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Diesel Truck Driver Training School
Why Trucking?
Today’s trucking industry is stronger than ever. Whether you are interested in local truck driving, regional or long-haul over the road truck driving, there are thousands of truck driving jobs available in every corner of the country and we are the trucking school to help you land that truck driving job.
Many children grow up recognizing that big rig flying down the highway and instantly pump their arm in hopes that the driver will honk his horn. As a result, many of those children grow up wanting to become a truck driver when they grow up. It is, after all, an honest way to make a living, and one of the few professions that allow you to see the country like so many wish they could. But, it is definitely not a job that anyone can do or that everyone would be happy doing.
The truck driver lives a different existence than most normal workers. They are alone for most of their working hours; alone with the open road and their thoughts. This sounds like a dream job for some, but it ends up being a nightmare for many others. There is also the bottom line to the job; a truck driver is hauling his load for many hours over many miles over many days. This is his life and his lifestyle. There is no way around the bottom line for a truck driver.
It is important that anyone planning on pursuing a commercial driver’s license (CDL) realizes that it is more than a career move. It is a change in lifestyle. Many grasp on to that lifestyle and go with it, but it is definitely not for everyone. If it is for you, it is an amazing way to make a living; traveling the country and meeting new and exciting people every day. This can be a life that many do envy.
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Highway safety is everyone’s responsibility, but this is especially true for truck drivers who are flying down the highway with several tons of steel under their control. Of course, there are many factors that can affect the safety of a truck on the highway, but the driver is ultimately going to be responsible if something goes wrong. For this reason, rules and regulations have been put in place to try and keep drivers safe while on their routes.
One of these regulations has been in the news lately because it will affect all long haul truckers and the companies they work for greatly. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the group that regulates truck driver safety for the federal government, and they have made a ruling in regards to the Hours of Service (HOS) for truck drivers.
In the past, truck drivers were able to drive for a total of 82 hours in a 7 day period, the new ruling now states that a maximum of 70 hours is allowed over the 7 day period. In addition to lowering the weekly total hours, the new ruling states that a driver must take a 30 minute break every eight hours of driving. Both of these new rules were put in place to allow the driver more time to rest, so he is more alert when driving. These changes were made by the FMCSA for the safety of the drivers and the people that share the roads with them.
The change was not received very approvingly by the trucking firms, as this change will affect their “bottom line.” In fact, they are challenging the ruling to keep the regulations the same. Unfortunately for them, the government appears to be taking the side of safety over cash in this instance. In the end, the trucking firms and the drivers will end up losing some money as a result of this new ruling, but it is hard to deny that a well-rested trucker is going to be a safer trucker when it comes to the split second decisions that are required of a drivers.
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Today we find ourselves in a struggling economy that is affecting almost everyone. These tough times are not sexist; they are hurting men and women equally. In times like these, everyone must do their best to remain hirable and take the extra steps necessary to get the best jobs possible. This often means going back to school to be trained in a new profession altogether. By keeping all options open, a person is a lot more likely to find employment in down economies. A great way for women to do this is to open new doors that may have previously been closed.
Truck driver training is a great option for women to open one of these doors. Trucking has always been a man’s game, but in recent years, more and more women have taken up long haul trucking. As in many industries, trucking has opened its doors to women a lot more, and it has become a much more open industry for women. It is truly an industry for the taking for women if they are only willing to take the leap!
Many women are afraid to get into truck driving because of the trucker stigma, but more and more are finding that it can be a great way to see the country while getting paid. There are not many other careers that can offer that benefit. Commercial Driver’s License training is a great place for women to get their feet wet in the world of truck driving. These schools are welcoming environments for both men and women and enable both genders with the knowledge and training required to pass the CDL exam. Once this is done, the highway is all hers.
There are a lot of people out there who have always wanted to drive a big rig on the open highway. But, many of these same people never give the job a chance because they do not want to travel long distances away from friends and family. Many even shy away because they have never been anywhere besides their home town or home state and are afraid of change. If this sounds familiar, there is hope. There are Commercial Driver’s License-required jobs that do not call for a truck driver to be a long hauler.
In fact, there are plenty of local truck driving jobs in nearly every community that have truckers home to kiss the kids off in the morning and meet them again for dinner later that same day! It is just a matter of finding the right positions in the right trucking companies that offer these local driver positions. Sometimes these local trucking jobs will be right in the community new drivers already live, but often, they will require a move to a larger city that needs local drivers to get products to local businesses.
Some positions that may offer local routes are moving companies that often relocate people within the same area. Fuel trucks are often driven by local drivers due to the large amount of fueling stations within a city that must be filled regularly. A third option is a heavy equipment hauler; these jobs are generally local to provide heavy equipment to job sites within a city or state.
Many future truckers fear being away from their loved ones for long periods of time on trips across the country, but as can be seen above, there are plenty of local opportunities for CDL licensed drivers. Listed above are just a few options, there are plenty more opportunities out there that a driver wishing to stay local can definitely do it, if he puts his mind to finding the right local position.
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Once a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) has been earned, there are many different routes a driver can take in his or her job search. There are hundreds of different trucking companies that hire numerous truck drivers for their variety of skills. Many of these positions will require extra truck driver training courses, experience and additional endorsements on the driver’s CDL. With this added training and education, most of these specialized trucking jobs will pay more money for these added requirements.
Some of these specialized trucks are:
- Moving Trucks – These are just what they sound like; the trucks that load and move furniture from home to home or business to business. These jobs can pay a bit more, but also will usually include the driver assisting in the loading and unloading of the truck.
- Tanker Trucks – These are the trucks that haul liquids. The load for these trucks can be anything from milk to gasoline. Some of these loads, like gasoline, will also require the driver to know how to haul hazardous materials.
- Cattle Trucks – These are the trucks that actually haul live animals. Drivers of these trucks must know the proper techniques to ensure this fragile live cargo arrives in good condition.
- Heavy Equipment Hauler Trucks – These are the vehicles that carry the huge bulldozers and other tracked vehicles that cannot drive long distances on the road. This is a tough position that may include a requirement to be able to drive the heavy equipment being hauled.
These are a few of the more exciting truck driving jobs that are out there for the driver with a CDL. One of the great things about earning a commercial driver’s license is the numerous different positions a driver can have in his career. The different types of trucks and the requirements to drive them can truly keep truck driving interesting for a very long time.
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Many of life’s most basic activities have changed since September 11, 2001. Security has become a major focus in the lives of all Americans. This is especially true in the transportation industries as we see at airport security screening areas and stadiums. Unknown to many though is the increased security measures taken in the trucking industry regarding the transportation of hazardous materials. This has become every hazardous materials trucker’s responsibility to ensure their dangerous cargo does not end up in the wrong hands.
Many of the steps required to maintain a safe and secure vehicle sound like common sense, but they must become a large part of the truck driver’s training program on a regular basis. The goal of hazardous material security is the safety of the truck driver and the public in general. The Department of Transportation and the Transportation Security Administration are responsible for safety on the roads and they mandate this security training.
To ensure safety, HAZMAT drivers must keep their vehicles secured at all times; this should include tamper-proof locks on the trailers. Drivers also need to remain vigilant in looking for suspicious people near their vehicle and call the proper authorities when necessary. A pre-trip inspection should also be performed to ensure nothing has been tampered with while the driver was away from the vehicle. It is also recommended that a driver make as few stops as possible when transporting hazardous materials to lessen the chances of coming in contact with suspicious people.
Much of this hazardous materials security training may sound like common sense, but it all should be followed, and the security training repeated at least every three years to ensure it remains fresh. These are minor steps that can truly go a long way to keeping the nation’s roads safer.
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There are several requirements besides the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) test that must be met prior to being given the privilege of driving a big rig. Some of these regulations are health related, but all of them are ultimately safety related, and they are all created to save lives on our roads.
Driving a truck is a huge responsibility, and as a result, there are age limitations to go with this major responsibility. All intrastate drivers must be 18 years old to receive their CDL; this allows the driver to legally drive within the state lines of the licensing state. For interstate driving or long range trucking through multiple states, the driver must be 21 years of age.
There are also physical requirements that must be met prior to hitting the open road. This includes a physical exam prior to starting out as a truck driver, and then, every two years after the initial exam. This is a full physical that will ensure there are no diseases or other physical limitations that would hinder the safe handling of a commercial motor vehicle. At this time, the potential driver will also be tested for drugs and alcohol. This will become a normal routine for the driver as they are tested randomly throughout the year and after an accident. The penalties for a failed test at any stage can result in the suspension or revocation of the CDL. Needless to say, drugs and commercial truck driving do not mix.
Age, responsibility and health are all major factors in a driver being able to safely and effectively drive a truck on the highways, but there is one additional requirement that must be met. All drivers must be literate in the language of the country where they will drive. This is mandatory to ensure signs can be read and the regulated reports are properly filled out. This can be a major factor for non-English speakers trying to break into the industry.
Truck driving is synonymous with freedom and a rambling lifestyle. But, to earn that freedom, there are requirements that must be met. Once they have been met, the outcome can be a lifetime of enjoyment on the open highways of America.
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Truck driving has long been romanticized in many movies over the years. Some drivers are portrayed as good guys while some are portrayed as bad guys. Regardless of the circumstances, the truck drivers in movies are always shown as freewheeling lovers of life. A big part of this idea of a trucker’s mentality is the fact that a long haul driver has to have a bit of a drifter in him. He also must be willing to make sacrifices and be willing to travel nearly constantly.
Local truckers are on the road a lot but are home every day. A long distance trucker might be on the road for days or even weeks at a time. This amount of travel takes a certain breed of man to handle, and it is not for everybody. Interstate truck driving is where the better salaries will be found though. Also, the ability to see different cities and states around the country can be taken as a real advantage to the job. Many people may never leave their home city or state, but an interstate trucker may see many of both in a single day.
There are advantages to local trucking for those with families or other responsibilities that require them to be home every night. But, to live the true life of a trucker, long haul trucking is the only way to go. The open road, the travel and the unique people are the reasons people choose to become a truck driver. Once the commercial driver’s license is earned, the best thing to do is try interstate trucking at least for a while.
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The US DOT mandates that anyone driving a Commercial Motor Vehicle(CMV) must have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). The main purpose for this licensing is to ensure, or at least attempt, to keep the roads as safe as possible. The passing of this test tells the Department of Transportation and the State issuing the license that the driver has the knowledge and skills to safely handle a CMV.
Once a prospective driver has turned eighteen years of age, the CDL license is earned by passing the Commercial Driver’s License test with an 80% minimum score. This test includes a written truck driving knowledge test, a driver on the road skills test and a pre-trip inspection test. Here are a couple videos that show some of the required knowledge to pass the test:
General Knowledge for your CDL class “A” – Part 1 of 2
General Knowledge for your CDL class “A” – Part 2 of 2
Although, passing this test tells the Department of Transportation that the minimum requirements have been met. The CDL does not replace the real life experience gained on the road. Also, to drive certain loads or configurations, additional tests and endorsements may be required.
There are generally three methods employed to get the necessary training required to pass the CDL test:
- community college training
- some trucking firms will train employees and
- private truck driving schools
The quickest and most effective way to get a head start on experience and get the proper training necessary to pass the CDL test is usually through a private truck driver training program. These schools maintain close relationships with trucking companies, so they are up to date with what these firms are looking for in new employees. These private schools are usually full time, so they can often be completed in just a few weeks. They also will include both classroom training and behind-the-wheel road training. This allows the new driver to hit the oad to earnings the fastest route possible.
One of the more tedious, and often difficult, areas of truck driving is that which relates to trucking laws. As a truck driver, you cannot use lack of knowledge as a defense – lawyers often take pleasure in the quote “ignorance can never be used a defense.” Truck drivers then need to keep themselves updated on all new laws whilst also operating under existing laws. Your knowledge of these laws should start with your complete CDL training program.
It can become complicated. There are laws that cover hazardous materials, and who can drive trucks carrying these products. There are laws covering household goods that are being trucked from one location to another. As a driver, you need to be aware of what goods you are transporting, and what laws relate to those goods. At the same time, you need to manage a log book, your driving hours, and follow the road rules. Just to complicate issues, the company that employs you may have their own requirements such as maintaining a vehicle log, and the paperwork associated with the goods you are transporting.
Fortunately for truck drivers, trucking laws don’t change very often, and when they do, they are well publicized. A good example is the recent changes to driving hours and the restrictions now being applied to the use of mobile devices whilst driving. Well respected trucking companies also act as a second level of support, notifying drivers when trucking laws are changed. They also notify truck drivers if particular trucking laws relate to the load they are carrying, or their destination.
Trucking laws are very different to standard motor vehicle laws. Trucks drivers have restrictions that don’t apply to most standard motor vehicles, and the onus is on the drivers to stay up-to-date and to follow those rules. Whilst an employer may overload a truck, it’s the truck driver’s responsibility should they be caught with an overloaded vehicle. Know your trucking laws well and you’ll stay out of trouble.
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