Month: March 2015

Before you can obtain your CDL and start working in the commercial truck driving industry, you must pass a medical and physical examination. Keep reading to learn more about the requirements for these tests so you are prepared to pass when you finish your school program:

Vision Requirements

Since a person with a CDL will be operating a large commercial vehicle, it is essential that he or she has good vision. Before qualifying for a license, a driver must get a vision test that proves he or she has 20/40 correctable vision in each eye. It is okay if the driver requires glasses or contact lenses to reach this prescription.

Diabetes Requirements

A person operating a commercial vehicle cannot have diabetes that is controlled with needle-injected insulin. If a person has diabetes that can be controlled by diet, however, they can still qualify for the CDL. Every driver must have a blood sugar level below 200.

Blood Pressure Requirements

The DOT also has specific blood pressure requirements for drivers before they can get a CDL and start working in the industry. A driver must have blood pressure of 140/90 or less in order to get the 24-month DOT Medical Certificate. If blood pressure ranges from 140-159/90-99, they can qualify for a 12-month certificate. Drivers with blood pressure of 160-179/100-109 can get a 3-month temporary certificate. Anyone with blood pressure over 180/110 cannot get a certificate until the blood pressure is under control.

Other Medical Requirements

There are other medical requirements that can affect your ability to obtain your CDL. If you have sleep apnea, a back injury, or a hernia, it might affect your chances of getting the license.

The teachers at HDS Truck Driving Institute can help you figure out what you need to do to get your CDL and start working. Our truck-driving school gives you the information you need to get your license quickly. To learn more about our programs, visit us online or call (877) 205-2141.

 

The trucking industry is responsible for transporting practically every kind of good used in the United States. If you are looking for a new career with plenty of job security, you should consider becoming a truck driver. Keep reading to find out why it is one of the most common jobs in the country:

There Are Always Job Opportunities

Since the trucking industry is so integral to business in America, there are always plenty of job opportunities for people who want them. If you make the effort to go to truck-driving school and obtain your CDL, you can start working in an industry that has plenty of work. Cement your future by breaking into the truck driving industry.

You Have a Choice Over Your Schedule

Most truck drivers have a lot of input in their schedules, which helps them fit work around their lives. If you prefer staying on the road for long periods of time and having a few days off in a row, you can work with a company that has long-haul jobs. If you prefer to stay close to home, though, you can work with a company that has plenty of local driving opportunities.

You Have the Freedom of the Road

Not everyone is cut out for sitting in an office all day long. If you would rather spend long stretches of time in a vehicle on the highway, you should think about joining the truck-driving industry. While you are at work you have the opportunity to see the most beautiful parts of the country without ever leaving the truck.

If you think that the world of commercial trucking sounds right for you, sign up for the truck-driving program at HDS Truck Driving Institute. We help our students learn all about the industry so they can get their CDL and start working as a driver. To learn more about our programs, visit us online or call (877) 205-2141.

Before you can officially get your CDL in Tucson and start working as a commercial driver, you must first obtain a CDL instruction permit. Use this guide to figure out how to get this permit so you can be one step closer to your new career as a truck driver.

Getting a Permit Before a License

If you are applying for your CDL for the first time, you must first get the CDL instruction permit, which is valid for six months. Drivers must be 21 years old to get a CDL. If you are at least 18, you can apply for an intrastate CDL that is only valid in Arizona. If a driver is under 21, though, he or she cannot transport hazardous materials.

Applying for the Permit

When you are ready to apply for your permit, you must get a physical examination and a Medical Examiner Certificate or an ADOT card. You also have to have your social security card and your regular driver’s license as well as another form of identification with your picture. You must be able to prove that you have had at least one year of driving experience in a vehicle that is not a motorcycle. If you have a current Arizona driver’s license, this information will be in the database.

Taking the Class and the Test

Once you have applied for your permit, you have to enroll in a class of license before you can sign up for your permit exam. You have to pass a knowledge test before you can obtain your permit.

If you are interested in driving a commercial truck for a living, HDS Truck Driving Institute is here to help you. We offer nationally recognized training programs that help you learn the skills and the knowledge that you need to get your CDL and start working in the industry. To learn more about our program or how to apply, visit us online or call (877) 205-2141.

Once you finish your program in truck-driving school and earn your certification to work in the industry, you have to figure out how to navigate the real world of being a truck driver. Keep reading to find out how to get insurance for a commercial truck if you ever decide to become your own boss:

Meet the State Minimum Liability Policy

Every state has different rules when it comes to the minimum amount of liability insurance that you need to cover your vehicle, your business, and your employees. You must have at least the minimum required by your state. Commercial trucks, agricultural trucks, flatbed trucks, fifth wheel trucks, tank trucks, tow trucks, and front loaders must all be covered by commercial vehicle insurance policies.

Get the Coverage You Need

When you get commercial insurance for your vehicle, it will protect your company and your assets. It also covers all of your permanent employees as well as temporary drivers that you use to transport your vehicles. Commercial vehicle insurance can even provide higher coverage for vehicles that are associated with more risk.

Determine Your Rates

There are a few different factors that an insurance company will use to figure out your rates. They will take into account the age and driving record of anyone who will operate your commercial vehicle. They will also look at the type of license that each driver holds and the make and model of the truck. The insurance company must also know what kind of cargo you carry, the amount of passengers in the vehicle, and the mileage that the vehicle does in a year.

Before you can own a trucking company, you must first complete truck-driving school. Apply to HDS Truck Driving Institute to start on the path toward a successful career in the industry. Our programs are designed to help you become the best driver that you can be. To learn more about our program or our financial aid options, visit us online or call (877) 205-2141.

When you are driving for long periods of time over all kinds of terrain, it is extremely important that your truck operates at its best. Keep reading to find out how to choose the right kind of oil for your commercial truck to keep it running smoothly:

Use the Right Viscosity

It is extremely important to look for the right weight when choosing oil. The wrong viscosity might lower the fuel economy of your vehicle and zap the power. Look at your oil filler cap to find out what viscosity you need for your vehicle to function properly.

Choose Better Grades

Making an investment in the short run can save you from paying a lot of repair costs in the future. Instead of choosing a kind of oil that barely meets the requirements for your vehicle, you should splurge a little bit on the kind with the highest grade. This ensures that your truck gets the lubrication it needs to drive as efficiently as possible. Oil helps keep all of the parts in the vehicle moving and removes sludge deposits and other buildup that might negatively affect the way the truck drives.

Read the Owner’s Manual

If you are unsure about the kind of oil to use in your vehicle, you should check out the owner’s manual to get a better idea of what you need. Make sure you change the oil every 3,000-5,000 miles so your truck operates at its best. This also helps you avoid any unnecessary maintenance issues that might leave you stuck on the side of the road.

At HDS Truck Driving Institute, we help you learn all of the skills that you need to start working as a professional truck driver in the commercial industry. Our programs are designed to help you on your path toward your CDL. To learn more about our admissions policies or how we can help you find a career, visit us online or call (877) 205-2141.

Once you complete truck-driving school, you have a wide range of career opportunities. Keep reading to learn more about some of the different kinds of trucking jobs that you can get with your CDL:

Pulling a Dry Van

When a driver first starts out in the industry, he or she usually works pulling a dry van to get some experience behind the wheel of a truck. This job entails driving a 53-foot trailer that is full of dry or non-perishable goods. These jobs are usually the lowest paying, but they give drivers the opportunity to build on their commercial driving experience.

Hauling Flatbed Loads

You can also find work as a flatbed hauler. This kind of trucking job has you transporting large materials like airplanes or scaffolding. You might even transport military tanks. Since the load is open, it must be secured. You also might need to attach a tarp in bad weather. This job offers a higher paycheck than some of the other trucking jobs.

Pulling a Low Boy

Other trucks that can handle huge loads are low boys. The middle of this kind of truck is low to the ground. If you pull a low boy, you might have to have some escort vehicles that keep you free from the majority of traffic.

Driving a Tanker

Tanker trucks are often full of liquid. Tankers are responsible for transporting anything from gasoline to milk. Some tankers carry dangerous materials like chemicals and gasses that are explosive. Tanker drivers often require special training to ensure that they are ready to handle the gravity changes associated with transporting liquid.

Come to HDS Truck Driving Institute to learn all of the skills that you need to start working as a truck driver. No matter what kind of vehicle you want to drive, we can help you learn the skills you need to get your CDL and start working. For more information on our program and how to apply, visit us online or call (877) 205-2141.