Tips for Trucking With a Family

Trucking is a promising career path. Commercial drivers can earn more than $69,000 a year* and it only takes a few weeks to get the necessary training to get started. Many individuals chose to enter the field due to these benefits, including individuals with families. Long-haul trucking (which is most common for entry-level positions, and has the highest earning potential) is as much a lifestyle as it is a career. This will affect not only you, but also your loved ones back home. With a bit of effort on both ends, it is possible to make trucking with a family work for you.

Here are some tips:

1. Take Advantage of Technology

Modern technology has made it easier than ever to stay in touch with loved ones even if you are far from home. Make an effort to call at least once each day while you’re out and to video chat with your family a few times a week. This way, you can stay up to date with everything that is happening in their lives.

During fuel stops and other breaks, send photos of interesting truck stops, roadside attractions, or anything else you think they’d like to see from your day. This will remind them that you’re thinking of them while you’re out on the road. However, make sure you never text while driving!

2. Let Your Family Help You Trip Plan

Before starting a haul, it’s important to plan your route. During this process, get your family involved by letting them help pick where you’ll stop. When you’ve made your plan, give them a copy so they have a timeline of where you’ll be at different points of your trip. Each day when you check in, they’ll be able to reference your plan to get an idea of what area you are in. It’s likely your plans will change and you won’t follow the route completely, but your family will still get to feel like they’re a part of your daily life on the road.

3. Spend Time Together When You’re Home

During your home time, there are likely several things you’ll need to do. You will want to make sure you can finish any essential tasks and take some time to relax. In addition to taking time for yourself, make sure you also take advantage of the time you have with your family.

There are sure to be many events or special occasions where you want to be with your family. Be realistic and prioritize the most important of these. Make sure you are realistic and don’t make any promises you can’t keep. Surprising your family by getting home earlier than you thought is going to be better than missing out on something you said you’d be there for. Setting clear expectations for this ahead of time is helpful and when you can’t physically be there, try to call, video chat, or otherwise be involved as much as you can.

4. Consider a Trip With a Loved One

Depending on which motor carrier you work for, you may be able to bring a passenger on the road with you. If one of your family members has time, consider taking them on the road for a short trip. This gives them the opportunity to see what your day-to-day working life is like, and it lets you share a special experience together.

For children, be sure to check your company’s minimum age requirements. You should also consider whether your child is prepared to spend hours at a time in your truck.

When taking passengers on the road, be sure to plan ahead. Choose a route that is short and relatively easy when possible. A route through a busy city or an area with inclement weather is likely to raise your stress levels and may not be a great trip for bringing a family member along.

5. Set Goals With Your Family in Mind

You and your partner/co-parent should be on the same page when it comes to what is best for your family situation. Set clear expectations with each other and discuss your long-term and short-term career goals. If you want to transition into a job with more home time, consider spending one year as a long-haul driver before transitioning to a regional or local job. Alternatively, if you find you love over-the-road (OTR) trucking, be sure your family is on board. Both options are possible for truckers with families so it just depends on your and your family’s preferences.

Earn Your CDL in Tucson

If you are interested in a trucking career, HDS Truck Driving Institute (HDS truck driving school) can help you earn your license in as little as four weeks. We have trained many students with families and offer job placement assistance to help you find opportunities that align with your needs and goals.

To learn more about becoming a truck driver, contact us today.

*Professional truck drivers earn a mean annual wage of $48,710. The top 10% of truck drivers make more than $69,000 per year according to the 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Future of Women in Trucking

If you ask someone to picture a truck driver, many of them will think of a rugged man. Although it is true that the trucking industry has a high proportion of male drivers, the number of women truckers continues to grow. Data from Freightwaves and the Women in Trucking Association (WIT) shows that the percentage of over-the-road (OTR) truckers who are female has increased from 4.9% in 2008 to 10.2% in 2019.

Due to the continuing truck driver shortage, there is an increased demand for drivers of both genders. This means that welcoming more female truckers is a promising way to meet this need while also allowing women to take advantage of the many benefits of the trucking industry.

More information about the future of women in trucking:

What Brings Women to the Trucking Industry

For the most part, women choose to become truckers for the same reasons men do.

Some of these include:

  • High Earning Potential: OTR drivers can earn competitive pay and take advantage of excellent benefits. Truckers can earn more than $69,000 a year.*
  • Accelerated Training: Getting a commercial driver’s license (CDL) can take as little as four weeks. Especially considering the high earning potential, this is a relatively short training period.
  • Freedom of the Open Road: Long-haul trucking gives you the opportunity to see more of the country.

Key Barriers to Address to Help Women in Trucking

Over the years, the trucking industry has become more welcoming for women. However, there are still some barriers that companies are working to address in order to help women drivers.

Some of these barriers and possible solutions for them include:

Varying Company Cultures

Some motor carriers unfortunately still have corporate cultures that are not entirely welcoming to female truckers. Luckily, more and more companies have begun to realize how valuable women truck drivers can be and are taking steps to create a more inclusive environment.

If you are a female trucking school student, one way to help ensure your future company will be a welcoming workplace is to talk to current drivers. All trucking students, regardless of gender, can actually benefit from this as it allows them to make decisions about their future with access to all of the available information.

Semi-Truck Design

Women are shorter and smaller than men on average and in the past, semi-trucks have been designed for male drivers. As a result, women may not always feel as comfortable in tractor-trailers. Today, companies have begun to consider the needs of women and are making cabs that are more accommodating.

Safety

Female truckers traveling alone may be concerned about safety. The good news is that there have been advancements in security technology that can help these women feel safer. Additionally, female truck drivers who have dealt with issues in the past can help those who are new to the industry and give them advice.

Motor carriers have also become more aware of the unique concerns of their female drivers and trainees. As a result, they have worked to improve safety on the road. In addition, updated truck stop facilities provide more safety and comfort for all drivers regardless of gender.

We Welcome All Trucking Students

At Phoenix Truck Driving School, we strive to provide a supportive and welcoming environment for all students, both male and female. Our program can get you on the road in as little as four weeks and we offer job placement assistance to help you get your career started.

If you are interested in earning your commercial driver’s license, contact us today.

*Professional truck drivers earn a mean annual wage of $47,130. The top 10% of truck drivers make more than $69,480 per year according to 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Types of Trucker Pay

Trucking can be a rewarding career path and drivers can make more than $69,000 a year.* Determining how much you can earn as a trucker can be confusing at first because the pay structure is typically different for over-the-road drivers compared to other workers. Beyond the base pay, there are also additional types of trucker pay and it’s helpful to understand what these are and when they might apply.

Some types of pay for truck drivers include:

Base Pay

Most of what you earn as a trucker will be from your base pay. This is the standard pay you receive for driving. The way your company calculates base pay will vary depending on the type of driving you do.

Your base pay may be:

Pay Per Mile

This is the most common type of pay for over-the-road (OTR) truck drivers and many regional drivers as well. As the name implies, this type of base pay compensates you based on the number of miles that you haul goods and materials. The company will express this rate as cents per mile (CPM).

There are a few different ways to calculate mileage, so it’s important to know which your company uses.

These are:

  • Practical Mileage – one of the most common and is based on the number of miles in the most efficient route from the starting point to the destination.
  • Household Goods (HHG) – measures from zip code to zip code
  • Hub Mileage – includes every mile a truck drivers

Hourly

Local drivers and regional drivers with short routes may have hourly rates instead of being paid per mile. This type of base pay becomes more practical if the driver performs non-driving tasks (such as loading and unloading or interacting with customers) for long periods of time on a regular basis. It is very rare for OTR drivers to be paid hourly.

Salary

Truck drivers with a salary earn a consistent amount on a weekly or biweekly basis. These are similar to hourly trucking jobs in that they are more common for local or regional driving compared to OTR.

Pay Per Load

This is one of the rarer types of base pay in the trucking industry, although companies may offer it under some circumstances. You are more likely to see pay per load for specialized trucking jobs or as pay for owner-operators. This may be a flat rate or a percentage of the profit the company makes for the load. The second is less common.

Additional Trucker Pay

Motor carriers may compensate truck drivers beyond base pay depending on the situation.

Some additional types of pay that may apply include:

Per Diem

A per diem is a daily allowance and helps cover daily expenses a driver may have on the road, such as meals. Many motor carriers will add a per diem into their CPM rate. One thing to note is that per diem pay is non-taxable. As a result, it’s important to know what portion, if any, of your pay per mile is considered per diem.

Detention, Layover, and Breakdown Pay

In trucking, things don’t always go as planned. Compensating drivers in these situations can help reduce their stress when they are not able to travel as many miles as expected due to delays outside of their control.

Motor carriers may offer pay for:

  • Detentions – a trucker is stuck at the receiver and has to wait to drop off their load
  • Layovers –  a driver is waiting to receive a load
  • Breakdowns – an issue with the tractor-trailer that requires the truck driver to stop and wait for repairs

Stop Pay

In many cases, OTR drivers deliver a full truckload to one customer. However, there may be circumstances when a load will include two or more stops. Many motor carriers offer additional stop pay for every drop-off past the first one.

Bonuses and Incentives

Trucking companies often offer incentives to encourage the best performance. Some examples include bonuses for passing Department of Transportation (DOT) inspections, safe driving, and fuel efficiency. Due to the driver shortage, many carriers offer sign-on bonuses as well.

Start A Rewarding Trucking Career

If you are interested in seeing more of the country while earning high pay, you should consider trucking. The first step is earning your commercial driver’s license (CDL) and at Phoenix Truck Driving School, we can help you do this in as little as four weeks. We also offer job placement assistance and many of our students have offers even before graduation.

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

*Professional truck drivers earn a mean annual wage of $47,130 (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes533032.htm). The top 10% of truck drivers make more than $69,480 per year according to 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics.

5 Tips for Getting The Most Out of CDL Driver Training

Earning your commercial driver’s license (CDL) is the first step to a rewarding trucking career. In most cases, it’s best to get your training at a truck driving school. To get the most out of your CDL driver training, it’s important to have the right mindset.

Here are some tips:

1. Research the Industry Before You Start

Before you attend CDL school, read about the trucking industry. This helps you make sure that you are fully committed to this career path. There are many benefits, such as high pay and the opportunity to see the country, but you should consider every aspect of trucking and be prepared for the unique lifestyle.

Researching before you start CDL classes also helps you figure out what topics you may need more help understanding. Read the New Mexico CDL manual and keep track of any questions that come up. As you go over these topics again in school, you’ll be prepared to retain more of the material.

2. Stay Positive

During your CDL driver training, you’ll be learning a lot of new skills. You’ll be better at some than others and it’s easy to get overwhelmed or frustrated. However, staying positive can help you have the best possible experience. Remind yourself of why you are interested in a trucking career and focus on working toward your goals.

3. Ask Questions

There will be a lot of information to take in during your training. To help you understand everything your instructor covers, ask questions when you need to. Don’t feel self-conscious. Chances are other students will be wondering the same thing, and questions give everyone the opportunity to learn more about the material.

4. Practice, Practice, Practice

Your instructors will help you prepare for your CDL test, but you should also study on your own or with classmates. The skills on the driving test will require instructor supervision, but you can practice pre-trip inspections and study for the written tests without this. Find a study method that works for you and practice as much as you can.

5. Observe While Other Students Drive

In most cases, you will spend a portion of your time driving during hands-on training, and you will spend the rest of the time watching while other students drive. Instead of checking out, pay attention to what your classmates are doing. If they make mistakes, make a mental note of what you can do to avoid the same issues. If they are doing especially well, consider what you can learn from their technique. This helps you make the best use of your time.

Bonus Tip: Choose A High-Quality Trucking School

The above tips focus on what you can do to improve your experience, but this will also depend on the quality of the program you attend. At Phoenix Truck Driving School, our instructors have real-world experience and work hard to help you succeed. We also have a job placement assistance team and many of our students have offers before graduation. We can get you on the road and earning in as little as four weeks.

Get Started On The Road to a New Career

If you are interested in earning your CDL with Phoenix Truck Driving School, contact us today.

Why Most Entry-Level CDL Jobs are OTR

After earning a commercial driver’s license (CDL), many drivers start their career with an over-the-road (OTR) job. In the majority of cases, experienced drivers will advise rookies to start out with long-haul trucking. You will also likely see that most entry-level CDL jobs are OTR.

Here are some of the reasons why most new drivers start with an OTR job:

1. Build Experience

OTR job allows you to get exposure to a variety of driving conditions and situations. Since you’ll be driving across the country, you’ll learn how to handle icy roads, mountains, traffic, sudden weather changes, et cetera. Whether you continue to drive OTR or eventually transition into a regional or local job, your first year as a long-haul truck driver gives you the opportunity to start building these skills.

2. Space Out More Difficult Driving Conditions

Local jobs (and, to a certain extent, regional jobs) tend to involve a lot of city driving and backing into loading docks. These are challenging tasks for a new driver. While you get the chance to do both while driving OTR, you won’t spend your entire working day doing them.

This gives you the opportunity to focus on learning new skills without the stress of constantly doing the driving tasks that are most challenging for beginners. It’s also worth noting that staying accident-free your first year is helpful for finding jobs in the future, and this can be more difficult if you are driving in city traffic and backing into tight spots all day.

3. Higher Pay and Tuition Reimbursement

The specific pay scale varies depending on the carrier you choose to work with. However, OTR tends to be the highest-paying option for new CDL holders. This is because of the high demand for long-haul truckers. Many companies also offer tuition reimbursement for new graduates, further increasing the amount you can earn.

4. Insurance

The three reasons above illustrate where OTR jobs are often the best starting point for new truckers, but it’s also helpful to understand why there are fewer entry-level regional and local jobs. One of the major reasons for this is insurance.

It costs more to insure new CDL holders compared to those with experience. As this article previously mentioned, local and regional jobs can include challenging conditions on a daily basis, which further increases the risk for insuring new drivers in those positions. As a result, most regional and local routes will require 6 months to a year of previous experience, whereas entry-level OTR positions are more accessible to a student who just graduated CDL school.

Start Your Trucking Career

If you are interested in earning your commercial license, Phoenix Truck Driving School can help. We can get you on the road and earning in as little as four weeks.

To learn more about earning your CDL, contact us today.

Truck Stop Etiquette & Safety

If you choose to become an over-the-road (OTR) trucker after earning your commercial driver’s license (CDL), you’ll spend a lot of time driving across the country. You’ll also probably spend a lot of time at truck stops to shower, refuel, and rest. You may also be grabbing a bite to eat at these locations from time to time, even if you pack food on your truck as well.

You’ll be learning a great deal during your first year as a new trucker, from safe driving to how to communicate best with your dispatcher. During this time, you should also make sure you understand truck stop etiquette and safety.

Many of these “rules” boil down to staying polite and being a reasonably cautious driver in general, so if you follow those principles, you will be in a good position.

Some things you should keep in mind at truck stops:

Drive Slowly and Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Truck stops generally have a lot of foot traffic as well as multiple semi-trucks and passenger vehicles navigating the lot. It’s important to drive slowly, no matter how much of a hurry you are in. You should also be aware of what is going on around you and keep a lookout for any potential hazards.

Don’t Park at the Fuel Pump Longer than Necessary

After getting your diesel, it’s okay to stay at the pump to go inside and get your receipt or to grab a few items at the register. However, if you are doing anything longer than that, you should pull into a parking spot. It can be tempting to avoid the hassle of backing in, but no one wants to wait in a long line to fuel up.

Be Mindful When Parking a Bobtail

If you are driving a tractor without an attached trailer (bobtail), you should park in the designated bobtail spaces when possible. Most truck stops have these spots. If they are full or the truck stop you are at does not have them, consider pulling forward in the parking area and leaving space for another bobtail to park in the same spot. In cases where this isn’t possible to coordinate, make sure your tractor is clearly visible so no one starts backing in, only to see the tractor in the back of the spot.

Get Out and Look (GOAL)

You should always back into spots instead of pulling through, as this is safer for when you leave the truck stop. That being said, it’s understandable that backing is sometimes difficult, especially if you are a new trucker. Make sure you get out and look (GOAL) to get a clear idea of what is around the spot and take your time.

It’s better to slow down than to try to rush the process and hit another truck. Most other truckers will be patient since everyone has been in this position before. Even if someone seems frustrated with the time it takes, they would definitely be more upset if you hit their truck!

Clean Up After Yourself and Your Pets

This should go without saying, but it’s important to make sure to clean up after yourself at truck stops. If you are trucking with your pets, pick up after them as well.

Be Kind and Help Out When You Can

It doesn’t cost anything to be friendly. No matter what kind of day you are having, try to be polite to those you meet at truck stops, whether you are talking to the cashier or another driver.

Additionally, try to help out your fellow drivers when it’s safe to do so. Especially after you have gained some more experience on the road. You can assist other drivers who may be dealing with the same things you did during your first year. Even as a rookie, you can help spot for someone while they back in, let a driver know if they are able to hit something, and generally lend a hand when you can. These small actions make life on the road a little easier for everyone.

Become a Truck Driver at Phoenix Truck Driving School

If you want to earn competitive pay while enjoying the freedom of the open road, our CDL school can help. Our program can take as little as four weeks and we give you the skills you need to succeed.

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

Top 5 Skills for a Truck Driver to Have

Trucking is a rewarding career path and drivers can make more than $69,000 a year.* It is also one of few industries where you can finish training in as little as four weeks. It’s helpful to consider the top skills a truck driver needs to possess to understand whether this might be the ideal job for you. If you already have these skills, you would likely make a great trucker.

1. Safe Driving

Safety is absolutely essential in the trucking industry. Operating a vehicle that is so much larger than the standard four-wheeler is a big responsibility. Your actions affect not only yourself but also everyone else on the road.

Truck drivers need to be focused on safety at all times. This includes maintaining a safe speed, avoiding distractions, and driving defensively.

2. Communication

Most people think of trucking as a solitary job. In many cases, this is true. Unless you are a team driver, you will likely spend most of your time by yourself. However, communicating well with others is actually a big part of your job as a trucker.

One of the people you will communicate with most is your dispatcher. Dispatchers act as a go-between for motor carriers and their drivers. Their job is to make sure freight gets to the customer on time and undamaged. If there are unexpected delays, routing issues, or other concerns while on the road, your dispatcher is typically the person you’ll work with to find a solution.

At various points, you’ll also need to communicate with the customer to arrange deliveries, with your company’s safety director if you have any concerns or questions, and many more. In addition to your professional life, communication will likely impact your personal life, especially if you are trucking with a family.

3. Navigation

Over-the-road (OTR) truckers travel across the United States to deliver freight. While modern GPS technology has made it easier to determine where you are going, you shouldn’t rely on navigation devices entirely.

Most truckers use a road atlas and/or a phone application in addition to their GPS system. This allows you to see where rest stops are, what roads are off-limits to semi-trucks, and if there are any closures you need to be aware of. You should be comfortable with using a map and be skilled in navigation.

4. Organization

You will have various paperwork on your truck to document your load. In addition, you will need to keep track of daily pre-trip inspections, manage your hours of service (HOS), and plan your routes. All of these tasks require good organizational skills. Many truckers keep a binder or file cabinet in their cab to help them keep track of everything.

5. Motivation to Succeed

One of the reasons why trucking is a great career path is that, in many cases, you are in control of your own success. If you work hard, consistently deliver your freight on time, and drive safely, you can earn competitive pay and continue to advance your career. You can even become an owner-operator and run your own trucking business.

Get Your Career Started

If you are interested in becoming a commercial truck driver, Phoenix Truck Driving School can help you get started. We offer accelerated training and can get you on the road in as little as four weeks.

To learn more about our commercial driver’s license (CDL) training in Albuquerque, contact us today.

**Professional truck drivers earn a mean annual wage of $47,130 The top 10% of truck drivers make more than $69,480 per year according to the 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What is Oversize Trucking?

There are many types of specialized trucking that may interest you over the course of your career. In most cases, you will want to have some experience between graduating from a commercial driver’s license (CDL) school and getting one of these specialized jobs. This is because they require expertise and drivers who have spent more time on the road are usually more prepared to handle the unique responsibilities and challenges.

However, having an idea of the many jobs that are out there can help you plan for your career. One option is oversize trucking, which involves transporting loads with large dimensions and weight. Heavy-haul truckers are in high demand, although there are many unique considerations for this type of career.

What is Considered an Oversize Load?

Each state sets its own weight and size limits for which vehicles are considered oversize. In general, anything greater than 8.6 feet wide, 13.6 feet tall, 53 feet long, or 80,000 pounds of gross weight is a heavy load. These hauls may include specialized equipment, airline parts, or mobile homes.

Special Requirements for Overweight Trucking

Before transporting an overweight load, the trucking company will need to obtain all necessary permits for the regions that the vehicle will be traveling through. Each state, municipality, and county have different requirements for these types of hauls.

The route needs to be carefully planned, and unlike other over-the-road (OTR) jobs where the driver has some flexibility with which roads they use, oversize truckers will need to follow the route on their trip plan as closely as possible.

In most cases, the vehicle will need to be clearly labeled as an “oversize load.” In some areas, especially if the terrain is more difficult to navigate, there will need to be pilot cars, also known as guide vehicles. These are cars or trucks that travel in front of and/or behind the oversize truck. They alert others on the road that an oversize load is approaching and inform the trucker about any approaching road hazards.

Doubles & Triples

A doubles/triples CDL endorsement may be necessary for some oversized loads. Having this on your license can open up more job opportunities, even if it is not required for every haul.

Considerations for Oversize Truckers

If you are considering working toward a career as a heavy-haul trucker, you should be prepared for the challenges it can present. Driving any semi-truck is a big responsibility and can take some getting used to. This is even more true when the truck is oversized. 

The haul may block your visibility and requires extreme care to transport safely. This type of job is not generally a good fit for new CDL drivers. In general, oversize truckers have several years of experience with other types of freight before transitioning into heavy-haul trucking.

Planning for a Specialized Trucking Career

If you love the idea of hauling oversize freight, the first step is getting your CDL. Focus on building your skills and plan to have another type of trucking job first. Our program can help you earn your license in as little as four weeks and start your trucking career with the skills you need to succeed.

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

What to Do After a Failed CDL Test

Earning your commercial driver’s license (CDL) is the first step to a rewarding career in the trucking industry. In order to do this, you need to pass two exams: a written test and a skills test. Some drivers fail these the first time and although this can be discouraging, the good news is that it isn’t the end of your trucking career.

After a failed CDL test, it’s important to take an honest look at why you didn’t pass and take the necessary steps to improve. Many great truckers did not pass these tests on the first try and taking the test again shows that you are willing to keep going even when faced with challenges.

If you failed your CDL test, here are some steps to take:

1. Know State Rules for Retesting

Each state has different rules for how soon you can retake one of the CDL tests after failing it. In New Mexico, you can take the written exam up to twice in a seven-day period. There is no limit on the number of times you can attempt to pass. For the skills test, you will need to wait one week to retest, and you can take the exam up to 3 times within the year. After this, you will need to wait one year from the date of your first attempt before you can try again.

2. Study/Practice the Material You Struggled With

If you failed the written portion of the test, re-read the relevant sections of the CDL manual. For the general knowledge portion, these are Introduction (1), Driving Safely (2), Cargo (3), and Combination Vehicles (6). The material for the endorsement tests is covered in Doubles and Triples (7), Tank Vehicles (8), and Hazardous Materials (9).

There are “Test Your Knowledge” sections throughout the manual with practice questions. Make sure you know the answers to these and ask your instructors for help if you are having trouble with the material.

If you failed the skills test, start with the section of the exam that you struggled with. If this was the pre-trip inspection, try making flashcards and running through the steps as many times as possible before you take the test again.

For driving skills, ask your instructors to give you some pointers and to supervise practice focused on the areas you had the most trouble with.

3. Take a Deep Breath

Many students who fail the CDL test know the material and are good drivers, but they get nervous when testing. Before you go in to retake the test, take a moment to calm down and focus on the task at hand. Being able to handle pressure is an important skill for a truck driver to have, so learning how to do this before you go out on your first solo trip is essential.

If you do make a mistake during the exam, simply correct it and move on. If it wasn’t a safety-related error, don’t panic. The instructors use a point system that calculates how many non-safety errors you can make without failing.

We Give Our Students the Tools They Need to Succeed

At Phoenix Truck Driving School, our highly skilled instructors are here to help you pass the CDL test. We help students earn their commercial license and enter the rewarding trucking industry. You could be on the road and earning in as little as four weeks and many of our students have offers before they even graduate.

To learn more about how we can help you pass your CDL exam, contact us today.

What is Dedicated Trucking?

After you earn your commercial driver’s license (CDL), there are many types of trucking jobs available to you. There are different varieties of freight and route lengths, as well as variations in who you are delivering for. Dedicated trucking is when you haul goods or materials for one specific freight customer. This type of driving could be a good fit if you are looking for consistency and since every shipper is different, you can choose one that best matches your career goals.

Differences Between Dedicated Jobs

The one thing that all dedicated driving positions have in common is that you haul for a consistent customer. Beyond this, the responsibilities differ depending on the type of freight being delivered and the needs of the shipper. Some have local routes that allow you to be home every night. Other customers need to move goods and materials over long distances and are very similar to over-the-road (OTR) jobs. If the freight is time-sensitive, a company may be hiring team drivers, whereas others have openings for solo truckers. If you are interested in dedicated trucking, it’s a good idea to make a list of what is important to you in a job. This list can help you narrow down your search to options that match your desired lifestyle, pay, home time, et cetera.

Benefits of Dedicated Trucking

Consistency

The main reason people are interested in dedicated driving is the consistency. A typical OTR driver will be assigned freight from multiple customers and won’t necessarily know what their next route will look like. This leads to variation in pay and home time. With a dedicated job, you get consistent miles and, except in unique circumstances, usually have a regular schedule.

Getting to Know Customers

Dedicated truckers work with the same company for each delivery, so they have the opportunity to get to know the customer better over time. This gives you the opportunity to build a relationship and make a good impression on them.

Familiarity

Driving the same route gives you the opportunity to become familiar with traffic patterns, truck stops, and potential challenges. This familiarity makes it easier to be efficient and safe during your deliveries.

What to Consider

While there are many benefits to dedicated trucking, it is not right for everyone. While some individuals appreciate the consistency, others prefer the excitement of seeing the country and traveling a new route with each haul. In this case, an OTR job may be a better fit for you. One of the great things about getting your CDL is that you aren’t limited to one type of career. You can always try out dedicated trucking then move into OTR or vice versa, in addition to other CDL jobs.

Earn Your CDL

At Phoenix Truck Driving School, we can help you start your trucking career with the skills you need to succeed. Our job placement assistance team can also help you explore the different job opportunities that are available to you.

If you are interested in dedicated trucking, we can help you earn your CDL and get started on the road to your new career.

What to Know as a New Trucker

Becoming a truck driver can be an exciting and rewarding career decision. However, like any change, it can take some getting used to at first. A commitment to improving can help you enter the industry with a strong foundation. The first year on the road is usually the toughest and as you gain more experience, you’ll continue to grow into your role. Staying focused and keeping a positive attitude will make it easier for you to succeed as a new trucker.

Here are some tips for your first year in the trucking industry:

Focus on Safety

Safety is essential for truck drivers. Operating such a big vehicle comes with correspondingly big responsibilities, and it can take some time to get used to driving a semi-truck. During your first year, make safe driving a priority. Do not drive distracted, stay under the speed limit, and take the time to build your defensive driving skills. Any accidents will go on your driving record, and this can affect your future job prospects, not to mention the potential damage and injuries that can occur.

Be Realistic About Your Goals

It can be tempting to compare yourself and your miles to more experienced drivers. However, it’s important to keep in mind that becoming a more efficient trucker takes time and effort. Setting unrealistic goals can affect your confidence and can be dangerous if you compromise on safety to try to complete hauls more quickly. Instead, it’s a good idea to talk to experienced truckers that you trust and to see what goals they set or wish they set for their first year. This helps you stay motivated without overextending yourself.

Establish Healthy Habits

Staying healthy can be difficult for anyone, but over-the-road (OTR) drivers face some unique challenges. It’s easier to build good habits as a new trucker than it is to completely change your lifestyle after you’ve already been driving for a while. Many of the same actions that keep you healthy are also, naturally, beneficial for safe driving. For example, getting enough rest reduces your risk of health problems while also helping you stay alert.

Build a Strong Support Network

Everyone can benefit from help and support. The challenges you may face during your first year may be easier to tackle if you know you have people you can count on for advice and encouragement. Your support network should include individuals who aren’t in the industry, such as your family and friends. Making time to stay in touch with your loved ones while you are on the road is important. In addition to these individuals, it can be helpful to find mentors in the trucking industry. More experienced drivers can give you helpful advice and will understand the challenges that are common for new truckers.

Get Started on the Road to a Trucking Career

If you are interested in becoming a truck driver, our program can help give you the skills you need to succeed. We can help you earn your commercial driver’s license (CDL) and start earning in as little as four weeks.

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

Types of Specialized Trucking

Truck drivers are essential to our nation’s economy and trucks transport over 70% of the nation’s freight. Much of this is hauled in dry vans, which are the type of vehicles that line up most closely with the standard idea of a “semi-truck.” Refrigerated trucks, also called reefers, are also common. However, beyond these more well-known varieties of transportation, there are many types of specialized trucking. These drivers haul unique freight and often earn high pay due to the additional training and skills required.

Some types of specialized trucking include:

Livestock Transport

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there are over 250,000 livestock haulers in the United States. These trucks transport various animals to farms across the country. Cattle haulers are among the most common, but trucks may also transport chickens, horses, pigs, or even bees. In order to succeed as a livestock trucker, you will need to have an understanding of how to care for the animals you are transporting, and many of these haulers have farm experience. This type of work is often seasonal and is subject to regulations from not only the FMCSA and Department of Transportation (DOT), but also the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other organizations.

Car Haulers

Did you know that the first semi-truck was invented to haul automobiles to buyers without causing unnecessary wear and tear? Transporting cars to dealerships has become more advanced over the years and instead of moving one vehicle at a time, these specialized trucks typically have an open trailer with several cars. This type of trucking requires knowledge of weight regulations and car haulers need to know how to safely load the vehicles and inspect them for damage. Due to the high value of this type of freight, it’s important for these truckers to build a strong reputation, and many are owner-operators.

Hazardous Materials

The category of hazardous materials (hazmat) includes a variety of potentially dangerous substances. One of the most common is gasoline and without fuel trucks, transportation in the United States would be severely impacted in less than a week. These jobs require both the hazmat and tanker endorsements. Most companies will prefer to hire drivers who have experience with non-hazardous freight first, because a strong safety record is essential for these high-risk hauls.

Getting into Specialized Trucking

If you are interested in jobs beyond dry van or reefer trucking, it is important to know how to get started. The first step is to earn your commercial driver’s license (CDL). Then, by looking at what type of trucking you are interested in, you will need to determine what additional endorsements you may need. In most cases, it is recommended to start with a more traditional truck driving job to get some experience before you apply to specialized trucking companies. However, there may be exceptions to this, such as if you have related experience outside of driving (e.g. a farming background, in the case of livestock hauling).

Our job placement assistance team can help you consider your options, and if additional endorsements are needed, our classes at Phoenix Truck Driving School cover material for the hazmat, tanker, and doubles/triples tests.

Earn Your Commercial License

Phoenix Truck Driving School can get you on the road and earning in as little as four weeks. Our program gives you valuable skills that will continue to benefit you throughout your trucking career.

Take the first step toward a specialized trucking job and earn your CDL. Contact us today.