The first step toward a rewarding career in truck driving is earning your commercial driver’s license (CDL). The best way to receive quality training is through a professional truck driving school. To get the most out of the experience, you should adopt the right mindset that will help you excel.
Five tips to help you succeed during CDL training are:
1. Be Willing To Learn
Being coachable is one of the most important factors that lead to success during CDL training. Thinking you already have the material mastered will not only hinder your own progress but disrupt the learning of your fellow students as well. Remaining open to instruction is the key. After all, your instructors are drivers with real-world experience and they are a valuable asset to you during training.
2. Stay Optimistic
Throughout your CDL driver training, a lot of new information and skills will be thrown your way, and it is easy to get frustrated when you don’t pick up on some topics as easily as others. Staying optimistic and reminding yourself of the goals you are working toward will help you have the best experience possible. It is also important to try not to compare your progress to those around you. Everyone learns at their own pace.
3. Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Questions
Despite what students often think, asking questions does not make you look incompetent. If you have a question about the material, chances are that other students are wondering the same thing. You are in charge of your own learning and if you don’t understand something, it is up to you to get it clarified. Asking your instructors about their personal driving experiences is another way to get the most out of your CDL training. Showing them you care about your training will help you go further than if you are just going through the motions.
4. Be Observant
A good portion of your time in driving school will be spent on hands-on training, which includes observing other students’ driving. Instead of checking out, pay attention to your classmates while they practice. Make mental notes of their mistakes and learn from their techniques if they are doing especially well. This way, you can make the most of your time even when you aren’t driving.
5. Study, Study, Study
What you get out of the CDL training program depends on how much effort you put in. Paying attention and asking questions during class is a good start, but to retain the information, you also have to study. While the skills on the driving portion of the test require instructor supervision, you can practice pre-trip inspection and study for the written portion of the test on your own time. Getting together with your classmates for a study group is a great way to review the material you learned in class.
The Road to a New Trucking Career
While the above five tips can help you improve your experience, the quality of your CDL training also depends on the program you attend. At Yuma Truck Driving School, our instructors teach students about both technical knowledge and personal skills that are vital to employment in the truck driving industry. We also offer financial assistance, job placement after graduation, and paid externships for those who qualify.
