Crossing The Road For Greener Grass
There are are plenty of articles on How to Get Started in Trucking, but very few give you advice on how to quit a trucking job. Here are some tips on leaving your trucking job without hurting yourself in the process.
Although everyone knows the trucking industry is a little different than other industries (complete with its own lingo), resigning from a trucking company should be no different than any other American company. First, if you have just completed trucking school, and this is your first job, you really need to think about sticking it out for at least one year, and if the company has an "open door" policy and they say it is OK to quit at any time, you might better re-think leaving your rig on the side of the road.
The thing to remember is that even though a company (any company) is treating someone unfairly, there is still a right way and a wrong way to go about anything. If the company is going about something wrong, it shouldn't give justification for the employee to do something wrong as well.
If you are in the heat of the moment and think about just leaving the truck on the side of the road under dispatch, you can guarantee yourself that you will not get a job with another reputable company again.
Also, make sure you know how much notice you are supposed to give. The usual is two weeks, but your company may request only one week's notice. This part is a little tricky, but it all really depends on how things are going with your employer. If you and your employer don't have any on-going disputes, then you may want to think about giving a little extra notice. However, if the waters are a little hostile, the absolute minimum amount of time may be in order. Again, this really is all up to how you and your employer are getting along.
In addition, one thing many company truck drivers forget about is the condition of the truck upon leaving. Make sure you take pictures of your truck when they assign it to 
you. Go over it with an authorized member of the staff, pointing out items you find wrong with it - from body damage to scratches and cigarette burns. Make sure any damage gets written down on the inspection sheet and ask that a copy be made for you. Keep that copy in your home with your other important papers. Make sure to keep a copy of the truck pictures as well.
Then, do the same thing when you turn the truck back in to them. If there is any difference of opinion (fair wear & tear or actual damage), get it cleared up in writing BEFORE you leave their facility. This way, you should get your last paycheck.
Lastly, if you have given your notice and have another job waiting for you, make sure you last trip doesn't end on the other side of the USA. If it does, you better make sure you can get paid running back loaded or empty. If you don't have written verification of this, you may have to wait around for a load and miss the first day of your new job.
Starting off on the wrong foot with your new employer may have you reading this article all over again.