Tag Archives: getting your CDL

Factors Affecting Job Placement In The Trucking Industry

There are a lot of factors that will affect your ability to find job placement in the trucking industry. Not only the obvious ones like employment history, criminal history, and driving record, but also things like your physical health and credit scores. Let’s take a look at em…. Continue reading

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4 Mistakes That Cause Students To Fail CDL Training & How They Can Be Prevented

While the majority of students have success during their time at CDL training, there are others who come up short in their quest to become a professional truck driver. So, why do they fail? And how can it be prevented? Let’s take a look at the four most common mistakes and how to prevent them. Continue reading

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Passing The CDL Test, The Trainer's Viewpoint | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

5 Advantages of Company Sponsored CDL Programs vs. Private Truck Driving Schools

There are a number of advantages to company-sponsored CDL training over private truck driving schools. Here we’ll talk a little bit about the differences between the two, and why you may find that company-sponsored training is the better way to go. Continue reading

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Choosing A Truck Driving School, Free CDL Training | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

CDL Testing Day From A Trainers Perspective

After four weeks on the road training my student, it was time to sit back nervously and watch as he attempted to take the CDL exam to get his license. My student and I were extremely nervous, and it didn’t go quite as well as we had hoped. Continue reading

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Learning How To Back Up A Big Truck

Learning how to back up a big rig is no easy task, but a few basic tips and tricks can really speed up the process! Continue reading

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Passing The CDL Test, The Trainer's Viewpoint | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Financing Options For Truck Driving School

There are numerous options for funding your tuition to truck driving school and in this article Tonya Bons of Spirit CDL Training lists a whole slew of options including grants, student loans, tuition reimbursement, and many more. Continue reading

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A Trainer’s Perspective On Teaching Students How To Shift

Today, I became a fully certified CDL instructor (woo hoo!). It feels very strange to be teaching students how to shift a truck when it feels like I just got my CDL license last week. Of course, I’ve had my license for over two and a half years now, but it sure doesn’t feel that way. Continue reading

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Great Stories, On The Road In Training, Safe Driving Tips, The Trainer's Viewpoint | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Finding A Career I’m Passionate About

The last time I posted, I had decided that I no longer would pursue Optometry school and had the inkling that truck driving might be the career for me. I started doing the research and talking to recruiters and here’s what I’ve found… Continue reading

Posted in Becoming A Truck Driver, Great Stories | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

What You Need To Know Before Choosing A Truck Driving School

I have been in the truck driver training industry for several years now and it still dumbfounds me as to how individuals choose their truck driving school. Often times they make the least important factors a priority, while failing to evaluate the most important factors properly. You want the best quality education you can get for the money, and most importantly you want to be able to land a job after graduation. Here are some factors to consider when comparing truck driving schools. Continue reading

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Choosing A Truck Driving School | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

A Teacher, A Writer, A Philosopher, Now A Truck Driver!

After a life of travelling, writing, teaching, and schooling, my teenage dream of becoming a truck driver is finally about to happen and I’m ready to start schooling. Continue reading

Posted in Becoming A Truck Driver, Great Stories | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

My 2010 Salary – Finishing Up My Second Year Behind The Wheel

It’s hard to find accurate information about truck driver’s salaries so I’m sharing my salary information for my second year on the road so people that are considering becoming a truck driver will have a realistic expectation of what they can make out here. Continue reading

Posted in Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Current State of the Trucking Industry | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

More Boot Camp Stories From My Time In A Company-Sponsored CDL Training Program

Going through a company-sponsored CDL training program is no bed of roses. Here are some of my experiences and some challenges you can expect to face. Continue reading

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Great Stories, Week 2 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Why Do People Decide To Get Into Truck Driving?

People get into trucking for a variety of reasons – a second career after retirement, a new career after losing a job, or just the opportunity to drive those amazing big rigs. Trucking has a lot to offer if you’re circumstances, personality, and goals make you the right person for the job. Continue reading

Posted in Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Current State of the Trucking Industry, Free CDL Training, Videos | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Boot Camp Known As Company-Sponsored Training

Company-Sponsored CDL training is a lot like boot camp. Be prepared to have your self worth, your dignity, your brains, your ability and your patience tested. Once you sign those papers you are at their mercy. Boy could I have begged for mercy more times than I care to admit. Continue reading

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Free CDL Training, Week 1 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Remembering My Earliest Days Of Trucking School

For many of us that drove truck, the early days of becoming a truck driver were some of the most exciting times in our lives. Here’s the story of some of my earliest days in 1993 attending truck driving school and heading out on the road for the first time. Continue reading

Posted in Becoming A Truck Driver, First Solo Months On The Road, Passing The CDL Test, Stories of the Road | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments