Fuel Cards for Truck Drivers - How to Pick the Best Option?

Fuel cards, which are also called fleet cards, are important to you as a truck driver or important to your employees if you own a truck driving business. Fuel cards and fleet cards are utilized to pay for any expenses that are associated with your or your company's commercial vehicles. There are many factors that are important to consider when determining the best card.

It is imperative for you or your company to understand the needs you have regarding your commercial vehicle. When understanding the needs, you will be better able to make fuel card decisions. Continue reading below on tips to pick the best option.

Consider Your Location

It is important to consider where you or your business are located. It is also important to think about where your commercial vehicles will be traveling to. Cards can be based upon location that only allows them to work in certain places.

There are cards that are made for regional use. These are great for drivers who only go across a few states within a specific section of the nation. There are also cards that are made for nationwide drivers who literally travel across the entire nation with their commercial vehicles. These cards will work at any truck stop in the nation.

It is also important to consider the environment you are driving through. If you or your drivers primarily take rural routes, for instance, it is important to consider a card that will be accepted at rural stops. If you take urban routes, there will be more options available.

Consider Card Expenses

All credit cards have some forms of expenses associated with them. At times, these expenses can prove to be quite costly. When the expenses are costly, it can make the card not worth it.

In other instances, expenses are worthwhile. Often, this is due to the fact that there are also rewards and discounts associated with the card. This information will often be detailed in the package information before purchasing the card or signing up for the card, so it is important to review all information before signing on the dotted line.

One piece of advice is to only sign up for a card that has discounts and rewards that are worth more than the expenses associated with it. This will make any expenses worth it as they will essentially be paid back in rewards and discounts. There are many programs with many great rewards and discounts available.

Consider Credit

If you are an independent truck driver, it is especially important to consider your own personal credit. Fuel and fleet cards can assist in providing lines of credit when you are scrapped for cash. In this instance, however, it is important to consider if you will be able to pay back this money in the long run so that it will not ruin your credit in the future.

If you are a business owner, it is also important to consider your credit. You do not want for your drivers to take advantage of your fleet and fuel cards. If they take advantage of these cards, there is significant risk to your business credit. With this in mind, make sure you have a strong credit and the protection you need to keep it strong for years to come.

Types of Cards

Finally, it is important to consider the specific type of card you would like for yourself or your business. There are many types available including the ones listed above that you should be sure to add to your list to check.

• Universal trucking card
• Cardlock card
• Over the road card

Any of the three options mentioned will prove to be a valuable fit to you or your business.

A universal card is great in that it can literally be used for anything and anywhere. They are not specifically used for trucking, but more urban stations are often utilized at these. Maintenance is also offered through a universal card.

A cardlock card offers great discounts and lowered expenses. These cardlock cards are based on regional networks and offer easy tax-filing abilities. It is important to note, however, that cardlock cards do not cover maintenance costs.

The final type of card to consider is an over the road card which is great for nationwide drivers. There are discounts associated with these cards as well, but often, fees are seen with over the road cards. It is important to consider all of your options, however.

Final Thoughts

There are many types of fuel cards, or fleet cards, available for purchase to you or your company. Be sure to consider your needs including location, credit needs and financial needs. Each option has its benefits and disadvantages, so choose the one that best fits your needs.