Congratulations on getting scheduled. You're at the stage where a little preparation makes everything that follows go smoothly. This guide covers exactly what to bring, what to expect if this is a 1099 position, and a few things that'll help you actually thrive out here — not just survive.
The Documents to Bring
Showing up with the right paperwork is the single biggest thing that keeps orientation moving. Bring the originals, not photocopies:
- Your CDL with any endorsements
- Your DOT medical card
- Your Social Security card
- A second form of ID (passport or birth certificate)
- A voided check or bank info for direct deposit
- Anything your recruiter specifically asked you to bring
If you're missing something, tell us before orientation day — not the morning of. We can almost always sort it out in advance.
If This Is a 1099 Position — Read This
Some positions are structured as 1099 rather than W-2. If yours is, the company may require you to operate under an LLC or a corporation, and they'll pay your business rather than you personally. This trips up a lot of drivers who hear "you need an LLC" and assume it's some complicated, expensive, drawn-out process.
It isn't. Opening an LLC or corporation is straightforward — in most states it takes just a couple of days and a small filing fee. You'll get an EIN (a tax ID for your business), open a business bank account, and you're set. That business bank account is where the voided check comes from.
Here's the important part: if your position requires this, we'll help you get it done. You don't have to figure it out alone or pay someone hundreds of dollars to handle something simple. Reach out to us, and we'll walk you through it so you're ready before your start date. It's a small step, it's quick, and it's worth understanding that it's not a barrier — it's just paperwork.
What to Pack for the Truck
Your cab is your home for stretches at a time. Pack smart, not heavy. Most company trucks already come equipped with an APU and power inverters, so you don't need to worry about bringing your own power setup — that's handled.
What you do want:
- A good mattress topper — your back will thank you
- Real food and snacks, not just whatever the truck stop is selling at midnight
- A phone mount and several charging cables
- Layered clothing for every climate you'll pass through
- A toiletry kit and shower shoes for truck stop showers
- A refillable water bottle (hydration is half the battle out here)
- A little cash for the few places that still need it
Don't overpack. You'll figure out what you actually use in the first two weeks and adjust.
Take Care of Yourself Out Here
This is the part most guides skip, and it's the part that determines whether you last six months or twenty years.
Move your body. You don't need a gym. Resistance bands and a 20-minute parking lot workout — squats, push-ups, lunges, a plank — done a few times a week keeps you strong. A brisk walk at every fuel stop does more than you'd think. And ten minutes of stretching before bed protects your lower back from the damage that hours of sitting does over time.
Take care of your mind too. OTR is a lot of time alone with your thoughts, and that's harder on people than they expect. A few minutes of meditation can genuinely reset a stressful day. The Calm app is a great place to start — guided sessions, sleep stories, and breathing exercises that fit perfectly into a reset or a dock wait. Staying mentally steady out here is just as important as staying physically healthy.
Eat with some intention. You don't have to be perfect. Aim for mostly-good — grilled over fried, real food in the cooler, water instead of a fourth energy drink. The 80/20 rule works fine. How you eat affects your energy, your sleep, and your DOT physical.
Stay open-minded and keep growing. The best drivers treat the road as time to build something, not just pass through. Learn new skills. Listen to podcasts and audiobooks. Pick up something that makes you better at this job — or better at your next move in it.
A Side Hustle That Pays: Refer Drivers and Earn
Here's something a lot of drivers don't think about: you're going to meet other drivers constantly. Truck stops, docks, fuel islands, orientation itself. Some of them are unhappy where they are. Some are looking. Some just got their CDL and don't know where to go.
That's money in your pocket if you want it.
OTR Express Group pays for driver referrals. When you meet a driver who's looking, send them our way at referrals.otrexpressgroup.com — it takes about a minute to submit their info, and you can track exactly where they are in the process the whole way through. When they get placed and start working, you get paid.
It's one of the easiest side hustles in trucking. You're already meeting these people. You might as well earn from the introductions. A few referrals a year is real extra cash for conversations you were going to have anyway.
Why You're in Good Hands
One last thing worth knowing as you head into this: OTR Express Group is known for two things that matter more than almost anything else out here — fast payments and great customer service. When you're running miles, the last thing you want to worry about is whether you'll get paid on time or whether anyone will pick up the phone when you have a question. That's exactly what we've built our reputation on. You run the miles; we make sure you're taken care of.
You're Ready
Show up early, show up rested, bring your documents, and walk in with a good attitude. You've already made the hard decision. Everything from here is just getting you on the road and earning.
Any questions before your start date — about the LLC setup, what to bring, or anything else — reach out anytime. That's what we're here for.
See you soon. — OTR Express Group | CDL-A OTR Driver Recruiting
