Building a Normal Routine in Your Trucking Career

Pursuing a new career can be exciting, and it might take some time for you to settle in. After earning your Tucson CDL and finding a truck driving job, you’ll need to get yourself into a sleeping and eating rhythm. You should also decide how to stay in touch with your family as well as stay mentally healthy on the road. Read on for help in building a normal routine in your trucking career.

Eating and Resting

If you want your trucking career to be successful and fulfilling, it’s important that you take care of yourself while you’re on the job. It’s easy to get caught up in the work and forget to eat regularly or get proper sleep, especially when you are just starting out. However, you need to find a sustainable routine if you want to go the distance with your trucking career. Try to eat healthy and rest well every day so you can stay sharp while you’re on the road.

Communicating with Family

One unique adjustment that comes with a career in professional truck driving is being away from home for long periods of time. Although this is not the case with all trucking jobs, it’s not uncommon and is an important element to consider. When you start getting into a routine with your trucking job, think about how and when you will contact your family and friends to keep in touch.

Staying Mentally Secure

Being mentally alert is crucial when you’re driving for hours at a time, as your attention will keep you and other drivers safe. Make sure you take breaks when you need to, avoid distractions, and do what you have to do to keep yourself in a positive and productive mindset.

A normal routine can help you make the most of your trucking career, but first you’ll need a Tucson CDL. HDS Truck Driving Institute is a truck driving school that can help you get your career started. Give us a call at (877) 205-2141 or visit our website for more information.

Up Close with Over-the-Road Trucking

When you are thinking of getting your CDL, it is a great idea to gather information about the different types of trucking jobs that are available in your area. If you have always wanted to see the countryside and explore the open highway, you may find that over-the-road trucking jobs are appealing to you. With an over-the-road job, you can expect to spend three weeks or longer away from home at a time. Let’s get up close with over-the-road trucking to learn what you can expect from this type of truck driving job.

Weeks Away from Home

One of the key features of an over-the-road trucking job is that this position will require you to spend weeks or longer away from home. During this time, you will be delivering cargo and goods to different cities around the country. If you find the idea of travelling for a living to be appealing, over-the-road trucking may be for you.

Time Spent Alone

When you are contemplating becoming an over-the-road truck driver, you will need to prepare yourself for significant amounts of time spent alone. While you drive, you will typically be on solo shifts. In order to prepare yourself for an over-the-road job, you will want to prepare to spend time on the road on your own.

High Annual Wages

As an over-the-road truck driver, you can expect to receive terrific yearly wages. Since many over-the-road positions pay by the mile, you will be making money for every mile that you log on the road. Overall, an over-the-road job will provide you with fantastic financial benefits.

To learn more about the different types of jobs that are available when you receive your CDL, be sure to contact HDS Truck Driving Institute. Our friendly instructors will be there to help you decide what type of trucking job will be the best fit for your needs. Give us a call at (877) 205-2141 to learn more about enrollment at our Tucson location.

Are You Ready for a New Career in Trucking?

If you are dissatisfied with your current job, you may be ready to make a new career move. Truck driving offers fantastic pay and benefits, and will also allow you to get away from the traditional 9 to 5 workday. By attending a CDL school, you will receive the knowledge and training that you need to become a fully certified truck driver. Here is a look at some signs that you are ready for a new career in trucking.

You Are Seeking Better Pay

One of the top signs that you are ready for a new career in truck driving is that your current job is not paying you a high enough salary. If you are struggling to make ends meet, or are simply seeking better financial security, you are sure to be thrilled with the great pay and benefits that a truck driving career has to offer.

You Crave Adventure

When you work a conventional job, you may grow tired of seeing the same sights and sitting behind the same desk day in and day out. Truck driving is a terrific career opportunity for those workers who are craving adventure. Driving a commercial truck will allow you to explore many different parts of the country.

You Love to Drive

Truck driving is perfectly suited for any worker who enjoys spending time on the road. As a truck driver, you can expect to log many hours behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle. Overall, truck driving can satisfy your thirst for adventure, while also providing you with great career opportunities.

If you have questions about whether truck driving is the right job for you, be sure to get in touch with HDS Truck Driving Institute by calling (877) 205-2141. As a leading CDL school in Tucson, we can help you prepare for your exam and obtain the truck driving job of your dreams. We look forward to seeing you at one of our open houses soon.

Making the Truck Driver Shortage Work for You

If you have been paying attention to the latest news in the truck driving industry, you may be aware that many trucking companies are experiencing a shortage of qualified drivers. Due to the high demand for certified truckers, now is a fantastic time to get your CDL and hit the road as a professional truck driver. To highlight the benefits of attending CDL school, here is a look at how you can make the truck driver shortage work for you.

Receive Immediate Job Placement

Since many trucking companies have many positions currently open, you will find that you are able to find immediate job placement after you graduate from truck driving school and pass the CDL exam. Rather than struggling to find a job after you receive your certification, you can rest assured that you can start your career right away.

Enjoy Great Benefits

In order to attract new drivers to the trucking profession, truck driving companies are offering competitive pay and benefits to their new hires. From fantastic starting salaries to comprehensive benefits packages, there are many perks to getting hired during the current truck driving shortage. As you are applying for trucking jobs, you can shop around for a company that is offering the best deal.

Find Your Passion

With many trucking positions becoming newly available, you will have the chance to find a trucking job that is suited to your passion and interests. For example, if you enjoy seeing different parts of the country, you may find that you love embarking on over-the-road jobs.

To learn more about the truck driver shortage and how it can benefit you after you get your CDL, be sure to get in touch with HDS Truck Driving Institute. Our top rated CDL school in Tucson will help you fully prepare yourself for an exciting truck driving career. Call us at (877) 205-2141 to receive more information about our admission process.   

How to Choose a Great Trucking School

No matter what type of career you plan to begin, you’ll need to start with some background in the field. A Tucson CDL school can prepare you for a career in truck driving, but you must choose the right one. Read ahead for tips on how to choose a great trucking school.

Explore Your Options

If you have decided that you want to be a commercial truck driver for a living, you may be welling with excitement; however, it’s important to keep a clear mind when looking for a school that can prepare you for your commercial driver’s license. A CDL is a big deal that stands between you and your truck driving career, so you’ll want to make sure you pick the right school so you are fully qualified and prepared when it comes time to earn your CDL.

Think About Your Goals

Although most truck driving schools are geared towards helping you earn your CDL and find a place in the truck driving industry, they might not all specialize in the same exact areas. If you know exactly what aspect of the truck driving industry you would like to be involved in, try to find a CDL school that will help you on your particular path.

Look at References and Success Stories

Before committing to any truck driving school, take a look at their references. Consider talking to people who have attended the school or program before, and find out what they did and didn’t like about their time there before signing yourself up.

The best way to get your start in the truck driving industry is with a quality truck driving school in Tucson. The HDS Truck Driving Institute will help you earn your CDL so you can enjoy a successful and fulfilling career as a professional truck driver. You can learn all about our business by calling us at (877) 205-2141.

How to Succeed as a Truck Driver

The starting point of your truck driving career should be at your Tucson CDL school where you will learn everything you need to know in order to be prepared for the road ahead. You can then find a job that you enjoy and figure out how to care for yourself while you’re on the road. Look ahead for tips on how to succeed as a truck driver.

Earn Your CDL

You will need to obtain your commercial driver’s license before you can find a job in the truck driving industry, so the first step to success is attending a quality Tucson truck driving school. Your truck driving school will prepare you to pass both the written and practical tests that lead you to your CDL. Be sure to enroll in a quality CDL school with a track record of success so you can be sure to enter the industry with confidence.

Find a Job You Love

After earning your CDL from your truck driving school, you are free to begin pursuing a career in truck driving; depending on the school you attended, you might graduate with plenty of resources. Rather than jumping at the first opportunity that you come across, take your time and weigh your options. After carefully considering your alternatives, choose a truck driving job that seems right for your needs.

Take Care of Yourself

No matter how great your company is, it’s up to you to keep yourself in shape on the road. If you want to succeed as a truck driver, you’ll need to understand how to deal with fatigue on the road, eat properly to stay alert, and get proper sleep when you can. Once you have mastered these elements, you’re ready for success.

HDS Truck Driving is a Tucson CDL school that can prepare you for a career in the trucking industry. Whether you are looking to get started on the right foot or get back into commercial driving after a hiatus, our team can help. Visit our website or give us a call at (877) 205-2141 for more information.

What It Means to Be an Owner-Operator

While working for a truck driving company can be fulfilling in itself, being an owner-operator may be even more rewarding. Whether you enter your Tucson CDL school knowing you want to spend your life driving or you figure it out along the way, the job may be equally appropriate for your situation. Read on to find out what it means to be an owner-operator.

Qualifications

Before you take the plunge and become an owner-operator, you’ll need to make sure that you’re completely prepared. This type of job is more entrepreneurial than others, which means it demands a strict work ethic and a significant amount of discipline. This is why owner-operators typically have more than a couple of decades of experience in the business. You should also be intimately familiar with your area and own at least one truck and trailer of your own.

Responsibilities

As an owner-operator, you will be working on both sides of the business. You will own your own company and become your own boss, but you will still need to be the driving force that operates your company. There is a great deal to consider in this case, like the maintenance you will offer your fleet, how much of your fleet you have paid off, and how often you would like to sleep in your own bed.

Finances

Owner-operators must be more concerned with the financial aspect of the trucking industry than an employee on the payroll. It is once again important to consider the fleet you own and maintenance expenses, but you also need to consider personal finances like eating satisfying meals and sleeping comfortably, perhaps in hotels.

You can’t become an owner-operator until you earn your Tucson CDL, so call HDS Truck Driving Institute at (877) 205-2141. You can also visit our website to learn about how our Arizona CDL school can set you up for a successful future in the truck driving industry.

A Look at Team Truck Driving

It helps to be a team player no matter what industry you plan to break into, and your cooperative skills are especially important when it comes to truck driving. Graduating from a Tucson CDL school is a great first step, but you need to know how to put yourself in a situation where you can prosper. Here is a look at team truck driving.

Finding the Right Company

Even though you might spend a great deal of time alone during your truck driving career, the big picture still requires a team effort. This is why you should do some research and find the best company for your needs. Some truck driving companies are better than others when it comes to teamwork, and those that are better tend to enjoy more success. By choosing a company that values team spirit, you can set yourself up for success in your career.

Helping Each Other

Although you might spend much of your time alone while driving, the entire operation is still a team effort. You’ll need to communicate with dispatchers back at the headquarters as well as business owners to make sure everything runs according to schedule. Additionally, you can look to coworkers to show you the ropes when you start out. A team is only as strong as its weakest link, so it’s in everyone’s best interest for the whole squad to be fully prepared.

Taking on Two-Driver Opportunities

Driving doesn’t need to be lonely, and two-driver opportunities provide the perfect solution. If you and a friend or significant other are both interested in truck driving, you could always hit the road together and maximize your earning potential. Talk to your employer about team driving opportunities.

If you think you’re cut out for team truck driving, feel free to call HDS Truck Driving Institute at (877) 205-2141. Our Tucson CDL school is ready to prepare you for a fruitful career in truck driving. Please visit our website to learn more about our truck driving school today.

Getting Proper Rest on the Road

Sleep and rest are important considerations for any commercial truck driver. When you are a student at a CDL school, your instructors will provide you with tips and information about how to stay healthy and well rested when you are on a long haul journey. Getting rest will improve your safety behind the wheel, and will also ensure that you are following federally mandated standards. Read on for an overview of how to get proper rest on the road.

Plan a Rest Schedule

Your restfulness will be improved if you are able to create a consistent sleep schedule between shifts. By sleeping at the same time each day, you will be able to fall asleep more quickly and achieve a deeper state of sleep. Whenever it is possible, plan ahead and stop for a sleep break at regular intervals.

Avoid Caffeine and Sugar Before Sleeping

While you may be tempted to reach for a cup of coffee to help you stay awake, drinking too much caffeine or eating large quantities of sugar can prevent your ability to rest. To ensure that you are able to fall asleep, it is best to avoid all stimulating substances two to three hours before you go to bed. Instead, you can hydrate by drinking plenty of water.

Create a Restful Sleep Environment

At bedtime, you will want to sleep in an environment that is as restful as possible. Blocking out light sources, eliminating distracting noises, and maintaining your sleep space at a comfortable temperature will help you achieve a deeper state of rest. After you have gotten a full night’s sleep, you will be refreshed for your next driving shift.

For more truck driving tips and information, be sure to get in touch with HDS Truck Driving Institute by calling (877) 205-2141. We proudly provide our students with quality CDS training, and we will be thrilled to help you obtain your Arizona CDL. After you graduate from our Tucson CDL school, you will be fully prepared for your truck driving career.

The Benefits of a Career in Truck Driving

When you graduate from CDL school, you will be able to shift your career into the next gear. If you are feeling like your current job lacks the opportunities or compensation that you desire, you may want to start investigating the great rewards that come with a truck driving career. After you receive a certification from a CDL school and get your license, you will be a top candidate for many truck driving job. Here is a look at three benefits to a career in the truck driving industry.

Get Out of the Office

While some workers are satisfied with spending their time behind an office chair, others have a thirst for adventure. A truck driving career will allow you to leave your conventional office job behind. When you work as a truck driver, you will spend the majority of your career exploring the open road and seeing new sights.

Earn Great Compensation

Along with allowing you to leave your office, a truck driving job will also provide you with the opportunity to earn great compensation for your work. Since truck driving requires special skills and certifications, trucking companies are ready to pay new truckers great starting salaries. A career in truck driving is a smart investment in your financial security.

Enjoy Job Security

As a commercial truck driver, you will not need to worry that your job will be outsourced or eliminated at a future date. Trucking companies are pleased to offer their drivers terrific job security. When you are seeking a career that will last a lifetime, truck driving may be the right choice for you.

At HDS Truck Driving Institute, our instructors will help you prepare for a fulfilling career as a truck driver. When you graduate from our Arizona CDL school, you will have all of the skills needed to obtain your CDL and start working as a professional truck driver. For more information about how to enroll at our CDL school in Tucson, call us at (877) 205-2141.  

What Cargo Is Carried in Trucks in the U.S.?

Trucking is vital for the transportation industry in the United States. From grocery stores to factories and more, many different businesses and industries rely on truck drivers to transport and deliver their goods. When you get your CDL and become a truck driver, you may be responsible for transporting a variety of different materials. Let’s explore some of the most common types of cargo that are transported by trucks in the U.S.

Refrigerated Goods

Refrigerated trucks, also known as reefers, are used to transport any refrigerated or perishable goods. Many food products, such as dairy items or produce, must be transported in refrigerated trucks. Refrigerated trucks are maintained at a consistently cold temperature to ensure the freshness of goods upon their arrival at their final destination.

Bulky Equipment

Many types of construction equipment are transported through the use of special trucks. While some pieces of equipment are compact enough to be loaded into containers, others must be securely attached to a flat bed. When a truck driver is carrying equipment that is very heavy, it is of the utmost importance that the load is secured so that it does not move during transport. Loading a truck is one of many skills that you will learn during your CDL education.

Passenger Vehicles

New cars are shipped to dealerships through the use of specially equipped commercial vehicles. Commercial trucks can haul up to twelve cars in a single load. Trucks that are loaded with vehicles are very heavy, so the driver must exercise a high level of caution when transporting a load of cars.  

For answers to your questions about what to expect from your truck driving career, contact HDS Truck Driving Institute by calling (877) 205-2141. The curriculum at our Tucson CDL school will provide you with valuable information about commercial truck driving, and we will help you get ready to pass your CDL exam. We look forward to seeing you in a CDL class in the near future.

What Type of Trucking is Right for You?

Graduating from a CDL school is just the beginning of your truck driving journey. When you get your CDL, you will be ready to start applying to truck driving companies around the state. As you apply for your first trucking job, you will want to find a position that suits your interests and lifestyle. To help you decide on your first trucking job, here is a look at three of the most popular types of trucking jobs.

Long Haul

A long haul trucking job will take you to many places around the country. When you get a position as a long haul trucker, you will transport materials across state lines. Since long haul truckers spend significant amounts of time away from home, you may want to think carefully about whether this type of trucking job will be right for you. Those drivers who are seeking adventure are perfectly suited for long haul jobs.

Local Driving

A local driving job is a great opportunity for those truck drivers who have families or prefer shorter trips. As a local driver, you may deliver to businesses or companies around your city or county. Since local trips are shorter than long haul journeys, local drivers may expect to make several deliveries in a single day. If you do not wish to spend long periods of time away from home, local driving may be the best trucking option for your needs.

Specialized Hauling

To enhance your opportunities as a truck driver, you may want to consider getting additional certifications to haul specialized goods. Some examples of specialized hauling assignments include the transport of hazardous or overweight materials. In order to drive a specialized truck, you may need to attend additional CDL classes.

When you study at a CDL school, you will find out all about the different types of trucking jobs. At HDS Truck Driving Institute of Tucson, we proudly provide our students with hands on CDL training. For more details about our upcoming courses, contact our CDL school by calling (877) 205-2141.