Category: HDS Truck Driving Institute News

Travelling the country is one of the many perks of life on the open road, and there are plenty of scenic routes for long haulers—if you know where to look. For Tucson drivers, there are plenty of sights to see beyond Mt. Lemmon and the Sonoran Desert. Below is a brief look at some of the most popular truck routes in the Southwest.

To the East Coast…And Back Again

The I-10 isn’t just the main vein between Tucson and in Phoenix. It actually starts in Los Angeles, CA and winds throughout the southern U.S. all the way into Jacksonville, FL. Aside from plenty of open spaces, it has the distinct advantage of being the only highway free of snow all year round. If your travels take you through the Midwest or upper East Coast, the I-40 through Flagstaff can take you through the Appalachian, Ozark, and Rocky mountains—just watch out for traffic jams near Oklahoma City and snow during midwinter months. For ventures further up North, merging with the I-80 will take you straight to New York City.

Places to Avoid

If your travels venture north, drivers suggest avoiding the congestion in areas surrounding Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; and Brooklyn, NY. Strong winds, dust storms, and the occasional monsoon are among some of the most common highway hazards that Arizona truckers have to face, but steep grades and snowy roads can be deadly for desert drivers. Either avoid them entirely or brush up on your CDL training. And as always, check ahead for reports of severe weather or traffic closures. When in doubt, contact your dispatcher and follow recommended routes.

From training to job placement, the HDL Truck Driving Institute is committed to providing students with resources and experience to pursue a successful career as a professional truck driver. To receive more information about our CDL programs in Tucson, AZ, contact us online or call (877) 205-2141 today.

When driving on the interstate, you’ve likely seen trucks stopped at weigh stations, waiting to be weighed. These stations are essential for maintaining traffic safety. Once you attend a Tucson driving school, obtain your CDL, and begin driving semi trucks, your rig’s weight must be in the back of your mind at all times. Here’s a brief look at the importance of truck scale accuracy.

Weighing Goods

As you begin your trucking career, you’ll learn that some goods are measured by weight. After your truck is loaded with a particular product, you’ll likely weigh your truck before hitting the road. Once you subtract the weight of your truck form the number on the scale, you’ll know the total weight of your cargo and determine how much to charge for your transportation services. An accurate scale is essential for ensuring that you get paid a fair price.

Obeying the Law

The federal government imposes strict weight limits on large vehicles traveling on interstates. Single axle trucks cannot weigh more than 20,000 lbs., tandem axle trucks cannot weigh more than 34,000 lbs., and the gross vehicle weight of any truck cannot exceed 80,000 lbs. If your truck violates any of the federal weight standards, you will be fined. That’s why it’s important to weigh your truck on an accurate truck scale before driving on the highways.

Staying Safe

Federal weight limits exist to prevent trucks from suffering damage or causing damage to roads and bridges. If your truck is carrying too much, you risk an axle overload, which could lead to a breakdown or accident. For the sake of your own safety and the safety of everyone on the road, it’s important for your transportation firm to have an accurate truck scale.

HDS Truck Driving Institute can teach you everything you need to know about federal and state weight standards. Call our Tucson driving school at (520) 622-0419 or our Phoenix driving school at (602) 484-7901 to find out how you can get started on a great career in the transportation industry.

If you’ve grown tired of your current career, you might consider going back to school and learning a new trade. Before you devote valuable time and energy to beginning a new career, however, you want to make sure that the industry you’re switching into will provide you and your family with a good living. Fortunately, the Arizona trucking industry is very prosperous, and you can expect to make a good salary as a truck driver in Arizona.

Employment Prospects

Before you spend time and money on trucking school in Phoenix or Tucson, you should have a good idea your employment prospects in the trucking industry. You’ll be glad to know that the Phoenix, Mesa, and Glendale metropolitan area has one of the highest truck driver employment rates in the country. As Baby Boomers retire, more and more trucking jobs will be available all over the country; according to one estimate, U.S. trucking companies will hire over 100,000 drivers every year through 2016.

Average Trucker Salary

You can earn a great living as a truck driver based in Arizona. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Arizona pays truck drivers more than most other states. The average salary range for Arizona truck drivers is between $41,000 and 52,000 a year. Compare that with the national mean annual wage, which is just over $40,000.

Cost of Living in Arizona

An Arizona truck driver salary can provide you and your family with more than enough to live a comfortable life—especially since the cost of living and fuel prices in Arizona are so reasonable. Phoenix and Tucson have consumer price indexes of 50.34 and 56.92. To put those numbers into perspective, New York City has a consumer price index of 100.

If you have any questions about beginning a career as a truck driver, contact HDS Truck Driving School. You can reach our Tucson driving school at (520) 622-0419 or our Phoenix driving school at (602) 484-7901 to discover how to earn your CDL and land a lucrative job in the trucking industry.

 

The trucking industry is a major part of the U.S. economy. Billions of units of product are shipped to the U.S. every year, and semi trucks are largely responsible for distributing those products throughout the country. If you’re thinking of becoming an Arizona truck driver, you might be interested in learning a few key facts and statistics.

Semi Trucks on the Road

Semi trucks get their name from semi trailers, which do not have front wheels and rely on tractors for transportation. There are nearly 2 million semi trucks in operation in the U.S., and around 5.6 million semi trailers. Semi trucks and semi trailers are also known as tractors and tractor trailers, respectively.

Semi Truck Size and Weight

Most semi trailers are 53 feet long, though some semi trucks pull multiple trailers at once. Some semi truck engines weigh as much as 3,000 lbs., and can tow tens of thousands of pounds. Federal regulations state that semi trucks and trailers cannot weigh more than 80,000 lbs.—anything heavier could potentially damage roads and bridges.

Number of Miles Driven

Truck drivers drive an estimated 140 billion miles every year, and a single semi drives about 45,000 miles a year on average. According to the Federal Highway Administration, long-distance trucks travel upwards of 100,000 miles a year. 42% of all miles driven by commercial vehicles are driven by semi trucks.

Impact on the Economy

Semi trucks provide essential transportation services for the U.S. economy. Though trains provide efficient transportation, semi trucks are better at taking smaller loads to specific places. 68% of all goods are transported via semi truck. That works out to an astonishing 60,000 lbs. per American per year.

The truck driving instructors at HDS Truck Driving Institute can teach you anything else you’d like to know about the trucking industry. To find out which steps you need to take to earn your CDL, call our Tucson location at (520) 622-0419 or our Phoenix location at (602) 484-7901. With our help, you can earn your CDL and be well on your way to a promising new career.

Virtually every industry relies on over the road drivers to transport food, parts, machinery, and other goods. Truck driving can be a rewarding career path for those who put in the time and effort, but life on the road isn’t for everyone. It’s important to know the professional responsibilities of truck drivers in order to make an informed decision. Below is a brief look at some of the pros and cons of working as a truck driver.

Pros

Truck driving is one of the few careers that can offer $40,000 per year or more with only a few weeks’ training. CDL training at HDL can be completed in as little as four weeks. A CDL license can provide you with the opportunity to see the far corners of the nation while getting paid. Depending on your professional priorities, it may also be possible to work locally and come home every night after putting in time as an over the road (OTR) operator. A CDL license doesn’t anchor you to life as a truck driver, but it can open up further career possibilities.

Cons

Rookie drivers typically start their first year as long haul drivers, working for several days at a time and getting several days off in between jobs. Also keep in mind that statistically the roads are very dangerous, and that commercial drivers have to be prepared to handle a wide range of road conditions. Scheduling can be initially problematic for drivers who want to start out close to home.

The HDL Truck Driving Institute has been a trusted CDL school in Tucson for more than 20 years, and our staff of experienced instructors are here to provide you with the instruction and real-world training to build a successful career in a high-demand field. To request more information, contact us online or call (877) 205-2141 today.

Statistically speaking, the roads are the most dangerous place to be in the United States. Truckers face more road hazards than anyone else on the road, and as CDL license holders they are held to a higher standard of responsibility. Road safety is a basic component of CDL training, but when tempers run high and traffic runs slow it can be easy to forget the rules of the road after several 11-hour shifts. Keep yourself and others safe with these quick tips.

Share the Road

When you’re behind the wheel of a 70-foot 18-wheeler, the stakes of even a minor accident are significantly higher. When it comes to other drivers, chances are the last thing on their minds is your cargo; it can be frustrating to deal with heavy traffic—especially in construction zones during rush hour—but one of your duties as a CDL license holder is to always be aware of your “no-zones” and to respond accordingly. Approximately one-third of all crashes take place in the “no-zone,” so signal early and often and keep your ears open for car horns.

Maintain Your Vehicle

Carriers handle maintenance for fleet vehicles, but plenty of things can wrong on the open highways. Lights can short, tire tread can become shredded (especially during Arizona summers), and an inexperienced driver can quickly destroy the brake pads without caution. Stick to company policy and always do a thorough walkaround and maintenance log before hitting the road.

Plan Ahead

Take advantage of your extra driving height to look ahead and anticipate lane changes, heavier traffic, and other road hazards. Be aware that driving fatigued can actually be just asdangerous as driving intoxicated, so always give yourself enough time to rest in between long hauls—just avoid parking on roadways with speed limits over 30 mph.

HDL Truck Driving Institute has been provided superior CDL training in Tucson since 1991. To learn more about tuition, program schedules, and financial aid availability, contact us online or call (877) 205-2141 today.

As a nationally recognized CDL school in Tucson, HDS Truck Driving Institute is focused on providing students with a full scope of driver training and education. Our programs are flexible enough to fit around the needs of working professionals while providing real-world experience from seasoned drivers. Learn more about your career opportunities from HDL below.

Program Scheduling

We understand that not everybody has the time to dedicate to a full course schedule, which is why we offer both day and night classes, as well as weekend courses and training by the hour. Depending on your professional goals, our programs are designed to provide both the training and the necessary amount of clock hours to receive a Class A or Class B CDL license. To jumpstart your driving career, we also offer a comprehensive six-month Professional Truck Driver program, which includes four months of on-site instruction and two months’ on-the-job training.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Our CDL program can be completed in as little as four weeks at a cost of approximately $3,600, including all fees to obtain a CDL license. Tuition for the Professional Truck Driver program is approximately $7,600. As a fully accredited educational institution, financial aid may available for those who qualify. We also offer other forms of financial assistance such as pre-hires and paid training, as well as lifetime job placement assistance.

Professional Opportunities

We work with both regional and local companies, as well as many of the nation’s top over-the-road carriers to provide graduates with reliable career opportunities immediately after graduation. The job placement rate for graduates of the 2012-2013 program year is approximately 92%.

The HDL Truck Driving Institute has proudly served Tucson and the rest of Southern Arizona since 1991, and we are recognized by both the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division and the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Follow the link to see what some of our past graduates have to say, or call (877) 205-2141 to request more information about our CDL programs, admission requirements, and financial aid opportunities.

Only a small percentage of auto accidents involve large commercial trucks, but their considerable size means that even minor accidents can have serious consequences. Some safety skills can only be learned through on-the-job experience and CDL training, but there are a few tips that can help you minimize risks on the road.

Avoid Distractions

Taking your eyes off of the road for just 5 seconds at 70 miles an hour means that you have travelled a distance of more than 500 feet, blind. Longer drives often require drivers to live out of their trucks, which can be problematic when it comes to handling a radio, checking routes, grabbing a bite to eat, andlistening for traffic updates all at the same time. Also keep in mind that speeding usually doesn’t provide significant time savings—speeding 85 mph going from Tucson to Phoenix would only save you about 10 to 15 minutes under optimal conditions than driving the 75 mph speed limit.

Remember Your CDL Training

CDL training is more than just a means to an end. Much of road safety can only be learned through over-the-road experience and instruction from seasoned drivers—for example, how to navigate a steep grade without destroying your brakes. Drivers average hundreds of miles each day, and they have to be able to anticipate and respond to traffic hazards and accidents. Other drivers on the road often assume that CDL license holders are always aware of what’s going on around them, even if they are clearly in the “no-zone” and out of sight from the mirrors.

Prioritize Your Time

The Department of Transportation and many carriers have strict regulations about how long a driver can actively be on the road, and forgetting to abide by the time clock can have serious ramifications. Drivers often feel pressured to cover as many miles as possible within a limited timeframe, but you’re only at your safest and most efficient when you get enough sleep.

HDL Truck Driving Institute is a nationally recognized CDL training facility in Tucson, and we offer flexible program schedules. Contact us at (877) 205-2141 to request more information, or follow the link to see our next scheduled Open House!

In our recent posts, we discussed the most classic songs about truck driving and industry standards for drug and alcohol screening. Read more about these topics below. To begin your career as a commercial driver, contact HDS Truck Driving Institute in Tucson (520) 622-0419 or Phoenix (602) 484-7901.

·         The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) offers a helpful brochure about drug and alcohol regulations and testing for commercial drivers.

·         Here is an article providing a brief overview of drug testing requirements for truck drivers.

·         Visit The Bureau of Labor Statistics to view national data about employment rates and average wages for commercial drivers.

·         Add more great music to your playlist with this countdown of country songs about trucking.

·         The Department of Transportation (DOT) shares an employee handbook covering what drivers need to know about drug and alcohol screening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYk70a8lYKM

The commercial truck driving industry celebrates its sense of community and the trucking lifestyle through CB radio slang and trucking-inspired music. We’ve covered both of these topics in our recent blog posts. Now get the top five country trucking songs as selected by Haleigh T, a regular YouTube.com host for Country Music News Blog.

Haleigh’s picks include the classic 1975 tune “Convoy,” by C.W. McCall, which hit No. 1 on the country and popular music charts. One of her more recent picks is Garth Brook’s “Papa Loved Mama.” This 1992 single made it to No. 3 on the country charts. Brooks sings about the tragic story of life on the road and a love lost. Watch the full video to hear Haleigh’s other picks.

Get on the road to a career as a professional truck driver. HDS Truck Driving Institute offers the preparation and career placement you need to be successful. Call us today at (602) 484-7901 in Phoenix and (520) 622-0419 in Tucson.

 

To maintain high standards of safety and professionalism, commercial drivers are subject to federal regulations outlined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which is a part of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

One component of maintaining your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), is complying with the FMCSA’s drug testing regulations via your carrier or employer. Below is an overview of how and why carriers in the trucking industry may use drug and alcohol screening to ensure safety.

When Are Drivers Tested?

The federal government requires a driver test negative for drugs prior to employment. If a driver is involved in a certain type of accident, the carrier must screen the driver for drugs and alcohol. FMCSA requires random testing throughout the year and when a carrier has a reasonable suspicion that driver is using drugs or alcohol. If a driver tests positive or refuses testing, there are federal requirements for follow-up or return-to-duty tests.

What Substances Are Carriers Testing For?

In addition to alcohol, carriers are testing for the following controlled substances: marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines and methamphetamines, and Phencyclidine.

How is Testing Conducted?

DOT offers this handbook to explain drug screening in more detail. Basically, when a driver is notified of testing, he or she must report immediately to the designated testing or collection site. The collector will perform a test or take a sample from the driver. Urine testing is used for detecting controlled substances, and breath and saliva swab tests are used to detect alcohol.

The test or sample will be analyzed in a lab and reviewed by a Medical Review Officer to ensure the results are accurate and the sample is not adulterated. The employee will receive their confidential results and have a 72-hour time frame to request that a sample be retested if necessary.

To learn more about the requirements for becoming a commercial truck driver, contact HDS Truck Driving Institute. We help drivers obtain their CDLs and prepare for a career in trucking. Contact our Phoenix location by calling (602) 484-7901 or our Tucson location at (520) 622-0419.