Trucking Mentor: Ask These Questions Before You Sign

Veteran truck driver Suzanne Carlson, based in Portland, Oregon, is sharing hard-earned advice with newer drivers entering the trucking industry, particularly women. With years of experience hauling construction materials and refrigerated goods across the western United States, Carlson emphasizes that while pay per mile is often the first thing drivers consider when evaluating a new position, it reveals little about what the job will actually be like. She encourages drivers to ask detailed questions about schedules, safety culture, and communication with dispatch before signing on.

Carlson advises drivers to inquire about how routes are assigned, how much notice they receive before a run, and how home time truly works. “Ask what a normal week looks like, not what it looks like on a good week,” she says. She also stresses the importance of understanding how schedules change during peak seasons or bad weather, as these periods expose a company’s true operating style. Regarding safety, Carlson suggests asking how the company handles pre-trip inspections, equipment maintenance, and driver fatigue—specifically, what happens when a driver needs to pull over and rest. “A company that supports that decision is telling you something good,” she notes. Additionally, drivers should ask about equipment condition and how quickly maintenance issues are resolved.

Communication with dispatch is another critical area. Carlson recommends asking how dispatch communicates during difficult runs, whether they are reachable and helpful, and how the company handles delays caused by traffic, weather, or mechanical problems. She believes the carrier a driver chooses early on can shape their entire career perspective. A supportive company builds confidence and good habits, while one that cuts corners on safety or communication can drive capable drivers out of the industry. “The first company you drive for teaches you what normal looks like,” she says. “If normal means rushed inspections and no backup from dispatch, a driver might think that’s just how trucking is. It isn’t.” Carlson mentors informally to help new drivers start with a clear picture, emphasizing that a good trucking career is built one decision at a time—starting with choosing who you drive for.