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When you graduate from a recognized truck driving school in Tucson and obtain your Class A CDL, you’ll be a highly desirable candidate for some of the best driving positions with the top companies in Arizona. To make sure you get what you deserve and end up with a trucking company that will foster your professional growth as a driver, try to be selective about the trucking company you choose to take a job with. Here are some questions to ask potential employers to find the best fit.

 

 

• Do you pay practical or shortest miles? In other words, does the company pay for actual miles driven or based on the shortest determined route? The difference between these pay structures can amount to 5% or more per trip depending on the region and specific route, so make sure you know how you’ll be paid for your services.

• What is your “home time” policy? Most companies have defined home time policies, which outline the general expectation about how many days a driver is off the clock and off the road before being routed again. This will help you choose a trucking company that meets your family’s needs and expectations.

• How old are your trucks? Newer trucks are generally more reliable and have greater driver comfort and safety features. If the choice comes down to two or more trucking companies, it’s generally recommended to go with the company that has a newer fleet of trucks (all other things considered equal).

 
Not only does HDS Truck Driving Institute offer the very best truck driver training classes in Tucson, but we also provide lifetime job placement assistance for our graduates to make sure you always have a place in the trucking industry. To learn how HDS Truck Driving Institute can prepare you for a career as a truck driver, call us toll-free at (877) 205-2141.

Maybe you have experience driving a moving truck or small delivery van, but there’s a lot to learn before you can step up to the big leagues and start earning real cash as a professional truck driver. Fortunately, there are truck driving schools in Tucson that can provide you with all the skills and knowledge needed to succeed as a commercial driver in the U.S. In addition to learning the basic driving skills needed to pass the CDL exam, the instructors at professional truck driving schools can also teach you things that might take you months or years to learn on your own in the field. For example, how can interstate driving affect a truck’s tires?

Elevated Speed Limits and Tire Safety

One of the biggest safety concerns for truck drivers is the elevated speed limit on America’s interstates. There is legitimate concern that high speeds can create safety issues for truck tires, as figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that between 2009 and 2013 tires were a factor in almost 200 fatal crashes involving heavy trucks and buses that resulted in 223 deaths.

Proper Inflation for Interstate Driving

The real issue is not speed but proper tire inflation. With few exceptions, almost all North American highway truck tires are rated for 75 miles per hour. As long as truck drivers maintain the proper air pressure in their tires and don’t exceed 75 mph, there should be tire issues resulting from interstate driving speeds.

General Tire Maintenance

Another factor for commercial truck tires is general tire maintenance and care. Within the trucking industry, there is a lot of room for improvement when it comes to tire maintenance. Drivers are encouraged to check their tires before and after every trip, and to make sure that each tire is properly inflated and free of cracking, bulging, splitting, or any other visual damage.

If you want to take the first step towards a career as a truck driver, contact HDS Truck Driving Institute of Tucson. Our professional truck driver programs and CDL refresher courses can give you the skills and knowledge needed to obtain your license and earn a great living as a professional driver. Call us toll-free at (877) 205-2141.

Thinking about enrolling in truck driving school and then starting your own trucking business? It only takes a Class A CDL and a semi-truck to have a viable shipping company, and as an owner/operator you’ll enjoy all the perks that come with being your own boss. But with so many different commercial trucks to choose from, how do you know which one is the best fit for your professional driving plans? Here are some factors to consider when purchasing a commercial truck after completing truck driving school and earning your Class A CDL.

Local or Long-Distance

Before you do anything else, determine the type of driving operation you plan to have. As an owner/operator, will you focus on local deliveries or long-distance hauling? This will help you determine the best type of commercial truck for the type of driving you plan to do as an independent truck driver.

New or Used Truck

You’ll also need to decide whether you want to buy a new or used commercial truck. One of the biggest determining factors is your budget. New commercial trucks can cost considerably more than used ones, but they are also much nicer and are often more reliable since they have practically no hard miles on the engine and transmission. However, you might also be able to afford more truck for the same price by going with a pre-owned commercial truck.

Buy or Lease

Another consideration is whether you want to lease a commercial truck or buy it outright. Depending on your financial situation and your short- and long-term trucking plans, you’ll need to decide whether purchasing or leasing a commercial truck makes more sense. Although you don’t technically own a leased truck, you might be able to get into a newer and nicer truck that way and might also have the option of trading in for a newer truck every couple of years.

The instructors at HDS Truck Driving Institute are former drivers with decades of combined experience, and they can give you insights and pointers that will help you as you prepare to become an owner/operator. To learn more about our truck driving school in Tucson, contact us online or give us a call toll-free at (877) 205-2141.

There is a mass shortage of truck drivers in the United States, which is why enrolling in truck driving school in Tucson is one of the best things you can do for immediate career success. Part of the reason behind the growing demand for drivers in the U.S. is the fact that the trucking industry loses many professional drivers each year to health problems related to the job. Going to a truck driving school will get your foot in the door, and the Truckload Carriers Association’s new driver wellness program will make sure you have a long and successful career afterwards.

Driver Wellness Concerns

The biggest health concern for drivers is the sedentary lifestyle associated with the truck driving profession. Long periods of time sitting behind the wheel, combined with a generally poor diet, can result in poor health for drivers who are not actively trying to stay active and eat right.

TCA and Rolling Strong Partnership

The TCA partnered with Rolling Strong, a leading authority on driver wellness, to create a comprehensive new driver wellness program that launched at the start of 2016. This program, called TCA Wellness, provides participating drivers with access to thousands of health-check stations across the country, free annual bio-screenings, and a smartphone app with driver-specific health, exercise, and wellness tips and information.

The “Rebuilt” Initiative

Another exciting component of the TCA Wellness program is “Rebuilt,” a program designed exclusively by Rolling Strong that is tailored for drivers who fail their CDL physical or receive a short-term DOT certification card. This program has an 85% success rate for getting medically disqualified drivers back on the road within 30 days.
The first step to becoming a professional driver is to enroll in a truck driving program. In Tucson, HDS Truck Driving Institute provides driver training programs that can prepare you for immediate career success. Call us toll-free at (877) 205-2141 to learn more about our CDL refresher courses and comprehensive truck driver training programs.

One of the benefits of enrolling in a truck driving school in Tucson is that you will graduate with the requisite skills and knowledge needed to be a professional driver. When you enroll in a CDL program taught by experienced drivers, you will also have the added benefit of learning insider tips and tricks that can help you avoid most of the common pitfalls that new drivers face. For example, professional driver instructors will provide you with tips for balancing the need for miles with the need for time at home. Here are some examples of the trip management tips you’ll learn in truck driving school to help you be a more productive and efficient driver.

Use GPS and Stick to Your Route

Whether you’re driving in state or delivering goods across the country, it can take some time to become familiar with your route. That’s why all new drivers are encouraged to use GPS to avoid getting lost. Commercial trucks are not as easy to turn around as passenger vehicles, so one wrong turn could tack on hours to your route while you search for a detour to get you back to your original destination.

Communicate with Your Dispatcher

Unless you are an owner/operator, the only person you’ll be in contact with regarding the status of a pickup or delivery is the dispatcher. It’s important to stay in constant contact with your dispatcher so you can anticipate changes in the route or even plan alternative pickup and delivery schedules based on the status of different points along the way. The dispatcher’s job is to put the puzzle pieces together and plan out the most efficient and productive route for the drivers, so the better you communicate with your dispatcher the better your routes will be.

HDS Truck Driving Institute offers the most comprehensive CDL program that consistently produces the most capable and professional drivers. To learn more about our truck driving school in Tucson, call us toll-free at (877) 205-2141 or join us for one of our open house events to meet our instructors, see our trucks, and learn more about our programs.

The truck driving industry is booming in America. In fact, there are numerous studies and reports that point to a growing demand for more truck drivers in the country, which is why many people are enrolling in truck driving school to enter this in-demand profession. But before you obtain your CDL and start applying for truck driving jobs, you should know that the trucking industry is highly regulated by state and federal agencies. These rules and regulations are primarily for the safety of drivers and the general public. Here’s a look at some of the rules and regulations you will be subject to as a truck driver.

Hours-of-Service Safety Regulations

Commercial drivers are subject to Hours-of-Service (HOS) regulations set forth by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), including property-carrying and passenger-carrying vehicles, are limited in how many hours they can drive per day and per week.

Mobile Phone Restrictions

In response to recent concerns over the danger of distracted driving, new FMCSA rules restrict the use of all hand-held mobile devices by CMV drivers. Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving a CMV can result in fines up to $2,750 and possible driver disqualification. Truck drivers are encouraged to use Bluetooth ear devices and hands-free features (voice-activated dialing, for example) to mitigate the risks and be compliant with FMCSA rules.

Medical Examiner’s Certificate

Recently, states began enforcing a new rule that states that paper copies of Medical Examiner’s Certificates (MECs) are only valid for the first 15 days after their issuance. Commercial drivers are now required to provide their State Driver Licensing Agency (SDLA) a copy of their MEC for inclusion into the state driving records database.

If you want to prepare yourself for a career in truck driving, get in touch with HDS Truck Driving Institute. Our truck driving classes in Tucson start every Monday, so you can get started sooner than you thought. Call us toll-free at (877) 205-2141 to learn more about our CDL training programs.

Here’s something that not all truck driving schools will admit: you can earn your class A CDL on your own. But while you aren’t technically required to attend truck driving school to become a truck driver, there are lots of reasons why you should. If your goal is to become a professional driver as quickly as possible, there’s no better option than enrolling in truck driving school. Here’s a closer look at some of the benefits of earning your CDL through an accredited truck driving school rather than going the DIY route.

Access to Commercial Vehicles and Equipment

There are plenty of resources on the Internet that can show you how operate a commercial motor vehicle, but there’s no better way to learn than actually getting behind the wheel of a large truck. When you attend truck driving school, you’ll get hands-on training that will better prepare you for the challenges and difficulties of operating a commercial motor vehicle than studying for the CDL exam on your own.

Professional Truck Driver Tips and Insights

Another benefit of going to truck driving school is that you will be taught by experienced drivers who will give you tips and insights that can give you a leg up on other drivers. When you graduate from truck driving school, you will have knowledge about the profession that can take months or even years on the job for most new drivers to acquire. Not only will this help extend your career, but it will also make you more desirable to companies hiring truck drivers.

Job Placement Assistance

There are all sorts of resources available to truck driving school students that you can’t get on your own. For instance, HDS Truck Driving Institute in Tucson offers lifetime job placement assistance for graduates. This means you’ll always have a helping hand in finding a truck driving job.

Contact HDS Truck Driving Institute and let us tell you more about the benefits of enrolling in one of our professional truck driver programs. We also offer CDL refresher courses for former drivers who are looking to get back into the profession. Contact us online or call us toll-free at (877) 205-2141 to learn why we are the premier CDL school in Tucson.

Truck driving school will teach you how to be a safe and professional truck driver, but if you want to do your part to help the environment you’ll have to take it on yourself to be a more eco-friendly driver. There are lots of benefits of being a “green” trucker, especially if you go the route of owner/operator after graduating from truck driving school. For example, eco-friendly truck driving habits and practices can reduce fuel costs which could save independent truck drivers thousands of dollars or more each year. Here are some tips on how you can be a more eco-friendly driver after you obtain your CDL.

Maintain Your Truck

Regular truck maintenance such as oil changes and tire rotations can help keep your rig running as efficiently as possible. Truck maintenance may only improve fuel efficiency by a small amount, but when you drive thousands of miles each month even a small increase in fuel efficiency can save lots of money.

Follow Your GPS

A GPS is a truck driver’s best friend. When used properly, a GPS unit will make sure you get to your destination in the most direct route. Avoiding wrong turns and “shortcuts” that end up taking you miles in the wrong direction can potentially save independent owner/operators hundreds of gallons of fuel or more each month, which can add up to quite a large sum of money at the end of the year.

Avoid Long Idling

One of the most common sounds at truck stops is the constant hum and rumble of idling trucks. Truck drivers will often keep their vehicles running to power electronics or to run the air conditioner or heater. Reducing or eliminating idling will save fuel and reduce the amount of diesel pollution emitted by trucks.

If you’re ready to start a new career in truck driving, contact HDS Truck Driving Institute. We are the premier truck driving school in Tucson, and we offer day, evening, and weekend classes to meet your schedule and commitments. Classes start every Monday, so call (877) 205-2141 to enroll today and take the first step towards a rewarding career as a truck driver.

Enrolling in truck driving school and earning your Class A CDL is great if you want to start a new career as a professional truck driver. But did you know truck driving school is also a good idea if you have dreams of starting your own business? There are hundreds of large motor carriers in the United States, but there are thousands of small trucking companies that were started by people just like you. If you have plans of becoming an owner/operator and building a trucking business of your own after graduating from truck driving school, you should start looking into some of the considerations you’ll need to make later on, like whether or not you should invest in GPS fleet tracking. Here are some benefits to consider.

Know Where Your Trucks and Drivers are Located

If you plan on having multiple trucks and drivers out on the road, it’s important that you know where your fleet is located at all times. GPS fleet tracking makes it easy to see where your trucks are and where your drivers are headed. In addition to the peace of mind of knowing where your fleet is located, this also allows you to provide your customers with accurate ETAs so they know when their freight will arrive.

Reduce Fuel Costs

GPS fleet tracking allows you to do more than just see where your drivers are located; it also lets you see how they are driving. You can visually see driver speed, idle times, and routes taken to help you reduce fuel costs. And as the owner of a trucking company, anything you can do to reduce fuel costs can potentially save you thousands of dollars each year.

Accurately Track Driver Mileage and Time

There’s a lot to do as the head of a trucking company; validating time sheet entries and unraveling payroll issues shouldn’t be one of them. GPS fleet tracking allows you to accurately and automatically track driver mileage and time, which eliminates time sheet fraud and makes sure you aren’t overpaying your drivers.

There are lots of things to consider before you start your trucking business, but the first step is to enroll in truck driving school. HDS Truck Driving Institute in Tucson prepares men and women of all ages to have long and successful careers in the trucking industry. Call us toll-free at (877) 205-2141 to learn more about our professional truck driver training programs.

Completing truck driving school and obtaining your commercial driver’s license is the first step towards a lucrative career as a truck driver. How long you drive is entirely up to you, but if you want to make sure you can drive as long as you’d like it’s important that you take care of your body while on the road. Lack of exercise and the abundance of fast food joints along America’s roadways make it easy for truck drivers to get out of shape and sometimes even develop health issues that keep them off the road and from earning a paycheck. If you want to have a long and successful career, or if you just want to look after yourself and maintain your health into your later years, here are some great tips for staying healthy on the road.

• Walking around your truck and trailer 32 times is equal to one mile, so try to walk this distance at least once a day
• Sit up straight in the driver’s seat and keep your shoulders back slightly to take pressure off your back and spine
• Replace soda with water, and try to cut out as much flour and salt out of your diet as you can
• When you eat out, look for baked options instead of fried foods
• Bring healthy snacks (fruit, nuts, seeds, etc.) in the truck with you instead of buying chips and candy at the truck stop
• Stretch as often and frequently as you can, especially after a long haul
• Keep in touch with your friends and family to help you relax and minimize stress, both of which are key to a healthy lifestyle

The driving instructors at HDS Truck Driving Institute have decades of experience on the road and can share expert tips and advice that will prepare you for success as a trucker. To learn more about our truck driving school in Tucson, call us toll-free at (877) 205-2141.

Depending on which truck driving school you attend, you may be required to obtain a commercial drivers instruction permit before you practice behind the wheel of an actual rig. If you meet the eligibility requirements necessary to obtain your commercial driver’s license, you can take the written Arizona CDL permit exam. Here are some pointers to help you prepare.

Get a Physical

Before you can obtain a CDL permit, you must first get a physical and have a Medical Examiner Certificate or ADOT card. This examination may be performed by a licensed doctor, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse, or chiropractor. If you had previously obtained a Medical Examiner Certificate or ADOT card for any other reason, it is only valid for two years.

Study the CDL Manual

Studying the Arizona CDL manual is the best way to prepare for the permit exam. The test questions are culled from topics covered in the manual, and cover such areas as vehicle inspection, speed control, how to anticipate and respond to hazards, night driving, driving emergencies, braking, skid control, and proper accident procedures.

Take a Practice Permit Test

After you study the manual and feel comfortable with the material, you’ll want to take at least one practice test before you take the actual CDL permit exam. Permit practice tests will give you an idea of what to expect on the real test and will allow you to test your knowledge and identify the areas that you need to strengthen before taking the actual permit exam.

If you’re interested in obtaining your CDL and becoming a truck driver, HDS Truck Driving Institute can help. As Tucson’s premier truck driving school, HDS prepares students to have long and successful careers as professional drivers. To learn more about our CDL training programs or admission requirements, contact us online or call us toll-free at (877) 205-2141.