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Backing a semi-truck is one of the most difficult maneuvers for a truck driver, but an essential skill that must be taken seriously. This skill takes time to develop, but with patience and consistent effort, it is possible to do it effectively. Mastering backing will distinguish you from amateur drivers.

 

Keep these tips in mind to make the semi-truck backing process easier:

1. Safety First

Your safety and the safety of your truck are the most important parts of semi-truck backing. There is no shame in finding a different spot or asking for help you have a gut feeling that your trailer won’t make it. After all, you know your vehicle better than anyone else. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for any objects or debris in your path to be moved so you can back in safely if you need to get into a specific spot, such as at a shipper or receiver. 

2. Drive Slowly

Patience is key when it comes to backing a semi-truck. Don’t let the pressure of your anyone watching make you rush, because safety is always more important than speed. Backing hastily can make you lose focus and skip important safety steps. Driving slowly will significantly reduce the risk of an accident, so readjust your angles or do a few pull-ups before backing if you need to. 

3. Always Get Out and Look

You should always be aware of your surroundings before you back into a spot. When in doubt, always remember the acronym GOAL (get out and look). Take the time to walk completely around your truck and check for obstacles above, below, and underneath it. While it may seem like a hassle, it is important to not solely rely on what you can see from inside your cab. You can physically check your position as often as you feel is necessary to ensure safety. 

4. Back the Trailer, Not the Truck

When you are backing a semi-truck, you want to think of it in terms of backing the trailer, not the truck. While it might feel counterintuitive, turning your steering wheel to the right turns the rear of the trailer left and vice versa. You can use your steering wheel to determine the direction of the trailer. Remember, when you place your left hand on the bottom of the steering wheel, the direction you move your hand is the direction the trailer will move.

5. Remember Your Training 

When you are faced with a tough area to back into, it can be easy to doubt your abilities. However, just remember you have all of the truck reversing skills you need. Take a deep breath, be patient with yourself, and remember what you’ve been training for. It is also helpful to take advantage of resources while you have them at your disposal. During the process of earning your commercial driver’s license (CDL), ask your instructors for help and extra time to practice backing so you are better prepared for after graduation.

High-Quality CDL Training 

Semi-truck backing is just one of the many skills we will teach you in our CDL training program at Phoenix Truck Driving School in Albuquerque. Our experienced instructors help prepare you for situations you may encounter while on the road.

If you are ready to start training for your CDL, contact us today to find out when our next class begins.

Whether you are new to the trucking industry or a seasoned driver, there is likely going to come a time when you get lost on the road. Both poor communication while receiving directions and relying solely on a GPS device contribute to getting a driver off route. While you can’t always control whether you get lost, you can control how you react to the situation. 

 

Follow these tips on what to do if you get lost while trucking:

1. Remember Not To Panic

The most important thing to remember when you get lost is not to panic. Driving in a panic can cause you to make hasty decisions and increases your chances of getting in an accident. If you find yourself lost, find a safe place to pull over and reassess your situation. Use your map or GPS device to determine where you are, then check your directions to see where you took a wrong turn.

 

If you can’t reroute yourself with the tools available to you in your truck, you can contact the shipper/receiver for clarification if you are nearby. Otherwise, your dispatcher may be able to help. 

2. Call Other Truckers For Help

Keeping your CB radio on while you are on the road can pay off if you get off course. You can use it to call out to a local driver and ask for directions or clarification on where you are. Every truck driver gets lost once in a while, so drivers will be understanding of your situation and more than likely willing to help.

3. Find A Safe Place to Turn Around

Once you have calmed down and figured out where to go next, you will need to find a safe place to turn around. Turning around in a space that is too small for your truck or failing to see an obstacle can be dangerous for both you and others on the road. You could drive into a ditch, hit a parked car, or sideswipe a trailer. Getting back on course cautiously will help you avoid these potential accidents.

4. Stay On Track

You can avoid getting yourself lost by preparing your directions before you leave for a trip. The number one reason truckers get lost while on their route is when the directions they were given were wrong or they miss a street sign. While they can be helpful with navigating, Google Maps and regular GPS units are not truck-friendly because they do not consider the weight limits of bridges or the height of overpasses. It is important to supplement their directions with other sources, like a road atlas or instructions from your company or shipper/receiver, and to use a trucker-friendly GPS when possible.

 

Here are more tips to help keep you on track:

 

• Repeat the directions back to the person giving them to you.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
• Ask for landmarks along the truck route to keep an eye out for.
• Keep a journal of directions from every trip you take to look back on if you are in the area later.
• Ask for unfamiliar street names to be spelled out.

A Safe Driving School

At Phoenix Truck Driving School, we will prepare you to be the safest driver possible, but also understand that getting lost is sometimes unavoidable. We have locations in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas to assist our students in getting their commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) in as little as four weeks. We also offer job placement assistance to help you explore your employment options after graduation. 

To learn more about what Phoenix Truck Driving School has to offer, contact us today.

Your mindset plays a large role in your life, and this is true in any field or facet of life, including trucking. How you approach challenges, what your priorities are, and your general way of viewing your role as a trucker all influence your ability to succeed in the industry. It’s worthwhile to take the time to develop a positive “trucker mindset” even before you hit the road in order to set yourself up for the best possible experience.

Here are some mindset tips for truck drivers:

1. Know Why Trucking Is the Path For You

Trucking is a career path that offers excellent pay and benefits, the opportunity to see more of the country, and the ability to enjoy the freedom of the open road. However, like any career path, it’s not without its challenges. Having a clear sense of what’s most important to you will remind you of what makes trucking worthwhile for you specifically, even when things are tough. This may be a motivation to provide for your family, a love of the trucking lifestyle, or a sense of independence.

2. Prioritize Safety

Your specific list of priorities will be unique, but no matter what, safety needs to be on the list. Driving such a large vehicle is a big responsibility. From your first day in training to your last day behind the wheel, keep safety at the front of your mind. In addition to protecting yourself and others on the road, prioritizing safety can also help put things into perspective. Even if you didn’t get as many miles in a day as you wanted or if you had to get out of your truck several times when backing, you can remind yourself of your commitment to safety and why this matters.

3. Set Goals For Yourself

Having goals to work toward gives you a sense of purpose and a feeling of accomplishment when you reach them. Try setting a mix of long-term and short-term goals. This can help you map out the path you’d like to take for your career. Then follow through on this plan.

4. Stay Positive

In trucking, just like in any career, you’ll have good days and bad days. It’s not realistic to assume you’ll feel great 100% of the time, but you can work toward focusing on the positive when you can. This doesn’t mean you can’t acknowledge when something upsets you, but it’s helpful to separate what you can and can’t control and to move on once you’ve worked through the initial problem. If you focus too much on the negative, it can start to affect your well-being and even make you a less safe driver if you’re distracted by your emotions.

5. Keep Learning

Once you earn your commercial driver’s license (CDL), you’ll have a foundation of knowledge to enter the trucking industry. After this point, you’ll also go through on-the-job training in most cases. However, even once you complete your training and hit the road on your own (or with your trucking team), you shouldn’t assume you know everything. Each day is a new opportunity to learn and grow as a trucker. The first year is often particularly full of learning opportunities, but no matter how long you’re on the road, there’s still more you can learn.

Start Your Trucking Career

Are you interested in earning rewarding pay in an essential industry? If so, Phoenix Truck Driving School can help you get started. Our program allows you to get your CDL in as little as four weeks and we offer job placement assistance to help you start earning as soon as possible.

To learn more about our CDL training in Albuquerque, contact us today.

As a truck driver, safety should always be your priority. One essential way to stay safe on the road is to ensure that you are always focused. Over-the-road (OTR) drivers spend long stretches of time behind the wheel, and this can increase the risk of becoming distracted unless you are careful.

Here are some tips for maintaining your focus when driving OTR:

1. Minimize Distractions

Anything that takes your mind off the task of driving, your hands off the wheel, or your eyes off the road is a form of distracted driving. Many distractions do all of these at once. To help you stay focused, it’s important to minimize all types of distractions while you’re behind the wheel.

You should be aware of the dangers of texting and driving, but as a refresher, this is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving. Never text and drive as a commercial driver, or while driving any type of vehicle. It’s not worth the risk.

In addition, here are some other distractions to avoid:

• Eating or drinking
• Talking on the phone (even hands-free)
• Adjusting your radio or air conditioner

One distraction that varies depending on the driver is what you listen to. Some drivers are able to listen to podcasts or audiobooks without losing focus on the road, whereas others get distracted by spoken audio. Use your discretion. If you think something is distracting you, it probably is.

2. Ask “What If” Questions

One of the major principles of defensive driving is thinking ahead and being prepared to react to any sudden changes on the road. To help you do this, try asking yourself “what if” questions related to what is going on while you’re driving. For example, if there is a car in the lane next to you, ask yourself what you would do if that car were to suddenly try to merge. These scenarios give your mind something productive to do while driving so you can stay focused while also improving your defensive driving skills.

3. Take Breaks When You Need Them

If you find yourself unable to stay focused on the road, stop and take a break. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires certain breaks, but even beyond this, you can stop if you feel it will help you. It’s better to spend a bit of time not driving so you are able to focus more effectively in the long run versus trying to power through. Even ten minutes to take a nap, get a snack, or call a loved one back home can help you refocus for the rest of your drive.

4. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Staying healthy can make a huge difference in your ability to stay focused. Although it can take some extra planning to make health a priority when you’re an OTR trucker, it’s well worth the effort in more ways than one.

Here are some health-related tips to improve your focus:

Stay Well-Rested

Sleep is essential to your health and fatigue presents a major risk for drivers. It’s hard to stay focused on the road when you’re tired. Maintain a regular sleep schedule to the best of your ability and stop for a nap if you are getting too tired.

Eat Healthily

Unhealthy meals can reduce your energy and your ability to focus. A healthy diet keeps you more alert, along with many other benefits.

Exercise Regularly

Finding time to exercise on the road doesn’t have to be a challenge. Even a short run at a truck stop can help keep your heart healthy, and it can also improve your focus and overall energy levels.

Interested in a Trucking Career?

At Phoenix Truck Driving School, we help students become safe and successful truckers. Our program allows you to earn your license in as little as four weeks and we offer job placement assistance.

To learn more about becoming a trucker in Albuquerque, contact us today.

Semi-trucks move 72.5% of American freight and the trucking industry is absolutely essential to our nation’s economy. As a result of this need and the ongoing driver shortage, earning a commercial driver’s license (CDL) gives you the opportunity to pursue a stable and rewarding career. In recent years, some have started to wonder whether driverless vehicles present a threat to this industry. While autonomous vehicles (AVs) are predicted to change certain aspects of trucking in the long term, they are unlikely to pose a significant threat to driver jobs in the near future.

Levels of Automation

In order to understand how AVs could affect the trucking industry, it’s important to understand the different levels of automation. The Society of Automobile Engineers (SAE) defines six levels of automation.

These are:

• Level 0 – No automation – At this level, the vehicle is fully manually controlled. The car may still include some technology to assist the driver, such as blind-spot alerts or automatic emergency braking, as long as these features do not control the vehicle.
• Level 1 – Driver assistance – Any features that provide steering or acceleration support to the driver fall under this level. Examples include adaptive cruise control or lane centering.
• Level 2 – Partial driving automation – If a car is using both steering and acceleration support features at the same time, it falls under level 2.
• Level 3 – Conditional driving automation – This is when a vehicle crosses the threshold from assistive features into what most people think of when they think of “self-driving” cars. However, AVs at this level can only operate autonomously in certain conditions, and the driver may need to take over manual control. This means drivers still need to remain alert when they are behind the well of a level 3 AV.
• Level 4 – High driving automation – Compared to level 3, these vehicles can operate without manual intervention in more circumstances. A human can take over in an emergency but otherwise, the car can drive itself.
• Level 5 – Full driving automation – A truly driverless vehicle is a level 5 AV. These do not require any human intervention and can drive everywhere in all conditions.

What Level of AVs Are Available?

Currently, many advanced fleet vehicles have level 2 automation features. Some companies have been pioneering level 4 automated trucks, although there have been limited runs of fully driverless vehicles. For the near future, there are no level 5 vehicles that can operate entirely without a driver as a backup.

What Does This Mean for Truckers?

Companies that are working on AVs for fleet applications currently still require drivers to act as supervisors for the vehicles while they are in operation. This means that although the job may not involve as much active driving as trucking currently, driver jobs are not actively threatened by current models of AVs. Instead, these vehicles act as a complement to more traditional semi-trucks on the road, and may actually be beneficial for helping the trucking industry keep up with increasing freight demands.

It’s also worth keeping in mind that even Level 4 vehicles are a long way from widespread adoption in the industry, and Level 5 vehicles are even further away from this. Experts believe it will be several decades before most truckers experience any changes due to driverless vehicles. Even then, they predict changes to the job responsibilities, but not necessarily a loss of driving jobs on a large scale.

Becoming a Trucker

The bottom line is that trucking is still a much-needed profession, and earning your CDL allows you to take advantage of opportunities within this industry.

Contact Phoenix Truck Driving School today to learn how you can get started on the road to a new career.

Before you hit the road each morning as a truck driver, you’ll need to perform a pre-trip inspection. This inspection is also part of the commercial driver’s license (CDL) skills test and knowing how to do one correctly is an essential skill for truckers.

Here are some of the reasons pre-trip inspections are so important:

1. FMCSA Requirements

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the trucking industry and sets requirements truckers must follow. One of these is that drivers must perform a pre-trip inspection each day they are on the road to ensure their vehicles are in safe operating condition.

2. Safety

The most important reason to perform a pre-trip inspection every day is that it helps keep you and others on the road safe. Semi-truck accidents are typically more severe than accidents between passenger vehicles and it is your responsibility as a driver to focus on safety at all times. Pre-trip inspections help you catch any issues and fix them before they cause an accident.

As an example, consider your semi-truck’s tires. Tire issues are not uncommon and at highway speeds and a blowout can lead to an accident. When you examine your tires, you’ll check if they are worn down or if the air pressure is low. These things may seem simple, but addressing them early reduces the risk of them causing an accident.

3. Avoid Downtime

It may seem counterintuitive that getting maintenance for a truck issue reduces your downtime, since your truck may need to be off the road temporarily while the issue is addressed. However, getting maintenance when you first notice an issue does save you time in the long run.

Consider the tire example again. Replacing a worn-down tire will take some of your time, but getting your truck towed after a blowout on the highway will cost a lot more time and money, not to mention the risk of you or someone else getting hurt.

4. Minimize Liability

After an accident, you could be found liable for any damages depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident. If you can’t demonstrate that you’ve been performing thorough pre-trip inspections as required by the FMCSA, this could be used against you. In addition to inspecting your truck, you also need to make sure to properly document that you did so. You should also document any repairs.

Learning How to Perform a Pre-Trip Inspection

In order to earn your CDL, you will need to demonstrate your ability to perform a pre-trip inspection. Since there are so many parts you’ll need to name and inspect, this is often one of the parts of the CDL test that students stress over the most. Performing mock inspections and making flashcards can help you learn how to perform an inspection. Additionally, choosing a high-quality CDL training program gives you access to helpful resources while you learn this and other trucking skills.

Truck Driving School in Albuquerque

At Phoenix Truck Driving School, we can help you get on the road and earning in as little as four weeks. Our program covers essential information related to trucking safety and operation, including how to perform pre-trip inspections.

To learn more about our truck driver training, contact us today.

Due to the large size of semi-trucks, accidents involving these vehicles are typically more severe than those involving only passenger vehicles. Many of the most serious semi-truck accidents involve jackknifing. This can also be called “a jackknife” and it is important for professional drivers to understand what this is and why it occurs so they can take steps to prevent it.

What is Jackknifing?

Jackknifing is when the trailer portion of a semi-truck folds in toward the tractor portion. This creates an acute angle, and it gets its name from the fact that it looks similar to a folded pocket knife. A jackknife starts with the trailer skidding and then the force of the skid pulls the truck into an acute angle if no action is taken.

This is different from trailer swing, which is when the trailer of the vehicle moves to one side, often while on a slippery surface. Trailer swing is less serious and can be corrected, although it is still important to be mindful of it so the trailer does not collide with anything.

Why is Jackknifing Dangerous?

When a semi-truck jackknifes, it often turns horizontally. This can result in it blocking several lanes of traffic, and nearby vehicles may be unable to stop before colliding with the trailer. This results in a chain reaction and can impact a significant number of vehicles.

Why Do Semi-Trucks Jackknife?

Understanding the circumstances that can lead to a jackknife helps you take the steps to prevent these issues.

Here are some of the reasons a semi-truck can jackknife:

• Speeding: A semi-truck takes significantly longer than a passenger vehicle to come to a stop safely. Speeding increases this distance and if a driver is going too fast and needs to stop suddenly, this can result in the trailer skidding.
• Unbalanced Cargo: It’s important to ensure your load is balanced correctly before you start driving. Unbalanced cargo can cause the trailer to tip or tilt. Light loads also increase the risk of a jackknife since there is less traction between the trailer and the road in these cases.
• Poor Weather: Rain makes the road slippery, and this increases the possibility of jackknifing if a driver tries to stop too suddenly.

What to Do If Your Trailer Starts to Skid

Preventing skidding is the best way to prevent jackknifing, and you can do this by driving at a reasonable speed and making sure you do not brake or turn suddenly. If your trailer does start to skid, it is still possible to prevent a more serious issue, but it’s important to act quickly. Take your foot off the gas, avoid braking until the skid stops, and turn your wheel in the direction you want to go.

Learn How to Be a Safe Trucker

At Phoenix Truck Driving School, we can help you earn your commercial driver’s license (CDL) and cover a variety of topics that help you become a safe and successful truck driver.

To learn more about our CDL training in Albuquerque, contact us today.

For truckers, their cab functions as both their office and their home while they are on the road. Making this space feel comfortable is important. While the area is relatively small, it’s still possible to add a few personal touches and customize the area so it feels more homey.

Here are some tips for making your semi-truck sleeper feel like home:

Start With The Essentials

When you’re working with a smaller amount of available space, it’s important to make sure you have everything you need before you start adding more. For your first few solo trips, it’s best to start with the most essential items. This allows you to get used to organizing and storing these supplies and by the time you’ve gotten some more experience, you’ll have a better idea of what space is available. Additionally, part of feeling at home is having peace of mind that you have access to everything you need, so having these supplies is an important step in feeling comfortable on hauls.

Some of the key supplies for truckers include clothing, any prescription or over-the-counter medication you take, personal hygiene products, organizational supplies for storing key documents, and tools for maintaining your truck. It’s also best to have some healthy snacks and meals available to avoid eating too many meals at truck stops or restaurants. Water is also essential and you should have a good supply in case of any emergencies.

Consider The Quality Of Your Sleep

Sleep is essential for anyone’s health and wellbeing and for truckers, minimizing fatigue can lower your risk of getting into an accident. There are many simple steps you can take to make sleeping in your semi-truck more comfortable. One is to consider adding a mattress topper to your bed or upgrading your mattress. You can also get high-quality pillows, sheets, and comforters. Customizing these items can help you decorate your cab and make it feel more like your own space.

In addition to the bed itself, you can add small items to help you sleep. Some options that are small enough for a semi-truck include an essential oil diffuser, a white noise machine, or a portable fan. You can customize these based on what you know works best for helping you get to sleep. However, it’s best not to go overboard and add multiple items all at once. Instead, add one at a time and see if it makes a difference, then go from there.

Add Electronics and Other Entertainment Items

When you aren’t driving, it helps to have ways to keep yourself entertained. Your semi-truck’s inverter can be used to power small electronics such as a television or gaming system. Of course, you won’t be able to fit a big flat-screen in your truck, but this doesn’t mean you can’t have a small TV set.

You can also bring your laptop or tablet on the road as long as you have a mobile hotspot to connect to the internet. Many truck stops also have Wi-Fi available, but keep in mind that this isn’t always reliable or fast, and not all truck stops have it available.

Make Your Cab Your Own With Personal Touches

Even a few small personal touches can make your semi-truck sleep feel more like home. Items that you can hang up on the wall take up minimal space while boosting your mood and helping your space feel unique. You can hang up flags, posters, and/or photos of your family and friends.

Sharing Your Cab With a Pet

Trucking is one of the few professions where you can have your pet with you every day on the job. Bringing a dog or cat on the road can make your rig homier and gives you a companion to share your hauls with. However, it’s important to be aware that it takes planning ahead of time to bring a pet on your semi-truck. You’ll also need to have enough space for their essential items such as food/treats, bowls, water, toys, and supplies to clean up after them.

Interested in the Trucking Lifestyle?

Trucking is as much a lifestyle as it is a career and for many people, this is part of the appeal. If you want to enjoy the freedom of the open road while also earning competitive pay, you may want to consider becoming a truck driver. The first step to do this is earning your commercial driver’s license (CDL). At Phoenix Truck Driving School, we can help you do this in as little as four weeks.

To learn more about our CDL training in Albuquerque, contact us today.

Over-the-road (OTR) truck drivers need to bring a variety of different supplies with them on the road. These include personal items as well as important documentation for the freight that is being delivered. Staying organized is essential to maximize the space in your truck and to keep the area from getting too cluttered. It’s also important to make sure you can find anything you need quickly and easily.

Here are some tips for semi-truck organization:

1. Stick to the Essentials at First

After finishing school and completing company training, you’re likely eager to be able to customize your cab to fit your personality. You’d be surprised how much you can do with a small space. However, it’s a good idea to stick to only the most essential items for your first few solo trips. After you’ve gotten the hang of life on the open road, you can start to add more items if you’d like. This helps you stay organized because you’ll have less items to worry about at first and can avoid clutter.

2. Use Organization Supplies

Having many items all around your truck can get confusing and organization supplies can help you keep everything in its proper place. One of the most helpful is a folder or small file cabinet for important paperwork. You can also get plastic bins and other items to make organization easier. Keep in mind that you should only buy what you actually need. Otherwise, the bins and organizers may become clutter themselves.

3. Take Advantage of Wall Space

A semi-truck cab is small, so you may need to get creative to find space for organization. One great way to do this is to add hanging organizers to take advantage of wall space. You can get command strips to hang up organizers and small items without damaging the cab. Just make sure everything is secure before you start driving.

4. Store Items For Easy Access

When you decide where to put different items, think about how often you’ll need to get to them and plan for convenient access. For example, paperwork that you might need during a traffic stop or roadside inspection should be easy to get to from the driver’s seat. Shower supplies, on the other hand, can be under your bed or in another area in the back of the cab since you’ll only need to get them when you’re stopped.

5. Reevaluate Regularly

Every so often, you should think about how your cab is organized and identify what is and isn’t working for you. If there is an item that you always seem to lose, for example, you may want to change where you put it. If there is something you haven’t used at all since you got it, it may be helpful to get rid of this item to free up some space.

Start Your Trucking Career

Before you hit the road, you’ll need to earn your commercial driver’s license (CDL). At Phoenix Truck Driving School, our accelerated training can help you get started in as little as four weeks.

To learn more about our truck driving school in Albuquerque, contact us today.

While many truckers spend most of their time in their truck alone, this isn’t always the case. For trucking teams, two individuals split up driving time. This means that if you and your spouse are both interested in the trucking industry, you can both earn your commercial driver’s license (CDL) and hit the road together. Husband-and-wife trucking teams are relatively common in the industry and there are many benefits.

Some of these include:

1. Earn More Together

Truckers must follow regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for driving and on-duty hours. Drivers must take regular breaks in order to ensure they are well-rested. For solo drivers, this means they will need to stop the truck. Team drivers, on the other hand, can switch off who is driving and keep the truck moving more consistently. As a result, motor carriers are typically willing to pay more for team drivers. If you and your spouse both have your CDL, you can earn more driving as a team than you would driving separately.

2. Drive With Someone You Know

The main reason some truckers prefer to stick to solo driving even when team trucking pays more is that driving with someone you don’t know can be challenging. You’re sharing a small space and will need to be able to communicate effectively and make decisions together. Husband-and-wife trucking teams are already at an advantage here because they (hopefully) learned how to communicate well over the course of their relationship and are more comfortable around each other.

3. Spend Time With Your Spouse

Trucking is a great career, but that doesn’t mean that it’s perfect. One of the downsides is that you’ll spend more time away from home than you would with a traditional 9-5. Although the high pay and freedom of the open road make this worth it for many, it’s still a challenge to be away from family. If you bring your spouse on the road with you, you’ll be able to spend more time with them.

What to Consider

While husband-and-wife trucking is an excellent decision for many drivers, it’s not for everyone. Before you commit to this career path, you should be sure that both you and your spouse are equally interested in it. Trucking is as much a lifestyle as it is a career and some individuals will enjoy it more than others. 

If your spouse doesn’t think they will enjoy trucking, you can always pursue a CDL on your own. You can compare home time policies to find one that works with your preferences.

Earn Your CDL in Albuquerque

The first step to a trucking career, whether you are interested in team or solo driving, is earning your CDL. At Phoenix Truck Driving School, we can help you get your license in as little as four weeks with our accelerated training. If you are interested in trucking with your spouse, our job placement assistance team can help you find companies that are hiring team drivers.

To learn more about our CDL training program, contact us today.

 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) updated its entry-level driver training (ELDT) requirements as of February 7, 2022. These apply to drivers who are earning their Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) for the first time, as well as those who are upgrading from a Class B to a Class A or who are earning certain endorsements. 

 

In order to earn your CDL and become a trucker, you will need to do so in compliance with these regulations. At Phoenix Truck Driving School, our programs meet the new ELDT requirements and we can help you get on the road and earning in as little as four weeks. 

How Have the ELDT Requirements Changed?

Understanding how the recent changes to the ELDT requirements are different from the previous regulations is helpful for getting an idea of how these changes affect CDL instruction.

Here are some of the differences: 

• Under the new requirements, only institutions on the FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry (TPR) can provide entry-level CDL training. Before the updated regulations, institutions only had to meet state-level training requirements. 
• The topics students need to learn in order to earn their CDL are now standardized. 
• As of February 7, 2022, schools must administer the CDL written test and report students’ scores to the FMCSA. Previously, this was the responsibility of each state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). 

CDL Theory Instruction Requirements

 

CDL instructors must cover a list of specific topics under the new ELDT requirements. In order to determine proficiency, instructors must use assessments and students need to earn an 80% or higher on these assessments. There are no minimum hours for theory instruction as long as students can demonstrate proficiency. 

 

There are five categories for theory instruction and each one includes various sub-topics. 

 

The theory instruction categories are:

• • Basic Operation: This topic includes subtopics such as pre-trip and post-trip inspections, coupling and uncoupling (for Class A CDLs only), and basic vehicle control. 

• Safe Operating Procedures: To earn a CDL, students will need to understand topics including nighttime driving, handling extreme conditions, and the dangers of distracted driving. 

• Advanced Operating Practices: CDL students must understand hazard perception, railroad-highway grade crossings, and skid control/recovery. 

• Vehicle Systems and Reporting Malfunctions: Entry-level training must cover topics related to vehicle systems and malfunctions, including how to handle roadside inspections. 

• Non-Driving Activities: Truck driver training must cover a variety of sub-topics related to non-driving activities, including post-crash procedures, trip planning, and environmental compliance issues.

Behind-the-Wheel Driving Requirements

CDL programs must also include behind-the-wheel training. There isn’t a minimum number of hours for this training, but instructors do need to document the total clock hours and ensure they cover all required topics. 

 

The ELDT regulations require programs to cover the following skills in a range setting:

• Coupling and uncoupling
• Blind side parallel parking
• Sight side parallel parking
• Alley dock backing (45 and 90 degrees)
• Straight line backing
• Off-set backing
• Pre-trip, en route, and post-trip vehicle inspections

Additionally, the training must address these topics on a public road:

• Regulations for hours of service (HOS)
• Vehicle controls such as entry and exit onto highways, turning, and lane changes
• Visual search
• Speed management and space management
• Safe driving behaviors
• Driving at night
• Railroad crossing
• Shifting/transmission
• Signaling/communication
• Hazard perception
• Skid control/recovery, jackknifing, and other emergencies
• Driving in extreme conditions

Some of these topics cannot be simulated during training, such as emergencies or extreme driving conditions. In these circumstances, the instructor must have a two-way conversation with their students and address how to respond to the situations outlined in the required topics. 

Earn Your Commercial License

If you are interested in earning your CDL and becoming a truck driver, Phoenix Truck Driving School can help. Our programs meet the new ELDT requirements and we give our students the skills they need to succeed in the trucking industry. 

Contact us today to learn how we can help you earn your CDL in as little as four weeks.

As a trucker, safety should always be a top priority. Part of staying safe on the road is following all regulations from the Federal Motor Safety Administration (FMCSA). This organization regulates the trucking industry. Following FMCSA requirements is important not only for your safety but also for avoiding fines and other consequences. The trucking company you choose to work for should assist you in staying compliant, but you are also responsible for being aware of regulations and following them.

Some of the key FMCSA regulations for truckers:

Drug and Alcohol Tests

Before you can drive a commercial vehicle, you will need to pass a drug test. Some companies may require an alcohol test before you begin employment as well. Throughout your career, there will be other circumstances when you are required to undergo drug and alcohol testing. These include random tests, after an accident, and if a supervisor has a reasonable suspicion of use/abuse.

If you fail or refuse to take a drug or alcohol test, your company will remove you from safety-sensitive duties, meaning you cannot drive. You will need to complete the return-to-duty process. Any drug and alcohol violations are reported to the FMCSA Clearinghouse, meaning they are visible to potential employers later on.

Hours of Service Limits

In order to help prevent truck driver fatigue, the FMCSA sets hours or service (HOS) limits. These regulations govern how long truckers can drive or be on-duty before they have to take a break. Truck drivers are responsible for planning their days to stay within these guidelines.

Depending on the type of trucking job you pursue, you will likely need to use an electronic logging device (ELD) to record your HOS. This means that if you are stopped by law enforcement or are subject to an inspection, your driving and on-duty time can be audited.

Here are some HOS rules you should know:

• There is a maximum of 11 hours of driving time before you must take 10 consecutive hours off-duty. In the event that there are unforeseeable adverse conditions that make it impossible to find safe parking before the 11 hours is up, you can extend the maximum time to 13 hours. However, this only applies if the conditions were truly unforeseeable (e.g. rush hour traffic or predicted weather would not count).
• After 14 consecutive hours on duty, you must take a 10-hour break. Driving time occurs within this window. On-duty non-driving tasks may include pre-trip inspections or fueling.
• You must take a 30-minute break after 8 consecutive hours of driving.
• In a seven-day timeframe, the maximum driving time is 60 hours. In an eight-day timeframe, the limit is 70 hours. You need to take a 34-hour break to reset this.

The above guidelines are the most basic you need to remember but keep in mind there are other rules you must know and follow. You can use the educational tool on the FMCSA’s website to help you understand HOS requirements.

Vehicle Inspections

Before you hit the road each day, you need to perform a pre-trip inspection to ensure your vehicle is in good working order. Per FMCSA regulations, this is a requirement for commercial drivers, and driving an unsafe vehicle or failing to ensure the vehicle is safe is a violation. If there is ever an issue during your inspection, you need to let your dispatcher know so they can arrange for it to be fixed promptly.

During hauls, you may also be stopped from a roadside inspection. These involve a thorough check of your vehicle, as well as your HOS and various documents. A pre-trip inspection helps you ensure you are ready if you are ever subject to one of these inspections.

Other Regulations

The regulations in this article are only some of the rules you need to know. When in doubt, keep in mind that you can always ask your supervisor (once you start working for a trucking company) or your instructor (while attending trucking school).

Get Your CDL and Enter the Trucking Industry

If you are interested in a trucking career, Phoenix Truck Driving School in Albuquerque can help. We teach you everything you need to know to pass your commercial driver’s license (CDL) test and offer job placement assistance to help you hit the road as soon as possible.

Contact us today to learn more about our CDL training programs.