Category: HDS Truck Driving Institute News

Commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders can earn more than $64,000 a year* as truck drivers. In order to begin your career driving a commercial motor vehicle, you can either earn your CDL through independent study or by attending classes at a CDL training school. While truck driving school does require you to pay tuition fees, it can be a valuable advantage when you start looking for jobs with trucking companies. It is also possible to take advantage of different forms of financial aid to fund your education.

Here are just a few of the ways you can fund your commercial driver’s license: 

Student Loans

Many students are not able to pay the full cost of tuition for CDL school upfront. Student loans are one way that you can fund your education. A loan allows you to attend commercial driver’s license training now and pay off the loan later once you start earning money as a truck driver. Our financial advisors at HDS Truck Driving Institute (HDS truck driving school) can help you determine which loans you may qualify for and how to apply.

In order to apply for federal loans (also called Title IV funding), you will need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). These funds come from the government and are offered based on financial need, the type of program you are attending, and other factors. Some loans are subsidized and do not begin charging interest until you complete the program, whereas others are unsubsidized and begin charging interest as soon as you accept the loan. In addition to loans from the government, you can also take out loans with private banking institutions. Eligibility for all types of loans is based on the student meeting the requirements set by the funding agencies.

Tuition Reimbursement

Once you find a job with a trucking company after graduation, you may be eligible for tuition reimbursement. This is the process where your employer will pay for some or all of the cost of obtaining your commercial driver’s license. This is usually paid as a monthly amount added to your check. Requirements and specific payment amounts will vary depending on the company. At HDS truck driving school, we offer job placement assistance and may be able to help you find a job that includes tuition reimbursement.

Truck Driving School Grants

Grants are another option that can make it financially possible for you to complete truck driving school. Unlike loans, you do not need to pay back the money you receive from a grant. These benefits can come from the government for those who qualify or may be privately funded. Either way, you will need to meet specific requirements in order to apply for individual grants.

HDS has close relationships with many agencies in Arizona that offer grants to help you earn your commercial driver’s license. These include: Arizona@Work (statewide workforce development), MyCAA (My Career Advancement Account for military spouses), and the Arizona Department of Economic Security Rehabilitation Services. If you choose to complete CDL training with us, we will help you determine if you are eligible for any grants and will help you begin the application process.

VA Benefits/GI Bill®

VA (Veterans Affairs) benefits include specific funds that many of our students have been able to take advantage of. The most common of these is the GI Bill®, which provides benefits for those who served over 90 days of active duty following September 11, 2001. The amount you qualify for will depend on your length of service and character. HDS will work with you and the VA to ensure that you are able to take advantage of any Veterans benefits that you are eligible to receive.

Earn Your Commercial Driver’s License with HDS

HDS truck driving school will help you earn your CDL and prepare you for a rewarding career as a truck driver. We offer financial aid for those who qualify and can help you explore options to fund your education.

Contact us today to apply for one of our commercial driver’s license training programs.

*Professional truck drivers earn a mean annual wage of $44,500. The top 10% of truck drivers make more than $64,000 per year according to the 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The trucking industry continues to grow each year. More and more trucking companies are hiring CDL (commercial driver’s license) graduates for high-paying truck driving jobs. If you want to earn more than $64,000 a year*, you might want to consider a career as a truck driver. One of the best ways to get a head start is by completing CDL training at an accredited truck driving school. This helps you earn your CDL license and learn valuable skills that will help you grow your career. If you are anxious to get on the
road, you can also take accelerated classes at HDS Truck Driving Institute that can have you on the road in as little as four weeks.

Some topics covered during the accelerated CDL training program:

Passing the CDL Written Test

Starting a career as a truck driver requires you to earn a CDL. At HDS, our program gives you the knowledge you need to earn a Class A and Class B CDL. For the first week of  our training, you will get classroom instruction to help you pass the CDL permit test. This covers basic tractor-trailer safety and operation. The information you learn at HDS also includes training for three different CDL endorsements. This includes Tanker, Doubles/Triples, and Hazardous Materials. The safety information included in these endorsements makes you a more attractive candidate for trucking companies after graduation.

Hands-On Truck Driving Experience

Just because you opt for an accelerated CDL training program does not mean you have to give up on hands-on experience. Even in our accelerated program, our team of instructors will make sure you get time on the road. We will supervise your driving and will help you improve your skills. After you pass the permit portion of your CDL test, you start hands-on truck driver training at our facility. Our skilled instructors will help you get the experience you need to operate a tractor-trailer. We go over basic road skills such as backing, turning, and parking. This is useful both for when you take your CDL skills test and when you are on the job.

Job Placement Assistance

Even in our accelerated program, we want to help you succeed. When you attend CDL training at HDS, we have a team of job coordinators that can help you find a job after graduation. We take your qualifications and desires into account to find a truck driving job that is right for you. If you want a career where you can earn more, then truck driving may be a great option.
Completing accelerated CDL training makes it easier for you to get on the road faster. Call HDS today to learn more about our accelerated truck driver training program.

*Professional truck drivers earn a mean annual wage of $44,500
(https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes533032.htm). The top 10% of truck drivers make more than $64,000
per year according to the 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistics.

With growing wages and an increasing need for drivers, the trucking industry is a more attractive career than ever. If you are just starting to consider truck driving, you may be wondering how you can get a well-paying job with one of many trucking companies hiring new drivers. You probably know that you need a commercial driver’s license (CDL), but simply having the license to operate a commercial vehicle is not enough to ensure you will get hired for a truck driving job. What can you do to stand out from the many other candidates?

Although you can study and earn your CDL on your own, many trucking companies specifically look for truck drivers that have graduated from accredited programs. HDS Truck Driving Institute (HDS truck driving school) is an accredited school where you will learn from some of the best drivers in the industry. We give our students the skills and certifications needed to obtain a job. Most of our students receive employment offers before they even graduate

Attending a CDL school helps you stand out when applying to trucking companies.

Experience

When you apply for a trucking job, recruiters will look for truck driving experience. If you earn your CDL by self-teaching, you likely won’t have spent much time, if any, driving an actual truck/trailer. This is one reason why trucking companies prefer new drivers who have graduated from a truck driving school. They know that graduates of accredited CDL schools have actual hands-on experience beyond simply passing the CDL skills test.

At HDS truck driving school, we make sure that our students have on-the-road experience driving tractor trailers. You will train with seasoned drivers who will help you gain the experience you need to stand out from other candidates. We also work hands-on with trucking companies so you will get real life experience. This will help you understand exactly how to succeed post-graduation.

Safety

Another reason trucking companies prefer graduates of accredited trucking programs is for safety reasons. Transportation companies have to insure new drivers and they need to make sure that these truck drivers meet safety requirements. Without verification that a candidate graduated from a CDL school, many trucking companies are hesitant to hire because it can be more difficult to get insurance.

Truck driving school graduates also get hands-on and classroom experience that covers important safety topics. At HDS truck driving school, we make sure to provide you with the safety information you will need to know as a truck driver. Our accredited program teaches students how to meet and exceed trucking safety standards.

Job Placement Assistance

Finding your first job with a trucking company after getting your CDL can be difficult. At HDS truck driving school, we offer job placement assistance. This means that you have
people on your side to help you find a trucking job that matches your lifestyle and requirements.

When you graduate from HDS, we do our best to set you up for success. Our students have gone on to work for some of the top trucking companies in the nation. You could be one of our successful graduates! Contact us today for more information and start on the road to your new career.

Long stretches of open road and unstable sleep schedules can often combine to make truck drivers feel sleepy behind the wheel. However, driving a truck requires your full attention, for your own safety and the safety of everyone on the road. How can you avoid being lulled into a state of drowsiness when the road is long and monotonous? These tips will help you stay alert.

Make Sleep a Priority

With the pressure of delivery deadlines, it can be easy to compromise on sleep. However, missing even a few hours of sleep can significantly impair your concentration. Several nights in a row of lost sleep can add up to a major sleep deficit that can make it dangerous for you to drive. Being well rested is the most powerful weapon you have in the fight against long-haul driving boredom and distractions. If you are having a difficult time getting the sleep you need, discuss your schedule with your dispatch and make adjustments that allow you to rest as needed.

Change Up Your Music

Listening to the same music on rotation will compound the monotony of highway driving. Keep things interesting by changing up your listening habits. Dabble in a new genre, check out a book on tape, or listen to a podcast. Some truck drivers use the time on the road to learn a new language with language tapes. Giving yourself something new to listen to will keep your brain engaged so you stay more alert.

Take a Break

If you feel yourself becoming too tired or distracted, pull over. Sometimes, a quick walk around a rest area or a catnap in the cab is all you need to feel refreshed. Recognize when it’s time to stop fighting the pull of fatigue and give in to the need for a break.

Get tips on succeeding as a trucker as well as the training you need to launch your new career at HDS Truck Driving Institute. We offer multiple beginner and refresher courses as well as assistance with job placement. Find out how to get your CDL in Tucson by calling (877) 205-2141.

Trucking is a great choice for people who are concerned about job security. The country runs on big rigs. Without an army of truckers working across the country every day, food wouldn’t reach supermarkets, medicine wouldn’t reach hospitals, and online shoppers wouldn’t get their purchases. Although there is always a high demand for qualified drivers in this industry, you do have to meet some requirements before you can land a job. You should also embrace the following characteristics.

A Great Work Ethic

In any industry, one’s work ethic is the key to success. You’ll have no problem getting hired as a professional trucker if you demonstrate a great work ethic. Successful truck drivers are reliable. When they say they’ll be somewhere, the employer can bet on it. Successful truckers are also self-reliant. Even though you can radio for assistance whenever you need it, you’ll be counting on yourself out there on the open roads. Professional truckers keep their skills sharp so that they can easily handle any problems that arise.

An Enduring Commitment to Safety and Compliance

Professional truck drivers absolutely must follow the regulations. You’ll succeed in this industry if you have an abiding commitment to honesty and integrity. Know the regulations inside and out, and don’t skimp on the documentation whenever it’s required. Successful truckers are also committed to staying alert at all times behind the wheel. They know that it only takes a split second for an accident to occur, and that accident might seriously injure or claim the life of a fellow traveler on the road. It’s a lot of responsibility, but if you’re a safety-minded type of guy (or gal!), you’ll do fine.

When you enroll at HDS Truck Driving Institute in Tucson, you’ll have access to our world-class job placement and career planning program. In fact, we’ll help you get the job application process started while you’re still in school so you can hit the ground running. Call our truck driving school at (877) 205-2141.

If you are considering a career as a truck driver, you can expect to be in high demand. There is a significant shortage of truckers on the road, and the dearth of drivers is only expected to get worse in the years to come. Not only is this shortage impacting businesses, but consumers are seeing higher prices on the store shelves as well. Here is a look at the link between truck drivers and consumer pricing.

Low numbers of drivers means high prices on the shelves.

Truck drivers play a critical role in the economy that few people realize. They are responsible for delivering every item that is bought or sold to its retail location. Without truckers, manufacturers can’t ship their products and stores can’t get them out on the shelves. This situation creates product shortages, and shortages lead to higher prices. A lack of drivers also leads to production delays, since manufacturers can’t get the raw materials that they need. As production grinds to a halt, supply falls even further behind demand, and prices increase even more.

Truck driver shortages are projected to intensify.

The shortage of drivers is only expected to get worse in the coming years. By 2022, the American Trucking Association projects a shortage of 106,245 truckers, which could have a significant impact on the pricing and availability of consumer goods. The decrease in truck drivers is linked to several factors, including mass retirements of Baby Boomer drivers, a decrease in the number of young drivers entering the industry, and new requirements for electronic monitoring equipment in trucks that are making drivers leave the business.

The trucking industry has never been more primed for new drivers. Take advantage of the demand for truckers and launch your new career as a driver with training from HDS Truck Driving Institute. Learn more about becoming a driver by calling our truck driving school in Tucson at (877) 205-2141.

Earning your commercial driver’s license (CDL) will open up a whole world of career possibilities. Even before you graduate from truck driving school, you can dive right in and explore your career options. Truck driving careers can be categorized based on how far the trucker is traveling, what type of freight he or she is hauling, and whether he or she is driving solo or as part of a team.

Local

Just as the name suggests, local driving gigs will let you stick close to home. Most of the time, you can expect to be back at home each night, though there are exceptions. This is a great opportunity for people who want to earn their CDL, but are concerned about being away from their family for long periods of time.

Regional

Regional truck drivers haul freight over a broader area than local routes, but they still tend to stay within a few hundred miles of home. The specific amount of time spent on the road will vary, depending on the trucking company. Some regional drivers are home every two to three days, but it’s also possible to be out on the road for two to three weeks at a time.

Over-the-Road

Over-the-road (OTR) truckers, also known as long-haul truckers, go anywhere within the contiguous states, and they may also venture into Alaska and Canada. OTR drivers may be out on the road for two to five weeks at a time. OTR jobs aren’t as popular with drivers who have families, but they’re a great option for people who genuinely love to drive big rigs.

Solo or Team

OTR driving is also ideal for team drivers. There are lots of spouses and partners who decide to earn their CDLs together and start team driving. The other option is solo driving.

 

HDS Truck Driving Institute in Tucson, Arizona features a world-class job placement and career planning program. We strongly encourage every student and graduate to take advantage of our job placement services. Interested in earning your CDL? Call (877) 205-2141 today!