Month: January 2016

Truck drivers assume a tremendous responsibility every time they sit behind the wheel and start up the engine. After all, large commercial vehicles can weigh upwards of 10,000 pounds when fully loaded. Such tremendously large and heavy vehicles can be cause a great deal of damage if they collide with buildings or passenger vehicles. That’s why it’s important that all truckers make safe driving their number one priority. One way to be a safer truck driver is to ensure you are awake and alert at all times when behind the wheel. Here are some tips to help you prevent driver fatigue, one of the biggest dangers commercial motor vehicle operators face today.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

The best thing you can to do prevent drowsy driving is to get a good night’s sleep before hitting the road. Sleep experts recommend between seven and nine hours of sleep per night for adults. To help you fall asleep faster at night, avoid caffeine and sugar at least two hours before you plan to go to bed.

Avoid Too Much Sugar and Caffeine

Speaking of sugar and caffeine, while these substances can give you a boost of energy and focus, consuming too much sugar or caffeine can lead to a “crash” later on in which your energy levels quickly diminish. Caffeine will also not greatly affect those who regularly consume it, so try to avoid energy drinks, coffee, and tea until you need it to feel awake.

Recognize Signs of Drowsy Driving

“Driving while drowsy” can be just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated, so it’s important that you recognize the signs of driver fatigue so you can pull over and get some rest. Repeated yawning, wandering and disconnected thoughts, trouble keeping your eyes open, involuntary lane drifting, and difficulty focusing or remembering the law few miles driver are serious warning signs that you are too tired to safely be driving.

If you want to learn all you can about how to be a safe and professional truck driver, enroll in Yuma Truck Driving School’s 8-week Commercial Truck Driver Program. To learn more about our truck driving school in Yuma and the driving programs we offer, call us toll-free at (888) 647-3239.

Are you stuck in a dead-end job? Looking for a new career? Want to get paid to drive across the country? In as little as four weeks, Yuma Truck Driving School can help you develop the technical knowledge and professional skills needed to become a truck driver. During the driver training program, you’ll learn everything you need to know to pass the Arizona CDL exam, which is the first step towards becoming a professional commercial driver. Although our instructors will do everything they can to help you obtain your CDL, you’ll have to take and pass the test on your own. You’ll learn more during the program, but here are some tips to keep in mind that will help you pass the CDL exam on your first try.

Take Practice Tests

As you progress through truck driving school, it’s a good idea to take a few practice CDL exams to test your knowledge and see which areas you need to improve on before you take the actual written exam. Practice tests can also help you focus your studies on the topics that are most heavily covered in the CDL exam, although there may be some difference between the practice test questions and the questions you’ll encounter on test day.

 

Ask for Advice

When you enroll in Yuma Truck Driving School, you’ll be taught by professional drivers with decades of combined experience behind the wheel. Your instructors are valuable resources who can give you tips, insights, and advice on how to pass your CDL exam that you won’t find anywhere else. As you get closer to the test date, be sure to talk with your instructors about any practical knowledge topics you are struggling with or any driving skills you need to sharpen.

Keep Your Cool

On the actual day of the CDL exam, one of the most important things you can do to ensure success is to remain calm. It’s normal to feel nervous, especially if you have a family that’s counting on your to pass the exam and obtain your Class A CDL. Just remember that this isn’t the only chance you get to take the exam and you’ll be able to take the test in a more calm and relaxed manner.

To learn more about how Yuma Truck Driving School can prepare you to obtain your Class A CDL and become a successful commercial driver, call us toll-free at (888) 647-3239 or contact us online.