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Trucking is generally seen as a solitary job, and there’s a lot of truth to this. Drivers generally spend the bulk of their day by themselves in the cab, and even team drivers are typically driving while their co-driver sleeps. This means that trucking is a great career path if you’re interested in an independent lifestyle. That being said, people skills are still important to succeed in this industry. Knowing how to communicate effectively is essential, and you’ll interact with a wide variety of individuals who play different roles within the industry.

Here are some of the types of people you’ll work with:

Driver Trainer

When you first get started in the industry after graduating from truck driving school, most companies will pair you with a driver trainer. You’ll drive with them during your first few hauls while you get used to trucking.

Here are some tips for getting along with your driver trainer:

• Remember that this time is temporary. Whether you get along with your trainer or not, you’ll only have to work with them for a short period of time.
• Keep in mind that you’re sharing their truck. Be courteous of their space.
• The impression your driver trainer has of you can affect how others at your company view you, so make an effort to be polite and a safe driver.

Dispatcher

Dispatchers act as go-betweens for truckers and motor carriers. Your dispatcher will be one of the people you interact with most frequently as a trucker. Although dispatchers may not ultimately determine which loads are you assigned, they do have influence over this process. This means that building a strong relationship with your dispatcher can help you get more favorable hauls and more miles, not to mention making your day-to-day life easier.

Some tips for working with your dispatcher:

• Inform your dispatcher right away if you are experiencing any delays.
• Focus on delivering your loads safely, on time, and undamaged. This makes their job easier and you’ll build a positive reputation.
• Be polite, even if you disagree with something your dispatcher said or if you don’t like a route you were assigned.

Loading Dock Staff

When you drop off freight at the receiver, you’ll likely interact with various types of team members at the loading dock. This is often one of the times where frustration is most likely to occur, since both you and the receiver have deadlines you need to meet. It’s essential that you stay patient and calm, both for the sake of maintaining a good relationship with the customer and to help avoid accidents, which are more common if you are frustrated and not paying attention.

Things to keep in mind when working with loading dock staff:

• The individuals you work with are not likely directly responsible for any delays, and they are on a schedule as well. You can politely advocate for yourself in order to get on the road more quickly, but being courteous while doing so is important.
• Safety is your top priority. Avoid getting caught up in what others will think of you, as long as you are staying safe. For example, you may need to get out of your truck to look several times while backing. This may take longer, but it’s far better than accidentally backing into something and damaging your truck, or worse.
• Do your best to arrive on time, or inform the receiver and your dispatcher if you will be early or late. Respecting their schedule makes it more likely that you’ll be unloaded in a timely manner.

The Bottom Line

These are just a few of the people you’ll interact with most frequently, but there are many others you’ll encounter on the road, from law enforcement officers to other truckers at stops along the way. Across all the interactions you have, making an effort to be kind will go a long way in helping you build strong relationships and a positive reputation.

Earn Your CDL in Tucson

If you’re interested in starting a truck driving career, HDS Truck Driving Institute (HDS truck driving school) can help. We have an accelerated program that can get you on the road and earning in as little as four weeks.

To learn more about our truck driver training, contact us today.

 

Truckers play an essential role in the transportation industry. According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), 72.5% of our nation’s freight travels via semi-truck. As a trucker, you don’t necessarily need to know all of the ins and outs of logistics beyond your immediate role. However, it’s helpful to have a general idea of how freight transport works.

More information about logistics as it relates to trucking:

Terms to Know

You’ll encounter a variety of terms to describe concepts within the transportation industry.

Here are a few to know related to freight:

• Shipper: This is who sends the freight to be delivered.
• Receiver: This is who is getting the shipment.
• Carrier: A carrier is a company that arranges the transport of freight between a shipper and receiver. As a trucker, you’ll be working for a motor carrier, but there are other carriers that handle air, sea, and rail shipments.
• 3PL: A third-party logistics (3PL) company acts as an intermediary between the shipper and the carrier(s).
• Intermodal Freight: Freight can be transported in a variety of ways such as by ship, plane, rail, or truck. Intermodal freight is transported using two or more methods and stays in the same container throughout the shipping process. For example, an intermodal shipment may travel from overseas via ship and then be picked up by a semi-truck at the dock to be brought to its final destination.
• FTL: Full truck load (FTL) shipments, as the name implies, take up an entire trailer. The truck moves right from the shipper to the receiver.
• LTL: Less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments are smaller, and so one trailer will contain multiple shipments from different shippers. LTL trucks typically stop at terminals to sort freight, then deliver it to each customer on the route.
• Bill of Lading: This is a contract between the shipper and the carrier, and outlines any specific instructions for the freight.

The Timeline of Freight Transportation

The first step in freight transport is when the shipper contacts the carrier of a 3PL to send out a shipment. At this point, the bill of lading is created, outlining the details of how the freight will be transported.

If the shipment is traveling entirely by semi-truck, a trucker will go to the shipper to pick up the load. If it is an LTL haul, this will be brought, along with other shipments, to a terminal to be sorted and sent out using a hub-and-spoke model. For FTL shipments, this step is not necessary. Intermodal shipments are picked up in a similar way but are picked up from a different location than with the shipper.

The truck travels until it reaches the receiver. From this point, the trucker is responsible for making sure the freight arrives on time and undamaged, and the carrier should support them in this goal. At the receiver, the trucker may drop off the entire trailer and pick up a new, empty trailer if it is a drop-and-hook load. If it is a live load, the driver will wait while loading dock staff unload the trailer. For some types of trucking, drivers provide additional support during unloading or are responsible for loading and unloading their own vehicles.

Become a Trucker

If you’re interested in playing a vital role in the transportation industry, consider becoming a trucker. You can earn rewarding pay while also seeing more of the country, and it can take as little as four weeks to get started with HDS Truck Driving Institute’s program. 

To learn more about earning your commercial driver’s license in Tucson, contact us today.

Earning your commercial driver’s license (CDL) gives you the opportunity to begin a rewarding career in the trucking industry. After completing the process, you hopefully feel a sense of accomplishment and are excited for this new chapter in your life. At the same time, you may be wondering what the next steps are and what you can expect directly after truck driving school graduation. At HDS Truck Driving Institute (HDS truck driving school), our team can help guide you through the process.

Here is a basic overview of what happens after you finish CDL training:

1. Plan Your Career Path

You’ll have many choices to make over the course of your time as a trucker, and you don’t have to decide exactly what to do for the rest of your career right after school. That being said, you should have an idea of your goals for the next five to ten years so you can plan accordingly.

The vast majority of recent CDL graduates start with over-the-road (OTR) trucking. This is because these companies are more likely to hire drivers with no commercial driving history and because these jobs allow you to get the widest range of experience. However, you can still plan to move to a different type of trucking later on, so it’s helpful to have a big-picture view of your goals while also understanding what starting point is most realistic.

Since beginning with OTR is the most common path for new truckers, this article will focus on that option.

2. Find Companies Hiring New Drivers

Once you know your goals and preferences, you can start looking for companies that are currently hiring new drivers. For students at our truck driving school, this process is simple thanks to our job placement assistance team. In many cases, our students even have offers before graduation.

3. Secure a Trucking Job

The process for getting a trucking job after earning your license varies. Again, our students have the benefit of working with our job placement assistance team, which makes it easier to navigate getting a job after training. Depending on the position, there may be a more conventional interview and/or a driving test. You can use these as opportunities to learn more about the motor carrier and decide if they are the best fit for you.

4. On-The-Job Training

Although you have already been exposed to various aspects of the trucking industry during your time in CDL school, most motor carriers also have additional training before you can drive solo. This usually involves spending a few weeks on the road with a driver trainer.

The typical structure for on-the-road company training begins with a period of time where the driver trainer supervises all of your driving time. After this, you’ll transition to a team driving schedule. This means the trainer will not be actively watching you while you are driving but will be available if you need them.

The goal of this type of training is for you to gain experience with the day-to-day aspects of a trucking job with the additional support of a more experienced driver. The best way to get the most out of this time is to have a positive mindset and to remember that even after your training is done, you should still be looking for opportunities to learn and improve.

5. Go Solo (Or Start Team Driving)

After you complete any on-the-job training your company requires and your trainer approves you to move forward, you can go solo. This is often both exciting and a little bit intimidating. It helps to remember how far you have come. It’s also important to remember that safety should be your number one focus from the time you start driving until the end of your trucking career.

Alternatively, if you’re pursuing team driving, you’ll transition from working with your driver trainer to your new trucking partner. Many of the most successful trucking teams consist of spouses or family members who are already comfortable with each other, but other drivers choose to be paired by their company.

Start On The Road to a Trucking Career

If you’re interested in earning competitive pay as a truck driver, the first step is earning your CDL. HDS truck driving school can help you accomplish this in as little as four weeks. With our job placement assistance, we also support you in starting your career.

To learn more about earning your CDL with HDS, contact us today. 

 

A typical passenger vehicle driver may not think twice about low bridges, but for semi-truck drivers, these are serious potential hazards. Low-clearance accidents are collisions where a truck, bus, recreational vehicle (RV), or other large vehicle makes contact with the top of a bridge, power lines, or other structure that does not provide enough vertical space for the vehicle to pass through. These accidents often cause expensive damage to both the vehicle and the infrastructure, and it’s important to be aware of low-clearance obstacles.

Why Are Some Bridges Low-Clearance?

Since 72.5% of the nation’s freight travels by semi-truck, it’s essential for transportation infrastructure to accommodate these vehicles. On major interstate highways, overpasses have to meet minimum requirements for height to allow large vehicles to pass underneath them easily.

However, in less-populated areas or those with older infrastructure that was designed before semi-trucks became widespread, bridges may be too low for trucks or other tall vehicles to go under. These areas must be clearly marked with a sign so truckers can avoid them and find an alternate route.

Damage Caused by Low Bridges

If you’ve ever seen the aftermath of a low-clearance accident, it’s clear how significant the damage can be. Repair costs for the truck are significant, as are the costs of damaged cargo. Additionally, repair costs for the infrastructure that the truck collided with can easily reach six figures.

Beyond damage to property, low-clearance accidents can also result in injuries, especially if there is any flying debris.

How to Avoid Low-Clearance Accidents

Here are some tips for truckers to avoid collisions with low bridges:

1. Pay Attention to Road Signs

All low bridges or other obstacles must be marked with a low-clearance sign. This will list the height of the bridge so you can plan accordingly and find a way around the obstacle.

In general, you should pay attention to each and every sign you pass while you’re operating a semi-truck. Many driver trainers will even test you on this when you’re a rookie so you get in the habit of doing so. These signs have important information that could help you avoid an accident.

2. Use a Trucker-Specific GPS and Atlas

If you use a standard road atlas or GPS, it may not list low bridges, roads that have weight restrictions or otherwise don’t allow commercial vehicles, and other essential information to be aware of. Be sure you are using a GPS and atlas that are written for commercial drivers. That being said, don’t rely exclusively on these tools since road signs may tell you information the GPS or atlas doesn’t, especially if your route changes.

3. Trip Plan

Trip planning is a valuable skill for truckers. It helps you stay in compliance with hours of service (HOS) regulations, find parking more easily, and plan your route to avoid known hazards like low bridges. This doesn’t mean you’ll never encounter an unexpected low-clearance obstacle, but it does help you minimize the risk of being caught by surprise.

Become a Trucker with HDS

At HDS Truck Driving Institute, we teach our students how to become safe truckers. You can earn your commercial driver’s license (CDL) in as little as four weeks with our accelerated program.

To learn more about our CDL training in Tucson, contact us today.

After you earn your commercial driver’s license (CDL), there is a wide range of potential careers that you can choose to pursue. You’ll likely start out driving a standard semi-truck, but as you gain experience, you can consider more specialized types of trucking. One example is wide load trucking, also known as oversize trucking. Truckers are in high demand within this niche and it can be a rewarding career path, but there are also some unique safety considerations to keep in mind.

What is Wide Load Trucking?

Each state sets limits for the length, width, height, and weight of freight shipped by semi-truck. There are also nationwide regulations to be aware of. If a load is over the limit in any state it travels through or based on federal requirements, it is considered an oversize or wide load.

As a general rule, anything over 13.6 feet tall, 8.6 feet wide, 53 feet long, and/or 80,000 pounds will fall under this category.

Regulations for Oversize Hauls

The additional regulations for oversize loads vary depending on the state and on the specific dimensions of the freight. Oversize hauls will typically require additional permits to transport, and you will need to have these available in your truck if you are stopped for an inspection or pass through a weigh station.

Most wide loads will need to be clearly labeled.

In some states, if the load is large enough, it may require a pilot/guide vehicle. This is a truck or car that travels behind and/or in front of a tractor-trailer with an oversize load. In some cases, multiple pilot vehicles are required. Guide cars alert others on the road that a wide load truck is nearby. The drivers of these vehicles often are in contact with the semi-truck driver as well and inform them of any approaching road hazards.

Do You Need an Endorsement for Wide Load Trucking?

Not every oversize haul will require a CDL endorsement. However, any freight that is being transported with a double or triple trailer will require the long combination vehicle (LCV) endorsement. Even if this isn’t necessary for every haul or if you don’t think you’d be interested in this type of driving, having a doubles/triples endorsement on your license can open up more opportunities for your trucking career.

Safety Considerations for Heavy-Haul Truckers

Driving any semi-truck comes with a great deal of responsibility due to the large size of these vehicles. You’ll need to think not only about your own safety but also that of everyone else on the road. When the truck involved is oversized, there are even more factors to consider to make sure you are operating it safely. For example, the freight may block visibility, and the stopping distance for an overweight load increases even further compared to a standard tractor-trailer.

Because of these considerations, wide load trucking is generally not a good fit for new CDL drivers. You’ll likely need to have several years of safe driving experience with other types of freight before transitioning into oversize hauls, if this is what you wish to do.

Start on the Road to a Trucking Career

Whether you’re interested in specialized freight or a more standard dry van job, the first step is to earn your CDL. At HDS Truck Driving Institute (HDS truck driving school), we can help you do this in as little as four weeks and teach you valuable skills so you can start your career with a strong foundation of knowledge.

To learn more about our CDL training program in Tucson, contact us today.

A good trucker is dedicated to their profession, but dedicated trucking doesn’t actually have anything to do with this type of dedication. Instead, it is a specific type of job within the trucking industry. Also known as contract or primary freight, dedicated trucking involves hauling goods or materials for a specific client as opposed to driving for a large customer network. This allows drivers to become familiar with the routes, schedules, and designated locations of the job. It is a good option for those looking for consistency and relationship building in the trucking industry.

Benefits of Dedicated Trucking

Becoming a dedicated truck driver has many benefits, including consistency, familiarity, relationship building, and more time at home. It can be a great fit for drivers looking for those attributes. 

 

Some of the top benefits include:

Consistency 

One benefit of dedicated trucking is that it is consistent. Drivers know in advance what route they will take and what freight they will haul. In addition, most contracts are annual, which allows drivers to plan, forecast, and budget their trips accordingly. Being able to count on consistent loads also means consistent cash flow.

Familiarity 

Dedicated drivers stick with the roads they are most familiar with. They have time to get accustomed to the routes they will be taking, as well as the traffic patterns, truck stops, and potential challenges along the way. They do not have to prepare for the weather or roads of a different region, which makes deliveries easier. 

Relationship Building

Relationship building is a top priority for dedicated truckers. Interacting with the same customers can help build customer service skills as well as relationships. This is crucial because exceptional service can be the difference between a one-time customer and a repeating one. 

More Time at Home

Perhaps the biggest benefit of dedicated trucking is that drivers can enjoy more home time with their families. Dedicated drivers often have shorter and more predictable routes, even if they are still driving over-the-road (OTR). They also typically know ahead of time just how long they will be on the road and can plan for home time accordingly. 

Is Dedicated Trucking a Good Fit for You?

While dedicated trucking has a lot of benefits, it is not for everyone. Some drivers enjoy the freedom and flexibility of being on the road, so driving the same route every day can cause them to feel burnt out. Dedicated driving is also a greater responsibility because a poor experience with a customer can cost the company a client. For that reason, long-haul driving might be a better choice for some truckers.

 

Dedicated truck driving is a popular choice for drivers with families because it allows them to support their loved ones both financially and with time at home. Consider the benefits of dedicated trucking to help you decide if it is a good fit for you.

Becoming a Dedicated Truck Driver

The first step in becoming a dedicated truck driver is earning your commercial driver’s license (CDL). HDS Truck Driving Institute (HDS truck driving school) has been helping students in Tucson earn their CDL for over 30 years. Our program can be completed in as little as four weeks. 

For more information about our CDL training program, contact us today.

One of the theory instruction topics that trucking school programs must cover under the latest entry-level driver training (ELDT) guidelines is space management, as well as the related concept of speed management. Both of these are essential for staying safe on the road, so it’s important that you fully understand them.

Simply put, space management is the act of ensuring you have proper space around your vehicle if you need to react to a change in conditions, especially as it relates to following distance. Speed management, similarly, is the act of ensuring your speed will allow you to react in time.

What is the Proper Following Distance for a Semi-Truck?

In normal conditions, there should be at least seven to eight seconds between your semi-truck and the vehicle in front of you. This means that when the back of that vehicle passes a given spot, it should take the front of your vehicle seven to eight seconds to reach that same spot.

If there is inclement weather or other unfavorable conditions, the space between your vehicle and the one in front of you should increase to 14 to 16 seconds.

What About the Space Behind You?

In addition to considering the space in front of the vehicle, you should be aware of the space behind you. Unfortunately, you have limited control over what other vehicles do, and it’s not uncommon for passenger vehicles to closely follow (tailgate) semi-trucks. This can happen for a variety of reasons, and many passenger vehicles do not realize how unsafe this behavior is. If another vehicle is tailgating you, maintain a safe speed, increase the distance in front of you if possible to make room for them to pass, and don’t brake or move suddenly.

Why is Maintaining a Safe Following Distance Important?

All drivers have a responsibility to themselves and to one another to drive safely. For commercial drivers, this is even more essential because of the increased time on the road and the increased size of commercial vehicles. A semi-truck is significantly larger than the standard passenger vehicle and has the capacity to do more damage. Accidents involving semi-trucks are more likely to be severe, and failing to drive safely has serious consequences.

At highway speeds (approximately 65 miles per hour), it takes a semi-truck 200 yards, or the length of two football fields, to come to a stop safely. This is far longer than the average passenger vehicle, and this is another reason why understanding space management is so essential. You need to be confident in your ability to stop your vehicle if conditions change, and you can’t do this if you are following another vehicle too closely.

How Does Speed Management Relate to Space Management?

The faster your vehicle is going, the greater the distance your vehicle will need to travel before it can safely stop. As a result, it’s important to maintain a safe speed. When in doubt, it’s better to go slower and take more time than to drive too fast. This is especially true if the conditions are unfavorable for any reason, such as during inclement weather.

Earn Your CDL in Tucson

If you are interested in a career in trucking, HDS Truck Driving Institute (HDS truck driving school) can help you get on the road and earning in as little as four weeks. We meet the new ELDT requirements and cover all required topics, including speed and space management.

To learn more about our commercial driver’s license (CDL) training, contact us today.

Safety is essential for anyone on the road, but commercial drivers need to be even more aware due to the larger size of their vehicles and the greater amount of time they spend on the road. One of the situations which you’ll need to know how to safely navigate as a professional driver is trucking at night.

Here are some tips for safe night driving:

1. Be Mindful of Fatigue

Many people understand just how dangerous driving while tired is. Fatigue reduces your ability to react quickly to changes in road conditions, and it only takes a moment for you to miss something crucial.

While you may see “tricks” online that are meant to help you stay alert if you’re driving while fatigued, the truth is that the only true solution is sleep. Even a short nap can be enough to boost your energy. In the long term, make sure you are getting enough sleep.

If you aren’t sure whether you are too tired to drive safely, it’s better to be cautious and take a break to rest up.

2. Slow Down

Speeding in a semi-truck is dangerous under any circumstances. At night, when visibility is low, it is even more so. Be mindful of your speed and when in doubt, slow down. It’s better to take a little longer to get to your destination than to rush and cause an accident.

3. Avoid Vision Impairment

Bright lights can interfere with your vision at night, and this can lead to an accident. To minimize this, reduce your dashboard lights and avoid looking directly at oncoming traffic or into any lights near the road. It should go without saying, but you also need to stay off your phone. Distracted driving is dangerous at any time of day, and at night the light of the phone screen can also impair your vision, making the situation even worse.

Additionally, make sure you keep your eyeglasses prescription up to date if you use these. As part of your required Department of Transportation (DOT) physical, the doctor will check your vision and make sure you are able to safely drive at night. If you need any follow-up appointments for vision care, be sure to keep up with these.

How Often Do Truckers Drive at Night?

The amount of night driving you’ll need to do varies. For example, if you’re a solo over-the-road (OTR) trucker, you have more control over when you drive as long as you are on time for deliveries. If you drive less-than-truckload (LTL) between terminals, on the other hand, you will often be scheduled to travel at night. No matter what path you take in your career, chances are you’ll need to drive at night at least some of the time, so it’s important to be prepared.

Earn Your CDL in Tucson

At HDS Truck Driving Institute (HDS truck driving school), we can help you earn your commercial driver’s license (CDL) in as little as four weeks. We cover a variety of topics you’ll need to know as a trucker, including how to stay safe when driving at night.

To learn more about our truck driver training program, contact us today.

Preparing your own food is one of the best ways to save money and eat healthier as a truck driver. Although there are some unique challenges involved in cooking in a semi-truck, there are definitely ways to get creative and make a variety of meals in your truck. Having small appliances on board is one way to make this easier.

Here are some appliances truckers can benefit from having on board:

1. Mini-Fridge or Cooler

This is a must-have for storing food on your truck. Without one, your options are fairly limited. A small mini-fridge or cooler can fit in most cabs without using up too much of your valuable space. Consider choosing an option with a freezer, as this allows you to keep food for longer without needing to restock.

2. Microwave

A microwave allows you to heat up food quickly and easily. You can prepare meals ahead of time during your home time and use your microwave to heat it up. Truck stops may have microwaves available, but having one in your truck is more convenient and saves you time.

3. Portable Stove, Skillet, or Hot Plate

These appliances allow you to cook more versatile meals compared to what you can heat up in a microwave. For example, you can fry eggs for yourself in your morning or cook up a simple stir fry. Each of these options has different benefits, so do some research to determine which best matches your needs.

4. Blender

If you like to start your morning with a smoothie, a blender would make a great addition to your semi-truck. You can keep pre-portioned fruit in your freezer and whip up breakfast quickly. Homemade smoothies have less sugar and additives than most brands you can buy, so this is an added bonus.

5. Slow Cooker

Slow cookers allow you to prepare your dinner in the morning and allow it to cook throughout the day while you drive. It’s important to make sure this setup is secure to avoid making a mess and creating a hazard if your slow cooker falls over on the road.

How to Choose Appliances for Your Truck

The interior of a semi-truck is a relatively small space, so it’s important to choose what you take with you carefully. You won’t necessarily need every possible kitchen appliance, and likely wouldn’t have room for all of them. It’s best to start out with the essentials on your first few hauls, then add more items based on your preferences.

For example, if you don’t particularly enjoy smoothies, you may not need a blender. On the other hand, if you notice that you’re buying pre-made smoothies or juices often while on the road, it may be a worthwhile addition to your truck.

Become a Trucker

Are you interested in a career as a truck driver? HDS Truck Driving Institute (HDS truck driving school) can help you get started. You can earn your commercial driver’s license (CDL) in as little as four weeks with our program.

To learn more about starting your trucking career, contact us today.

In order to earn your commercial driver’s license (CDL), you will need to pass a written exam as well as a skills test. Preparing to take the CDL test can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.

Here are some tips for preparing to take the CDL exam

1. Attend Truck Driving School

The number one tip for preparing for your CDL test is to attend a professional truck driving school. While you can study on your own, being part of a CDL program gives you more support. You’ll have access to highly-skilled instructors and can ask questions if there is any material you don’t fully understand.

Additionally, many motor carriers prefer to hire truck driving school graduates.

2. Read the CDL Manual

The CDL manual contains all of the information you will need to know for the written exam as well as helpful information about the structure of the skills test. Although you’ll be going over this material in class, it’s helpful to read it on your own as well and to use it for studying. Reading the manual before your classes can help you pinpoint the areas that you find most challenging and you can prepare questions ahead of time.

3. Practice Pre-Trip Inspections

Pre-trip inspections are often one of the most daunting parts of the CDL test for students. This is because you will need to memorize a variety of semi-truck parts and be able to point them out while you check them. To help get it down, practice performing a pre-trip and make flashcards to help you out while you’re learning the parts. Actually going through the steps helps you commit them to memory faster than just reading about them.

4. Ask for Help

If there is anything that you aren’t sure about, ask one of your instructors for help. This may be a difficult section on the written test or a particular maneuver you can’t seem to get down while driving. You may be able to schedule time to practice a bit more or the instructor could have a tip that has helped other students in the past. You can also ask your fellow students or form a study group to keep each other motivated.

5. Relax

Many students feel nervous taking exams, even if they know the material. Before each of the CDL tests, take a deep breath and relax. Remember that even if things don’t go as planned, this is just the beginning of your trucking career, not its sole defining moment. If you fail the CDL written test or skills test, you will have the opportunity to try again. This can help take some of the pressure off you and may improve your performance.

Learn More About Our CDL Program

HDS truck driving school can get you on the road and earning in as little as four weeks. We can help you prepare for the CDL test and offer job placement assistance to support you in starting your new career.

To learn more about earning your CDL in Tucson, contact us today.

A commercial driver’s license (CDL) allows you to drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). Some offenses can disqualify you from holding a CDL for a certain length of time. Before you start your trucking career, it’s important to be aware of these CDL disqualifications.

Lifetime Disqualification

Anyone who uses a CMV to commit a felony involving manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing a controlled substance will be disqualified for life from holding a CDL. There is no possibility of reinstatement.

Major CDL Disqualification

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) outlines several major offenses that result in longer lengths of disqualification.

For these offenses, the disqualification will last one year for the first offense. If you were transporting hazardous materials (hazmat) in a CMV at the time, it would last three years. After a second offense, it is a lifetime disqualification with the possibility of reinstatement after 10 years. If there is a third offense after a reinstatement, the CDL cannot be reinstated.

These are:

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Commercial drivers have a legal limit for blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.04. The limit for non-commercial vehicles varies in different states. In Arizona, impairment is assumed if BC is over 0.08, although someone can get a DUI with a lower BAC if there is evidence they are “impaired to the slightest degree.” Controlled substances can also result in DUI charges. The disqualification applies whether the DUI occurs while operating a CMV or while driving a personal vehicle.

Refusal to Test During a DUI Stop

If you refuse a BAC test during a DUI stop, you will face a CDL suspension. There may be additional legal consequences depending on the state where the stop occurs.

Leaving the Scene

You are legally obligated to remain at the scene of an accident, whether you were at fault or not, until you have provided all necessary information to law enforcement officers. If you fail to do so, you will face a CDL suspension as well as other possible legal consequences.

Using a CMV for a Felony

Using a CMV to commit a felony results in the disqualification period described above. This applies for felonies that do not involve the manufacture, distribution, or dispensation of a controlled substance. In those cases, as mentioned previously, there will be a lifetime disqualification with no possibility of reinstatement.

Driving with a Disqualified CDL

If you drive with a disqualified commercial license, it will extend your suspension.

Causing a Fatality

You will be temporarily disqualified from holding a CDL if you cause a fatality through the negligent operation of a CMV. Depending on the circumstances, there may be other civil and legal penalties as well.

Shorter-Term CDL Disqualifications

Traffic Violations and Railroad Crossings

Any of the following will result in a disqualification of 60 days if you get two convictions in a three-year period, or 120 days for third and subsequent violations in that timeframe:

• Excessive speeding (any speed 15 mph or more over the speed limit)
• Reckless driving (defined by state or local law)
• Erratic or improper lane changes
• Following too closely behind the vehicle ahead of you
• Any violation of state or local traffic control laws
• Driving a CMV without a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) or CDL, or without having proof of licensure
• Driving a CMV without the correct class of CLP/CDL, or without the proper endorsements
• Texting while driving a CMV

The following will result in a 60-day disqualification for the first offense, a 120-day disqualification for the second, and a one-year disqualification for the third onward:

• Failing to slow down and check railroad tracks, when stopping isn’t required
• Failing to stop when tracks are not clear, when stopping isn’t always required
• Failing to stop at railroad crossings where stopping is always required
• Failing to leave space to drive through the crossing without stopping
• Failing to obey a law enforcement officer or traffic control device at a railroad crossing
• Failing to negotiate a railroad crossing because of insufficient clearance

Out-of-Service Violations

If your vehicle is placed out of service, you may not operate it until the issue is resolved. If you do so anyway, you will face a fine as well as a disqualification. For the first offense, this can last from 180 days up to one year, or up to two years if you were hauling hazmat. A second conviction lasts 2-5 years for non-hazmat and 3-5 years for hazmat. For third and subsequent convictions with a ten-year period, the disqualification will last 3-5 years for both hazmat and non-hazmat.

Understand CDL Requirements Before Earning Your License

It’s important to fully understand possible disqualifications and requirements before you earn your CDL. At HDS Truck Driving Institute (HDS truck driving school), we give our students the information and tools they need to succeed.

To learn more about our CDL training programs, contact us today.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets requirements for the training of entry-level drivers. This means anyone who is getting their Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) for the first time, upgrading from a Class B to a Class A, or earning certain endorsements for the first time. Their requirements include completing a training program that includes a combination of theory and behind-the-wheel instruction.

The FMCSA’s entry-level driver training (ELDT) requirements were updated on February 7, 2022. If you are planning to get your CDL, it’s important to choose a program that meets these requirements. Our programs at HDS Truck Driving Institute (HDS truck driving school) meet all the new ELDT requirements.

What Has Changed?

To understand what effect the ELDT changes have on CDL instruction, it’s helpful to consider how these requirements are different from previous regulations.

Here are some of the changes with the new ELDT requirements:

• Previously, any institution that met CDL training requirements within a given state could provide entry-level instruction. Now, only those that are on the FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry (TPR) can do so. Schools must meet all the new requirements and apply to join the TPR.
• The new requirements standardize topics for instruction.
• CDL schools, rather than the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) as was the case previously, will now administer the CDL written test and will need to report student scores to the FMCSA.

Theory Instruction Requirements

There are no minimum hours for CDL training, but the training must cover all of the FMCSA’s required topics.

For theory training, providers must also use assessments to determine whether trainees are proficient in these topics and students must earn an 80% or higher on these assessments.

The topics for CDL theory training are broken up into five categories, each of which include sub-topics. 

The categories are:

• Basic Operation: This includes topics such as basic vehicle control, backing and docking, and pre-trip and post-trip inspections.
• Safe Operating Procedures: Trainees must understand space management, speed management, night operation, and other topics related to safely operating commercial vehicles.
• Advanced Operating Practices: This category includes hazard perception, emergencies (skid control/recovery, jackknifing, and others), and railroad-highway grade crossings.
• Vehicle Systems and Reporting Malfunctions: Trainees must understand how to identify and diagnose vehicle malfunctions, as well as information regarding roadside inspections and maintenance.
• Non-Driving Activities: CDL training programs must cover topics about non-driving activities. These include how to handle and document cargo, trip planning, medical requirements, and drug/alcohol testing.

Behind-the-Wheel Training Requirements

Like for theory requirements, there is no minimum for the hours spent on behind-the-wheel training. Instructors must document the clock hours of training.

Behind-the-wheel training must cover the following topics in a range setting:

• Pre-trip, en route, and post-trip vehicle inspections
• Straight line backing
• Alley dock backing (45 and 90 degrees)
• Off-set backing
• Blind side parallel parking
• Sight side parallel parking
• Coupling and uncoupling

Additionally, the program must cover the following topics on a public road:

• Vehicle controls (e.g. lane changes, turning, entry and exit onto highways)
• Transmission/shifting
• Signaling/communication
• Visual search
• Space and speed management
• Safe driver behavior
• Hours of service (HOS) regulations
• Hazard perception
• Railroad crossings
• Nighttime driving
• Extreme conditions
• Jackknifing, skid control/recovery, and other emergencies

For topics that cannot be simulated on the road (such as emergencies), instructors must engage in a two-way conversation with their students about what to do in these situations.

Earn Your CDL

If you are interested in becoming a truck driver, the first step is earning your CDL with a program that meets ELDT requirements. At HDS truck driving school, we can get you on the road to a rewarding new career.

Contact us today to learn more about our CDL training program.