Reducing Shipping Expenses

If you've recently obtained your CDL and are starting to apply for opportunities in the field, you may have noticed that the trucking industry is in desperate need of drivers. As a result, it's common to be faced with multiple job offers that you need to choose between. Before you make an impulsive decision, it's in your best interest to compare those jobs carefully. After all, you want to be sure that you accept the best position for your needs.

Compare The Home Time Allowances

When it comes to CDL jobs, the home time allowance is one of the most important factors for many people. If you're looking at over-the-road jobs, you may only be expected home for a week or two every couple of months. In the case of local jobs, you might be able to be home nightly or at least every weekend. Think about what is most important for you as far as time at home so that you can narrow down the offers accordingly.

Evaluate The Per-Mile Rates

You'll find that every job has a defined per-mile rate. You'll certainly want to consider the job with the highest rate per mile, but that shouldn't be the only factor in terms of pay per mile. In fact, you also want to consider whether or not that per-mile rate still applies when you're not actively under load but instead traveling from a drop-off to your next pickup. That's the difference between being paid only when you're actively hauling a load versus during the majority of your driving time.

Ask About Breakdown Pay

You also need to understand whether or not the company offers breakdown pay. This is a flat rate per hour for time spent waiting on repairs to your truck if it's not driveable. In most applications, breakdown pay has limitations in terms of how long you have to be down before it kicks in and how much you can receive. 

Look For Per-Load Payments

In addition to the pay per mile, many companies provide drivers with a flat payment for every load that they deliver on time. This is over and above the mileage pay that you earn. Ask each prospective employer about per-load payments to help you assess the entire compensation package.

These are the key considerations that you'll need to be attentive to when you're comparing offers between different CDL jobs. Keep these tips in mind to help you get the job that's the best fit for you.

Contact a trucking company for more information about Class A CDL driving jobs.