Achieving your goals as a same-household driving team
Because of a growing need for professional truck drivers to fill essential jobs, there’s never been a better time to explore team driving — especially for members of the same household. Many husbands and wives, committed partners, relatives, and friends who share their lives off the road are discovering exciting and high-paying career opportunities behind the wheel.
Is becoming a same-household driving team right for you? Here are some essential things to know.
Getting started
Beginning your journey as a same-household driving team is like becoming a solo driver. Members of the same household can become co-drivers if each holds a valid CDL-A. Many reputable companies recruit same-household teams as both company drivers and leased owner-operators. While some teams start with two new drivers, it’s common for the more experienced co-driver to guide the newbie through the early stages.
Discover all the options available to new and experienced professionals who drive for ArcBest.
Benefits of extending your partnership from home to truck
Once both members of a domestic partnership have earned their CDL, it allows them to drive as a team. And whether you’re changing careers or empty nesters planning your next chapter, driving together opens a world of possibilities. Here are some of the biggest reasons to choose this new path:
Join forces and earn more
Teams maximize efficiency by taking turns behind the wheel, covering more miles in less time and increasing their earning potential. Because you and your co-driver also partner outside the truck, those earnings may go into the same pot. That combined income — which could approach $200,000 annually, depending on how much you run — allows you to cover expenses and build your nest egg faster. It also provides more funds for fun!
Your services are in high demand
Supply chain constrictions have created an ongoing need for drivers. Same-household teams are desirable to top carriers because those teams have already established compatibility and share a strong bond, making them less likely to encounter conflicts that could impact their partnership and take them off the road. Their ability to communicate and work together also translates well to customer relations.
Travel the country together
Setting out on the open road and seeing America with your closest friend is something that many people have never experienced. As co-drivers, you can do that — and get paid well for it.
It’s easier to focus on safety
It’s easier for a close-knit team to ward off potential safety hazards. There’s also no need to multitask. A trusted co-driver frees the driver on duty to focus on the road while their partner can handle other tasks like navigation, repairs and paperwork.
Stay on track with a built-in accountability partner
Connected co-drivers are deeply invested in each other’s well-being. You’re willing and able to support developing and maintaining healthy habits like eating a balanced diet, regular exercise and adequate rest. These habits can improve your quality of life — physically and mentally — and boost job performance, which helps keep you moving and earning.
Invest in creating the future of your dreams
Whatever you want your future to look like, a career in team driving can help make it a reality. Have you always dreamed of traveling the country together? You could eventually trade the semi in for an RV and tour our national parks. Have you always dreamed about buying land and starting a small farm? The pay you can make as a team driver sets you up for this type of success.
Own a truck and put your team in control
If working for yourself sounds like something you would enjoy, we can help. Learn more about Panther® and Expediter Services (ES) — the team behind the teams seeking a no-hassle path to truck ownership. With our non-traditional lease purchase program, your team could own a truck in as little as three years with no money down and flexible financing options. Get started today!
