From Wednesday, December 17th, to Wednesday, December 24th (excluding Saturday and Sunday), we will post two trivia questions each day.
To enter the drawing, simply answer the questions. We will randomly select a winner from the answers and announce the winners at the end of each day.
Click the link below to participate in the Wednesday, December 17th, second trivia question:
Christmas Trivia is here! From Wednesday, December 17th, to Wednesday, December 24th (excluding Saturday and Sunday), we will post two trivia questions each day.
To enter the drawing, simply answer the questions. We will randomly select a winner from the answers and announce the winners at the end of each day.
Click the link below to participate in the first trivia question:
We want to inform you of an important update regarding OTR breakdown and repair services.
We have officially transitioned our breakdown service from Canxxus to Franco Fleet Services. Effective immediately, please use the vendor and process below anytime you experience a breakdown while on the road.
Franco Fleet Services
800-419-7685
Note: All repair requests must be initiated using a @marvinkeller.com email address. Personal emails will not be accepted.
During Business Hours:
After Hours:
Using the correct vendor and process helps ensure faster service, proper authorization, and accurate billing. Please save this information and follow these steps anytime a breakdown occurs.
If you have any questions, please contact your Driver Manager. Thank you for your cooperation and for keeping safety and communication a top priority.
Sincerely,
Marvin Keller Trucking
We have received 6 referrals; Jon’s team is currently in the lead! Remember, the holiday team with the most referrals will take home limited-edition MK apparel.
If you need recruiting materials such as business cards, brochures, or flyers, just let your DM know—we’re happy to get you everything you need to support your referral efforts!
HALLOTHANKSMAS Referral Campaign
It’s a Haul-O-Holiday Season! Refer drivers to join the MK Family—the team with the most referrals takes the grand prize!
Referral Rewards:
– $100 Bonus for every qualified driver application, plus 500 MK Pro-Points
– $2,000 Bonus: $850 paid out once seated, $575 at 3 months, $575 at 6 months
Grand Prize:
The winning team scores limited-edition MK apparel and a feature in our newsletter and social spotlight!
Campaign Goal:
Your referrals have been incredible this year, and we’re raising the bar! Help us hit 20+ referrals this campaign, and we’ll boost the next referral bonus to $2,500. Let’s make it happen—refer and earn more!
Campaign Ends: December 31, 2025
Winter brings some of the most challenging conditions truck drivers face all year, including icy roads, freezing temperatures, reduced visibility, and increased wear and tear on equipment. Proper winter truck maintenance isn’t just good practice; it’s essential for safety, reliability, and preventing costly downtime. Whether you’re an experienced driver or new to winter driving, preparing your truck before the cold hits can make all the difference
In case of an emergency or breakdown, keep a winter survival kit that should include:
Thorough pre and post-trip inspections matter year-round, but they’re critical during winter.
Cold weather affects nearly every part of your equipment, so pay extra attention to:
Idle-Free Heater
Our trucks are equipped with shore power, which charges the batteries and powers the Idle-Free Heater. This helps to keep the coolant warm and provides warmth during idle times. With a fully charged battery, our Idle-Free Heater can run for about a week.
If you cannot plug in, turn the Idle-Free heater on but leave the fan off; it will serve as a block heater.
Trucks have a main disconnect switch located by the driver’s seat. If you plan to be away from the truck for more than a couple of days, turn off the switch to shut off all power. The Idle-Free heater will still run to keep the coolant warm.
Frozen brakes are a common winter issue, but are preventable with the right steps:
Winter weather doesn’t wait, and it doesn’t forgive unprepared equipment. Taking a few extra minutes to inspect, clear, and prepare your equipment can prevent breakdowns, protect your load, and keep you safe on the road.
If you ever have questions or notice issues with your equipment, please contact your DM right away. Your safety always comes first.
In this increasingly digital, impersonal world, it often seems that no one knows how, or cares, to make human connections anymore. Seemingly gone are the days of a friendly wave to a fellow driver or an offer of help without being asked. Here are some reasons for the decline in common courtesy we see today.
The Rise of Digital Communications –
Fast-Paced Lifestyles
Cultural Changes
The Increasing Ubiquity of AI
When everyone else seems to have their eyes glued to their devices, here are some ways you can bring some humanity and common nicety back to your world.
Practice Active Listening
Use Basic Manners
Practice Patience and Understanding
Perform Random Acts of Kindness
Small action and positive interactions will strengthen company culture if they are turned into daily habits. These actions are contagious; if you want to change the culture, lead by example.
It goes without saying that skills and expertise are important to your employer. Every company wants to ensure employees have the knowledge and skills to effectively do their jobs. But following through on your commitments, meeting deadlines, and being consistent is just as important. Both reliable and unreliable employees create ripple effects within their companies. One leads to effective customer management, growth, and success, with the other leads to lost opportunities, high turnover, and a damaged reputation. Here are some of the behaviors of reliable employees and tips on how to be more dependable at work.
Traits of Reliable Employees:
Punctuality/Time Management – This is absolutely essential in trucking. If you can’t (or won’t) trip plan or make your appointment times, this is an indication that you aren’t managing your time well. We understand that some trips are tightly planned and things happen on the road, but regular patterns of tardiness or bad time management are a concern.
Accountability/Ownership – Own your mistakes, back up your decisions, and accept the results. When problems arise, ask yourself “Was there something I could have done to prevent this?” Taking accountability builds trust.
Performance Consistency – Predictability HELPS US PLAN. We can better keep drivers moving when we can rely on the drivers to be where they are supposed to be when they are supposed to be there. Those who are consistently on time, provide good ETAs, and run without overbreaking or constantly stopping are the ones who get more miles and make more money. In short, if you prove yourself to be unreliable, we can’t count on you and we can’t plan ahead.
Effective Communication – Let us know what’s going on, especially if you know ahead of time that there will be issues. The sooner we know about a potential problem, the sooner we can fix it before it becomes a major issue.
Following Company Policy – if you are unsure of company policy, consult your company handbook or ask your manager; ignorance is not a good excuse.
How to Show Dependability:
Meet deadlines WITHOUT reminders – Aside from appointments, this can include expirations: medical card, license, endorsements, etc.
Take initiative/problem solve on your own first – Show that you don’t need constant supervision. Dependable employees don’t need micromanagement. Don’t just point out problems, introduce solutions! This shows you care about the company’s success beyond just everyday transactions.
Support your team – Putting team success ahead of personal successes shows reliability and helps build trust. It shows you are committed to the success of the company, which benefits everyone.
Stay organized and focused – Staying organized will help you maintain reliability; keeping track of all your tasks and ensuring they are completed timely is a major indication of your reliability.
Adapt to changes and maintain a positive attitude while doing so.
Dependable employees become irreplaceable employees – Building reliability and trust is how you become indispensable, an employee your company can’t afford to lose. Being an employee that doesn’t need to be micromanaged frees up time for companies to focus on growth and expansion, leading to greater overall success.
Our team would like to acknowledge a few of our drivers who have demonstrated exceptional levels of dedication, positivity, professionalism, and hard work. These drivers have been chosen for their remarkable contributions and commitment to excellence.
“This week we’re recognizing a driver who continues to go above and beyond! He consistently communicates effectively, troubleshoots issues quickly, and pays great attention to detail. He’s proactive in identifying potential problems before they happen and is averaging over 2,900 miles per week. On top of that, he’s been stepping up by working extra days to help out while his new partner completes training. Thank you for your dedication, teamwork, and commitment to excellence!”
– Andrew, Driver Manager
“Ryan is a local city driver who has been with MK for 22 years. He started out over the road and has been driving locally now for 3 years. He is a driver trainer as well for us, who helps to show our new drivers the MK way. He likes the small business family atmosphere here at MK. Ryan, as a local driver, sees a lot of trailers daily. He has noticed that trailers are being cleaned and swept better in the last few weeks. We greatly appreciate his attention to detail, dedication, and hard work over the years!”
– James, Driver Manager
“Larry is a hardworking and reliable driver who consistently goes above and beyond to get the job done right. He proactively troubleshoot problems and address issues quickly to keep operations running smoothly. He is known for clear and timely communication, always provide accurate ETAs and updates. With a strong commitment to safe driving practices, Larry is someone we can always count on to deliver with professionalism and care.”
– Jon, Driver Manager
“Michael joined us as a company driver back in August 2019 and took the exciting step into our Lease Purchase Program in July 2021. Since joining the team, Michael has logged over 700,000 miles — a milestone that speaks volumes about his dedication and consistency behind the wheel. Those who know Michael know how much pride he takes in his truck and trailer. He’s always going above and beyond to make sure his equipment is in top shape — clean, organized, and defect-free before heading out to a shipper or customer. Michael’s professionalism and attention to detail make a difference every day. Whether it’s ensuring trailers are spotless for the next load or representing our company with pride on the road, Michael sets the bar high. Thank you, Michael, for your hard work, reliability, and commitment to excellence. We’re proud to have you as part of the team!”
– Amy, Owner Operator Manager
You can have the best route plan, a perfectly maintained truck, and years of experience, but none of that matters if fatigue takes over behind the wheel. Drowsy driving is one of the most dangerous risks professional drivers face, and the scary part is, it can creep up without warning. Fatigue doesn’t just tire you; it slows reaction time, dulls focus, and impairs judgment, just like alcohol.
No one knows your body better than you do. But fatigue isn’t always obvious until it’s too late. Watch for early signs like heavy eyelids, zoning out, drifting from your lane, or missing exits. If you catch yourself rolling down the window or turning up the radio to stay awake, that’s your cue to pull over and rest. Listening to your body is the best safety tool you’ve got.
Professional drivers know that rest is not a luxury; it’s a responsibility. Getting proper sleep before your shift, taking breaks when needed, and using your sleeper berth time wisely are just as essential as checking your tires and brakes. A well-rested driver is an alert, safe driver. Remember, fatigue-related crashes don’t just endanger you. They endanger everyone sharing the road.
Long hours and unpredictable schedules can make consistent rest challenging, but a little planning goes a long way. Try to create a routine that allows your body to recharge. Eat balanced meals, stay hydrated, and limit caffeine late in the day. Taking care of your health off the road directly impacts your performance on it.
If you ever feel too tired to safely finish a run, don’t hesitate to contact your Driver Manager. Open communication is key to keeping everyone safe. We’d rather have you arrive a few hours late than risk your safety or anyone else’s by pushing past your limits.
Fatigue isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a reality of the job. What separates a true professional is the ability to recognize when it’s time to rest and to make safety-driven choices even under pressure. Your professionalism sets the standard for our industry and helps keep America’s highways safe.
In this video, we show step-by-step how to create DVIRs for the truck and trailer in the Samsara app, including how to mark and resolve defects.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your DM!