Category: HDS Truck Driving Institute News

Not every job lets you team up with your life partner, but professional driving is unlike most other jobs in many ways. Driving with your spouse is nice, because you can build a routine, and you can do it together. You’ll also get to share some amazing experiences on the road, so read ahead and learn more about the advantages.

Knowing Your Routine

Driving a commercial vehicle for a living is much different from working at an office in many different ways, but the two career paths are similar in that you will create some sort of routine. Before you take to the road each day you’ll have to inspect your truck, configure your route, and get something to eat to keep you energized throughout the day. When you and your spouse develop a routine together, you can split the duties in half and get back on the road quickly.

Time Together

One of the main drawbacks of professional truck driving is that you might not see your family as much as you’d like. If you’re on a team with your spouse, you’ll get to see each other every day. This eliminates one of the biggest reasons someone might stay out of the trucking industry. When your kids grow up and move out of the house, you and your spouse can spend your time on the road.

Bonding Experiences

Not only will you spend time with your spouse when you drive as a team, you’ll get to share experiences that most other people don’t. You might see beautiful landmarks, roadside attractions, and scenery together, and the two of you can look back at those memories forever.

You both have to get your commercial driver’s licenses before you can take to the road as a duo, so call HDS Truck Driving Institute at (877) 205-2141. We are a truck driving school in Tucson that can teach you all you need to know to prepare for your career.

When you spend much of your time on the road, you start to get to know different truck stops and what to expect from them. A truck stop is a place where you can fuel up your body in addition to your truck, take a shower and brush your teeth, and have some fun when you’re on a break. Here’s a look at the benefits you can enjoy.

Food
The way you eat makes a huge difference in how you feel. By extension, it affects your ability to drive your commercial vehicle safely and effectively. You don’t want to fill up on big meals that will make you tired when you have a day of driving ahead of you, and you shouldn’t turn to sugary snacks to give you the energy to keep going. Truck stops have much more to offer than the typical gas station or convenience store. They offer multiple food options, so you can enjoy a balanced diet no matter where you are.

Bathrooms
A trucking job might have you on the road for days at a time, and even if you’re in the truck alone, personal hygiene is still important. There are plenty of places you can stop to use the bathroom, but truck stops are the preferred choice if you want to brush your teeth, wash your face, or even take a shower.

Entertainment
Some truck stops are surprisingly equipped to offer various forms of entertainment. Even if the truck stop you come across doesn’t include a movie theater, it should at least have a convenience shop where you can buy a new pair of headphones or a charger for your phone or laptop.

The HDS Truck Driving Institute can get you started on your path to becoming a truck driver by helping you earn your Tucson CDL. Look through our website or give our Arizona truck driving school a call at (877) 205-2141.

Earning your commercial driver’s license is one of the first steps in getting yourself your first trucking job. Your CDL can include different kinds of endorsements, and they can make it easier for you to get into a career that you love. Having more endorsements means you’re a more versatile driver, so you might have more options in the job market. Read on and see what benefits can come from earning multiple endorsements.

Comfort

You never know where your trucking career might take you, but you should be able to put your best foot forward no matter what. Each endorsement has its own requirements. If you know you want to work with tank vehicles, hazardous materials, or double trailers, you should be comfortable when you do. You need to go through testing to earn each of these endorsements, which means you’ll need to keep your skills and your knowledge sharp. This should keep you comfortable and confident when you put these skills to work.

Employability

Although there is plenty of room for new drivers in the trucking industry, it never hurts to make yourself as appealing as possible. If you have more than one endorsement, then you’re probably a versatile driver. Bigger employers that need multiple positions filled will notice this. Having the qualifications to drive a school bus as well as handle hazardous materials might not help within the context of the same job, but it will give you more options as an applicant. Think about what sectors of the trucking industry you’re interested in when determining which endorsements you should strive for.

If you’re interested in earning your Tucson CDL, don’t wait to call HDS Truck Driving Institute at (877) 205-2141. Our truck driving school will help you prepare for a long career in the trucking industry. Learn about what our school can do for you by checking out our website.

Truck driving is a unique career path, so a typical day at work can be completely different from day to day. There are many experiences that you might only get to take part in after you earn your CDL and become a truck driver, like waking up to the sunrise in a different location each day. If you enjoy your time on the road and decide you want to invest in the industry, you might even become an owner operator one day. Keep reading for a look at some once-in-a-lifetime experiences you can have while truck driving.

Watch a Different Sunrise Every Day

If you’re getting tired of living the same day over and over again, you’re not alone. It’s common for people to get tired of repetition. Waking up at the same time, taking the same highway, and going into the same office year after year just isn’t right for some people. If you’re the kind of person who lives for change, then truck driving might be the right career path for you. Truck driving is one of the few jobs that can have you in a different city every day of the week. Some people love the idea of getting an early start and watching the sunrise from a different place every day. If this sounds like you, you might be interested in the once-in-a-lifetime experiences truck driving can bring you.

Become an Owner Operator

Some people enter the trucking industry and decide that it’s not for them, while others stick around for the rest of their lives. If you find that the lifestyle works for you and you love the perks of the job, you might one day become an owner operator. This means you’ll own your vehicle and be your own boss, but it takes a lot of work to get there.

You need your commercial driver’s license to enjoy these experiences, so contact HDS Truck Driving Institute or see our website for a look at our services. You can also call our truck driving school in Tucson at (877) 205-2141.

Becoming a truck driver can be fulfilling and exciting, but there may be even more advantages than you had previously considered. As you go through your career and develop a routine, you will learn more and more about the benefits that this career choice has to offer. Here’s a look at some of the more underrated benefits.

Enjoying Solitude

Some people live for their social lives, but not everyone is an extrovert. If you are someone who likes your solitude, then truck driving can be a great career choice. For the right type of personality, spending time alone on the road can be refreshing and rejuvenating, so consider earning your commercial driver’s license and getting a job in the trucking industry.

Experiencing the Country

The United States of America is a large country, and some of our states are the sizes of small countries themselves. Since our nation covers so much land, there is a great deal of diversity to appreciate. The mountains of Colorado, the beaches of Florida, and the streets of New York are all vastly different, and not everyone gets to experience all of these different types of environments. If you want to see as much of the country as possible and get paid to do it, you might be born for trucking.

Avoiding Chores

Truck drivers might not get home as much as other members of the workforce, but that doesn’t necessarily come without its own advantages. If you don’t spend much time at home, you’ll have minimal chores to do when you are there. Since you spend so much of your workweek out on the road, you also might not be worried about keeping up a lavish and luxurious living space.

When you get your Tucson CDL and join the industry, you’ll find even more benefits that come with the job. Please don’t hesitate to call HDS Truck Driving Institute at (877) 205-2141 or check out our website to learn about our services.

The United States is a diverse nation, and many areas of the country look completely different from each other. The roads that literally pave the way for us to travel across the country can show you some amazing scenes, but some can be treacherous. Read on as we put the spotlight on America’s craziest roads.

I-15: LA to Las Vegas

For those who live in southern California, taking a trip out to Las Vegas for the weekend isn’t all that much of a commitment. Unfortunately, the high volume of traffic is one factor that makes this stretch of road so dangerous. Drivers going to and from Las Vegas might be especially distracted, and drunk driving is believed to play a significant role as well.

Highway 2: Montana

Rural roads tend to have less traffic than most, but that doesn’t necessarily make them less dangerous. Highway 2 in Montana has been called one of the most dangerous roads in the country, and the state itself tops the list of states with the most fatalities. Where there are fewer people, there are fewer stations to fuel up. On top of that, rescue services may take longer to reach you and transport you to a medical facility.

I-95: Connecticut

Interstate 95 is a primary highway on the east coast of the US, and Connecticut is home to 100 miles of the road. Out of these 100 miles, there is one section that tends to give drivers trouble. This hilly territory sees plenty of traffic, and the combination of terrain and congestion has led to a disproportionate amount of fatalities.

If you want to experience America’s craziest roads for yourself, consider earning your Tucson CDL with HDS Truck Driving Institute. When you enroll in our school, you can expect to learn everything you need to know to start your career in the industry. Give us a call at (877) 205-2141 for more information.

There are many benefits that come with long-distance trucking jobs, such as greater freedom and access to more jobs. These benefits and more make long-distance trucking jobs, sometimes called over-the-road or OTR, the best type of job for you.

You have greater independence.

Long-distance trucking jobs often require drivers to be out on the road for days and weeks at a time. If you love having freedom and time to yourself, then this is the perfect type of trucking job. You will have to answer dispatches and follow the rules set forth by the government and your trucking company, but long-distance trucking jobs give you more opportunities to be your own boss.

You’ll have more trucking jobs.

Almost every industry depends on truck drivers moving cargo thousands of miles across the country. If you are willing to take those long times away from your home base, then you will have access to more jobs than truckers who stay regional or local. There will always be a job for you to take when you work long-distance runs on a regular basis. Taking on these frequent jobs can also result in a pay increase, which is another great benefit of long-distance trucking jobs.

You gain more experience.

If you have recently earned your CDL certification and endorsements, then it is important to gain as much experience as you can. If you wish to make yourself a more appealing candidate for trucking companies, then more experience is the best way to achieve that goal. Driving long-distance jobs will give you thousands of miles and hundreds of hours of experience in a short amount of time. This experience will greatly benefit you and your future career as a truck driver.

You can learn more about truck driving jobs, earning your CDL, and all of the benefits you can receive when you train at HDS Truck Driving Institute. We have several programs that can get you certified and in a job before you know it. Please call us at (877) 205-2141 to speak with an admissions expert.

If you and your spouse are looking for ways to have an adventure together, then you won’t find a more beneficial system than team truck driving. Read on to see how team driving can help you make memories and stay close as a couple.

Make Memories Together

Team drivers have more opportunities to drive long-distance hauls and visit exciting, new places. If you and your spouse enjoy traveling and making memories together, then team driving is the perfect choice. You can plan your jobs and your routes around the different cities, roadside attractions, and famous sites that you both want to see. Making memories together is a great way to stay close, because you always have fun stories to remember and talk about on the road.

Earn an Education Together

If you and your spouse get your CDL and endorsements together, then you can help each other better understand the material. Studying and training on the trucks together will bring you two closer in an entirely different way. You can understand how your spouse thinks and vice versa. This type of knowledge can be beneficial to developing your individual strengths and weaknesses. If you have a stronger understanding in one area, and your spouse in another, then you can help and encourage each other to succeed.

Gain Experience Together

There are certain types of trucking jobs that are easier to take on as team drivers, such as a hazmat haul. Driving hazmat cargo requires a driver to stay with the cargo at all times. Team drivers can take on these jobs, because one person stays with the cargo while another gets food or uses the restroom. It is these types of jobs that give you a lot of experience as a truck driver, and they can only be achieved on a team. You and your spouse can create more memories and knowledge by sharing these experiences.

Earn your educations and better your marriage with the help of HDS Truck Driving Institute. Please visit us online or call us at (877) 205-2141 to learn about our different CDL programs in Tucson, AZ.

When you are seeking a top quality CDL school in the Tucson area, look no further than HDS Truck Driving Institute. For more than 25 years, we have provided our students with personalized truck driving training and instruction. If you want to get your CDL and become a licensed truck driver, you should be sure to enroll at our highly rated training school. Let’s get to know what HDS Truck Driving Institute has to offer you.

Proper Accreditation

Proper accreditation is an important feature to consider when you are thinking of enrolling at a CDL school. The accreditation process requires a training school to meet specific criteria. At HDS Truck Driving Institute, we are accredited by several nationally recognized organizations, including the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division and the Accrediting Association of Career Schools and Colleges.

Trucking Company Affiliation

At HDS Truck Driving Institute, we are pleased to be affiliated with a trucking company that is located onsite. When you graduate from trucking school and obtain your CDL, you will want to make sure that you are able to get a job right away. Our affiliated trucking company will provide you with placement in a position that suits your skills and expertise.

Knowledgeable Instructors

When you attend classes at HDS Truck Driving Institute, you will receive instruction from a team of highly knowledgeable instructors. Many of our instructors are veterans of the trucking industry, so they will be able to tell you about the ins and outs of the profession. We also offer plenty of one-on-one time with our instructors, so you can make sure that you are ready for the CDL exam.

For more information about the terrific benefits of attending HDS Truck Driving School, give us a call at (877) 205-2141. Our program will fully prepare you for the CDL exam, and we can help you get a jump start in your next career as a professional truck driver.

The American Trucking Association (ATA) has been the leading advocate for truck drivers and the trucking industry as a whole since 1933. The ATA develops and advocates policies that promote highway safety, security, environmental sustainability, and profitability for all involved in the nation’s motor carrier industry. As you begin researching CDL schools in Tucson and exploring the requirements to become a professional truck driver, take a few minutes to learn about some important moments in the history of one of the trucking organizations.  

1933: A Merging of Common Interests

The ATA is formed in 1933 after a merger agreement between the American Highway Freight Association and the Federation Trucking Associations of America. This merger was in response to the National Recovery Administration’s order that all industries show how they will comply with the Code of Fair Competition.

1937: The First National Truck Roadeo

The first National Truck Roadeo is held and sponsored by the ATA, which will eventually become the National Truck Driving Championships. The NTDC is still the premier trucking event for professional drivers in the United States.

1941: The ATA Recruits for the Government

The ATA is asked by the Office of Defense Transportation to recruit personnel for the U.S. Army Transportation Corps. These men and women were crucial in America’s efforts during WW2.

1985: The ATA Litigation Center is Founded

After decades of successfully championing on behalf of the motor carrier industry, the ATA establishes the ATA Litigation Center to further the industry’s goals through the nation’s legal system.

HDS Truck Driving Institute is proud to be affiliated with the American Trucking Association. We are a fully-accredited educational institutions that has helped thousands of students pass the CDL exam. If you wish to learn more about enrolling in our truck driving school in Tucson, please call us toll free at 1-877-205-2141. Our CDL school has served Southern Arizona since 1991.

So you want to be a truck driver? The first step is to enroll in truck driving school and obtain your CDL. After that, you’ll be prepared to drive for a company or start a career as an owner-operator. Although truck driving schools in Arizona will teach you everything you need to know about driving a big rig, there are some things you’ll learn only after you get out on the open road and start driving professionally. To give you a head start and help you get your truck driving career off to the best start, here are some essential tips for new drivers.

 

• Build a Good Relationship with Your Dispatcher – If you start your career driving for a company, you’ll want to get on good terms with the dispatcher. A good relationship with your dispatcher can result in better loads and even more miles, which ultimately means more money and an easier time on the road.

• Never Refuse a Load (If You Can Help It) – Truck drivers are allowed to refuse a load that they feel is unsafe or is not reasonably expected to arrive in good condition, but these should be the only reasons you refuse a load. Refusing a load for any other reason can paint a bad image of you as a driver and reduce your future pickup opportunities.

• Take Care of Your Truck and Your Body – It may seem obvious, but it’s important that you take care of your truck if you want to enjoy a long and successful driving career. A well-maintained truck can save you a lot of headache in the long run. It’s also important that you take care of your body, which means getting plenty of rest, exercising when you can, and having a good diet.

HDS Truck Driving Institute employs only experienced drivers as instructors, which means you’ll receive real-world advice from drivers who know the ins and outs of the trucking industry. You’ll also receive the finest training that will not only help you pass the CDL exam, but also become the kind of professional driver that companies seek. Contact us online or call 1-877-205-2141 to learn more about enrolling in our fully-accredited CDL school in Tucson.

You can learn all the skills necessary to become a professional truck driver by attending an Arizona CDL school, but there are some aspects of truck driving that you’ll need to master on your own. For example, while truck driving schools in Tucson will give you tips and pointers on how to stay safe on the road, it’s your responsibility as licensed truck driver to take care of yourself and make sure you are up to the task of driving. Staying awake and alert is critical if you want to be a safe and productive driver, which is why we’ve chosen to highlight some of the top tips to help truck drivers remained sharp and focused on the road.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

One of the easiest ways to stay alert and feel awake while on the road is to get plenty of rest at night. You should try to get at least six hours of sleep, although you should really try to get a least eight hours for optimal performance.  

Avoid Large Doses of Sugar and Caffeine

Lots of sugar and caffeine can wake you up and get you going, but that rush of energy only lasts for a few hours and is typically followed by a heavy crash. To avoid this sudden energy dump, try to limit your sugar and caffeine intake throughout the day.

Stretch Your Legs

The next time you’re feeling a bit drowsy behind the wheel and still have a few more hundred miles to go until you reach your destination, pull over at get the blood flowing. You can stretch, take a brisk walk, or even do push-ups or jumping jacks to get a quick boost of energy that should help you stay awake and alert until you can pull over and rest.
The professional driver instructors here at HDS Truck Driving Institute have decades of combined experience on the road and can share even more tips to help you become a safe and productive truck driver. Visit our website to learn more about our CDL programs in Tucson, or call us at 1-877-205-2141 to speak with one of our truck driving programs advisors.