In terms of trucking, choosing team or solo driving is among the most critical decisions drivers and trucking companies face. While both options each have their strengths and weaknesses, the choice may vary according to work style, income aspirations, as well as lifestyle preferences. In this article, we’ll discuss how team driving is distinct from solo driving, thus enabling you to choose which is best for you.
- What is Team Driving?
In team driving, two drivers drive and share a single truck by taking turns thereby increasing the driving time. One driver drives while expecting one to nap hence the requirement for breaks is minimized.
Key Features:
Shift Rotation: One or more Drivers Drive the vehicle for a short period and will switch to allow another Driver behind the wheel. Rotations usually happen in 8-12 hour intervals.
24/7 Operation: Since one driver hurries up and rests while another is hurrying up to drive, then the head of the truck can almost work round the clock.
Shared Income: It is common for the drivers of the team to earn a calculated percentage from every load which normally adds up to more than what a solo driver earns.
- Benefits of Team Driving
People interested in conducting long hauls and earning a lot of money should really consider the option of team driving. Some of the highlights include the following:
a) Increased Mileage and Quicker Deliveries
When there are two drivers taking the shifts of operating the truck, it is easy for a truck to drive a longer distance in a period within a single day compared to a single driver who is restricted by rest times. This may result in:
Increased Income: Since the distance driven in a truck is always compensated in terms of money. Team drivers can, in most cases, pull more loads over a period hence earning more.
Faster Turnarounds: Faster speeds when it comes to delivering freight benefit both shipper and carrier hence team drivers are most suited for long haul or rush dispatches.
b) Distributed Effort
It is common knowledge that driving for extended periods takes a toll on the body as well as the mind. In a team driving situation:
Curtailment of Single Drivers: The load of driving as well as organizing of the trip cuts down to two people.
Administrative Relief: The co-driver’s role assists in several aspects like decision making, routing and addressing distractions while driving.
c) Less Idle Time
In team driving the amount of dowtime is drastically less than that of solo drivers. It is possible this implies much less time is wasted on trucks being off the road, giving rise to:
Good Use of the Truck: In right estimating the delivery time, the assistance of a team driver on board is so gratefully utilized that there is no need to procure more vehicles for the fleet.
Better Chances of Getting High-Paying Loads: Team drivers have more distance they are able to cover which means they can be given loads that are more important and need to be done faster since they pay more.
- How Difficult is Team Driving?
Team driving has its merits but is not for all members of the team. Here are some of the issues that may be experienced:
a) Working and Living in Close Contact with Others
Sharing a living area with one other person for long when conducting team driving can have its challenges considering:
Attitude Problems: Problems come up when one of the co-drivers has a different driving style, or if one is a neat freak while the other does not clean the truck.
Lack of Personal Space: Complete sharing of all activities related to a truck, including the sleeping and idle hours can be excessive and overly demanding hence leading to team driving frustrations.
b) Shared Earnings
While team drivers have the advantage of covering more distance, their earnings in most cases are one half of the total amount in what is referred to as a split. Therefore,
Pay Per Driver: There is probably more money in total, splitting the total amount may make an individual driver’s earnings to be comparable to that of an average solo driver even on shorter runs.
Unbalance in Earnings: Where one of the partners is more willing to accept harder shifts, such as driving during the night, this can also spark disagreements on the distribution of earnings.
c) Sleep Deprivation
Ultimately, these team drivers are required to adapt to the fact that because the truck is always ‘on the go’, sleeping patterns must be adjusted to sleeping in a moving vehicle which:
Maintains a Fragile Attention: It is often the case that not all individuals can sleep comfortably in a moving truck leading them to exhaustion.
Bothers the Recovery Phase: Nights off, especially from the second shift cannot be anticipated because the shifts are not evenly distributed nor are they constant.
- What is Solo Driving?
As the name implies solo, it means driving alone. A solo driver will take charge of the trucking operations without a co driver. It follows that on HOS (hours of service) rules, these drivers are completely responsible for their loads, driving durations and stopping times relating to the Department of Transportation.
Key Features:
Freedom: A solo driver’s schedule, routes and all other decision makings are in his or her control.
Mandatory Breaks: Solo drivers have provisions for breaks in between trips according to the regulation on hos provisions which includes an eleven hour driving limit and ten hours of rest.
- Rewards of Solo Driving
Most truck drivers prefer solo driving as it allows for more autonomy and control. Here are some noteworthy benefits of Solo driving:
a) Decisions without a Partner
When driving alone, truck drivers can independently choose their own routes and where to stop for breaks, without any need to ask or coordinate with a partner.
Drivers Working at Their Own Leisure: The drivers have control over what time of day they wish to drive, what time they wish to stop driving and for how long they make work during the day.
No Scheduling Conflict: One does not have to adjust to the timetables or styles of the person that they are driving with.
b) More Space Allowing Stability & Peace and Quiet
For those drivers who require some down time, solo driving can give room to some relaxation from the road with no one else around.
Comfort in the Cab: Solos have the liberty to arrange and design the cabin to their preferred level of comfort without sharing the space with anyone.
Sleeping in a Stationary Truck: Because the soloists drive and park themselves at night, they do not have the problem of sleeping in a moving how to find getting good rest hours.
c) Increased Revenue for Each Load
Team drivers split their earnings which is not the case with solo drivers. Solo drivers get 100% pay of the loads they haul and never share their earnings.
Direct Income: All earnings here directly go to the solo driver requiring little or no team driving, this aspect can be beneficial on short routes or loads.
Higher Pay for Specialized Loads: When driving solo, drivers often take specialized loads (e.g. hazmats) that usually pay more.
- Benefits of Solo Driving
Even if solitary driving is associated with independence and flexibility, there are certain downsides as well:
a) Limited Mileage
Team drivers are less concerned about incest regulations since they must always continue driving hence they do more mileage. For solo drivers, this is a limiting factor because even when they want to drive more, they are forced to stop because of the regulations.
Fewer Miles: Solo drivers have what are known as HOS regulations restrict the number of driving hours any solo driver within a day can remain active.
Slower Deliveries: As opposed to team driving, where the drivers take turns and covering larger ground is easier, it becomes harder to do so if delivering within a solo driver arrangement.
b) Loneliness and Isolation
In a way, hex post remarks very important that when the assignments are solitary, it can turn out that the work becomes very lonely as the professional will be on the wheels for a long time and is hardly ever in the company of other people.
Long Hours Alone: Although many solo drivers are comfortable with long stints without any company, not many people can. This is emotionally straining especially when a driver you know is constantly away being that solitary.
No Help at All: Solo driving means that every issue regarding the journey including things like navigating or resolving issues will have to be done by the driver as such a sitter is absent.
c) More Count Of Business Risks In Rush Hour Traffic
Solo drivers have to ensure truck management, route planning as well as the driving and this sometimes wearisome task has also to be performed.
Utter Responsibility: Solo drivers do everything including routing and even taking care of the truck, which is additional headache and workload on drivers.
Fatigue Management: Because of the nature of their operation, solo drivers need to be careful of fatigue and HOS to eliminate tiredness.
- Which Is, in Your Opinion Healthier: team driving or solo?
The driving approach adopted by a driver will depend on their personal choices and what they hope to achieve in their careers in the long run. ODT is best aimed for drivers who make sure to get more miles and earnings especially while on long distance loads. It benefits also the drivers who like sharing the workload with another driver and aren’t bothered by constant motion of the truck.
Solo on the other hand is ideal for people who would want personal time thus autonomy over their office and time. This is quite fairly for drivers who are comfortable with a low pace and are okay being all out for a long time.
There are advantages and disadvantages in both team driving and solo driving. Team driving allows for more miles and quicker turnaround times but requires sharing working area and income. On the other hand, a solo driver enjoys a little more freedom and privacy but can be lonely and doesn’t yield a lot of miles. At the end of the day, it is up to the individual to determine what they wish to emphasize in the trucking profession. Take into account your individual working style, income goals, and way of life to decide whether you prefer team or solo driving.