Month: September 2022

Every trucker needs a break from long hours on the road, and truck stops are designed to do just that. These rest areas allow drivers to sleep, refuel and service their vehicles, and take care of their personal hygiene all in one place. When you plan your breaks, choose truck stops with amenities that fit your needs.

The following are six of the top truck stop amenities:

1. Showers

A clean, hot shower is one of the most sought-after amenities on the road. Luckily, most truck stops offer showers to truck drivers. Each location varies slightly on the requirements for drivers to utilize this amenity. Some are coin-operated, while you must purchase a ticket from others to reserve a shower for a particular time.

2. Laundry Facility

A laundromat is another covered amenity for truckers and road trippers alike. If you are on the road for an extended period, you’ll likely run out of clean clothes. Some truck stops provide quality machines, folding tables, and drying racks to clean your clothes, linens, and towels. Not all truck stops offer laundry services, however, so be sure to plan to hit a rest area with this amenity when you need it. 

3. Fuel Station

Every truck stop offers a fuel station as part of its amenities. Filling up your fuel tank whenever possible will ensure you never run out of fuel and helps maintain your vehicle’s fuel economy. The better your fuel economy, the less often you will have to stop and get fuel. Many truck stops also advertise high fuel quality, which reduces engine damage.

4. Parking Spaces

Truck stops are built to accommodate semi-trucks and supply spacious places to park. Depending on the size of the parking lot, some rest areas designate spaces for overnight parking to allow truckers to sleep. It is a safe place to rest and recharge to finish their route. 

5. Service Station

If you experience mechanical problems on the road, truck stops are one of the most convenient locations to stop and examine the vehicle. These locations offer a truck service station that provides preventative and light mechanical services at a lower price than repair shops. They are equipped with the tools and mechanics to get your semi-truck driving again. Many truck stops also have 24/7 roadside assistance.

6. Driver Lounge

Truck stops with a driver lounge area can be a trucker’s home away from home. While each location varies slightly, most driver lounges include comfortable furniture, a TV with cable or satellite hookup, and free WiFi. These features allow drivers to take a break, catch up on the latest news, or watch a few minutes of a game before hitting the road again.

Truck Driver Training in Albuquerque

Before you can hit the open road and enjoy all the amenities truck stops offer, you first need to earn your commercial driver’s license (CDL). At Phoenix Truck Driving School, we offer a combination of classroom, range, and on-the-road training to get you driving in as little as four weeks. Our Albuquerque location is the only truck driving school in the area that has a trucking company at the facility. 

Contact one of our advisors today to find out how soon you can start earning your CDL.

Truck driving has the potential to be a very rewarding career path, and it interests people of all ages. This leads many to wonder whether or not there is an age limit for trucking. There is a minimum age to earn your commercial driver’s license (CDL), but there is no official maximum age. There are medical requirements to meet to get and keep your license, but many individuals can still thrive as truckers even as they age.

Here is some more information about age restrictions in trucking:

Minimum Age to Earn a CDL

To drive a commercial vehicle within a single state, you need to be at least 18 years old. To drive across state lines, you need to be 21 or older. These age requirements are set on a federal level and apply in any state you earn your license in.

If you’re interested in a trucking career but aren’t old enough to get an interstate CDL, you can explore other opportunities within your state. However, you should be aware that local jobs are often more competitive and involve challenging driving conditions, such as city driving and frequent backing.

There has been some interest in lowering the age requirement for interstate trucking. However, there has not been much momentum for these changes, so they will continue to apply for the foreseeable future.

How Old Is Too Old to Be a Trucker?

There is no maximum age for trucking. Many people enter this industry later than is often the case for other careers. Some truckers choose to pursue driving after their children have moved out and they have more flexibility to stay on the road for longer and see the country. Others earn their CDL after a career change later in life. Whatever the case, age doesn’t have to limit your ability to become a trucker.

Truckers are required to undergo a Department of Transportation (DOT) medical exam to ensure they are physically able to perform the necessary job duties. Whether or not you can pass this physical exam doesn’t necessarily depend on your age. Many younger individuals can have medical conditions that prevent them from trucking, and many older truckers have clean bills of health. Nevertheless, it’s important to be aware of.

What to Expect From the DOT Physical

The DOT physical involves a full examination of your health. Your doctor will ask questions about your medical history and conduct a complete physical exam. They will also complete urinalysis to check for various medical conditions. Most drivers complete these physicals every two years to ensure they can perform their job duties. If you have a medical condition, your doctor may require you to return annually instead.

Earn Your CDL

Phoenix Truck Driving School in Albuquerque can help you earn your commercial license and become a trucker. We’ve trained students in a wide range of age groups to give them the skills needed to succeed on the road.

Take the first steps to a new trucking career and contact us today.

The first step in becoming a truck driver is passing the test to earn your commercial driver’s license (CDL). The CDL test is broken up into two parts: a written general knowledge exam and a skills test. Like any test, the written exam requires you to study and prepare for the variety of information it will cover. Rather than trying to memorize the 180-page manual the night before, study smart during the weeks leading up to the test. 

 

Here are five CDL school study tips to help you pass the written exam with flying colors:

1. Pay Attention in Class

One of the best ways to set yourself up for success on your CDL exam is to take advantage of your time in class. Make an effort to pay attention and ask your instructor questions if you are unsure about a certain topic. Your instructor is typically a former truck driver that can share their real-world experience with you. They are one of your most valuable tools while you’re in CDL school, so talk with them whenever you can.

 

Another effective way to study is to take good notes in class. Instead of just listening or reading the material, writing it down yourself will help you retain the information better. While typing your notes on your laptop can also be helpful, using a pen and paper is the best way to ensure that you will remember what you learned.

2. Plan Ahead

Trying to cram all of the information from the CDL manual a day or two before the exam will not yield the best results. Not only will this cause sleep deprivation and trouble focusing, but you also won’t retain the important information you need to be a safe, responsible driver. Studying a little bit every day will help you be fully prepared for the day of the test. Be sure to take breaks while you study as well to give your brain the rest it needs.

3. Use Study Materials 

The CDL exam should not be taken lightly, so to prepare for it, you need to hit the books – especially your state’s commercial driver’s license manual. Many of the topics covered on the test are pulled from this manual, so make sure to read up on all the procedures and laws. To make this information more digestible, use study strategies like flashcards and other memorization techniques.

4. Test Your Knowledge

Another great way to study for your CDL exam is to do a general knowledge practice test. This will help you familiarize yourself with the types of questions that will be on the actual exam. It will also pinpoint the areas that you need to work on. You can work your way up to the real thing by starting with open book practice tests, then setting time limits for yourself that align with the real timeframe. With enough practice, you should be prepared to take the test, closed-book, in the allotted time. 

5. Attend a High-Quality Truck Driving School

Attending an accredited truck driving school puts you at a considerable advantage for the CDL exam. The combination of in-class instruction and training behind the wheel will better prepare you than if you teach yourself the material. At Phoenix Truck Driving School, our instructors are drivers with real-world experience that can share their knowledge and expertise with you. We offer day, evening, and weekend classes to make it as easy as possible to earn your license.

High-Quality CDL School in Albuquerque

At Phoenix Truck Driving School, we offer a high-quality CDL program with skilled instructors, flexible class schedules, and placement assistance. Our Albuquerque location is the only truck driving school in the area with a trucking company at the facility. This allows our students to get more real-world exposure. The program is also accelerated and can be completed in as little as four weeks.

Call us today to schedule a tour of our Albuquerque school and to learn more about our program.