Month: July 2019

You have decided you are ready to take the exciting step of securing your Commercial Driver License (CDL), now what? One option for securing your CDL in the state of Virginia is to pass a state-approved driver education program designed specifically for commercial motor vehicles. CDS Tractor Trailer Training is an approved CDL training school and is perfectly poised to help you in your training. You must first, understand the requirements for training at CDS:

• Must be 18-years or older
• Student must hold a valid Driver’s License
• Must have a high school diploma or GED
• Must be able to pass the DOT Physical Exam and drug test

We have provided a few tips below to help you make the most of your CDL training.

Take it Seriously

Learning to properly and safely operate a commercial vehicle will be the most important thing you can do to contribute to a successful career as a CDL driver. Our classes will teach you the basics of equipment, rules of the road, state and federal regulations, and vehicle inspection training. All of this knowledge will help prepare you for your CDL permit test.

With a proper foundation of classroom training, you will then advance to behind-the-wheel training to practice the skills required to navigate the roads.

Taking each of these steps seriously will ensure that you begin your new career as quickly as possible.

Don’t Get Overconfident

It is easy to think you know it all after your first time behind the wheel of a truck, but this over-confidence means you could miss valuable training opportunities. Being a professional truck driver comes with big responsibilities. You will want to make sure you are fully prepared before you hit the road. Use the time you are in training to soak up as much knowledge as possible. Ask questions, seek clarifications, and ensure that you are ready to launch a successful career.

Enroll Today!

If you are ready to take the next step in your commercial truck driving career, contact CDS today to get enrolled in a CDL training program. CDS is ready to help you get on the road to a successful trucking career.

Road work can be nerve-wracking for even the most experienced drivers. Rookie drivers are sure to experience some extra anxiety when navigating construction zones. Being prepared and understanding your options to safely drive through the orange cones, can not only keep you safe but others around you as well.

Here are a few tips to help you drive safely:

1. Slow Down & Obey Speed Limits. Lowered speed limits are posted for a reason. Generally, the lower the posted speed in a work zone, the more tricky the driving will be. It is better to get there safely than get there earlier.
2. Reduce Distractions. Turn down the radio, put down the food, and ignore incoming text messages or phone calls and just focus on driving. Not only is it safer, but you’ll also feel less frazzled.
3. Drive Defensively. One of the most common crashes in a construction zone is a rear-end collision. You have to remember to leave enough room between you and the vehicle in front of you.
4. Be Alert. Don’t forget that many work zones are mobile. Line painting areas, for instance, require some workers to move along the roadway. Remember that you’re still in a construction zone until you see the End Road Work sign. Just because you don’t see the workers, doesn’t mean they’re not out there.
5. Keep Both Hands On The Wheel. Aside from shifting, try to keep both hands on the wheel. Refrain from changing the radio, checking your phone or even adjusting your seat. Keep those hands glued to the wheel and your focus on the road.
6. Keep A Paper Atlas. Every driver should have access to an atlas in the cab. You can pick them up for a few bucks at any truck stop. Sometimes you may have to de redirected around construction and you do not want to be caught off guard. If traffic conditions force you out of your correct lane for a detour, or if your navigation app isn’t working, you can count on your atlas to find another route.
7. Plan Ahead. The easiest way to navigate construction is to simply not have to drive through it. Apps are available for your cell phones like Waze that provide road construction warnings and alternate routes. Consistently checking your routes when you are stopped for a rest, food, etc, can save you time and stress if you plan accordingly.

If you are interested in taking on a trucking career we would love to help you get started! Contact us today!

 

One of the benefits of the trucking industry is being able to have a say in what your career will look like. One of the decisions you will have to make is if you want to drive solo or with a partner. Traveling might be easier with a partner. Then again, you might be the kind of person that feels better alone. Both styles of driving can have their pros and cons. Here, we have laid out a few of them to help you decide which style suits you better.

Team Driving

Team driving is when two truck drivers agree to make runs on the same carrier. The main objective of team driving is to keep the haul moving at all times. When one driver takes a break, the other one keeps going.

Pros

• No more loneliness. Usually, truck driving can mean spending time away from other people or even your family. Team driving can ensure that you always have someone nearby to talk to.
• More money. Team drivers have the potential to drive more miles than solo drivers. This can sometimes result in higher pay.
• You can pick your partner. If you’re married and your spouse is also interested in truck driving, the two of you could drive together. If not, you could pick a friend or a co-worker.

Cons

• Too much company. Sometimes you want to be alone. Too much time with another person could be just as maddening as being isolated.
• You have to share. Team driving is a bit like having a roommate. You have to share everything from food to a living space.
• Sleep difficulties. Your body may not like sleeping in a truck bed while your partner’s at the wheel. If they’re noisy, you might not sleep at all.

Solo Driving

Solo driving is when you decide to drive your routes alone. You do not have a partner and you are solely responsible for the haul. Everything is on you, but that may not automatically be a bad thing.

Pros

• Total control. Everything from the truck, break schedules and food stops are in your control.
• Alone time. You’re free to blast your own music and be alone with your thoughts. Many people can thrive being able to have alone time.
• Safety. You’re the only one driving, so you can ensure that you drive safely.

Cons

• Less money. You’ll end up driving fewer miles and this can lead to a lower pay margin.
• Fewer breaks. You can’t take as many breaks as you could with a partner.
• Less sleep. Solo drivers can’t sleep while someone else drives. Therefore, any time you take to get some sleep you will have to stop driving.

Contact us at CDS Tractor Trailer Training today for more information on trucking!