Category: Blog

According to data from the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the American Trucking Association (ATA), the rate of truck-involved fatalities in the United States in declining. This is welcome news for anyone interested in becoming a truck driver as it means the industry as a whole is safer than it’s ever been. The biggest factor in trucking safety is well-trained drivers behind the wheel, which is why anyone interested in a driving career is urged to enroll in a professional truck driving school. But that’s just part of the equation. The new landscape of the industry has also been shaped by recent advances in trucking safety, including:

Electronic Logging Device Mandate

The ATA cites the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s recent mandate requiring the use of electronic logging devices by commercial vehicles as a historic step forward for the industry as a whole. The ELD mandate will make the trucking industry safer for drivers and motorists alike as it will help prevent fatigued and overworked drivers from operating on America’s roads.

ESC Mandate

Another federal mandate comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with regards to electronic stability control systems. Starting in 2017, the NHTSA will require that ESC systems be installed on all large trucks. The ATA reports that such a mandate could prevent more than 1,700 crashes annually. Many fleets have already begun utilizing this technology and the passing of this new mandate will speed up industry-wide adoption of this life-saving technology.

Road Infrastructure Improvements

The improving condition of America’s roads is another reason for the increasing safety of the trucking industry. Roads designed to minimize bottlenecks and ensure better traffic flow reduce hazards and obstacles that can pose a threat to commercial drivers and fellow motorists. Road improvements also shorten travel times and lower costs for carriers and owner/operators.

If you want to be a safe and confident truck driver, HDS Truck Driving Institute can help. Our truck driving school in Tucson is a nationally-recognized truck driver training program. Call us toll-free at (877) 205-2141 or contact us online to learn more about our truck driving programs.

According to reports, retail prices for Class Eight sleeper tractors increased by 17 percent in 2011. The spike then, which can still be felt by motor carriers and owner/operators today, was largely in response to new EPA mandates and federal “engine surcharges” that averaged between $4,000 and $5,000 depending on the engine manufacturer and model. If you’re just thinking about enrolling in truck driving school, these numbers might not mean much to you now, but if your plan is to own your own commercial truck after completing truck driver training you should know how Class Eight truck costs are affecting the industry as a whole.

EPA Mandates

As EPA fuel economy mandates have gone into effect, truck manufacturers and buyers have felt the effect on their bottom line. Although it’s true that these EPA mandates have made heavy-duty commercial trucks cleaner and more fuel efficient, they have also increased the purchase, maintenance, and repair costs associated with the industry’s Class Eight trucks.

Added Truck Costs

In addition to the added expense of upgrading commercial truck engines to meet new EPA fuel economy mandates, there are other requirements of the EPA’s “Smartway Partnership Program” that have added costs to trucks. For example, the addition of low-rolling resistance tires and aerodynamic side fairings/cab extenders have resulted in escalating truck costs each year.

Freight Rates

Partially in response to the added economic pressures of the new EPA mandates, the commercial trucking industry as a whole has incrementally raised freight costs to help recoup some of the money maintaining an EPA-compliant fleet. As carriers and owner/operators start to break even thanks to lower fuel costs, higher rates will eventually mean more profits for the entire industry.

HDS Truck Driving Institute offers a Professional Truck Driver Program that can prepare you to succeed in the commercial trucking industry. Classes start every Monday and include two months of on-the-job training to ensure you’re a confident and capable driver by the time you hit the road on your own. To learn more about our truck driving school in Tucson, call us toll-free at (877) 205-2141.  

Being a truck driver is a lot like being your own boss, at least when you’re on out on the open road. But when you drive for a trucking company, your success (and ultimately your career) depends on a team of support personnel working behind the scenes to make sure all of the logistical and administrative aspects of a job go smoothly. Enrolling in truck driving school will certainly make you a better truck driver, but knowing about the support personnel before you start your career will give you a leg up and help you hit the ground running after you graduate from a CDL school in Tucson.

Makeup of the Support Team

There are a lot of different positions that make up the support team at a trucking operation. Office managers, dispatchers, and mechanics are most commonly thought of, but in fact anyone who has a role in the success of a trucking company is considered as support personnel.

Good Relationships for a Good Career

Building good relationships with the support personnel at your company can have a tremendously positive impact on your success as a driver. The support personnel will have a big say in the routes you run, the order in which your truck will be serviced, and many other things that are out of your control but nonetheless impact your ability to be an effective and efficient driver.

Conflict with Support Personnel

In the same way that good relationships with the support team can enhance your career, conflict with the support team can have a negative effect. If you are experiencing conflict with any member of the support team, whether it’s a higher up in the office or a mechanic in the truck bay, try to resolve the conflict as quickly as possible to minimize the impact on your career.
If you want to learn more about the inner workings of a trucking company and how to succeed as a professional driver, enroll in the professional truck driver program at HDS Truck Driving Institute of Tucson. This six month class will give you all the skills and knowledge needed to be a capable and confident truck driver. Call us toll-free at (877) 205-2141 to learn more about our school and our CDL programs.

One of the most important topics you’ll cover in truck driving school is truck maintenance. Taking care of your semi-truck or other large commercial vehicle is important for many reasons, including your safety on the road as well as how well your truck handles and performs. When it comes to truck maintenance, one of the most overlooked aspects is regular tire rotations. Although the frequency of tire rotations will depend on a number of different factors, including how often you drive and the weight of your truck and trailer, here are some of the top reasons to make sure you keep up with this important truck maintenance service.

Ensure Maximum Traction

Commercial truck tires wear unevenly depending on their position. For example, the rear tires may wear down faster than the front tires due to the extra weight of the trailer at the hitch point. Rotating the tires will help to evenly distribute wear across all the tires, which will ensure maximum traction on the road.

Prolong Tire Life

Another benefit of rotating commercial truck tires is that it can help extend the life of all tires on a truck. Unless you drive for a company that covers all truck maintenance and repair costs, having to buy commercial truck tires on your own can set you back thousands of dollars. By extending the life of your tires, you can extend the life in between tire purchases and save yourself a big chunk of money over your trucking career.

Catch Tire Damage Early

Bringing your truck in for regular tire rotations will give your mechanic more opportunities to closely inspect your tires for any signs of wear and tear that can be troublesome. The earlier you can catch and replace a bad tire, the safer you’ll be on the road.
HDS Truck Driving Institute can give you all the skills and knowledge needed to be a successful truck driver. Our faculty is comprised of professional drivers with decades of combined driving experience who can share tips and insights that will greatly benefit your career. To learn more about our truck driving school in Tucson, call us toll-free at (877) 205-2141.

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.