Most people get through truck driving school, but others do not. Here's some great advice that will help you pass truck driving school with flying colors.
Becoming a truck driver is a dream for a lot of people. Others find it a necessity when life takes an unexpected turn. Here's the story of how I got started.
After a few years of driving truck, my time on the road has come to an end. But I'm on to new and exciting things in the industry! Here's the story.
Being a CDL instructor is a very unique experience. I was amazed at how much I learned myself. Here are some of the highlights I picked up along the way.
After four weeks on the road with my student, it was time for him to take his CDL exam. We were both very nervous. Testing day is incredibly stressful.
Learning how to back up a big rig is no easy task, but a few tips and tricks here from a trainer can really make it a lot easier.
Being a safe truck driver is never easy. Predicting what might happen next on the highway takes years to learn and is very hard to teach a new driver.
CDL trainers have a vast array of personalities and techniques for training students. Here are some personality types you'll find and how to deal with each
I recently became a certified CDL instructor and I was given my first students to train on shifting gears. Here's the story, and some advice for newbies
After being a solo truck driver for 2 1/2 years I've decided to become a trainer for an old college friend who is getting into trucking. Here's the scoop
Being a professional driver means far more than simply driving for a living. It means maintaining a certain outlook and certain priorities at all times
Losing weight for truckers can be difficult. But if you have a simple plan and stick to it you can be in wonderful health on the road, without exercise!
This is my salary as an OTR truck driver finishing up my second year behind the wheel. It's hard to find good information on trucker's salaries, so I hope this helps
Here are the answers to 17 questions about being a truck driver I'd like to share with anyone who may be interested in becoming a truck driver.
I've completed my first year as a truck driver and here's a rundown of some surprises about the job and the lifestyle of an over the road trucker.
Donner Pass for truck drivers is one of the notorious places in the country for burned up brakes and fatal wrecks. My first time down was an adventure
On occasion I get to go to a place called Springfield Underground. If you never thought you'd see a bigrig driving through a cave, here's your chance!
Before I became a truck driver, there was nothing better than a good snow storm, sliding around in my 4-wheeler. But that was then, and this is now!
I love being a truck driver. I've found as my experience grows, my enjoyment also grows. I'm still a rookie, but the experience I have is paying off.
Truck driver appreciation week has come and gone and we've created some reasons why truck driving is so difficult and should be appreciated.
Finances on the road can be tough when first becoming a truck driver, but this will provide you with a little insight into saving money on the road.
Sometimes trucking trips go very smoothly, and others are incredibly challenging. This is the reality of truck driving. Are you up for the challenge?
I thought I'd share a few of my initial impressions of my early truck driving career, having experienced it for 6 months now. It's been incredible!
Leaving home is often the hardest part of being a truck driver, especially after the holidays. This time was worse. I had to leave on the holiday.
I recently wrote 'Truck Driving: An Office With A View' about the beauty this country holds. But out here on the road it isn't always so beautiful.
One thing I wasn't prepared for as a new truck driver is the sleeping patterns. I knew fatigue was a big issue in trucking, and now I understand why.
People work hard at jobs they hate in order to buy the things they think will bring them happiness. I was that way. Trucking showed me a better way.
Truck drivers spend an enormous amount of time alone away from friends and family which can really take its toll, and spells the end for many drivers.
Truck driving is such a unique job - one that offers so much that you won't find anywhere else. The lifestyle is amazing, and the view is spectacular
Previously I spoke about what truck drivers do on the road that irritates 4-wheelers. This post will help people understand what irritates truckers.
This post is mainly for all of you out there who have never driven a truck before. People always have questions, so this will serve as a trucker's FAQ
My first solo run as a truck driver has been completed, and boy do I have a story to tell. It was eventful and embarrassing, but successful in the end.
Everyone has their own version of what a truck driver looks and acts like. I was even guilty of that. But once I became a driver, that all changed.
After months of research, a month of CDL truck driving school, and 4 months of company training, I'm going on the road as a solo company driver. Wow!
In the past few months that I've been truck driving, I've learned one major thing - trucking can destroy you if you let it. So don't.
There are some nights when you don't want to be driving a truck. Then there are some nights when you wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world.
Home time in trucking is cherished. You don't get home very often, so when you do, you love the opportunity to see everyone again. Here's what I did.
Wow, it's been two months since I hit the road with my trainer. I'll share a few of my thoughts on how to survive your trucking company trainer.
What should I pack? This has to be the number one question amongst newbies. First of all, pack as little as possible. Only the necessities...
This last trip was rather brutal. It was adventurous, frustrating, difficult, and dangerous at times, and we even saw a few things we wish we hadn't.
Well, it finally happened. My trainer and I are having truck problems. What a mess. It's getting fixed, finally, but here's what we had to deal with.
Life on the road leads you to so many people and experiences that it's nice to be able to sit down and write to the ones that have left an impression.
It takes a very unique individual to succeed out here and hopefully this will shed a little light on the traits needed to make it in this business.
Since my last trip in the big rig went so well, Karma had to balance itself out. And it didn't waste any time either! This last trip was crazy!
Wow, my most recent trip was by far the best trip I've had to date. We left California late at night and were 'East Bound and Down' to Pennsylvania!
Last week we had a trip from Illinois to California and I got my first taste of mother nature's fury - a light load and high winds. It was nasty!
So the other night, we get a phone call to pick up a 'High Value Load' from a pharmaceutical company. Wow, what an experience a high value load is!
Being in training as a trucker on the road isn't easy - but when you add mountains and wrong turns into the equation, it can be terrifying!
Wow, I can't believe it's been a week since I got on the road with my trainer. This has probably been the quickest week of my life!
Being a brand new driver brings lots of new experiences, and today was my first full day and night in a truckstop in Southern California!
Finished up orientation on Friday and by Saturday morning, I already had a trainer waiting for me at the terminal. Finally ready to roll!
Finally the last day of orientation has arrived and I'm getting to head out on the road. A lot of good information today for sure.
Day two of orientation at my new trucking company went far better than the first day, and it was filled with interesting information.
Day one of orientation at a trucking company is far from being a memorable experience, but there are some things you should know.
The trip to truck driving orientation is always eventful - but not normally this eventful! What a mess - but it turned out interesting.
Finding a truck driving job during a recession like this is much tougher than it usually is, but the jobs are out there and things look better!
After recently graduating from truck driving school and getting my CDL, here is my best advice for those considering becoming a truck driver.
After four weeks of training, one of our site's authors passed his CDL exam! You have to read what he went through to do it!
We prepared for our CDL test by training in a certain truck but it broke down! Panic! Truck driving school can be stressful for sure!
Our CDL test looms on the horizon - just a few days til I'll have my CDL. Truck driving school has been fun but I'm ready to get out on the road!
In this blog, TruckerMike explains how he passed his pre-trip inspection exam, but the instructor and the test were really tough!
The start of week 4 means testing time for our CDL student in truck driver training. Here Mike blogs about nerves before test time.
Well our CDL exams are getting near and here's how we're preparing for the big day.
During his third week of CDL training the school has brought the challenges up a notch and it's on to the city streets we go!
Half way through the 3rd week of his CDL school, our own TruckerMike is getting the feel for the truck and making progress!
This wraps up week two of my adventure in truck driving school. I'm having a great time sharing my experiences with everyone!
In day 7 of truck driving school, our student is catching on fast and enjoying the hell out of learning how to drive!
We've been bobtailing around the yard but today was our first day on the road pulling a trailer. Wow!
It's the start of week two for our student who is giving us his day-by-day experiences live! Today is his first day driving a rig!
We just completed our first week of truck driving school and I passed the exam to get my permit! Let me tell you how it went.
Day three in CDL school brought air brakes, a trip out to the truck to learn hands on, and anticipation of Friday's permit exam!
Two of the most important safety guidelines in the trucking industry involve proper speed for conditions and following distance.
This is day to of our CDL training. We're documenting every day of truck driving school so you can follow along!
In my first day of CDL training they talked about the school structure and how we'll have our CDL license in just 4 weeks!
The day has arrived! My first day of truck driving school and it was great! Let me tell you what it was all about.
I just had my DOT physical today before attending truck driving school and thought I'd let you know what it's like.
Landing a pre-hire is a really big deal and I now have my first. It's not a guarantee of employment, but close.
I'm getting ready to begin truck driver training and here's what I've done leading up to the start of school.
Some excellent, well-researched advice regarding finding the right truck driving school and getting your CDL training.
Negative opinions about being a truck driver are everywhere on the net. We'll discuss why that is, and where to find the positives!
Becoming a truck driver is a huge decision in anyone's life, and one we've all pondered. Here's my story and the reasons why I did it.
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TruckingTruth was founded by Brett Aquila (that's me!), a 15 year truck driving veteran, in January 2007. After 15 years on the road I wanted to help people understand the trucking industry and everything that came with the career and lifestyle of an over the road trucker. We'll help you make the right choices and prepare for a great start to your trucking career.
Becoming A Truck Driver is a dream we've all pondered at some point in our lives. We've all wondered if the adventure and challenges of life on the open road would suit us better than the ordinary day to day lives we've always known. At TruckingTruth we'll help you decide if trucking is right for you and help you get your career off to a great start.
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