How to be a healthy truck driver

As a truck driver, you are used to travelling long distances and working anti-social hours which can often mean added expenses. But how do you save money as a truck driver? Tracking your expenses and managing your money can be difficult, but we’ve put together some handy tips to help you budget. Taking the time to prepare for the journey can save you money and give you peace of mind. • Supplies: Work out what items you will need to ensure you don’t have to fork out on expensive items whilst on the road. • Food: Preparing your food may be a simple trick but an effective one when it comes to saving the pennies. Eating out is often expensive and sometimes unhealthy, try making your meals in your cab. Having a microwave and fridge in your cab will make meal-prepping that much easier. Check out our tips for staying . • Journey planning: Planning the most efficient route can save you money on fuel and unexpected toll charges. Knowing where you will be stationed for the night and booking in advance can make your journey more cost-effective. Download our to find truck parking near your transit route. The hardest but the most effective tip. Create a monthly or weekly budget that you can stick to and keep track of your expenses. There are many ways to set out your budget, you could write your expenses in a monthly calendar, jot them down in a notebook, or use an app to assist you. has an extensive list of apps that can help. Investing in an inverter will give you the ability to run small appliances. Having a fridge to keep items fresh, an electric griddle for cooking, and a coffee machine to make your cup of joe just how you like it will stop you from spending a fortune. Say goodbye to expensive fast food and hello to home-cooked meals for half the price. A cost that you can’t avoid. However, there are many ways that you can save on it: • Tyre pressure: Underinflated tyres will reduce your fuel economy, so it’s important to regularly check them. • Reduce idling: Stop the engine if you know you’re going to be stationary for a while. An hour of idling can burn roughly a gallon of fuel. • Use cruise control: Cruise control can reduce unnecessary acceleration and deceleration. • Drive in a higher gear: This will maximise fuel efficiency as travelling at high speeds in lower gears can consume 45% more fuel. • Air conditioning: It can increase your fuel consumption by up to 0.4 miles per gallon. If possible, travel with the window open before resorting to air con. In addition to these tips, offers a sustainable, transparent pricing structure and discounted rates at our partner company, Certas Energy’s refuelling locations. Some employers will offer their drivers reward programmes to assist them with saving money. Items such as a discount on food, drink, showers, and cleaning facilities can all help with saving. Additionally, if you are a SNAP customer, we’re able to offer you food vouchers at participating truck stops. Whether it’s getting in touch with family via video call or streaming your favourite shows, having the option to hook up to the WiFi can save you a substantial amount. Solely using your phone’s data can get expensive and can leave you with an unexpectedly high bill. Most truck stops will offer WiFi for drivers, and you can always find out which truck stops offer this on our page. This is often down to the individual, as with any job you will have aspects you find difficult that others wouldn’t. Long hours, time spent away from loved ones, and a sedentary lifestyle can make the job tough. On top of this, you will have to deal with external difficulties such as road congestion, tight scheduling and sometimes working overtime. However, it’s not all doom and gloom, many truck drivers have a lot of work opportunities, independence, flexibility, and the chance to travel abroad. As stated above, there can certainly be some downsides to life on the road. Truck driving is certainly not for everyone, but those who do end up in the role benefit from a few perks: • Job stability – The current shortage of drivers means that you will have no trouble finding and keeping a job. • Pay – A career in truck driving can offer good pay and additional benefits. • Travel – If you don’t like to be confined to a single place every day then getting to travel around parts of the UK and Europe is a huge benefit. In addition to some of these perks, you will find a lot of truck drivers wouldn’t trade their life behind the wheel for a 9-5 office job. There are quite a few steps to become an HGV driver and the cost can vary depending on who you take your tests with. We’ve broken it down for you in a few easy steps. Before you can obtain your Class 2, you will need to have a full car licence, be over 18, and have a provisional HGV licence. Your provisional HGV licence will consist of two forms, a D2 (This is free) and a D4. A D4 form is your medical and the cost can vary between £50-£120. There are four parts to obtaining your HGV licence, and the cost of each can vary. According to the website, gaining your HGV licence will cost roughly £304. However, this cost may fluctuate if you book using an unofficial website. On top these fees, you need to pay for lessons which can cost up to £1,390. Once passed, you will have your HGV Class 2 (C Class) licence and can drive a rigid. To drive commercially you will need to get your tacho card which will set you back £32. This will need to be renewed every five years and will cost £15. To become a Class 1 driver you need to take one more test. A Class 1 licence will qualify you to drive a truck over 3,500kg with a trailer of over 750kg. This will cost £115. Overall, qualifying as a Class 1 HGV driver can set you back just under £2,000. However, it’s important to state that once you have obtained your licence, you will be on a decent salary, have job stability, get to travel and gain a sense of community within the trucking world. Budgeting as a truck driver can be challenging but is essential if you want to manage your finances. Keeping track of your expenses, setting a budget, and sticking to it will help you save money. The above tips will give you a great starting point in encouraging you to get into healthier financial habits. How do you save money when you’re out on the road? Share your tips and tricks with us at SNAP.

The average truck driver spends roughly 12 hours behind the wheel every day. Endless time on the open road may sound appealing, however, the reality is a stark contrast. Countless petrol stations, rest areas, and long hours can become tedious. Truckers often spend their downtime away from home and preventing boredom can be challenging. Convoy's recent survey suggested boredom was one of truckers’ top challenges. What effect is boredom having on driver well-being? And how can truckers stay entertained? Fatigue, isolation, loneliness, and a lack of mental stimulation are common concerns for drivers. Some drivers may tackle these concerns with unhealthy coping mechanisms such as overeating, smoking, or excessive caffeine consumption. Over time, these habits can negatively impact mental health. However, as talk surrounding mental health improves, more and more drivers are taking a different route to combat this. We asked truck drivers on Facebook what they do when boredom kicks in. “Audiobooks, mainly psychology. Music, chatting with loved ones, or listening to the radio. Or I turn everything off and have a peaceful existence with my own thoughts,” says Nigel. Others have mentioned how talking with loved ones over the phone has helped. Ashleigh states: “Talking to my friends in a group chat. Honestly, if I didn’t have them, I’d have quit a long time ago. The road throws up some rubbish and without talking to really good friends I’d never have survived.” Likewise, Karl believes a “group chat with friends is a must.” Contrary to popular belief, trucking is a physical endeavour drivers need coordination and concentration to avoid accidents. Despite this, being behind the wheel for extended periods can cause fatigue. The risk of getting complacent on the job can occur, especially if a driver knows their route well. How can drivers deal with complacency behind the wheel? Whether it’s listening to a podcast or a catchy tune, drivers must choose something that keeps their mind alert. We’ve compiled a list of things to prevent boredom behind the wheel. • Podcasts: Truck driver Marty listens to “dozens of podcasts” whilst driving. Podcasts are an excellent way to change things up and learn something new. Check out this • Music: “Music, music, and music” is Richard’s boredom buster. Whether it’s listening to the radio or singing along to a playlist, music is an excellent way to keep the mind alert • Take a break: Although drivers have strict deadlines and tachograph regulations, getting out of the cab when boredom kicks in helps the mind refocus. Truckers face additional challenges to entertain themselves after their shift. Taking a proactive approach to preventing boredom during this time is imperative. We’ve compiled a list of ways to pass the hours. • Location: Truck stops that offer a vast range of facilities and a communal feel are an excellent way to alleviate boredom. Some act as a social hub where truckers can share similar experiences. Head over to our to see what facilities our SNAP service partners offer • Exercising: Taking a daily walk or getting creative with your workouts can prevent boredom and ensure you stay fit and healthy. Check out our tips for • Streaming services: Catch up on the latest TV show or scroll through social media. Truck driver Steve likes to “scroll and comment on Facebook and watch Netflix” to pass the time • Hobbies: The opportunities are endless. Learning an instrument, learning a foreign language, drawing, writing, and more. Picking up a hobby is an effective way to prevent boredom • Cooking: Cooking meals in the cab has many benefits. Not only does it prevent boredom, but it saves money and is healthier • Stay connected with loved ones: A trucker’s downtime provides the perfect opportunity to contact those closest to them. Video calls are an effective way to feel closer to family and friends • Relax: Truckers can face stressful situations. Relaxing fully after a shift can improve driver well-being. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises and meditation reduce stress. Although some drivers enjoy the solitude and independence the open road offers, combating boredom is still a challenge for many. Due to the nature of the job, truckers often experience long periods of boredom. However, to improve well-being, job satisfaction, and road safety, they must find ways to alleviate it. Whether it’s focusing on the task at hand, listening to the radio, or chatting with friends and family, most truckers can find a solution that works for them. Most drivers sleep in their cabs since they are well-equipped for a comfortable night’s sleep. A basic sleeper cab includes a bed, storage, lights, and electrical outlets – making it a home away from home. Due to the current European parking shortage, many drivers park in laybys. Doing so is deemed unsafe and leaves a driver vulnerable to theft. From November 2017, HGV drivers in the UK must take regular weekly rest breaks in proper rest areas (like service areas and truck stops). scheme allows fleets to offer their truck parking spaces to the network, alleviating the shortage and helping drivers avoid vulnerable situations. In addition, SNAP provides over 450 service partners across Europe for drivers to park at. Head over to our to learn more. If you’ve ever driven down a main road at night, you may have noticed trucks parked with their trailer doors open. A lot of drivers do this to deter thieves, the assumption being that if the trailer door is open there is nothing to steal. This is predominantly done on curtain-side trailers as it prevents thieves from slashing the curtain to see what’s inside.

As a truck driver, you spend long hours on the road which can often be tiring and monotonous, so naturally, you would want your environment, the area where you’re stationed for the longest, to feel like a second home. Therefore, many drivers tend to customise and decorate their cabs, but what are the best ways to get your sleeper cab setup feeling like a home away from home? We’ve compiled five top tips to assist you along the way. One of the best ways to personalise your cab is to add decorations that remind you of home. Decorations also allow you to add style and colour. • Bedding and pillows – Add a personal touch to your bedding and pillows by picking some that have a colour or a pattern you like. This can make your cab feel a bit more cosy and less stagnant. • Seat covers – Seat covers often come in different colours, patterns, and materials that will bring some life to your cab. Not only will these make the cab feel more inviting, but they will also protect the interior from wear and tear, dirt, and spills. tends to have a large selection of colours available. • Rugs, curtains, and shades – Picking out some rugs and curtains can transform the interior of your cab. The curtains will not only add an aesthetically pleasing value, but they will also assist you in getting a decent night’s kip. • Photos, posters, and artwork – These items don’t take up a lot of room in your cab and can make it instantly feel like home. Use command hooks for damage-free installation. • Entertainment: At the end of your driving day, relax as you would at home by watching TV, a DVD, or streaming something on your laptop. You will need WiFi before streaming, be sure to check out our to find out what stops offer this service.Alternatively, create a smartphone hotspot that will use your phone’s data for streaming. Books and magazines are another great way to keep you entertained after a long day of driving. Sometimes, a simple video call to friends or family can relax you and make you feel at home. You spend a lot of time in the cab so it’s important not to compromise on your comfort. Why not invest in the following: • Mattress topper – Getting a decent night’s sleep is crucial for your safety and the safety of others. Investing in a good mattress topper will ensure you have a comfortable area to sleep in. • Ergonomic driver seat – The majority of your time will be spent in the driver’s seat so it’s important to ensure that this is as comfortable and supportive as possible. Invest in an ergonomic driver’s seat or cushion that will support your back during those long hours. • Extra pillows and blankets – As stated above, buying bedding and cushions in a colour or a pattern you like can make your cab feel like more of a home. Consider purchasing extra pillows and blankets to add an even more personal touch to the cab, and maximum comfort. Adding a mini-fridge or a microwave to your cab can allow you to prepare food as you would at home, so you won’t have to rely on truck stops and eating out. We suggest thinking about what items you would need in this area, for example, if you’re a coffee drinker, try sourcing a small coffee machine. Using your kitchen area and appliances will not only stop you from spending a fortune on eating out but will also affect your general health for the better. Living in a small space can get quite messy very quickly. Investing time and effort to get a regular cleaning routine can do wonders for your mental health and enable you to work more efficiently and effectively. Ensuring you have dedicated areas for your items will assist with this and have some excellent tips on keeping everything organized. Boredom not only impacts job satisfaction, but it can also affect job safety. There are many ways that truck drivers can stay entertained while out on the road. • Music and podcasts: Music is a great way to keep drivers entertained during long drives. Creating a playlist of favourite songs to listen to can instantly reduce boredom. Podcasts are a great way of switching things up, many out there can offer advice, assist in learning a new skill, or simply entertain. • Stretching your legs: Stopping and getting out of the cab to stretch the legs can instantly banish boredom. Regular stops can also boost your energy. Since the 1st of November, HGV drivers in the UK who take regular weekly breaks in cabs must now take them in proper rest areas. Due to there being few of these, some drivers have been taking their rest in laybys which are often unsafe. Therefore, finding a safe, secure, and quiet place to park up for a good night’s kip or rest is vital. Using our intruck app or heading over to our can enable you to find a truck park near you and browse what facilities are on offer. Whilst there are many perks to being a truck driver, one of the downsides of the industry can be loneliness. It can be a problem for many drivers who are left feeling isolated by the nature of their job. Making plans to stay in touch with friends and family can give drivers a boost when out on the road. Trucking Forums, Facebook groups, and chat rooms are great if you’re looking to become part of the trucking community. has some fantastic tips to assist you with combating loneliness as a trucker on the road. Making your lorry cab feel like home requires a bit of effort and creativity but the benefits of doing so will make your long journeys that much easier. It’s important to remember that small touches can make a big difference to your living space and using the above tips will enable you to make it comfortable and welcoming. How do you make your cab feel like a home away from home?