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Earning your Tucson CDL is the first step in obtaining a job in the commercial driving industry, but many people are not sure how to take it. Continue reading for the answers to some common questions about CDLs.

How Do I Get My CDL?

You must be at least 21 years of age in order to legally drive a commercial vehicle over state lines. However, an 18 year old can get a limited CDL for intrastate use within Arizona. In addition to being of age, you must have a permanent residence in Arizona in order to be commercially licensed in the state. If you have satisfied these requirements, then you can apply for a CDL permit, which is valid for 6 months. Once you have practiced and you are confident in your skills, you can attempt to earn your CDL.

How Can I Prepare?

Once you have applied and received your CDL permit, you can begin to practice driving a commercial vehicle in Arizona. You will be tested on your knowledge of commercial driving as well as your practical skills. Many individuals decide to take courses at their local truck driving schools in order to prepare for their CDL exams. Your CDL school can provide you with the essential knowledge that you will need in order to earn your license, and they can help you develop the skills you need to pass your road test.

What Kind of Jobs Can I Get?

You can get a range of jobs with a CDL. The prototypical CDL job is over the road trucking, which may have you delivering manufactured products from one state to another. However, you can also find jobs in public transportation, construction, and waste management. This field typically offers excellent job security, which is always important.

If you have additional questions about CDLs, feel free to call HDS Truck Driving Institute at (877) 205-2141. Our team is committed to helping you acquire your Tucson CDL. You can find out much more about our Arizona truck driving school by visiting our website or stopping by to meet with us today.

Commercial truck driving can be a fulfilling and exciting job, and it starts with your Tucson CDL. Not everyone is a candidate for a CDL, however, and you must earn your permit before you can take your final exams. Keep reading for a look at the CDL process in Arizona.

Being Eligible

There are a few criteria that you must meet if you would like to earn a license that allows you to drive commercial vehicles in Arizona. Firstly, Arizona must be the state where you currently reside. If your permanent address indicates that you live somewhere else, you cannot obtain a CDL in Arizona. Individuals who plan on using a CDL to drive a commercial vehicle across state lines are only allowed to do so if they are 21 years of age or older. An 18 year old may obtain an intrastate CDL in order to drive commercially within the state of Arizona.

Obtaining a Permit

Before you can take full advantage of your CDL, you must first obtain a CDL instruction permit. This will allow you to practice driving a commercial vehicle on highways, and it expires after 6 months. You will have to provide certain types of information when applying for your CDL permit, including your Social Security card, appropriate forms of identification, and evidence of a physical examination. You must also have at least one year of experience in driving a motor vehicle.

Passing Your Exams

Use your CDL permit to practice for your exams. You can also enroll in courses at a Tucson CDL school to make sure you learn everything you need to know before attempting to earn your CDL. A qualified truck driving school can help you pass with flying colors and earn a secure job.

If you would like to learn more about the CDL process in Arizona, feel free to call HDS Truck Driving Institute at (877) 205-2141. We are a Tucson CDL school that aims to help you prepare to earn your commercial driver’s license. Please do not hesitate to visit our website for more information about our truck driving school.

If you are about to graduate from school or you are thinking about making a career change, consider enrolling in a truck driving school in Tucson. These schools can help you earn your Tucson CDL and help you start your truck driving career with a promising job. Keep reading to find out why truck driving is a career on the rise.

CDL Schools

Truck driving can make for an adventurous career, and a Tucson CDL school can put you on the right path. Truck driving schools like HDS Truck Driving Institute can help you prepare for a career in commercial driving. There are many differences between your sedan and a commercial truck, and you can learn about them through CDL school courses. The right CDL school will prepare you to pass your exams and earn your CDL, and it might even help you land your first truck driving job.

Job Security

A truck driving job may send you all over the place, but one thing will always be waiting for you when you come back: your job. As long as you do your job the way it needs to be done, you should have a relatively peaceful mind. Truck driving is an industry that continues to grow, and there are still plenty of jobs available. This is a major benefit when the economy and job market are not at their prime. If you decide that your current job is no longer a fit, you can take your experience to another one.

Adventure

Many truck drivers love their jobs because they get to travel to faraway places and see sights that they would never witness. Some drivers end up home every night, while some sleep in their beds weekly. Others live for the adventure and continue to follow the road.

For more information about commercial truck driving careers, please do not hesitate to contact HDS Truck Driving Institute or visit our website. It is our goal to help aspiring truckers earn their Tucson CDLs so they can launch their careers. Feel free to call us at (877) 205-2141 for more information.

If you’re thinking about attending truck driving school in Tucson, you probably have lots of questions about the truck driving industry. Tucson’s HDS Truck Driving Institute hosts an open house every second and fourth Saturday between January and October, and on the second Saturday in November and December. This is a great chance to talk with our program directors, instructors, and career advisors about the opportunities available to you with a CDL. In the meantime, here are answers to some of the most common questions about truck driving careers.

Q: Is there a big need for truck drivers?

A: Absolutely! There is a huge demand for commercial drivers in this country. According to the American Trucking Associations, the transportation industry is currently experiencing a labor shortfall to the tune of between 30,000 and 35,000 unfilled truck driver jobs. With older drivers retiring in greater numbers than years past, the industry is facing a major driver shortage and looking for skilled men and women to fill the void.

Q: How much do truck drivers make?

A: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average pay range for entry-level truck drivers is between $37,000 and $58,000 per year. Company drivers can also earn sizeable performance bonuses, and the earning potential is even greater for independent owner/operators.

Q: How long will I be on the road?

A: That’s entirely up to you. There are lots of different types of driving jobs available to CDL holders, and you can pursue the one that best fits your personal life. Over-the-road (OTR) truck drivers can be away from home for weeks at a time, while regional drivers may only be on the road for a few days. There are also local truck driving positions that can have you home for dinner every night.

Q: How do I get started?

A: If you want to become a truck driver, call HDS Truck Driving Institute. We have helped countless drivers earn their Arizona CDL and go on to have terrific careers in the truck driving industry. Call us toll-free at (877) 205-2141 to learn more about attending our truck driving school in Tucson or Phoenix.

If you live in Arizona, you don’t need us to tell you that warm weather is still here. Triple-digit temperatures are par for the course during the summer months, and truck drivers who operate in the Copper State must take extra care to stay cool on the road. As you go through truck driving school and prepare to earn your CDL in Tucson, keep these tips in mind on how to stay cool once you start driving a big rig in Arizona.

Protect Yourself from the Sun

Even though you are inside the cabin, the sun coming through the front and driver’s side window can heat you up and expose you to harmful UV rays. To stay cool and limit the amount of ultraviolet rays you are exposed to, wear long sleeves and put sunscreen on your hands and face. Window covers can also help block out the sun.

Stay Hydrated

It seems obvious, but it can be easy to forget to stay hydrated while on the road. A good rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in ounces every day. We recommend truck drivers invest in a large, insulated jug or water bottle to have plenty of cold water available during the day. You may need to stop more often to use the restroom, but at least you won’t overheat.

Dress Comfortably

You may be required to work outside when it’s hot to hook up or detach a trailer, so be sure to dress comfortably in lightweight, breathable clothing to prevent overheating. If you are comfortable in shorts and a t-shirt, remember to put on sunscreen to protect your skin and stay cool. Also, you’ll need to drink more water if you sweat to stay properly hydrated.

HDS Truck Driving Institute has served Southern Arizona since 1991, so we are uniquely qualified to prepare our students for the rigors of driving trucks in Arizona. We are a fully-accredited truck driving school and licensed by the Arizona Department of Transportation. If you would like to attend Arizona’s best CDL school, call HDS Truck Driving Institute toll-free at (877) 205-2141.

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.