The world of truck driving is changing at a fast pace and drivers are compelled to keep up. You don’t want to be stuck in the 20th century, do you? Even if you are an old timer, you have to admit the new technology makes life easier for truck drivers. In retrospect, the trucking industry …
Best Trucker Apps | Top Useful Mobile Apps For Truck Drivers Read More »
So you have passed the CDL knowledge test, got your Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) but the only thing standing on your way is the road test. Actually, the commercial vehicle road test is the most difficult part of acquiring a CDL certification. No wonder most learners dread it. However, it is possible to pass the …
How to Prepare For Your Commercial Vehicle Road Test Read More »
Taking and passing your CDL written test is a rite of passage. The Commercial Driver’s Manual contains valuable information you’ll need to continuously review, but it may feel overwhelming to work through all the pages. Approach studying the way you would any other test. Use notecards to make a quick study guide for the important …
5 Critical Exam Day Tips to Pass Your CDL Written Test Read More »
In the trucking industry, per diem pay is the reimbursement paid to the driver as part of the costs incurred for meals and other incidental expenses while on the job. Hence, per diem pay is technically not taxed by the IRS. It is counted as part of your salary under ‘meals and incidental expenses reimbursement’ …
Did you know that at least 60 percent of U.S truck drivers are pet owners? In fact, 40 percent of those truck drivers take their pets along with them on the road. Most truck drivers who tag along with a dog or a cat have attested that they are more alert on the road and …
Trucking Companies With Pet Policy: What You Need To Know Read More »
Change is inevitable especially when it comes to truck-driving technology. Quite recently, a few trucking companies have introduced driver facing cameras in the cab section. The number is slowly growing although the technology has been met with mixed reaction. Those supporting driver facing cameras argue that it reduces liability and saves lives. On the other …
Driver Facing Cameras: Are They Really Necessary? Read More »
The controversial debate has been going on for years now. Yes, sometimes it can get dangerous on the road and a driver is left with no options but self-defense. Is it legal for a truck driver to carry a gun for protection? Well, at the moment, there is no straightforward answer and it is complicated. …
All CDL drivers are required by the law to get tested for drugs and alcohol content prior and after operating a CMV. Unless you drive a truck on private property restricted to the public, every other trucker operates under the FMCSA regulation 49 CFR part 32 which the DOT refers to subject truckers to mandatory …
The DAC report or otherwise known as Drive-A-Check is like a report card for CDL drivers that detail their employment history, driving history, criminal background, license verification, reasons for leaving and DOT physical results. Just like a credit report to the consumer, DAC report says a lot about CDL drivers. In fact, at least 90% …
Why You Should Keep a Closer Eye on Your DAC Report Read More »
So you have successfully completed CDL School but you do not know what awaits you on the other side. To avoid disappointments, it is wise to have realistic expectations of the life of a truck driver. How much will you get paid? How are you paid? How long will you be on the road? How …
Things You Need To Know About Commercial Driving Career Read More »
Driving a commercial truck is not just a job but a lifestyle. You can get an impromptu load any time of the day or night and sometimes you have to travel thousands of miles halfway across the country. If you are a social butterfly, you will probably feel dull after staring at the highway yellow/white …
How to Avoid Getting Bored on a Long Distance Commercial Trip Read More »
Driving a commercial truck can earn you a modest annual income far better than most average Americans, plus you get to travel a lot. However, drivers have to endure leaving their family at home for weeks, long hours on the road and unusual sleeping patterns. The predictable result is health complications mostly due to job …
Common Truck Driving Health Risk and How to Avoid Them Read More »
You have finally completed your CDL training and got hired by a carrier company a few months later. Things go smoothly the first days of your assignment until you realize everything is not as easy as you thought. In fact, most new drivers quit commercial driving within 6 or 12 months after getting into the …
If you have watched the critically acclaimed Hollywood movie, Fight Club, you have probably heard the quote; ‘on a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero’. In commercial driving, a similar quote; ‘on a long enough commercial driving career, having a bad day is inevitable’ is true. Ask any experienced commercial …
Common Truck Driving Emergencies and How to Respond Read More »
Life on the road would have been easier if only other drivers understood the dilemma of commercial drivers. Instead of having a bad attitude against truck drivers, it is better to gain an insight into common Q&A that most non-truckers ought to know. Why do truck drivers move into the center and left lane even …
Acquiring a Commercial Driver’s License is not a walk in the park like most candidates ought to think. The reality is that not everyone who enrolls in CDL School gets a pass from the regulators. Of course, there are drivers who are denied CDL certificate due to health issues but the major reason is simply …
It is evident most candidates who go to CDL training school do it to pursue a career in commercial driving. The government takes sufficient effort by regulating the CDL training course to ascertain competent drivers are trusted with the demanding occupation. Of course, CDL drivers are not trained like the typical regular non-truck drivers. It …
Crucial Things You Were Not Taught in CDL Training School Read More »
Truck driving is not just a job but a way of life. True enough, once a CDL graduate gets entangled in the trucking industry for a lengthy period, their demeanor changes in due time. Quite often you will walk, talk and act differently than before getting used to driving that truck half-way across the country. …
It’s not at all unusual to want to take shortcuts to achieving the career we want, and this applies to the profession of commercial driving. At first, it may seem like skipping school altogether when pursuing your CDL is a great idea that will save you time and effort, but this is not necessarily true. …
So you just got your first job on the road immediately after CDL School but every time you tune into the CB radio, you don’t understand half of what they are saying. Probably the only word you can understand is ‘good buddy’ but every time you call a fellow colleague that term, you notice a …
