Month: October 2019

Our job here at CDS Tractor Trailer Training is to prepare our students for the Virginia CDL exam. The exam covers a lot of information, and can definitely be intimidating. Memorizing the whole CDL manually isn’t quite going to cover it. Like any test, it’s going to take studying and determination to pass. As long as you know what you can expect, you can study and prepare to ace the exam.

Let’s take a look at what might be on your CDL exam.

How Many Questions Are There?

There will be 50 questions on your Virginia CDL Exam. To pass, you must answer 40 questions correctly.

What Kind of Topics Can I Expect to See?

Commercial Drivers and DUI

Driving under the influence is never acceptable. It’s even more dangerous when big rigs are involved. The Virginia CDL exam will have questions about blood alcohol content (BAC). It will be a multiple-choice question and may read like this:

What is the legal BAC for a CDL driver?

A. .8%

B. .08%

C. .05%

D. .04%

The legal limit for a CDL driver is .04%. Always be careful to check the correct box.

Other Major Violations on the Virginia CDL Exam:

• Can you refuse a blood and/or breath test while operating a commercial motor vehicle?
• What happens if you use a commercial motor vehicle to commit a felony?
• What happens if you make a false statement on your CDL license application?

Speed Limits in Work Zones and Lane Shifts

Speed limits are meant to be obeyed, especially by truckers in work zones. Unstable road conditions, the presence of workers, and maneuvering traffic can make road work areas hectic. Expect questions about lane changes and speed limits, and know that you cannot resume a normal speed until you see the “End Road Work” sign.

You may also see questions about:

• Texting and driving in the truck
• Following too closely
• Driving without a CDL License on your person
• Electronic Log Devices (ELDs) & how to use them

Hours of Service Regulations

It’s important to understand Hours of Service (HoS) requirements. HoS questions are common on the CDL exam and might be phrased like this:

John started his shift at 5:00 AM, after resting in his berth for 11 hours. He has until when to take a 30-minute break?

A. He doesn’t need a 30-minute break today.

B. He must take his break by 1:00 pm.

C. He must take his break by 5:00 pm.

D. He must take his break by 9:00 am.

As you may know, a driver must take a break within his first eight hours of work, so B is the correct answer.

Stay Calm and Study

We certainly can’t cover every question on the Virginia CDL exam with this blog post, but that’s what CDL training is for! It’s okay to be nervous about taking your Virginia CDL exam. As long as you stay focused and study hard, you’ll be okay!

If you’d like to learn more about earning your Virginia CDL, contact us today!

Truck drivers have reinvented the image of their industry with the use of vlogs and social media. Truckers now share their life on the road and trucking knowledge online using vlogs and social media. Here are 6 trucking vlogs you should follow.

Trucking Vlogs You Should Be Following

Nic and Carla

Meet the women drivers in an industry dominated by men. This married couple quit their jobs for trucking. They share their life on the road as professional truckers on their now-popular YouTube channel. Nic and Carla are so dedicated to trucking that they sold their possessions to live permanently on the road.

Trucker Josh Vlogs

Josh drives across Canada and the US documenting the journey on his YouTube channel. He is a beloved member of the trucking world who is following the footsteps of his trucker dad. Josh and his dog, Diesel, have thousands of followers on YouTube and Instagram. He posts new videos each week.

Trucking with Selena

A man and his wife travel across the country and share their trucking journeys. They upload at least two videos every week on their vlog. You can also follow them on Instagram.

Trucker Brown

Trucker Brown drives his truck all around the US while documenting his trips, and offering insight and tips on the industry. He educates his vlog fans about the trucking industry based on his experiences. Sometimes he offers a glimpse of his personal life when he is not trucking. He has over 13 million views on his vlogs. Catch up with Brown’s journey on his YouTube channel or follow his adventures through his Instagram stories.

Red Viking Trucker

Red Viking Trucker has traveled through many continents and countries. He shares daily vlog posts of his trucking journey. Red also runs a truck driver coaching consultancy for new and experienced drivers trying to get their CDL. You can follow his stories on Instagram.

Smart Trucking

This vlog is run by professional truckers. They aim to support truckers by offering tips and advice about the profession. They also review truck models. The smart trucking channel is one of the best places to learn all about trucking.

Why You Should Become a Professional Truck Driver at CDS

• Trucking offers freedom from the typical 9-5 desk job.
• You can travel the country while working on the open road.
• There is currently a driver shortage which means drivers are in more demand than ever!
• CDS offers many financial aid options to make your CDL training affordable.
• Some trucking companies offer tuition reimbursements. They will pay for your training costs!
• We will help you find a job with the trucking company that’s the best fit for you with our Job Placement Assistance program.

Now is an excellent time to start your CDL training at CDS Tractor Trailer Training. Ready to move forward? Contact us for more information.

As fall approaches and the summer heat dies off, a different heatwave hits states across the country: college football season.

College football teams–and all of their equipment–have to get to the different stadiums in the different cities they play in, and they have to get there on time. The logistics involved with such operations are as complicated as they are diverse. Many stakeholders, transportation modes, and suppliers are involved. However, we want to focus on the unsung part of these systems: the trucks that haul the equipment and the drivers behind the wheel.

The Driver

Ray Lewis is a 46-year-old game warden that obtained a commercial driver’s license to begin operating dump trucks. He never thought he’d be hauling Clemson’s precious gear and supplies.

“At the time, I wanted to earn some extra money to support my wife and two kids,” Lewis adds. Now he drives the team’s 53-foot big rig draped in the team’s orange. He couldn’t be prouder of where his job has taken him.

The Road

The job took Lewis was 2,700 miles across the United States in January. As the Clemson Tigers prepared to meet Alabama in their championship game, Lewis reflected on the trip: “We’ve completed a coast-to-coast trip to the west. A long trip back home awaits.”

Accompanying Lewis were two lifelong Tigers fans; Mike Brown, a 49-year-old city worker, on the passenger seat, and Marion Bridges, a 65-year-old lifelong fan, lying on the bunk bed. These three drivers drove the truck from Clemson to Santa Clara in 43-hour rotational shifts.

Lewis and his team spent $1,000 on fuel for the trip through eight states. They made only six pit stops on this trip, despite running through an ice storm in Arizona, of all places. “They only stopped for fuel, to go to the bathroom, and to switch drivers,” Praises Abe Reed, equipment manager. After the game, the three trucks made the long journey back home.

This dedication is impressive. They are truly the unsung (and unpaid) heroes of the team, responsible for transporting all of the team’s essential cargo. “People at home ask, ‘why do you do this job for free?’ I don’t see it that way,” adds Bridges. They receive tickets to games, room and board in luxurious resorts, and a daily per diem for food. To Lewis and the other truck drivers, this is a dream come true.

If this sounds like a dream job to you too, check out our CDL training programs at CDS Tractor Trailer Training. Contact us today to get your CDL, and start your trucking career. Who knows where it will take you? You might just end up driving for a college football team someday like Ray Lewis.