More and more people are looking at truck driving as more than just a career, but also an alternative lifestyle that allows for more travel. However, if you’re new to the world of trucking, you may not fully understand everything that this job entails. Here are some truck driver costs you need to be aware of as a new trucker.

Driving School Isn’t Free

In order to  get a CDL (Commercial Driver’s License), most states require you to attend driving school or some kind of training program. You’ll need to pass exams, get a Learner’s Permit, and get driving experience. Of course, you’ll need a regular driver’s license before you can even get started on a CDL.

Unfortunately, all these trainings, permits, and exams cost money, somewhere between $2000-$6000, depending on where you live. However, the industry is in desperate need of new drivers, so you should be able to find scholarships and other programs that lower the costs.

Trucker Expenses vs. Owner-Operator Expenses

There’s a big difference between being a driver for a company and being the owner-operator of your own vehicle. Owner-operators make more money per mile than company drivers, but they also take on more risk. It’s actually better to think of owning a semi-truck as running a small business.

Below are some of the truck driver costs facing both kinds of drivers. Know that you’ll handle each one differently based on whether you’re driving for yourself or someone else.

Diesel Fuel

It’s no secret that fuel prices are skyrocketing, thanks to several political and economic issues in the world. If you’re a company driver, chances are your boss will give you a fuel card to use for keeping your truck’s tanks full. Alternatively, you may have to pay for diesel yourself and then get a reimbursement later. As an owner-operator, you’ll have to pay for fuel out of your own pocket as a business expense.

Rests and Lodging

Being a truck driver often means having to stay awake for long hours, pulling over whenever you finally reach a truck stop, and sleeping at odd times of the day. This is because there are regulations governing how many hours you can work consecutively before you must take a break. Depending on where you are when your break time rolls around, you may find yourself taking a nap under odd circumstances.

When you have a sleeper cab, you can simply take your rest inside the truck, which is comfortable no matter where you’re parked. If you’re driving a day cab, you’ll probably be home before bedtime, but that still leaves your required break periods. While some drivers do pay for motels or Airbnb-type lodging, this can get expensive unless your company is paying for it. As an owner-operator, you’ll definitely want to avoid any extra costs.

Another facet of resting you may not be aware of is running the truck during your rest. If your cab is an older model, you may not have an auxiliary power source to provide things like heating and A/C while the truck is turned off. This means you’ll either have to leave the truck running and waste fuel, or you’ll have to find another way to deal with temperature changes.

Food and Meals

Unlike with fuel, most companies provide their employees with per diem pay for food and meals, which is a different system of compensation. Instead of the company paying for food directly, like it does with fuel, the company pays the driver a certain amount of per diem pay, which is non-taxable as long as the driver meets certain conditions.

Think of it like this: with a fuel card, you simply use it to buy diesel for your rig. With per diem pay, you’re getting extra pay to offset food costs. If you don’t use the full amount for food, it’s just extra money in your pocket. The danger here is that it can be very tempting to skimp on meals in order to take home a bigger paycheck.

If you’re a long-haul driver, consider investing in an electric multipurpose countertop kitchen appliance (slow cooker, air fryer, Instant Pot, rice cooker, electric stove, etc.) that you can use to cook healthy meals. Home-cooked meals with fresh fruits and veggies are always cheaper than pre-packaged food.

Operating Fees

While a company will cover many of the maintenance and operating fees for you, owner-operators must pay for these things themselves. It’s very important if you own your vehicle to develop savings for maintenance issues, insurance fees, and taxes. You may want to hire an accountant to help you file everything correctly, but that is also an expense in itself.

Some truck owners will put off maintenance work because of the expense, but this can create more problems down the road. Even worse, you could put yourself in legal danger if problems you know about cause your truck to get into an accident.

Other Costs of Trucking

There are other costs for new truckers to be aware of besides financial ones. Some of the most important are time with family and friends and driver health.

Family Time

When you’re out on the road, it can be difficult to make time to spend with your family. You may be too exhausted when you return home to hang out with your partner, kids, or pets. Being a truck driver also means working odd hours, so you may not even be home when your family is, or when they’re awake.

Some drivers get around this by taking their family with them, like a partner or a pet. Newer sleeper cabs often include more than one bed, making it a little easier to have company out on the road.

Health and Exercise

Drivers spend a lot of time sitting, so it’s very important that you take every opportunity you get to stretch your legs and maybe even go for a run. Some truck stops may offer exercise equipment, but you can also look for stops near parks and exercise clubs.

Another way driving can impact your health is if you’re spending long hours in a poor-quality chair. Rather than stick with whatever seat came with your cab, consider investing in a high-quality replacement semi-truck seat from GRA-MAG. Many of our models offer added amenities and top-of-the-line materials you won’t find in your cab’s original seating.

Getting Ready To Hit the Road

Trucking is a career with some non-obvious costs, but many people find it a satisfying career once they understand what’s involved. Whether you work for a company or your own business, knowing the costs of trucking will help you be successful and make more money in the long run.