Category: HDS Truck Driving Institute News

Completing truck-driving school puts you on the path toward an exciting and successful career. Before you finish your schooling, you should start compiling playlists that can accompany you on your long drives once you get your commercial truck driver license. Here are some selections to get you started:

“Life Is a Highway”

Try to fill your playlist with a lot of high-energy songs that keep you awake and help you focus on the road. “Life Is a Highway” is the perfect example of a road-friendly song that will make the long hours on the highway much more enjoyable. Whether you want to go old school with the original Tom Cochrane version or make it a little bit country with Rascal Flatt’s rendition, this song is sure to keep you feeling energized while you drive.

“On the Road Again”

Willie Nelson’s classic “On the Road Again” should definitely find a spot on your playlist. If you have a passion for your career as a truck driver, this song will speak to your soul. With lyrics like “just can’t wait to get on the road again,” you will be excited to get behind the wheel and start on another long journey.

“Truck Driver’s Prayer”

This ode to the truck driver is another country classic that can help you get through a long shift of driving across the country. Red Sovine’s song pays homage to truck drivers by saying things like “If everyone would drive like you guys do/ there would be a lot less accidents and deaths on the highway.”

“Truck Driver’s Blues”

Merle Haggard sings it well in his song “Truck Driver’s Blues.” With lyrics like “keep them wheels a rollin’/I ain’t got no time to lose,” he perfectly embodies the feeling of driving a truck when you are ready to find a rest stop for the night.

No matter what you choose to put on your own playlist, HDS Truck Driving Institute is here to help you get qualified to begin a career as a truck driver. Since 1991, we have trained countless drivers in Tucson. To learn more about our programs, visit us online or call 877-205-2141.

There are many benefits to starting a career as a truck driver. Just like any other job, though, there are some potential drawbacks. Use this guide to learn about some of the dangers of trucking so you can avoid them and enjoy a smooth and simple career:

Sleep Deprivation

Driving when you are tired can decrease your response time and make it more dangerous to operate a large vehicle like a truck. It can also affect your memory, prevent you from maintaining a healthy weight, and increase your blood pressure. Missing out on sleep also impacts your immune system, which could increase your chances of getting sick. Make sure you get plenty of rest so you are at your best when you are behind the wheel.

Weight Gain

Sitting down for long stretches of time and eating fast food on the highway puts you at risk for gaining a lot of weight. About 73 percent of truck drivers are overweight and 50 percent are obese. Pay attention to the foods you eat and try to get some exercise so you can maintain a healthy weight even when you are on the road. Make an effort to walk as much as you can throughout the course of a day or carry some dumbbells with you so you can do some light strength training. Instead of ordering the supersized meal at the fast food restaurant, you should try to set your sights on healthier options.

Heart Attack and Stroke

Unhealthy habits like gaining weight and eating bad food can drastically increase your risk for serious health issues, including heart attack and stroke. Be diligent about eating healthy food and getting plenty of exercise to reduce these risks and maintain your health.

Come to HDS Truck Driving Institute to learn how to drive a truck and earn your CDL license. As one of the top truck-driving schools in the Tucson area, we make it easy to start a rewarding career. Call 877-205-2141 to learn more.

Many people have a preconceived notion about what it means to be a professional truck driver. If you are interested in breaking into the industry, though, you should learn more about the job and what it entails. Keep reading to expand your knowledge of the world of truck driving and find out why drivers do the things they do:

They Abide by Company Speed Limits

You may have noticed that trucks tend to match speed with each other while driving on the highway. Although this might be frustrating for people driving in cars, the drivers are following company protocol. Most truck companies have a maximum speed limit of 65 MPH, which they regulate with a computerized system. If the drivers went any faster, they would be breaking their company’s rules.

They Have to Make Wide Turns

When someone is driving a large truck, they have no visibility in their mirrors when they start to make a right turn. Because of this, most drivers choose to take wider turns so they can avoid hitting curbs and poles.

They Try to Signal Other Drivers

Truck drivers can see a lot of the road in front of them and they sometimes try to inform other drivers of upcoming hazards or obstructions. A truck driver will often turn on his or her turn signal when they are next to another car to give the car the signal to either speed up or slow down. If you pay more attention to what truck drivers are doing, it can help you be prepared for potential hazards on the road.

If you are interested in becoming a truck driver, turn to HDS Truck Driving Institute to get the education you need. Our Tucson CDL school prepares you for your upcoming career so you are more than ready to spend time on the road. To learn more about our program, visit us online or call (877) 205-2141.

Even the best drivers are susceptible to certain road hazards that could lead to a dangerous situation. If you are interested in attending truck-driving school, it is important to understand the different types of hazards you might encounter while on the road so you are always prepared for anything you might encounter:

Debris

Whether you are driving after a bad storm or a bad accident, road debris can create a huge hazard for truck drivers and the vehicles around them. Garbage, the remnants of a blown-out tire, or even road kill could create a potentially dangerous situation on the road. When driving a truck, it is important to pay attention to what is in front of your vehicle so you have a chance to spot debris early and find a way to avoid it.

Bad Road Conditions

Potholes and other bad road conditions like uneven lanes are major driving hazards. Unfortunately, it is often hard to see these hazards until you are right on top of them. Try to abide by the speed limit and pay attention to other drivers to do what you can to avoid hazards like these.

Pedestrians

Trucks are wide, heavy vehicles that are difficult to maneuver quickly. Pedestrians, children, and even animals are huge potential hazards for truck drivers. If you are driving near any pedestrians or children, you should slow down so you have time to react if they suddenly move in front of your vehicle. Although it might be your instinct to swerve to avoid animals, that action might lead to a serious accident.

HDS Truck Driving Institute offers CDL training that prepares you for life as a professional truck driver. We are proud to educate future drivers in Southern Arizona with the skills and knowledge they need to successfully start working in the industry. To learn more about our program or our financial aid options, visit us online or call (877) 205-2141.

If you are looking for a career with plenty of job security, you might want to consider becoming a professional truck driver. Keep reading to learn more about the labor shortage in the industry and how it can help you break into the field.

Major Labor Shortages

The American Trucking Association has determined that the industry is short by about 30,000 drivers. Because of this, about 90 percent of trucking carriers have reported problems finding enough drivers to meet their criteria from the Department of Transportation (DOT). This means that you can complete your time in truck-driving school and have an incredibly good chance of finding a job right away.

A Lot of Turnover

A lot of companies are having trouble holding onto their drivers. If they can find someone to operate their vehicles, they often have a turnover rate that reaches as high as 92 percent. The trucking industry felt the full force of the financial crisis and they are still trying to replenish their fleet of drivers. If you complete your training at a quality CDL school, you have a great chance of getting a job you will love.

Plans to Invest in Drivers

Since trucking companies are having such a hard time finding people to operate their vehicles, many of the larger carriers are planning to invest more in their drivers. Now is a great time to apply to truck driving school and break into the industry so you can reap the benefits of this labor shortage and find job security for yourself.

If you are ready to change careers, HDS Truck Driving Institute is here to help. Our programs provide truck driver training, refresher courses, road testing, and third party Commercial Driver License testing to help you learn the skills you need to start working in the industry. To learn more about our Tucson CDL program or how to apply, visit us online or call (877) 205-2141.

Driving a truck might seem like a solo job, but it is actually a career that thrusts you into the center of a bustling industry. If you are thinking about changing career paths, completing truck-driving school can bring you the following job benefits:

Flexibility

When you drive a truck, you have the choice between a few different schedule options that fit with your lifestyle. You can opt for long-distance driving jobs that take you across the country or choose to work for local business that needs you to transport items to a nearby location. Working in the trucking industry means you have more control over your schedule so you can live the life you want.

Job Security

Companies always need qualified drivers to handle their trucking needs. If you complete CDL school, you should always be able to find a job as a truck driver. Join the trucking industry to become a part of a field that will give you the job security that you need for your desired lifestyle.

Access to Interesting People

If you love to meet new, interesting people, becoming a part of the trucking industry will be a great next step for you. When your job requires you to travel to new places, it gives you the chance to interact with new and interesting people that can show you things and sights that you have never before seen.

HDS Truck Driving Institute is here to help you break into the trucking industry. Our Arizona truck driving school helps you learn the skills you need to begin a fulfilling career in the trucking industry. Since 1991, we have offered some of the best training to help Southern Arizona students obtain their Commercial Driver Licenses and start working in their industry of choice. To learn more about our program or how to enroll, visit us online or call (877) 205-2141.

In order to be a good driver in any kind of vehicle, you must be aware of what is happening around you at all times. Truck drivers have more blind spots than cars, which makes it even more important to pay attention to other drivers. Use this guide to learn more about blind spots in trucks and how to avoid them:

Trucks Have Large Blind Spots

Although truck drivers have big mirrors that allow them to see in many directions, they also have a few large blind spots that can create hazardous situations with other drivers. There are two large blind spots on either side of the truck as well as one in the front and one at the rear of the vehicle. If you are driving a truck, it is imperative to pay attention to how many other cars are on the road so you can be aware if someone finds their way into a blind spot.

More Mirrors Can Help

Some truck drivers choose to add more mirrors to reduce the amount of blind spots they have while driving. If you are just starting out as a truck driver, you might want to add a few extra mirrors so you have a clear view around the perimeter of the vehicle.

Driving Solutions

If you know that someone is driving in your blind spot, you should try to change your speed so you can see them more clearly. Many truck drivers slow down or change lanes to avoid having cars in their blind spots so they can pay more attention to what is happening on the road around them.

Whether or not you have experience driving a truck, HDS Truck Driving Institute can help you learn more about avoiding cars in your blind spot and other ways to safely operate a larger vehicle. Our Southern Arizona truck driving school allows you to obtain the knowledge you need to become successful in the field. To learn more about our Tucson-area programs, visit us online or call (877) 205-2141.

Trucking is one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S. Pre-hiring is a process by which you are notified that a trucking company finds you desirable for a job once you graduate from CDL training. Although a letter of pre-hire is not a guarantee of a job, it is a valuable advantage that will greatly increase your chances of being hired as a truck driver upon graduation.

Seeking CDL Training

The first step in pursuing a career as a truck driver is to enroll in a CDL training school. This is the best way to successfully pass the CDL test and obtain your Commercial Driver’s License. Trucking companies often look to CDL schools to find their newest employees; thus, receiving an education at a notable CDL school is a great way to get pre-hired as a commercial truck driver.

Networking

Networking helps you to build a social structure that will serve you well as a truck driver, particularly as you are starting out. Talking to your CDL trainers, local truck drivers, and trucking recruiters are all avenues you should pursue to increase your chances of being pre-hired. Letting potential employers know who you are and that you are interested in working for them will increase your visibility while also showing that you have self-initiative that makes you valuable as an employee.

Doing Research

Showing that you are familiar with a potential employer before you speak with them is another excellent way to show initiative and interest. Take the time to do some research and find out which trucking companies you feel might suit you best. In addition, many trucking companies offer online questionnaires for pre-hires that provide them with the information they need to determine whether they would like to pre-hire you based upon your answers.

At HDS Truck Driving Institute, you’ll receive not only a top-notch trucking education, but lifetime job placement assistance and access to experienced truckers and trainers in Tucson. Visit our website to explore our programs or call (877) 205-2141 for more information on classes, enrollment, and military benefits.

Trucking is a unique and exciting career that offers the opportunity to travel the country as an integral part of a thriving industry. While you may pursue trucking as a career, you will quickly learn that many truckers consider truck driving to be a lifestyle. Learning to enjoy this lifestyle is a key part of getting the most from your career and the places it will take you.

Life on the Road

One of the major factors that differentiates trucking from other careers is the time you spend away from home. Most truckers spend an average of five to seven days away from home at a time, followed by one or two days at home before the next haul. During this time, your truck becomes your home. Adapting your lifestyle to this constant travel is part of pursuing a career as a truck driver. In fact, many truckers enjoy this type of on-the-go lifestyle and the opportunities it provides. You will be able to see cities, landmarks, and more as you cross the country that you may not have been able to visit on your own.

Driving Safely

Life as a trucker is also a commitment to driving safely. You must learn to maintain constant vigilance and care while behind the wheel, recognizing that many drivers around you will not take the same care. Maintaining a positive attitude and avoiding road rage are important skills for any trucker. Finding ways to keep yourself engaged without taking your concentration off the road is also a key element of the trucking lifestyle. Many drivers explore new music tastes, listen to radio shows, or simply take in the scenery around them as they travel the open road.

You can learn more about the trucking lifestyle and what it takes to become a truck driver when you stop by one of HDS Truck Driving Institute’s open house events in Tucson. We also encourage you to visit our website or contact us by calling (877) 205-2141 to find out more about obtaining your CDL.

Before you can work for a company as a truck driver, you must obtain your Commercial Driver’s License, or CDL. This license allows you to operate any vehicle weighing more than 10,001 lbs for commercial purposes, as well as transport properly labeled hazardous materials. The best way to obtain your CDL in Arizona is to attend a CDL training school to learn the skills and information you will need to pass the CDL exam.

Basic Requirements

Prior to pursuing CDL training to take the CDL exam, there are a few basic requirements all CDL applicants must meet in the state of Arizona. To obtain a CDL in Arizona, you must be able to prove that Arizona is your state of domicile. You must be at least 21 years old to apply for a CDL; if you are between the ages of 18 and 21, you can apply for an intrastate license valid only in Arizona until you turn 21. Furthermore, truck drivers under the age of 21 may not transport hazardous materials. All CDL applicants must also pass a US DOT medical exam. The results of this exam are required upon application for your CDL.

Obtaining Your CDL

Before you can operate a truck—even for training—you must obtain a valid Arizona CDL Instruction/Learner Permit. To obtain this permit, you will need the results from your DOT medical exam, a valid social security card, and a valid driver’s license. You must wait at least 14 days after obtaining your CDL Instruction/Learner Permit to take the CDL skills test for your Commercial Driver’s License. Once you are ready to obtain your CDL, you must take and pass a standard CDL exam that includes both a written and a skills exam.

HDS Truck Driving Institute is a fully accredited CDL school that has graduated thousands of truck drivers over the past two decades. We are proud to offer CDL training, refresher courses, and road testing in Tucson. You can get more information about our programs, admissions, and financial aid on the web or when you call us at (877) 205-2141.

During your CDL training, you will learn not only how to operate your truck safely under nominal conditions, but also how to control it under poor conditions. Skidding occurs when your wheels lose their grip on the road; this may happen for many reasons, including road conditions and poor handling of your truck. Learning how to control and recover from a skid is an essential skill for any truck driver—keep reading to review some helpful skid control and recovery tips to keep in mind while on the road.

If Your Back Wheels Skid

Back wheel skids occur most often when the truck accelerates or decelerates too quickly, either due to driver mistakes or slippery conditions. The biggest danger involved in a back wheel skid is a jackknife situation. You can stop a back wheel skid by taking your foot off the pedal. Don’t break—keep your wheels rolling, but reduce your forward speed until you regain control of the truck.

If Your Front Wheels Skid

The majority of front wheel skids occur when driving too fast for conditions; front wheel skids may also be caused by worn tires or uneven cargo loading. The best way to recover from a front wheel skid is to stop the truck as quickly as possible; however, avoid braking very hard, which could worsen the skid.

If Your Drive Wheels Skid

During a drive wheel skid, avoid braking to let the rear wheels regain traction. If you are on ice, push the clutch in. As your truck slows, turn quickly—your truck will start to turn sideways, at which point you should turn the wheel in the direction you want to go. Once your truck straightens, countersteer quickly to avoid skidding in the other direction.

Learning and reviewing how to handle your truck in any conditions will keep you safe on the road during your career as a truck driver. HDS Truck Driving Institute offers CDL training, refresher courses, and road testing in Tucson. You can contact us online or by calling (877) 205-2141.