Trucking jobs can sometimes be dull and monotonous that will make you feel lonely and exhausted. However, you don't have to go through this alone because you can truck drive with your favorite pets. You can share every moment with them and prevent boredom.

Some things you need to be concerned about are getting the right pets and finding pet-friendly trucking companies that allow pets. This article will provide the details of everything you need to know about trucking with your pets.

Why Should You Keep A Pet While Trucking?

Maybe you're still wondering why you should keep a pet while trucking, consider the following reasons:

• Pets, such as dogs, are capable of relieving stress and motivating people to socialize
• Spending time with pets can be helpful in enhancing your mood
• Since you will walk your dog or cat, these truck driving pets can motivate you to be more physically active while you're trucking

What Are The Essential Things To Understand About Policies Concerning Pets?

Here are a few things you should understand about the trucking policies that could affect your choice of traveling companions:

• Although several trucking companies are against trucking with a pet, there are still many trucking companies that allow pets. Nevertheless, refundable or non-refundable fees, cleaning fees, and other fees may be charged by these trucking companies.
• If the pet damages anything, there will be a deduction from the initial deposit or paycheck of the driver.
• As far as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is concerned, no specific regulation affects trucking with pets. The FMCSA is only concerned about the safety of the truckers.
• Companies that majorly transport refrigerated freight or operate locally and regionally usually do not allow trucking with pets.
• Proof of vaccination, as well as a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, should always be within reach of any drivers trucking with a pet.
• When training with a company or CDL training school, truck driving pets are usually not allowed.

What Are The Trucking Companies That Allow Pets?

Check out this list of trucking companies that allow pets:

• Abilene Motor Express — enables you to travel with a truck driving pet with a maximum weight of 25 pounds. Also, this company requires you to deposit $500 before trucking with a pet.
• Andrus Transportation — does not have any specific regulations about trucking with a pet.
• Arnold Transportation — does not have any particular rules concerning traveling with a pet.
• Boyle Transportation — allows truck drivers to drive with a well-trained pet that weighs 20 pounds or less.
• Burton Transportation Inc — although this company does not charge truckers for pets, it mandates that the truckers should pay for the repairs of any damages caused by the pets.
• Butler Transport — allows a trucker to travel with only one dog that is 25 pounds or less.
• CalArk – requires a truck driver to make a pet deposit of $300 which can be paid in installments. Also, only one small dog is allowed.
• Celadon Group — does not have any specific regulations as regards trucking with a pet.
• Con-Way Truckload — allows a trucker to travel with only one cat or dog after paying a pet fee of $500. The breed of the pet must not be aggressive.
• Covenant Transport — after training and paying $500 for a pet fee, truck driving pets of a maximum combined weight of 50 pounds are allowed.
• Crete Carriers — offers truckers a chance to travel with a cat or dog with a maximum weight of 60 pounds.
• Earl Henderson — does not have any specific regulations in regards to traveling with a pet.
• Giltner Inc — allows truck driving pets after the initial payment of a non-refundable cleaning fee of $500.
• H & R Transport — truckers can travel with pets as long as they contained in the cab when they are on customer or company property.
• Halvor Lines — does not have any specific regulations with regards to trucking with a pet.
• Heyl Truck Lines — allows only small, non-aggressive dogs and requires a $500 pet fee. Also, the dog must stay inside the truck or be on a leash when on the properties of the company or customer.
• H.O Wolding — allows only one dog or de-clawed cat after payment of $500 fee if the pet weighs below 35 pounds or $1000 if it weighs above 35 pounds. Proof of vaccination must be provided. Also, the pet must be caged while the truck is moving and kept inside the cab when on the properties of the company or customer.
• Hogan Transport — only non-aggressive dogs are allowed. A non-refundable pet fee of $200 and repair cost fee of $200 charged. Records of dog vaccination must always be inside the truck, and the dog must remain inside the truck when on the property of the customer or company.
• J. B. Hunt — allows dogs of a non-aggressive breed that weigh 60 pounds or less. A deposit of $300 is required, and vaccination must be documented.
• Jim Palmer Trucking — allows any trained pets without any form of restriction or charges.
• Knight Transportation — truckers can only travel with dogs after training and trucking for about 30,000 miles. Only non-aggressive breeds of pets that weigh below 50 pounds are allowed with an initial deposit of $400.
• Melton Truck Lines — any dog breeds except pit bulls are allowed. A refundable pet fee of $750 must be paid in installments.
• Navajo Express — will enable truckers to travel with their pets as long as their safety is not compromised.
• National Carriers — drivers can ride with their dogs after payment of a certain fee.
• Ozark Motor Lines — one non-aggressive dog or cat that is under 50 pounds is allowed per driver. Records of vaccination must be provided and a non-refundable pet fee of $200 must be paid.
• P & S Transportation — allows truckers to travel with truck driving pets without any extra charge or restrictions.
• PAM Transport — allows truck driving pets with a few unspecified limits.
• Paul Transportation — does not have any specific regulations as regards traveling with a pet.
• Quest Global Inc — a driver can travel with a pet after making a non-refundable deposit of $500.
• R. E. Garrison — does not require any pet fee but only a maximum of two dogs are allowed.
• Shaffer Trucking — allows a dog or cat whose weight is below 60 pounds.
• Stevens Transport — requires drivers to submit an application which will be considered for approval by the management.
• SuperService — does not have any specific regulations as regards traveling with a pet.
• Total Transportation — does not have any particular regulations as regards traveling with a pet.
• United Road — allows trucking with a pet after driving alone for six months.
• Werner Enterprise — each driver can drive along with one cat or dog after making an initial deposit of $250 and paying a weekly fee of $5. Also, vaccination must be done regularly.
• Wil-Trans Trucking — after completing the training and a 2-month solo driving period, drivers can travel with one or two pets. If drivers want additional pets, such must apply for approval.
• XPO Logistics — one cat or dog is allowed. A pet fee of $500 must be deposited.

Other trucking companies that allow pets:
H & M Trucking, Interstate Distributor Co., J.S. Helwig & Sons, LTI Trucking Services, May Trucking Company, Miller Truck Lines, Paper Transport Inc., Paschall Truck Lines, Pride Transport, Prime Inc., RBX Inc., and Roehl Transport also allow trucking with pets. Other trucking companies that allow pets include Southern Refrigerated Transport, Swift Transportation, Titan Transfer, Transport America, US Xpress, USA Truck, Watkins-Shepard, WEL Companies, Western Express, and West Side Transport.

What Is The Best Dog For A Truck Driver?

Now you know the companies that allow truck driving pets, you may be asking, “What is the best dog for a truck driver?” Generally, most trucking companies that allow pets prohibit trucking with dogs of any aggressive breeds. Therefore, you should only go for small pets of a non-aggressive breed.

The Best Truck Driving Dogs:

• Chihuahuas
• Miniature Dobermans
• Pitbull
• Dachshund
• Pomeranians
• Bulldogs
• Boxers
• Miniature poodle
• Shih Tzu
• Boston Terrier
• Maltese
• Pug
• Miniature Pinscher
• Yorkshire Terrier
• Basset Hound
• Labrador Retriever

What Are The Important Tips To Follow When Trucking With A Pet?

• Acknowledge that different companies change their rules on traveling with truck driving pets regularly. Therefore, you should always check the pet policies of each trucking company before trucking with a pet any time.
• Choose a pet that is small and does not weigh more than 50 pounds. This will ensure that you and your pet will have enough space for comfort and convenience while on the open road.
• Choose short-coated dogs as this will reduce the possibility of cleaning out fur in your cab each time you are back from a road trip with your pets.
• Train your dog to adapt to trucking with you so that your pet will not be a distraction while you are behind the wheel.
• Keep food, medicine, water, and other essentials within your reach when embarking on any trip with your truck driving pets.
• Do not forget to travel with a CVI, vaccination records and other essential documents when trucking with your pets.

Finally, we this article will help you make an informed decision whenever you want to go on a trucking trip with your pets.