A truck driver’s guide to budgeting

takes place from the 23rd to the 29th of September, and as a truck driver, maintaining good vision is crucial to your job. Optical Express reported that road crashes involving drivers with poor vision accounted for roughly yearly casualties.Truck driving is a physically demanding role, but it is just as demanding visually requiring constant vigilance and the ability to quickly identify or react to changing road conditions. Poor vision can affect a driver's ability to judge distances, read signs, and detect other vehicles, reducing safety for the driver and other road users.Drivers must complete a t when applying for an HGV licence this occurs every five years after 45 and every year after the age of 65. As part of the medical, truck drivers must have a vision examination by a doctor, optician, or optometrist.To pass the examination, drivers require visual acuity of at least 0.8 (6/7.5) on the Snellen scale in their best eye and at least 0.1 (6/60) in the other.Group 2 HGV drivers need a horizontal visual field of at least 160 degrees with an extension of at least 70 degrees left and right and 30 degrees up and down. No defects should be present within a radius of the central 30 degrees.After 45 years old, drivers must complete their D4 Medical Assessment every five years and every year after 65. However, opticians recommend that every road user has an eye test at least every two years.If a driver experiences the following, they should get their eyes tested immediately:• Headaches• Eyestrain• Pressure behind the eyes• Double vision• Difficulty seeing during the night• Halos around lights.Under the law, employers must ensure their employees are fit to drive this could cover several things, but eyesight is one of them. Employers should test their driver's eyesight every six months by carrying out a number plate sight check 20 metres away.If an HGV driver requires glasses or contact lenses to reach the minimum vision requirement, they can't have a spectacle power greater than eightdioptres. For contact lenses, there is no restriction on contact lens power.The recommends the following to maintain good eye health:• Eat a well-balanced diet with foods that help your vision.• Exercise regularly to prevent diabetes and other conditions that can lead to vision problems.• Inform an optician if you notice any changes.• Wash your hands before putting them near your eyes or if you're handling contact lenses.• Protect your eyes when performing tasks that could damage them.• Wear sunglasses that block 99% or 100% of UVA and UVB radiation.• Follow the 20-20-20 rule every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.• Try not to smoke smoking is just as harmful to your eyes as it is to your body.The visual standards HGV drivers must meet are higher than those of other road users. In the UK, drivers must have a visual acuity of at least 0.5 (6/12) on the Snellen scale. In addition, drivers must be able to read a car number plate made after the 1st of September 2001 from 20 metres.The UK law on vision and driving falls below many European countries.By a number plate self-test from 20 metres. A visual acuity/visual field test is mandatory in other European countries.A driving test examiner performs the test in the UK, Cyprus, The Netherlands, and Norway. Several European countries require an Optometrist/Ophthalmologist/Doctor to carry out the test.• The UK, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, and Sweden require no further visual tests.• Algeria, Estonia, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Spain, and Turkey require a visual assessment every ten years.• Algeria, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, and Turkey require visual tests from 65 or younger.It's vital to inform the DVLA if you have any of the following eye conditions:• Blepharospasm• Cataracts• Diabetic retinopathy• Glaucoma• Eye loss• Macular degeneration• Monocular vision• Nyctalopia• Retinitis pigmentosa• Visual field defect.Drivers need to meet the following standards:• Can read a number plate 20 metres away• No double vision• Have a regular field of vision in at least one eye.If a driver is unsure whether they meet the visual standards for driving, they must get advice from a GP, optician, or eye specialist. of the information a driver receives comes from vision with most maneuvers made based on a sense of sight. Vision cannot be substituted or supplemented and is the most important physical factor behind the wheel.

As a demanding profession, truck driving frequently involves long hours, a sedentary lifestyle, and extended periods away from home which can often take its toll on the health of many drivers. Unhealthy habits such as the consumption of fast food, lack of physical activity, and disruptive sleeping patterns can all lead to potential health complications in the future. But how do you stay fit as a truck driver? It is easier said than done but we've compiled a list of tips to help keep you at your peak whilst on the road. A simple tip and a commodity that we often take for granted, however, most health issues occur from dehydration. Regular sips of water or squash throughout the day will expel metabolic waste and toxins from your system and keep you more energized and alert. Keeping a refillable water bottle with you will not only remind you to stay hydrated but is better for the environment as well. The temptation of fast food after a long day is something that we can all relate to, however, just like keeping hydrated, your diet plays a significant role in your health as well as how you will end up feeling throughout the day. It is recommended that truck drivers eat three to four times a day, either two meals and two snacks or two meals and one snack. Try to maintain a meal and snack plan that is high in omega-3, iron, and vitamin C, such as green leafy vegetables, fish, and fruits. Avoid frequently consuming food and drink like pasta, bread, sweet drinks, and stimulants such as coffee and energy drinks. Check out our list of healthy snacks to keep in your cab:• Granola bars • Energy bars • Popcorn • Nuts • Dried fruit • Dark chocolate In addition to purchasing healthy food whilst out on the road, it can sometimes be healthier and more cost-effective to meal prep. has a fantastic selection of recipes to help you maintain a healthy diet whilst on the job. Due to the job's nature, getting enough sleep can be difficult for a truck driver and can lead to devastating results for everyone on the road. Simple tips and tricks such as the following could assist you with a decent night's kip: • Create an environment in the cab that feels like home. Check out our post about how to make your lorry cab a home • Keep your sleep area dark • A hot shower: Use our page to find out which truck stops offer this facility • Try out some Apps to assist you with sleeping • Find the ideal spot to park with little noise and disruption. Our intruck app provides 5,000 HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) locations across Europe for you to choose from whilst our team can provide bespoke security solutions enabling you to get a better night’s sleep knowing that you and your truck are safe. One of the hardest tips to follow whilst out on the road but an important one, nonetheless. Long hours of sitting throughout the day can lead to poor posture, back pain, and potential health complications. After a long day behind the wheel, it may be tempting to sit and relax, however, a quick 15 minutes of activity like walking or stretching can make you feel rejuvenated and less stressed. has some useful exercises tailored for truck drivers if you are looking to incorporate several types of physical exercise into your routine. Being out on the road full-time can make it difficult to get all your necessary vitamins. Taking a multivitamin each day can boost your immune system and help you stay healthy. We know that looking after your physical health on the road is important but how much time do truck drivers take to look after their mental health? The mental health charity Mind released statistics revealing that 30% of self-reported work-related illnesses in the transport and logistics industry are due to anxiety, loneliness, stress, and depression. They also implied that this number could be higher as most people do not seek the help they require. In addition to this, 95% of people off sick will not give the real reason for their absence from work if it is regarding their mental health. Following the above tips and tricks can have a knock-on, positive, effect on your mental health. Furthermore, it is important to have open and honest conversations with other truck drivers, supervisors, or dispatchers. Not only does a healthy lifestyle lead to better mental health but evidence suggests that it can also make you a better driver. A study showed that drivers who were asked to exercise daily reported greater ease in turning their heads were able to rotate their bodies further and were able to get into their cars more rapidly. Long hours appear to be one of the hardest aspects of truck driving. Truckers are often faced with long miles to cover and antisocial hours. These long miles and antisocial hours can lead to an unhealthy lifestyle. Due to the lifestyle of many truck drivers, on average, they are statistically more likely to have health problems compared to people in other careers. Truckers are often faced with a few obstacles such as cramped working spaces, stressful situations, unusual sleeping patterns, and lack of nutritional food that all have an influence on their health.Maintaining a healthy lifestyle as a truck driver requires a conscious effort but the benefits of doing so are well worth it overall. The above tips will enable you to take control of your health and improve your well-being. Keep an eye out for more tips and tricks from 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.