Category: Blog

Top 10 Truck Driving Safety Tips for New Drivers

Are you considering a career in truck driving? Whether you’re just starting or you’ve been on the road for a while, safety should always be your top priority. Truck driving safety is not only important for your well-being but also for the safety of everyone else on the road. In this blog post, we’ll share ten essential truck driving safety tips that every driver, especially new ones, should keep in mind.

  1. Inspect Your Truck Regularly

Before hitting the road, take the time to inspect your truck thoroughly. Check the brakes, tires, lights, and all other essential components and promptly address any issues to avoid breakdowns or accidents.

  1. Buckle Up

Seatbelts are a driver’s best friend. Always wear your seatbelt and make sure all passengers do the same because, in the event of an accident, seat belts can save lives.

  1. Stay Alert

Long hours on the road can lead to tiredness and fatigue. To combat this, get plenty of rest before your journey and take regular breaks to rest your eyes and stretch your legs. If you feel tired, don’t hesitate to pull over and take a nap.

  1. Maintain Safe Following Distance

Leave plenty of room between your truck and the vehicle in front of you. A safe following distance gives you more time to react in case of sudden stops or emergencies. A general rule is to keep at least one truck length for every 10 miles per hour you’re traveling.

  1. Obey Speed Limits

Speeding is a common cause of accidents. Follow posted speed limits, especially in construction zones and residential areas. Driving at a safe speed ensures you have more control over your truck.

  1. Use Your Turn Signals

Signaling your intentions is crucial for the safety of other road users. Always use your turn signals to let other drivers know when you’re changing lanes or making a turn.

  1. Watch the Weather

Weather conditions can change quickly, so always check the weather forecast before your trip. Adjust your driving style accordingly, and be prepared for rain, snow, or fog.

  1. Avoid Distractions

Distracted driving is dangerous. Keep your focus on the road and avoid using your phone, eating, or engaging in other distractions while driving.

  1. Know Your Blind Spots

Large trucks have significant blind spots, especially on the right side and directly behind the vehicle. Be aware of these blind spots and use your mirrors effectively to minimize the risk of accidents.

  1. Plan Your Route

Before setting out, plan your route carefully. Familiarize yourself with the roads you’ll be traveling on, and have a backup plan in case of road closures or traffic jams. A well-planned route can save you time and reduce stress.

Drive Safely with Phoenix Truck Driving School in Albuquerque

By following these ten truck driver safety tips, you can help ensure your safety and the safety of others on the road. Remember that safety is an ongoing commitment, and staying updated on the latest safety regulations and best practices is essential.

 

In your pursuit of a truck driving career, safety is paramount. Phoenix Truck Driving School in Albuquerque aligns perfectly with the safety tips discussed in this blog. Our comprehensive training emphasizes responsible and safe driving practices. Invest in your safety and your future with us. Enroll today and take the first step toward a safer, more rewarding career on the road!

Contact us today to get started.

 

What You Need to Become a Truck Driver

Truck drivers are essential to keep our country running smoothly. Anything you buy in stores has likely been brought there by a commercial driver. Because this job is so important, the demand for qualified drivers grows each year. A driving career is rewarding and high-paying and you can earn more than $64,000 a year*. If this sounds like the career for you, here are some of the things you need to become a truck driver:

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

In order to operate a tractor-trailer or other commercial vehicle, you need to possess a commercial driver’s license. This is a bare minimum requirement for just about every job in the trucking industry. You earn your CDL by passing two different tests, a written permit test and a skills test.
The written permit test covers safe driving information and basic facts about operating commercial vehicles. The skills test will require you to actually operate a truck and demonstrate basic road skills such as backing, turning, and parking. When you attend CDL classes such as those at Phoenix Truck Driving School, you get the preparation you need to confidently pass both portions of the CDL test.

Completing Truck Driving School

While you can become a truck driver without attending any CDL classes or truck driver training, completing a program at a licensed truck driving school can help. Many trucking companies are hesitant to hire new truck drivers who only have a CDL, as these new drivers may not have the experience necessary to safely operate a commercial vehicle. When you complete CDL training, trucking companies know that you learned important safety information and that you are committed to your new career. Completing your training can be a simple process. At Phoenix Truck Driving School, we offer accelerated courses to get you on the road in as little as four weeks. We also offer financial assistance for students who qualify. In addition, many truck driving jobs offer tuition reimbursement to help you pay for your education. In the end, completing a licensed training program can be a valuable investment for your career as a truck driver.

Know What Type of Trucking Job You Want

Once you do complete your training and start looking for truck driving jobs, it’s important to know what sort of job you want. Not all truck drivers do the same type of work and you should find a job that matches your desired lifestyle and salary expectations. For example, long haul drivers usually make more, but may spend more time on the road away from home. Local drivers may not make as much each paycheck, but the schedule can be more flexible to accommodate family time. You can also consider working as a team driver, where you will work with other truck drivers to deliver goods
more quickly and earn more money. Whichever type of trucking career you want to start, Phoenix Truck Driving School can help you succeed. We offer accelerated CDL classes to get you on the road and working as a truck driver as quickly as possible. Contact us today to learn more about our programs.

*Professional truck drivers earn a mean annual wage of $44,500
(https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes533032.htm). The top 10% of truck drivers make more than $64,000
per year according to the 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Your Guide to CDL Endorsements

Obtaining a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is your first step to a high-paying career as a truck driver. This license requires you to pass a written permit test and a hands-on skills test in order to demonstrate your ability to drive a commercial motor vehicle. In addition to the basic knowledge and skills tests, you can also add endorsements. These additional certifications show that you have learned safety and operational skills beyond the standard CDL requirements. At Phoenix Truck Driving School, we help you earn three CDL endorsements: Tanks, Doubles/Triples, and Hazardous Materials.

Tanks

This is known either as the Tanks or Tanker endorsement. It demonstrates that the CDL holder has the knowledge required to operate a vehicle including a tank that transports liquid or gaseous materials. Tanker trucks transport fuel to gas stations across the nation. They can also transport any type of liquid from water to industrial chemicals. Due to the high demand for tanker drivers, a CDL tanker endorsement may help you land a truck driving job more quickly. The tanker test will cover basic safety regulations for transporting liquids in a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). The test will require you to understand what exactly a tank is and how it differs from other types of vehicles. One big safety issue you will be tested on is surge, which is how liquids move during transport. Your instructors at Phoenix Truck Driving School will help you thoroughly prepare for any questions on your tanker endorsement test.

Doubles/Triples

A standard semi-truck will only carry one trailer. However, some trucks can include two or three attached trailers in order to transport more cargo. These are known as doubles and triples or Longer Combination Vehicles (LCVs). Driving a LCV requires an additional CDL endorsement. Your CDL test for the doubles and triples endorsement covers basic knowledge you need to safely operate a LCV. This includes understanding how to attach multiple trailers, how to drive a LCV around other motorists, and rules for double/triple inspection. Adding a Doubles and Triples endorsement to your Class A CDL allows you to operate these higher-capacity vehicles, allowing you to potentially earn more as a truck driver. Our classes at Phoenix Truck Driving School cover all the information you need to pass the additional knowledge test for this endorsement.

Hazardous Materials

Semi-trucks can transport a wide variety of goods and this can include hazardous materials. A hazardous material (or hazmat) endorsement for your CDL allows you to transport substances that the Department of Transportation labels as potentially harmful to human health. Drivers who obtain a CDL endorsement for hazmat can earn more per mile than other truck drivers. This endorsement has a slightly different process, as the Department of Transportation requires a full background check for any truck driver looking to add a hazmat endorsement. Certain criminal offenses can disqualify you. Our team at Phoenix Truck Driving School can go over these in detail with you to determine whether or not you qualify.

Earn Your CDL and Endorsements

Complete your CDL training at Phoenix Truck Driving School to earn your license as well as these three endorsements. We do all that we can to help our students succeed as truck drivers. This includes providing additional training to set you apart from other recent CDL graduates. Call us today to learn more about our training programs.

Top 3 Reasons to Complete CDL Training

If you are tired of corporate culture and underpaying jobs, you may be looking for a new career. Do you want to earn more than $64,000 per year*? Do you want to create a schedule that works with your earning goals and desire for family time? Becoming a professional driver may be the career you are looking for. With demand for CDL drivers growing more and more, now is the best time to complete CDL training and start on the road to a new career. If you still aren’t convinced, here are the top 3 reasons to earn your CDL license and start driving:

1) Better Pay

Truck drivers earn annual wages that can be more than $64,000/year*. This type of pay is one of the most attractive reasons to complete CDL training and start driving. Even better, many trucking companies will offer tuition reimbursement. This makes CDL training school more affordable than ever.

Once you do graduate from a CDL training program and start driving, you can optimize your truck driving career to earn more. Trucking companies pay more for long haul, and you can earn bonuses for driving more miles. Our truck driving school at the Phoenix Truck Driving Institute in Albuquerque will help you find a job placement that gets you the best pay possible.

2) Flexibility

After completing your CDL training, you can create a schedule that works with your life. If you want to do short distance drives and spend more time at home, you have that option. You can also maximize your earning by focusing on long haul trucking.

Completing CDL training opens up a world of possibilities for your career. Truck driving is not like a stuffy corporate job. When you get your CDL and work as a professional truck driver, your life is in your hands. Our CDL training program can give you more information on how you can customize your work schedule after CDL training.

3) High Demand

According to statistics from the American Trucking Associations, truck drivers move 71.5% of American freight. With so much to move, there is a huge demand for individuals with their commercial driver’s license. Completing your CDL training means that multiple trucking companies will compete to get you to work for them.

The high demand for truck drivers is great news for those graduating from truck driver training programs. Each company tries to offer the most competitive pay, the best benefits, and the most home time. After completing CDL training, you can compare the many trucking companies that want you to work for them.

Once you decide to earn a commercial driver’s license/CDL, the next step is to find the best CDL training program. With so many truck driving schools offering these programs, it can be tough to determine which is the best for you.

At the Phoenix Truck Driving Institute, we offer a superior CDL training program. When you choose us for your CDL training, you can get on the road in as little as 4 weeks. We offer financial assistance for qualified students. Call us today at 877.205.5372 to find out how you can complete CDL training with us!