Many people enjoy the freedom and independence that comes from driving solo on the open road. For those who’d rather spend their days working with someone else, there’s another option: team driving.
WHAT IS TEAM DRIVING?
As you might expect, team truck driving is when two drivers drive the same truck and take shifts driving the truck. According to the FMCSA, truck drivers may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.. As a result, one team member can drive for 11 hours while the other driver catches up on sleep.
HOW MUCH DO TEAM DRIVERS MAKE?
At Prime Inc., our company team drivers operate on a “pay per mile” scale. Here’s how much you can expect team driving to pay if you drive for Prime as company drivers:
- Refrigerated Division drivers earn $0.69 per mile split.
- Flatbed Division drivers earn $0.67 per mile split.
- Tanker Division drivers earn $0.70 per mile split.
Additionally, team company drivers earn 26 additional cents per mile split for miles above 3,000 each week. The bonus increases to 31 cents per mile split for miles over 4,000 per week.
Benefits of driving as a team
1. Team Drivers Usually Make More Money
Compared to solo drivers, team drivers can usually earn more money. Despite their pay being split between the two drivers, team drivers can run significantly more miles than they ever could by themselves.
According to Glen, “Solo drivers have to shut down at least 10 hours every day. As a team, we can run around the clock.” On average, driving teams log anywhere from 4,500 miles to 5,000 miles per week. Solo drivers, on the other hand, log on average between 2,400 and 2,800 miles per week.
2. Team Drivers See More Priority Loads
Team drivers can also see more priority loads. If freight needs to get somewhere fast, teams are typically considered before solo drivers.
3. You’re Not Alone
It’s fun to travel with someone else. It’s also comforting to know that someone has your back out on the road. For spouses and friends, team driving gives you more opportunities to spend time together.
“When you’ve got downtime, you’ve got somebody to talk to. You don’t have to worry about finding something to do. You’ve got somebody around all the time,” says Glen.
4. It’s More Efficient & Secure
Team truck driving can also be more efficient and secure than solo driving. One person can watch the truck while the other grabs food or a shower. Your truck and freight never have to be left unattended.
Drawbacks of driving as a team
There are some drawbacks to team driving. While it’s enjoyable to travel with someone else, driving as a team means you’ll never be alone. You won’t have the cab to yourself, and you won’t have complete control over when you run. Breaks and sleeping schedules must be planned with the other driver.
1. You Won’t Be Alone
While it’s enjoyable to travel with someone else, driving as a team means you’ll never be alone. For some, alone time is a highly-valuable commodity they need to live a healthy and happy life. As a result, team driving might not be the best solution for everyone.
2. You Don’t Have Complete Control
You won’t have the cab to yourself, and you won’t have complete control over when you run. Breaks and sleeping schedules must be planned with the other driver.
HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT PERSON TO TEAM UP WITH
Finding the right person to drive with is important. On the road, it can be hard to find a place to cool off and take a break from each other. If you’re not teaming up with a partner or friend, you’ll want to find someone who shares your core values and communicates well with you.
“You have to drive team with someone you can get along with. Conflicting personalities don’t work very well in these situations,” says Glen.
You should learn about the other person’s “philosophy on life” before agreeing to drive with them, Glen advises. The person’s reasons for driving, perspective on the world, and personality can affect your ability to get along when it counts.
Prime driver matching
Prime matches new drivers in the Prime Training Program with an instructor or trainer based on a matching program which utilizes a person’s core values.
Prime has seen increased success from this newer program created in partnership with StayMetrics and Twegos. Many times, a new driver will match up with a trainer that they determine would make a good long-term team driver, and they stick together even after the training is completed.
Outside of the matching program, many drivers find potential co-drivers while spending time at Prime’s terminals or through communicating on social media in various driver groups. If you are interested in teaming, you can also reach out to your Fleet Manager to have them help you find a driver to join you.
At Prime, we want to support you and your career. That’s why we help you team up with someone you feel confident you can work with.
Are you looking for team driving jobs?
Apply at Prime today to start your career in trucking.
