Category: Blog

Operating a large commercial truck isn’t like driving a regular car. Commercial drivers contend with all the same hazards as normal drivers such as other motorists and dangerous weather conditions, but they also have the added challenge of carrying heavy and oftentimes dangerous cargo that can affect the handling of their rigs. One mistake by a commercial driver can lead to serious repercussions, which is why road safety is one of the major subjects you’ll study while attending truck driving school in Tucson. But you can never be too safe on the road, so here are some safety tips to get you started before you go to CDL school.  

Increase Your Following Distance

The bigger and heavier your rig, the longer it will take to slow down to a complete stop. As a truck driver you’ll be faced with strict deadlines, but that’s no excuse to risk your safety or the safety of your fellow motorists. Keep at least six seconds between your rig and the vehicle in front of you to give yourself time to safely come to a stop if a situation suddenly develops.

Minimize Lane Changes

There are a lot more blind spots on a big rig than on your typical passenger vehicle, which is why truck drivers are encouraged to only change lanes when it is absolutely necessary. If you must change lanes, check your mirrors and signal early to give other motorists ample warning of your intended maneuver. Related to signaling, tap on the brakes a few times when coming up to a stop to flash your brake lights and signal motorists behind you that you will be slowing down.

Make Sure Your Rig is Road Worthy

You can be the safest driver on the road and still run into problems if your vehicle is not up to snuff. That’s why truck drivers need to perform a thorough pre-trip inspection before hitting the road to make sure there are no mechanical or electrical issues that can lead to unsafe driving conditions.

HDS Truck Driving Institute can prepare you to pass the Arizona CDL exam and go on to have a long, lucrative, and safe career as a professional truck driver. Call us at (877) 205-2141 to learn more about our CDL training programs in Tucson and Phoenix.

Looking to do something different in your life? If you’re ready to make a change, consider obtaining your commercial driver’s license. Casually referred to as a “truck driving license,” the Class A CDL is the main requirement to become a commercial driver. You can prepare for the Arizona CDL exam by attending truck driving school in Tucson. But why should you? Here are three of the main benefits of getting your truck driver license.

Earn a Great Living

Perhaps the number one reason to earn your CDL is that it opens up the door to a number of high-paying truck driver jobs. Licensed commercial drivers can start out making between $38,000 and $50,000 a year, and the earning potential increases greatly over time.

See the Country

If you choose to become an over-the-road (OTR) truck driver, you will get paid to travel around the country and see the United States from the open road. There are some truly breathtaking drives in America, and truck drivers get paid to see a lot of them.

Be Your Own Boss

If you’ve ever wanted to start your own business and be your own boss, truck driving school might definitely be in the cards. With a CDL, you can become an independent owner/operator. Instead of driving for a company, you’ll set drive your own routes, have your own customers, set your own schedule, and keep all of the profits.

If you’re ready to take the next step, get in touch with HDS Truck Driving Institute. We are the premier truck driving school in Tucson, and one of the best trucking schools in Arizona. Browse through our website to learn more about our CDL programs, then call us toll-free at (877) 205-2141 with any questions about how to get started. We serve aspiring commercial drivers with locations in Phoenix and Tucson.

Although your CDL training will help you stay safe while driving your truck, accidents can still happen anywhere and at any time. Changing road conditions and fatigue are two of the most common factors involved in accidents caused by both cars and trucks while on the road. Knowing how to handle the aftermath of an accident will help you stay calm and take the right steps to deal with the situation properly to ensure you and any others involved in the accident are safe.

Ensure Safety

After an accident, your first priority should be safety. Pull over in a safe spot immediately and check on the occupants of any other vehicles involved. Call 911 if medical assistance of any kind is needed. Contacting 911 will also alert the police, who will be dispatched to the scene to help.

Avoid Placing Blame

Regardless of the cause of the accident, avoid placing blame, even when speaking to the police. Be truthful about the situation and the factors that led to it, but do not feel compelled to admit fault or point fingers at other drivers. As soon as you’ve talked to the police and ensured everyone’s safety, you should also contact your employer—trucking companies have specialized employees who are experienced in dealing with accidents. These employees will help you through the post-accident process.

Document Everything

Before you leave the scene of the accident, document as much as you can. Use a camera or your smartphone to take pictures and write notes to yourself about the details of the accident while they are still fresh in your mind. Having a clear picture of the situation and the events leading up to it will help you recount the accident accurately after the fact.
HDS Truck Driving Institute will provide you with the specialized training you need to safely navigate a truck throughout your career. If you’d like to learn more about our CDL training programs in Tucson, you can find additional information on our website or speak with a representative by calling (877) 205-2141.

HDS Truck Driving Institute is a fully-accredited CDL truck driving school located in Tucson, AZ. Our programs provide training for future truck and bus drivers looking to gain the skills and experience needed to earn a CDL and begin working immediately in a successful industry. We are proud to serve Southern Arizona with several nationally-recognized truck driving programs and career opportunities.

CDL Driver Training Program

The most basic class offered at HDS Truck Driving Institute, our CDL Driver Training Program, is a two-week day class or four-week night class program. This flexible CDL training course begins every Monday and includes 80 clock hours of CDL training.

CDL Training Program

HDS Truck Driving Institute’s CDL Training Program is a more intensive version of our basic CDL Driver Training Program. This training program includes four weeks of classes that total 160 clock hours of training in total. CDL Training Program classes begin every Monday to accommodate any schedule, allowing you to start your training as soon as you’re ready.

Professional Truck Driver Program

The Professional Truck Driver Program at HDS Truck Driving Institute is our most comprehensive CDL training program, specifically aimed at those wishing to pursue a trucking career. Beginning every Monday, classes cover 730 clock hours of lessons and training over the course of six months, which includes four months of onsite instruction, followed by two months of on-the-job training to help you master exactly the skills you need in today’s trucking industry.

At HDS Truck Driving Institute, we offer Class A and B CDL training, refresher courses, and road testing. Our personalized programs are taught by experienced truckers who will work with you to teach you everything you need to know when pursuing a successful career in trucking. You can learn more about our Tucson truck driving school when you visit us online, call (877) 205-2141, or stop by one of our open house events.

Before you can begin a career as a truck driver, you must first obtain your CDL. Attending a qualified CDL school is the fastest and easiest way to ensure you will pass the CDL exam to start on the road to the job you want. When choosing the right truck driving school for your needs, there are several factors you should keep in mind to help you find a school that will provide the right support for your future career.

Comprehensive Training

Unless you are just looking for a refresher course, chances are that you’ve never handled a truck before. Truck driving isn’t something you can pick up without personal experience, so you’ll want to find a truck driving school that includes both classroom and hands-on instruction. Training with a real truck means you’ll learn everything you need to know to successfully pass both the inspection and driving portions of the CDL exam, allowing you to immediately pursue a career in trucking without feeling overwhelmed or nervous about handling your truck.

Reputation

With the large number of CDL programs available, you’ll want to select one with a good reputation. A nationally-recognized truck driving school can give you a leg up on the competition, as you’ll be able to pursue employment opportunities anywhere, whether you want to start locally or are planning to move to a new home before seeking a job. Additionally, reputable schools are able to recruit more experienced and talented drivers for training purposes, meaning you’ll get a thorough education and the support you need to succeed.

At HDS Truck Driving Institute, you’ll find the instruction and tools you need to excel in the trucking industry. Our nationally-recognized CDL training programs in Tucson begin every Monday and include day and night classes to fit your schedule. We also hold regular open house events so you can meet our staff and learn more about the training we offer—check out our website or give us a call at (877) 205-2141 to learn about admissions, financial aid, and your future career opportunities.

Earning your CDL offers you a number of opportunities when pursuing your dream career. While many CDL holders go on to become truck drivers, many others enjoy rewarding careers as bus drivers. If you’re interested in using your CDL to become a bus driver, keep reading to learn more about the career opportunities that await you.

Urban Transit Systems

City transit systems frequently use buses as part of a comprehensive public transportation solution. Bus drivers are an integral part of these systems, handling regularly-scheduled buses that may have several stops between final destinations. As a public transportation driver, you may drive the same routes every day or switch off between varying destinations, depending on your employer and your preferences.

Charter Bus Companies

Charter bus companies employ a large number of bus drivers in the United States. One of the most popular charter bus careers is site-to-site transportation, such as on ticketed buses. Charter bus drivers may also provide private group travel for sports teams, businesses, families, and other groups. Alternatively, charter bus drivers may serve as both driver and tour guide for companies specializing in sightseeing, and tourism. Charter bus companies may serve only a small local area or carry passengers across the country on long-distance trips.

School Bus Companies

School buses provide daily transportation for students during the school year; school bus drivers typically handle several routes per day for students of every age. In addition to driving students to and from school on a daily basis, school bus drivers are also called upon for special activities such as field trips, sports meets, academic competitions, and team-building trips.
Driving a bus can be an exciting, ever-changing, and rewarding career. HDS Truck Driving Institute is pleased to offer specialized CDL bus training and testing in Tucson to help you achieve your goals, as well as lifetime job placement assistance for every graduate. We invite you to call us at (877) 205-2141 or click through our website to learn more about the benefits of earning your CDL with our truck driving school.

After you complete truck driving school in Tucson and obtain your Arizona CDL, you will be much closer to the rewarding trucking career you’ve been dreaming of. Although one of the things you will learn during your time at HDS Truck Driving Institute is how to share the road with other drivers, it’s never too early to introduce you to some of the unwritten etiquette rules that will make you a safe, professional, and courteous truck driver.

Stay to the Right

It’s good trucking etiquette to stay outside of the left lane except when passing slow moving traffic. If you find yourself stuck behind slow traffic and a driver slows down in the left lane to allow you to merge, get over to the right as soon as it is safe to do so. This is a nice way of showing thanks to the driver for allowing you to get ahead of traffic.

Remember Your High Beams

As a truck driver, you may sometimes find yourself in the middle of a long trip late at night in the middle of nowhere. You should use your truck’s high beams whenever it is appropriate to illuminate the road ahead, but remember to turn them off when oncoming traffic is approaching or when a car merges in front of you. You don’t realize it behind the wheel, but your truck’s high beams are very bright and can be quite distracting for other drivers.

Move Over for Stopped Vehicles

As an exception to the first rule we discussed, move over to the left whenever you approach a vehicle that is pulled over on the shoulder and flashing hazard lights. If it is not safe to pull over, slow down as you approach the vehicle. Large trucks create a lot of turbulence and “blow by” when passing stationary objects and vehicles, so moving over and/or slowing down will minimize the disturbance your truck causes on the people inside or working on the vehicle.
HDS Truck Driving Institute can teach you all the skills you need to be a professional truck driver. Call us at 877-205-2141 to learn more about our Tucson CDL programs and the resources we provide our current students and graduates. Financial aid is available for those who qualify and have an urge to attend truck driving school in Arizona.

The best way to obtain your Tucson CDL is by attending truck driving school, and one of the best truck driving schools in the Old Pueblo is HDS Truck Driving Institute. Since 1991, HDS Truck Driving Institute has provided men and women with the training and resources necessary to pass the Arizona CDL exam and become the professional drivers that the top companies seek. Our approach to truck driver training is why many of our graduates are employed by some of the nation’s top OTR carriers. If you’re interested in obtaining your CDL, make sure you meet our admission requirements and then call us to set up an appointment.

Age Requirement

Applicants must be 21 years of age by the time the program is completed to obtain an interstate CDL license. You may obtain an intrastate CDL license if you are at least 18 years of age by the program’s completion date.

Language Requirement

Applicants must be able to read and speak English at a conversational level. Applicants are also required to understand highway traffic signs and signals in English and how to make entries in English on reports and records.

Driver’s License and Driving Experience

Applicants must have an active Arizona driver’s license and proof of at least one consecutive year of driving experience with a standard operator’s license. A copy of your driving record can be obtained at your local DMV.

High School Diploma/GED

Applicants must possess either a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent, such as a GED. In some cases, we may choose to enroll applicants who do not possess either a high school diploma or recognized equivalent if they demonstrate the ability to benefit from training and a high likelihood of being employed after graduation.
For additional information about our admission requirements, or to begin the admissions process, call HDS Truck Driving Institute at 877-205-2141. If you are worried about the cost of attending truck driving school in Tucson, call us for additional information about financial aid, tuition reimbursement, paid training, and other forms of financial assistance. We look forward to welcoming you into the next class at Tucson’s best truck driving school.

A lot of individuals and businesses are thankful for the service and sacrifice of our country’s armed forces, but few are in a position to give back to the men and women who gave so much for our country. That’s why HDS Truck Driving Institute is proud to help veterans obtain their CDL in Tucson and other necessary qualifications and certifications for quality employment opportunities in the transportation industry. Here’s a look at some of the benefits we offer qualified veterans looking to attend a Tucson truck driving school.

GI Bill

HDS Truck Driving Institute students who qualify for the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill can receive tuition assistance and a monthly subsistence payment while attending truck driving school. The Post-9/11 GI Bill may be transferred to a spouse or children if you meet specific requirements.

Military Spouse Program

Eligible military spouses may receive up to $4,000 of financial assistance through MyCAA, the Military Spouse Program. This financial assistance can help eligible military spouses pursue education, training, and licenses leading to a career in the transportation industry.

Chapter 35 Educational Assistance Program

Under the Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35), spouses and dependent children between the ages of 18 and 26 of deceased or 100 percent disabled veterans are eligible for educational assistance if the veteran’s death or disability was service related.

Paid Training/Externships

HDS Truck Driving Institute also provide paid on-the-job training and/or externships for veterans who qualify. One of our admissions representatives can discuss the possibility of earning money while pursuing your Arizona CDL.
For additional information on our programs and admission requirements, call us at 877-205-2141. When you call, one of our representatives will walk you through the process of obtaining your Arizona CDL and how HDS Truck Driving Institute can help you find employment in the transportation industry after graduation.

As a truck driver, your rig is your livelihood. Because most professional drivers get paid by the mile or by the delivery, any setbacks or issues with your truck can end up costing you hundreds of thousands of dollars. When you enroll in a Tucson truck driving school, you’ll learn how to keep your truck safe and functional. In the meantime, start thinking about these important truck maintenance tips as you gear up to take your Arizona CDL exam.

Make Sure Your Truck is Road Worthy

Before you hit the road, it’s important that you perform a thorough pre-trip inspection of your truck and trailer. It can take between 30 and 45 minutes to complete a thorough pre-trip inspection, but it’s far less time consuming than sitting on the side of the road waiting for a repair truck. A good pre-trip inspection will also ensure that your vehicle is safe to operate, which is important for your own safety and the safety of everyone else on the road.

Look, Listen, and Feel for Problems

Just because you graduate from truck driving school doesn’t mean you will be qualified to work on your own rigs. But after all the hours you spend behind the wheel, you will definitely know how to spot when something is wrong with your truck. If you ever notice a problem or suspect that something isn’t right, have it checked out as soon as possible. Most times it might be nothing, but the one time you choose to ignore a problem it may result in a timely (and costly) breakdown or worse.
If you have the desire for a new career, HDS Truck Driving Institute can help. We provide comprehensive CDL prep and driver training at our Tucson truck driving school. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. We invite you and your family to one of our open house events to meet our instructors, tour our facilities, and learn why we are the premier Tucson CDL school. For additional information, please call us at  877-205-2141