Month: March 2014

Virtually every industry relies on over the road drivers to transport food, parts, machinery, and other goods. Truck driving can be a rewarding career path for those who put in the time and effort, but life on the road isn’t for everyone. It’s important to know the professional responsibilities of truck drivers in order to make an informed decision. Below is a brief look at some of the pros and cons of working as a truck driver.

Pros

Truck driving is one of the few careers that can offer $40,000 per year or more with only a few weeks’ training. CDL training at HDL can be completed in as little as four weeks. A CDL license can provide you with the opportunity to see the far corners of the nation while getting paid. Depending on your professional priorities, it may also be possible to work locally and come home every night after putting in time as an over the road (OTR) operator. A CDL license doesn’t anchor you to life as a truck driver, but it can open up further career possibilities.

Cons

Rookie drivers typically start their first year as long haul drivers, working for several days at a time and getting several days off in between jobs. Also keep in mind that statistically the roads are very dangerous, and that commercial drivers have to be prepared to handle a wide range of road conditions. Scheduling can be initially problematic for drivers who want to start out close to home.

The HDL Truck Driving Institute has been a trusted CDL school in Tucson for more than 20 years, and our staff of experienced instructors are here to provide you with the instruction and real-world training to build a successful career in a high-demand field. To request more information, contact us online or call (877) 205-2141 today.

Statistically speaking, the roads are the most dangerous place to be in the United States. Truckers face more road hazards than anyone else on the road, and as CDL license holders they are held to a higher standard of responsibility. Road safety is a basic component of CDL training, but when tempers run high and traffic runs slow it can be easy to forget the rules of the road after several 11-hour shifts. Keep yourself and others safe with these quick tips.

Share the Road

When you’re behind the wheel of a 70-foot 18-wheeler, the stakes of even a minor accident are significantly higher. When it comes to other drivers, chances are the last thing on their minds is your cargo; it can be frustrating to deal with heavy traffic—especially in construction zones during rush hour—but one of your duties as a CDL license holder is to always be aware of your “no-zones” and to respond accordingly. Approximately one-third of all crashes take place in the “no-zone,” so signal early and often and keep your ears open for car horns.

Maintain Your Vehicle

Carriers handle maintenance for fleet vehicles, but plenty of things can wrong on the open highways. Lights can short, tire tread can become shredded (especially during Arizona summers), and an inexperienced driver can quickly destroy the brake pads without caution. Stick to company policy and always do a thorough walkaround and maintenance log before hitting the road.

Plan Ahead

Take advantage of your extra driving height to look ahead and anticipate lane changes, heavier traffic, and other road hazards. Be aware that driving fatigued can actually be just asdangerous as driving intoxicated, so always give yourself enough time to rest in between long hauls—just avoid parking on roadways with speed limits over 30 mph.

HDL Truck Driving Institute has been provided superior CDL training in Tucson since 1991. To learn more about tuition, program schedules, and financial aid availability, contact us online or call (877) 205-2141 today.

As a nationally recognized CDL school in Tucson, HDS Truck Driving Institute is focused on providing students with a full scope of driver training and education. Our programs are flexible enough to fit around the needs of working professionals while providing real-world experience from seasoned drivers. Learn more about your career opportunities from HDL below.

Program Scheduling

We understand that not everybody has the time to dedicate to a full course schedule, which is why we offer both day and night classes, as well as weekend courses and training by the hour. Depending on your professional goals, our programs are designed to provide both the training and the necessary amount of clock hours to receive a Class A or Class B CDL license. To jumpstart your driving career, we also offer a comprehensive six-month Professional Truck Driver program, which includes four months of on-site instruction and two months’ on-the-job training.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Our CDL program can be completed in as little as four weeks at a cost of approximately $3,600, including all fees to obtain a CDL license. Tuition for the Professional Truck Driver program is approximately $7,600. As a fully accredited educational institution, financial aid may available for those who qualify. We also offer other forms of financial assistance such as pre-hires and paid training, as well as lifetime job placement assistance.

Professional Opportunities

We work with both regional and local companies, as well as many of the nation’s top over-the-road carriers to provide graduates with reliable career opportunities immediately after graduation. The job placement rate for graduates of the 2012-2013 program year is approximately 92%.

The HDL Truck Driving Institute has proudly served Tucson and the rest of Southern Arizona since 1991, and we are recognized by both the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division and the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Follow the link to see what some of our past graduates have to say, or call (877) 205-2141 to request more information about our CDL programs, admission requirements, and financial aid opportunities.

Only a small percentage of auto accidents involve large commercial trucks, but their considerable size means that even minor accidents can have serious consequences. Some safety skills can only be learned through on-the-job experience and CDL training, but there are a few tips that can help you minimize risks on the road.

Avoid Distractions

Taking your eyes off of the road for just 5 seconds at 70 miles an hour means that you have travelled a distance of more than 500 feet, blind. Longer drives often require drivers to live out of their trucks, which can be problematic when it comes to handling a radio, checking routes, grabbing a bite to eat, andlistening for traffic updates all at the same time. Also keep in mind that speeding usually doesn’t provide significant time savings—speeding 85 mph going from Tucson to Phoenix would only save you about 10 to 15 minutes under optimal conditions than driving the 75 mph speed limit.

Remember Your CDL Training

CDL training is more than just a means to an end. Much of road safety can only be learned through over-the-road experience and instruction from seasoned drivers—for example, how to navigate a steep grade without destroying your brakes. Drivers average hundreds of miles each day, and they have to be able to anticipate and respond to traffic hazards and accidents. Other drivers on the road often assume that CDL license holders are always aware of what’s going on around them, even if they are clearly in the “no-zone” and out of sight from the mirrors.

Prioritize Your Time

The Department of Transportation and many carriers have strict regulations about how long a driver can actively be on the road, and forgetting to abide by the time clock can have serious ramifications. Drivers often feel pressured to cover as many miles as possible within a limited timeframe, but you’re only at your safest and most efficient when you get enough sleep.

HDL Truck Driving Institute is a nationally recognized CDL training facility in Tucson, and we offer flexible program schedules. Contact us at (877) 205-2141 to request more information, or follow the link to see our next scheduled Open House!