4 min read
Paperwork Comes First
Orientation usually starts with identity documents, license verification, medical card review, employment history, payroll forms, and policy acknowledgments. Bring clean documentation so small issues do not slow down your start.
Safety and Compliance Review
Expect safety policies, drug and alcohol program rules, hours-of-service expectations, accident reporting, cargo procedures, and company communication standards. This is where the company explains how it wants freight handled.
Equipment and Technology
Drivers may review the truck, ELD, camera policy, inspection process, fuel program, and maintenance steps. Ask questions before the first load. It is easier to fix confusion in orientation than on the shoulder.
First Dispatch Sets the Tone
A good first dispatch should match what recruiting described. If the company promised regional Midwest work and weekend home time, the early loads should start showing that operating pattern.