on that.

[@SmartTrucking]

+Roger Holloway Yes you are so right. Truck driving though can be extra dangerous, as a burned out driver behind the wheel can wipe out himself in an accident and a lot of other innocent people too.

[@Hardworking_Trucker]

Call centers - minus the 80000 lb missile

[@allenbrindley6241]

I'm 58 y.o. and only been driving 4 yrs.I run on recaps.Only one 34 hr restart in 4 yrs.Usually take 11 to 15 hr breaks.Works good for me

[@CanuckTruckCB]

great video's Dave. Im going through trucking school right now in Calgary for my class one. Your videos and website have really provided a great insight to the industry for a young guy like me.

[@SmartTrucking]

+North Of Seven That's great... so glad you're getting some benefit from the videos. That's our intention. It's a great career, but you do need to know how to maneuver through the hoops in the industry.

[@leeshaver7825]

the same goes for tow truck drivers I know from personal experience I pushed myself so hard for 20 years I made myself sick and now I'm permanently disabled because of it and retired at 48

[@SmartTrucking]

+Lee Shaver Yes, I know the demands of tow truck drivers are insane hours.... I'm sorry to hear that. Thanks for sharing your experience for others. All the best.

[@cooler2798]

I enjoyed that video good information I like the part where you used to run-heavy when you were young but when you get older you can definitely feel it, the key is to eat as healthy as you possibly can low in fat high in protein I have dumbbells that I carry with me it helps waiting for next video thank you

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you Robert! Dave

[@StephenTatasciore]

Great advice! Thank you taking the time to put these very helpful videos together!

[@jimlee3725]

That's wisdom there. Thank you DAVE!

[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks! Dave

[@RayT70]

Thumbs up. I currently work a slip-seat position. 2 weeks out 1 week in. It's my way of combating burnout.

[@rodneyb.4719]

Truly appreciate the good information you're putting out, thank you...

[@SmartTrucking]

+Rodney B. Hope it helps.

[@wmbenn69]

Much more tired on elogs. Can’t sleep when it says I can sleep. I’m not a robot

[@SmartTrucking]

Sleep when you're body tells you, don't let the company or the e-log dictate to you! The company may not like it, but to drive tired is risking the lives of others as well as yours. Dave

[@alexsantiago357]

Congrats on 50k plus Dave😎

[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks! Dave

[@ricksmith9388]

Excellent advice. Thanks again.

[@Oggenx]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video.

[@SmartTrucking]

+Jerry Reffell I hope you were able to get some benefit from the video.

[@johnlong3197]

As usual another good informative video, Dave keep them coming.

[@SmartTrucking]

+John Long Will do, John.

[@sonnypruitt6639]

New e-log laws are going to force you to shut down according to the law. Where do you shut down when all the truck stop's are full, and you are out of hours. And don't tell me I have to plan my trips better. I'm only in control of the truck I drive, there are so many other variables out there that I have NO control over, and effect my trip.

[@bryson3401]

my old company would call a tow truck if you ran out of hours somewhere. lol

[@MrLynch-jh1yo]

Saddle Sore Just blow through the clock till you find a spot. Don't stress over it.

[@michaeldow4707]

Han Solo yea i do this frequently lol almost got put on a "mandatory" 34 hour break from my company. I told them great some days off... dispatcher didn't find it funny lol.

[@unclefestersworld3180]

Well, yeah, it's not about trip planning, it's about planning your day. YOU need to get up early, 4am 5am, get to work early, so that you can find a place to stop early. Put yourself on a schedule of work. If you cannot plan your day, maybe go home and get a job flipping burgers or whatever you do, because this job is self-starting, and if you cannot do it yourself, you obviously need some kind of outside structure that requires you to start at a set time, given to you by the company you work for. If you wait until 8 or 9am in the morning to get started, you are setting yourself up to fail. In trucking, you drive for "X" Company, but you are your own boss, and if you simply can't get yourself motivated to go to work, get a job at home, working for someone who will tell you when to start your day. So there, I didn't tell you to plan your trips better. Happy?

[@fmccloud]

ELDs aren't the problem. It's the current rules that are the problem. ELDs are just a tool, just can't cheat.

[@erwinfrazier4585]

Exactly right Dave. Years ago I knew we were in trouble when the us xpress coropate trainer for using the e logs told us that to save time, do the pretrip, then drive to loading dock, then log in. It gets much more interesting . They ruined drivers

[@toddschroeder4312]

nothing cures burnout like seeing the lights of Barstow fading in your mirror having the full moon shining off your longhood and hearing that turbo spool up climbing outta death valley up mountain pass

[@SmartTrucking]

Boy, you're bringing memories back for me! Dave

[@kylemorice4870]

That is pretty sight for sure.

[@STScott-qo4pw]

Nebraska, Kansas at midnight on a Friday night to Saturday morning frun. Full moon. The diesel thumping under the hood. A crisp spring night. A fresh coffee after a shower & clean pretrip saying she's ready for anything.

[@jimbrown5925]

Keep the videos coming driver. You give excellent advice.

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you, I will! Dave

[@theamerican7131]

Enjoyed and liked the video. Good information. Thanks.

[@byron8443]

Loving the daily videos been missing your vids!

[@SmartTrucking]

+Trucker Bam We'll do our best! Glad you're liking them.

[@diferentesactividadesjr]

THANKS DAVE I LOVE ALL YOU VIDEOS!!!

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you Harold! Dave

[@kennethmalcom9884]

What do you do about burn out of wondering if you’ll have enough work ??

[@mssmith1979]

Good stuff, it's so hard to get the right balance in life. We have to try though.

[@ezcoreg759]

great video, i wonder if i will have time to do my 30 minute workout i do once a day for 5 days out of the week. if i cant at least dedicate 30 minutes out of the day for my health ima have an issue.

[@SmartTrucking]

+Ezcore G Yes you will have time. If it's a priority to you, you will find the time. Your health must come first. More drivers need to pay attention to their health. Good for you for knowing it's a 'must'.

[@ezcoreg759]

***** Thats very good to know. Lot of worry gone thank you.

[@ThatSB]

you will have time on some days. other days maybe not. but having/ worrying about things that you claim will be make or break issues before youre even in the truck is a bad sign

[@kellypenrod8863]

hi Dave, ya know know we have discussed having a good back up plan before in another video. I think it would also apply here as well, ask your self, what else am I good at? can you operate equipment, do Carpenter work, maybe good at welding, or enjoy building engines?find something that's enjoyable to you that you can earn a living at that you can set up at home, or invest in tools, equipment, materials for your favorite side hustle a little at a time so when you reach the point of wanting to strangle idiots, and slice throats, you already have your favorite therapy at hand and can decompress and earn money doing it. myself, I go push dirt, build ponds, clear land ECT. dozers are great for anger management! I also through that side hustle accumulated a lot of raw material for making my rustic furniture. there's so many things that can be done to pad the pocket and enjoy while you do it. BUT, first you gotta WANT TO! good video Dave hope I helped a little, it works for me. stay safe everybody 😎.

[@undertaker666dead]

Smart Trucking why don't you put rain caps on your exhaust stacks?

[@jasonbrazil4532]

I like the way you sum that up. the problem is you got a driver who puts in all those hrs to make a living. and a construction worker. who works. and they make about the same. I would like to see driver's get paid for their time.

[@waynebridges.9289]

Well said from Australia 🇦🇺

[@yoitsmb2]

I left I was making $700.00 a week after taxes it wasn’t bad but when you factor in the high costs of food plus the high costs of showers it eats your pay check quick. God forbid you drive past 5pm your going to be paying an arm / a leg for parking that truck now but does dispatch care? Hell no. They just see the hours available.

[@petemunoz7148]

Good advice thks

[@jamesdow1795]

34hr resets? What are those? I'm usually out 3-4 months at a shot,(no loads headed toward VT),and run recap miles most of the time. It is what it is,still beats working for a living.(i.e. horseshoeing 11years and later masonry for 14.)😂

[@Blackflag.actual]

8hrs on duty a day and you will never do a reset

[@PUMPADOUR]

I was so burned out that I think my subconscious decided for me to have a rollover. I berely survived but took 2 months off...

[@harryknutts8428]

im still kinda new , about 2 years truckin now and im realizing u have to take care of yourself and the job is easier when u get a good meal or good night sleep , when i started i went about 15 months straight without a vacation and i knew i was burning out because when i would start a new 70 hour clock id be tired and bothered the first or second day on the clock , i think its normal to be tired and bothered the last day of a 70 hour clock right?? anyway i took 10 days off after 15 months and it seem to give me a fresh start ,

[@iseedeadppl79]

yep ive had days like that

[@acacia816squared3]

Stop the the president of the United States needs to give this guy a medal of honor medal of freedom and every medal there is for exposing the truth

[@DjPsychoLive]

Imma gonna do this temporarily until I find something better If I find something better or a local trucking job. (I'm OTR)

[@williamdillingham6871]

That's why I'm glad I'm hourly. heavy haul takes time I would make no money otherwise

[@m.miller2374]

I have been seeing recently moreolder trucks and cabovers driving around than usual, I wonder if that's because of the new elog rule.

[@SmartTrucking]

That's part of it for sure. Additionally, the new trucks are too expensive and not very reliable. Most owner operators know that an unreliable truck with high truck payments can bankrupt them. Dave

[@travishanson166]

Spend $8000 cash on a good used truck, put 100k miles on it, new rubber and brakes on it, sell it for 10-12k. Rebuild the driveline, and you are talking 20k plus. I was never a truck driver but knew if I was gonna do it, it had to be my truck and my rules. I paid cash (after working 7 days a week for a year in a factory) for my first truck. Got my cdl and leased to my dad and he taught me the ropes. I cared more about doing it SAFELY , than the money, so I went broke. Traded the truck (cracked pistons, new trans and new rubber and brakes all around) for another one with ok rubber and brakes but fresh rebuild. Old truck was a 4964 western star with a 700 hp b cat. Current truck 362 Pete and a cpl 625 400 Cummins. Just waiting for a few things before I head out again. Went from a 20,000 lb truck to a 16000 lb truck. Heavy truck rode as bad as they say cabovers do. 362 rides like a 389. Old trucks can do the job and do it well, for far less money.

[@MrLynch-jh1yo]

Good stuff!

[@rickharvey4728]

I started ovr in 2010 run for 4 years I got so burnt out I quit for a year then I got back in the truck after a year and in 6 weeks I was burnt out all over again what do you suggest !!!

[@1101-f6z]

I stopped giving a darn about my 70 hour clock i burn as much as I can just so i have some time off to be a human being for a day and a half. It's helped with stressing over time, 14 hour clock, and dispatchers not looking at your time before they put a load on you. so you either have a full 14 hours or just tell them 'I'm tight on my 70' and 99% of the time they just wait till your 34 hour reset is up. Just make sure you're in a decent area. use that off duty driving. It also gets you out of a lot of live loads the company knows will take forever. If you ain't moving because of time they lose money too.

[@markm0000]

I'd rather hold the wheel than work 90 hours in an office. Screw that noise.

[@SmartTrucking]

Me too! Dave

[@Senkino5o]

How is it that truck drivers do ninety hour weeks? Exactly how do you come by that number?

[@SmartTrucking]

70 legal plus all the extra we all do but don't log cause we don't get paid for it anyway, unless you're a teamster. Dave

[@brandoncherry1651]

sir you just wrote whats going on in my life......

[@Kittycat_58]

I busted up my back after over 41 years and I had to retire and I never realized how burned out I am I used to put over 4k miles a week, I took a trip recently 3k miles in 2 weeks was totally exhausted me I guess all them years and miles I didn't realize how bad it was I'm 59 and most of my old trucking friends are dead most of them died in there 50s don't burn your self out it isn't worth it it cost me my back.

[@SmartTrucking]

Good advice DeWayne! Dave

[@dragonboyss5]

true

[@Nvaillancourt]

What are your thoughts on using recapped hours in a Canadian 70/7 cycle? I do regular runs from Ontario to Alberta and back. It's pretty straight forward and a bit boring, but it's consistent work. Unless I get a reset out west, I won't be able to make it back home with those 70 hours without having to reset on the way back, which some times can make the load late for delivery. Anyways, it's nice to be able to get some hours back on that seventh day, even if I don't have full hours for the day. However, if I understand it right, does this mean that I could theoretically wind up working non stop?

[@caddy59]

Nigel Vaillancourt The way recaps work in Canada is, yes, you can get hours back on the 7th day. But you do have to have one day off every two weeks. Even electronic log books have this function built into them.

[@michaeldow4707]

Huh, not here in the states I've been running off recap for a month now.

[@kathyfalzarano6038]

Hauling feed , I don’t get a weekend or a day because agriculture is log exempt for where I go

[@robertgray9802]

My first way to combat burnout is to never take a reset on the road since I'm not being paid for it all my resets will be done at my home and my dispatcher knows that and I will not let her forget that when she play the Amnesia game and to all truckers be safe on the road

[@dennisstjean4920]

COOL VIDEO I DROVE 35 YEARS BEEN BURNT OUT MANY TIMES THEN STROKE BEEN OFF HIWAY SINCE 2006 CRASHED MY 379 JUST ABOUT DIED WILL NEVER DRIVE AGAIN DAMAGED MY EGO

[@SmartTrucking]

Hopefully the ego heals, as long as you didn't damage body parts! Dave

[@undertaker666dead]

I love the sound of a diesel motor

[@grizzlycountry1030]

I'm getting burnt out as a correctional officer/deputy sheriff half way to retirement and everyone keeps telling me to become a truck driver.

[@SmartTrucking]

Are you going to get a pension out of it ? Cause there's no pension for truckers. Dave

[@RaoulThomas007]

Dave's so right about that pension.

[@georgedoorley5628]

only 8 hours a day driving in ireland

[@corydavey3026]

What I never work over 70 hours just look at my logbook

[@SmartTrucking]

I hear ya! That's right!

[@iseedeadppl79]

maybe a video on diet? what do you like to grab when your running hard and don't have a lot of time

[@SmartTrucking]

+Timothy Gagliardi You've read my mind.... we're working on a video to address 'good foods' for on the go. Coming up soon.:)

[@markm0000]

Get a fridge and a little camping bbq. Throw on some bacon, ham, eggs, vegetables, toast, etc. A nice french press with boiling water for cheap fresh coffee. Get yourself a good breakfast every morning to start the day right. Then for supper go somewhere nice or cook a small cut of steak and a potato. There's thousand of cook books for easy camp cooking.

[@edwardharoldbutler7076]

Exercise, yearly medical with blood tests and checking your blood sugar is a big deal now a days with the amount of sugar and salt put into food now a days if you do not watch you eat.

[@SmartTrucking]

+Edward Harold Butler You want to believe it! Drivers need to be concerned with these things...so easy to get excess sodium and sugar in the diet.

[@edwardharoldbutler7076]

+Smart-Trucking.com I know all to well, I just lost my job in fact because of high blood sugar and it changed my vision so much my glasses are totally useless to me and I can not read anything close up, can not do paper work at all. But I can still driver AOK but can not see the speedometer very well. All because I drank multi gallons of Orange and grapefruit juices, sweet fruit, and cases of tangerines. (Eating to health but with tons of sugar in it, is not a good thing at all) I can not drive any commercial unit until my blood sugar is stabled. Because of medical appointments I not be able to get new glasses until sometime in April. If worse come to worse I may not be able to drive a commercial unit again. This does not pay the bills at all and the cost of strips for the sugar testing device is crazy expensive at $75 for 100 test strips. At 3 test strips a day it will only last a month or less if you use more a day. Some people use 6 test strips a day($150 a month), that is a lot of cash for these little testing strips. God only knows where the money is going to come from to pay for this and the bills. Heads up to all truckers and commercial drivers, Get a sugar testing device and save your job and lively hood.

[@SmartTrucking]

+Edward Harold Butler Thank you for bringing the issue to our attention for others to benefit from. That is something that could easily happen to anyone. All the best to you and we hope to see you back on the road soon. Please keep us posted on your progress.

[@jasonlisonbee]

+Edward Harold Butler Or just monitor your intake and limit it to as little as you can take.

[@edwardharoldbutler7076]

+Smart-Trucking.com Blood sugar seems stable around 4 to 5, dropped 30 pounds since Feb 1 to April 20, from a 52 inch size pants to a 46 inch. The funny thing is the New belt for me pants is to big now and so are me shoes... LOL.. and I feel great.

[@hockeydad6211]

Wilfred Brimley?

[@SmartTrucking]

Who is? Dave

[@hockeydad6211]

Smart-Trucking.com. Very similar voice.

[@dreamchaser8508]

Good vid except the part about computers...A ELD cnt force you to rest only forces you off the road knowing when you need to rest is just one of those things tht comes with experience. I wish I could press a button and suddenly fall asleep but thts how computers work not humans

[@ObamaoZedong]

Came here to learn how to do burnouts in a semi.

[@SmartTrucking]

Ether and a match. Dave

[@jamesdane5959]

Get a job at Costco for about a year. You will RUN back to the insanity of trucking.🐩📣

[@charlesdyer2376]

Back in the 80's I hauled citrus all over florida 6 days a week 18 to 20hrs a day before they limited us to 15 hrs. considered agriculture. talk about burn out.we got paid by the load,had to run your ass off to make the bucks.

[@ThatSB]

and all the speed you had to buy to keep keep going cut into your check. atleast it was cheaper back then and no one made a big deal out of it

[@DJSbros]

I'm not even a trucker why am i watching this.

[@SmartTrucking]

Cause it's interesting and you're learning stuff!! Dave

[@yohansmythe1132]

And if you watch 2, it's addicting

[@brandoncherry1651]

btw wheres my air horns ?

[@mikegallegos7]

"average" truck driver week ?!?! : )

[@PleasePancakeGD]

go about 4 to 5 months, then I take a week off. Not good to be around when your body and brain is starting to fail you.

[@beastlyendeavour9184]

Bin der dun dat

[@that1guycasper187]

I don't know what you're talking about with that forced to eat fast food b******* because I stopped at Giant or Safeway if there's one in the state I'm in I grabbed my vegetables salad stuff like that banana smoothies r one of my favee I also have one of those portable propane stove tops to cook meat on

[@toddwieland7664]

Boot one day a week

[@hellyeah9398]

This sucks sooo baddd

[@66Beanshit]

Go day-cab. Local or day-trip regional. Long haul is nothing but pure poison.

[@Nvaillancourt]

I tried doing local work from south eastern Ontario to Quebec, usually in Montreal. While it was nice to have more regular time off, I found myself getting so stressed out in that damn city I had to go back on the road. All the stresses of Montreal aside, I found it difficult to make any real money. Instead of being paid hourly, I was paid miles and picks and drops. Due to the lack of miles in the run, the only way I could make money was by trying to squeeze in as many picks and drops as possible, which isn't easy in Montreal.

[@66Beanshit]

It definitely isn't for everyone, anymore than log-haul is... But yeah, if you want to stay with it, then you really need to find a company that will pay hourly who acknowledges that the Labour Code (That is, overtime pay) really does apply to them. You'll just be getting fucked as bad as at any bottom-feeding long-hauler otherwise. Day-trip regional is the best IMO (for me, at least), if a bit boring on occasion.