Team Driving: Pros & Cons of Team Trucking

Tags: For Drivers

While driving solo offers freedom, independence, and a flexible schedule, team driving is for those looking to expand their benefits while driving. As the demand for truck driving jobs grow, team truck driving may help you meet your needs and hit goals.

With two different drivers there can be multiple jobs done at once, even specialty jobs that one driver or the other possesses. However, team driving may not be for everyone. We’ll breakdown what CDL team drivers need to know as well as the pros and cons of team trucking.

What is Team Driving?

Team trucking employs two CDL drivers taking turns behind the wheel. One has the duty of driving while the other rests. The truck can continue operating while staying in motion to meet hours-of-service regulations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) allows truck drivers to drive for a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. The major benefit to team driving is that it maximizes overall drive time between the two drivers while also ensuring both are getting enough rest.

Team driving has become popular over the years as the demand for truck drivers has increased but there remains to be a trucker shortage. Driving as a team is more efficient for drivers as well as trucking companies. CDL team drivers can negotiate the policies that will work best for them while splitting high earnings.

Is Team Driving Similar to Driving Solo?

Taking a look at driving solo and team driving, there is a dilemma you must resolve when deciding which style will work best for you.

From a fleet owner’s perspective, having a lineup of reliable solo drivers makes your business strong. However, it’s far more profitable to deliver in less time. Even with a good number of drivers to depend on, team driving allows for quicker deliveries than solo drivers.

As a team, you can earn more money with the ability to drive more miles as well as assistance with paperwork and loading. There are many team driving jobs in demand where the earnings can be more consistent.

Is There Money in Team Driving?

When truckers consider splitting pay with a teammate, it may initially sound like less money. To many people’s surprise, team truck driving actually brings in more money for each of them. On average, both drivers are racking up more miles which allows for a built-in increase per week or haul.

Suppose you have CDL team drivers in your fleet. In that case, you can offer policy coverages for their comfortability to help boost or maintain their efficiency. Additionally, there’s also more priority on the load if team driving is needed. If freight needs to move quick, a team can move it faster than a solo driver.

For solo drivers in your fleet interested in team driving as well, offer team matching. You can go off the basis of a survey for pairings so drivers are coupled based on personality, location, and goals for weekly pay and miles. Support your fleet and their career needs for confident delivery and a positive work-life environment.

Pros to Team Truck Driving

In comparison to solo driving, there are several benefits of team driving. Here are three pros to accepting team truck driving opportunities:

1. Sharing Loads – This allows for an even faster load and unloading process. All the work isn’t just on one person and there are additional eyes on paperwork and processes the drivers are responsible for. Additionally, this ensures faster delivery without holding drivers to aggressive timelines that can put them at risk.
2. High Demand – By using team truck driving, you can meet customer demand  and compensate your team drivers accordingly. This way the earnings can match the efficiency of the team. As a fleet, offer a competitive package deal to build up multiple long-standing teams.
3. Teamwork – Being on a team means drivers can hold each other accountable and watch over the premium loads and equipment with more care. The freight oftentimes won’t have to be unattended offering more security for the company’s items and the client’s cargo.

Cons of Team Truck Driving

Trust and comfortability are very important with team truck driving. If you are considering team trucking, here are three cons you should consider before making your decision:

1. Independence – Many drivers enjoy the solitude and independence of solo trucking, but team driving means you won’t be alone on the road. Alone time is needed, but you may have to compromise at times. While traveling with someone can be enjoyable, make sure this is an environment you are comfortable with.
2. Compromise – You won’t have complete control on what’s decided, so you will have to work together to achieve what’s best for both parties. For example, sleep schedules and breaks will need to be coordinated with your partner.
3. Work-Life Balance – Team driving means being on the road for days and weeks at a time. Your sleep quality can potentially lessen resulting in a tired traveling duo. You’ll need to be able to adapt to complete deliveries in the agreed timeframe while staying in good health.

Should My Drivers Use Team Driving?

To determine whether your employees should be team driving, analyze their nature to see if your drivers will be a good fit. Team trucking can offer a great expansion opportunity to your fleet. Ask yourself: Would my company benefit from team trucking?

Next, ask your solo drivers these three main questions if they’re looking for a path to team truck driving:

1. Can you rely on and trust a driving partner?
2. How do you feel about sharing your personal space?
3. In what ways would you benefit from team driving?

These are important things to ask to make sure everyone – including the company – is ready to meet the demands of team trucking opportunities. Coming up with a team matching program will get your fleet ready for those long hauls.

On the Road to Team Driving

To provide a solution in this time of high trucking needs, consider pairing your truck drivers and invest in team trucking. Your fleet expanding into team driving options will allow your company to have new opportunities and build out your client list. If you form a good pairing system with a survey, you will see your CDL team drivers form long-term relationships through transporting.

You can further offer appealing compensation packages and policies to meet the needs of your employees. Additionally, you can encourage your solo drivers to team up for furthered career opportunities in trucking. Discover how to keep freight trucking along while offering competitive pay and benefits to those interested in team driving.

Hale Trailer is dedicated to being a great resource to your fleet. Our selection of trailers are readily available for purchase or rent to fit your needs. Hear more about how we can assist you by taking a look at our inventory online or visiting one of our locations.