With autumn in full swing, we thought it might be time for a little light hearted fall fun. Being a professional driver is not for the feint of heart. There are a few things that only a truck driver would understand. Here are just a few of the things that only truck drivers can relate to.

You know all state license plates.
Not just the basic ones. All of them. Does Florida have another fish plate? Yep. Wait, there’s a Georgia University of Alabama license plate? Of course, there is. You know them all and you can point one out from three car lengths away. If they had a category for it on Jeopardy, you would win big.

You’re a snob for your favorite podcast and radio hosts.
Nobody better bother you during your favorite podcast! Maybe it’s local radio for you, whoever it is, they’re part of your routine and family. Every day you are spending more time with your favorite radio or podcast host than your family. You get notifications when they post a new one and you get irritated if they skip a week. And sometimes, just sometimes, you talk at them through the radio as if they can hear you.

You know every chain restaurant menu by heart.
You have the app on your phone, and you’re racking up rewards points one bite at a time. From McDonald's to Olive Garden takeout. You know what you like and how you like it. Whether it’s dressing on the side or an 8-count, every chain restaurant menu is locked and loaded at the back of your mind at all times.

You are an expert meteorologist.
You have all the weather apps on your phone and sometimes think you may have missed your calling as a meteorologist. Knowing what weather conditions are going to be like on the road is important for safety and you want to be prepared at all times. You know the exact minute the rain will hit.

You have clothes for every season with you.
Sure, it might be the springtime, but you never know when a freak snowstorm is going to hit New Jersey. You have a wardrobe fit for all weather conditions and you’re always prepared for sweltering humidity or frosty mornings. 

You’re the “MacGyver” of cooking.
Not feeling truck stop food? No worries at all, you already know how to make great meals with a few basic ingredients. You are a master chef in a cab. You probably even bring your trusty air fryer with you these days. Ask a fellow hauler what they have cookin’ up. You might just find a new recipe to add to your arsenal.  

Brake Safety Week 2022 is upon us. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced August 21 – 27 as the dates for this year's Brake Safety Week. Commercial motor vehicle safety inspectors prioritize vehicle and driver safety by conducting inspections every day. Checking brake systems is always part of the roadside inspection process, but during Brake Safety Week especially, enforcement officials will be paying extra attention. They will be looking closely at brake systems and system warning devices. 

Properly functioning brakes are crucial to safe commercial vehicle operation. "Poorly maintained brake systems can reduce the braking capacity and stopping distance of large trucks and motorcoaches, which poses a serious risk to driver and public safety," said the CVSA president, Capt. John Broers with the South Dakota Highway Patrol. "In those split-second emergency situations, the proper functionality of the brake systems on large commercial motor vehicles is crucial."

Drivers should always be inspecting their brake systems. The month of August is Brake Safety Awareness month, and throughout the month, the CVSA will be educating drivers, motor carriers, mechanics, and others about brake maintenance and operation. They need drivers to understand how important those parts are to your truck's mechanical fitness and safety.

According to CSVA, some of the top things inspectors will be looking at are:

For more information on Brake Safety Week, visit the CVSA website here https://www.cvsa.org/news/2022-bsw-dates/.

At Oakley, we are all about safety and making sure our drivers are happy. Each team member in our Oakley Family plays an essential role in keeping our equipment in tip-top shape, so we can safely keep moving America's food supply down the road. 

It has been an exciting couple of weeks here at Oakley Transport with some of our drivers training for, competing in, and bringing home trophies from the Florida Trucking Association (FTA) 2022 Florida Truck Driver Championships, hosted in Daytona Beach June 9 - 11. Each year, top drivers are selected by their respective companies to compete in this safety focused event. This year Oakley Transport drivers competed against drivers who work for companies such as FedEx, UPS, Landstar, Publix, and Florida Rock & Tank, just to name a few.

The competition, which occurs annually, attracted 230 of the top professional commercial CDL drivers in the state of Florida to showcase their safe driving skills, their knowledge of the industry, and compete for awards in multiple different categories. The event consists of a written test that is made up of 40 questions regarding FMCSA rules and regulations, a pre-trip inspection and a driving skills portion where the drivers have to maneuver through an obstacle course with a trailer in tow.

For the driving portion, there are numerous categories in which drivers can compete, including 3-axle, 4 axle, 5 axle, flatbed, sleeper, straight, tanker, twins, step van and auto transport. Our Oakley professionals competed in the Sleeper and Tanker Division this year and they did not disappoint! 

Oakley Transport professional drivers walked away from the 2022 Florida Truck Driver Championships with four prestigious awards.

Oakley professional driver Andy Barford received the award for FTA’s August 2022 Driver of the Month based on his safe professional driving record throughout his career. With Oakley since 2015, Andy has not only been an OTR driver, regional driver, mentor, and trainer, but he has been integral in helping start up some very important lanes of business for the company.

Professional driver Jose Ramos was selected as both the FTA February 2022 Driver of the Month as well as receiving the 2022 Driver of the Year Award. Jose has been with Oakley since 2009 and has driven OTR, regional, local and teams. He helps in the training of new driving professionals, using his natural sense of humor to relate to and calm the nerves of his trainees. Jose has a safe driving record spanning four decades and more than 4.5 miles!
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Meanwhile, one of the invaluable members of Oakley’s Safety & Compliance Team, Frank Silo was inducted into the FTA Hall of Fame.  Frank has worked with the FTA in various roles and as a committee member since 2007. He joined the ranks of the Oakley Safety department three years ago and has made a very positive impact on the driving and non-driving staff. When asked about the criteria for FTA Hall of Fame induction, Frank responded simply, “It’s the passion you convey. It’s not about me, it’s about the driver.”

The roles of these transportation professionals with our family have cultivated incredible customer relationships because of their proven track record for safe, on time deliveries. There is no question about how much they are valued here at Oakley Transport. 

The Florida Truck Driver Championship reminds us of how just lucky we are to have these incredible drivers as part of our Oakley family! We can’t wait to see what the 2023 Florida Truck Driver Championships have in store for us!

​Oakley Transport is serious about safety. Whether it’s making non-distracted driving a priority or just sharing the road with smaller vehicles, we want you to feel as prepared as possible. In this article, we will go over 5 easy tips to help you stay safe out there on the open road.
 
#1 STAY ALERT
To make sure you keep safety a priority, it is important not to let your attention to slip. Always keep an eye out for motorcycles, blind spots, merging lanes, and hazards such as construction zones, tailgaters and other vehicles weaving in and out of traffic. The combination of noticing trouble and knowing how to prevent hazards is a surefire way to keep you and your truck out of harm’s way.
 
#2 STAY WELL RESTED
When it comes to staying alert, it all boils down to sleep. Minimize drowsiness and driver fatigue. Maintain a regular meal schedule, eat healthy foods, and take a good break mid-shift to stretch and get out of your truck. And, of course, getting the proper amount of shut eye will help your body and mind stay active. Your eating, exercise and sleep habits while navigating your route are crucial for safety.
 
#3 STAY HYDRATED
As we approach the summer months drinking that extra bit of water can save you from headaches, fatigue and many other unpleasant symptoms that could knock you off your time schedule. Plain water isn’t the only way to stay hydrated. You can help your body by eating fruits that are high in water like watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries and peaches. Steer clear from drinks and food that are high in sugar, like soda and sugary coffee drinks. Your body will thank you later!
 
#4 LIMIT DISTRACTIONS
While cell phones are vitally important for everyday life, they can be deadly when used on the road. Make sure you invest in a handsfree set before leaving the terminal so you can keep your eyes on the road. Limiting distractions during your drive is the surest way to make sure you stay safe this summer.
 
#5 ALWAYS BE PREPARED
Unfortunately, no matter how alert or free of distractions you might be there is always a chance that something could not go as planned. Try your best to be as prepared as possible by planning out your day - from the time you leave the terminal to when you make it to your destination. Make sure to leave on time and to have everything with you that you will need for a trip. Another important tip, and one we encourage, is to ask questions! Don’t be afraid to not know the answer to something. It’s better to ask and receive the correct information than to be delayed or stuck because you are unsure. 
 
These tips might be simple, but that makes them no less serious. When you’re heading out on the road, try and keep these things in mind.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) annual International Roadcheck is just around the corner. The 72-hour enforcement event is set to take place Tuesday, May 17 through Thursday, May 19.

At Oakley, we are all about safety and making sure our drivers are happy. Each team member in our Oakley Family plays an important role in keeping our equipment in tip-top shape so we can keep moving and stay on the road. Oakley Transport Director of Safety, Kelly McDowell says, “Safe and efficient productivity is the name of the game in trucking.”, which is why we take the annual CVSA International Roadcheck very seriously.

This year, inspectors will pay close attention to wheel-end compliance, which includes the wheels, hubs and tires on a commercial motor vehicle. According to the CVSA, these violations historically account for one quarter of the vehicle out-of-service violations discovered during International Roadcheck.

In addition to wheel-end compliance, inspectors will be looking for any critical vehicle inspection item violations, such as coupling devices, tires, wheels, windshield wipers, and brake systems. Non-compliant vehicles will be placed out of service and those trucks will not be able to be legally be operated until the issues are corrected.

Inspectors will also be on the lookout for proper seat belt usage and visual signs of fatigue or drug/alcohol abuse or impairment. Drivers should make sure to get plenty of rest and to follow all of the rules of the road.

Some of the top things inspectors will be looking at during inspection of wheel-end compliance are:

For a complete list of 2022 Roadcheck Focus Area items, visit the CVSA website here https://www.cvsa.org/programs/international-roadcheck/focus-area/.

With this year’s Roadcheck just a month away, now is the time to prepare and ensure that we are all operating as compliantly as possible.

Keeping your cab clean and organized is always helpful, but limited space organization can be tough. With busy schedules, finite cabin space, and all the equipment a truck has, your truck can go from squeaky clean to a scattered mess in 0-60. We have six simple tips to help you keep your rig organized while you’re on the road.

1. Set up a Mobile Office
Accurate record-keeping means you need a space for a laptop or tablet and organized file folders. Oakley Transport’s fleet of Volvo VNL trucks offer working and living spaces optimized for comfortability and productivity. Our VNL trucks include a designated workspace in your bunk area. Utilize the built-in office space as a desk for your laptop or tablet and an accordion folder to keep all of your important papers in one space instead of scattered about the cab.

2. Keep your paperwork organized
A well-organized accordion folder in your truck is the perfect compact filing system for receipts, and other important documents that won’t send paperwork spilling out if it gets knocked over. Having all of your documents organized in one place not only keeps your cab tidy, but it can be helpful during roadside inspections, allowing you to have essential documents all in one convenient place to get you back on the road smoother and faster.

3. Extra Storage / Organization
Stackable mini crates or a collapsible car trunk organizer with multiple compartments are great ways to keep items from being shuffled around during a drive and will help you keep everything organized. Using crates that are less than a square foot, stackable, and securable will create a vertical storage option for your cab, while a soft collapsible car trunk organizer with separation barriers that create compartments for your storage needs can be collapsed and easily tucked away when not in use. You can store food, CDs, DVDs, clothing, books and anything else that needs a home inside your cab.

4. Wipe Everything Down
When you stop to fuel up or to take a break, take a minute to quickly wipe down the inside of your truck with a wet wipe. Keep wet wipes and other handy cleaning supplies in a seat back organizer. They hang from the back of your seat and do a great job of organizing items such as cleaning supplies, flashlights, gloves and tools. Seat-back organizers take up very little space in your cab.
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5. No Trash Left Behind
Don’t wait for every few days to clean out your trash. Every time you stop to fuel up, take a few more minutes to collect and get rid of any trash after you wipe down the inside of your truck. Make emptying your wastebasket a priority. We also recommend shaking out your floor mats to get rid of any dirt tracked in.  You’ll never have to worry about your trash bin getting full or a stale cab with littered, dirty floors.

6. Toolbox/Bag Organization
Nothing is more frustrating when you can’t find the tool you need. Don’t leave your tools scattered around your cab, keep your toolbox/bag fully stocked and put all tools back in their correct place. This will save you time and frustration when you need something. Depending on the size of the toolbox, you can keep it in one of your side storage compartment.

Implementing these six simple tips will save you time, get you organized, and keep your cab sparkling clean, helping you to really get your #OakleyShineOn!

Even OTR drivers need to receive the occasional package. Amazon is designed to make our lives easier with 1-click ordering available 24-hours a day, convenient order tracking, and free shipping. But where do you have your order shipped to when you’re not home for days or weeks at a time? If you haven’t heard about Amazon Hub Lockers yet, today is your lucky day!

Have you noticed Amazon lockers at truck stop locations such as Flying J, TA, Texaco, maybe even Nobles in Kentucky? Getting what you need delivered to a truck stop is a new Amazon Prime convenience. While it isn’t available at every truck stop yet, more and more are offering Amazon hub lockers as an amenity. Amazon has Hub Lockers in over 900 cities across the United States, so they are bound to have a Hub Locker located along your route.

There is no need to wait for home-time to order those extra toiletries, socks, work gloves or the newest lumbar support pillow. Amazon Hub Lockers are a fully automated, secure, and convenient delivery solution for Amazon Prime customers to pick up packages rather than have them delivered to their homes, and the process is simple. When choosing a delivery address at checkout, select “Search for a Pickup Point Location Near You” and ship to that address. When your package is ready Amazon will send you an email with the pick-up information. Collect your package within three days after delivery. If you get delayed or rerouted and can’t get to the locker, no worries. After the third day, Amazon will take the package back and issue you a full refund.

Click here to find an Amazon Hub Locker location along your route.

January is all about fresh starts. Here's to a new year of setting goals and making them happen, Oakley Family!

Simple everyday changes can make for a more productive and rewarding day in the cab. Check out our smart snacking suggestions inspired by the VA's Healthy Eating Tips for Truck Drivers. 

​We were so excited to share the winners of our annual Christmas Card Contest from the littlest members of the Oakley Family, showcasing their artistic talents.

This year, we decided to forego voting and awarded all artists with a $25 gift card for their submissions. Please take a moment to enjoy the beautiful and colorful executions from our contestants this year!

The littlest members of the Oakley Family really help us to remember what this season is all about- family, freedom, togetherness, and gratitude!

Entries:
​Scarlett Boswell- (Age 1) Granddaughter of Judy Sherry in our breakdown department
Sonny Josefik- (Age 6) Son of SAV terminal manager Jay Josefik
Wyatt Josefik- (Age 9) Son of SAV terminal manager Jay Josefik
Drake Rodriguez- (Age 10) Grandson of Driving Professional Daryl Selby, Truck 4149

Have you completed your active duty? Wondering what comes next after discharge from military? Use the skills you learned serving your country and transform them into a fulfilling and successful career at Oakley Transport.


Veterans are a vital part of the Oakley Family. The same hard work and dedication you learned in the military is great preparation for a career in the trucking industry. If you were a Motor Transport Operator, you’ve already got additional experience with large vehicles that puts you ahead of others.


Most military personnel are technically savvy, driven, and hard workers, and often have worked with heavy equipment. Even those who haven't worked with heavy equipment possess the grit and work ethic that many trucking companies are seeking in a Professional Driver. These are the qualities that allow veterans to promote more quickly through the company than most.


Michael DeLucia is a Veteran and Professional Driver at Oakley Transport. He got a new truck to take on his OTR routes in Iowa. Check out what he has to say about being a driver at Oakley:

​Oakley offers steady pay and great benefits. Most of our Professional Drivers earn on average $70,000 and more. As a Veteran, we offer potential drivers a military sign-on bonus paid out over 18 months from the date of hire.

You must provide one year of verifiable tractor-trailer experience and DD214 honorable discharge for the bonus.

Learn more about our Veteran benefits and driving opportunities at Oakley Transport now: ​https://www.oakleytransport.com/employment.html#openpositions