Author: Administrator

Whether you’re new to the trucking industry or a seasoned truck driver, you will spend a lot of time in your cab during long routes. There are many essential items to keep stocked in your vehicle to make it feel more like home. Having the right trucking supplies can also increase your overall comfort while driving. This list of essentials is a great starting point and can be added to as you gain more experience on the road.

Here are ten must-have trucking supplies:

1. Documentation

If you get stopped for a roadside inspection by the Department of Transportation (DOT), there are several documents you need to provide. 

It’s a good idea to have the following papers well-organized and available at all times:

• Commercial driver’s license (CDL)
• Proof of insurance 
• Vehicle registration
• DOT medical examiner’s certificate
• Shipping paperwork
• Vehicle inspection reports 
• Special certifications (such as endorsements for hazardous materials, tanker, and triple trailer)

  2. Food and Water

Eating all of your meals on the road at fast food restaurants or gas stations gets expensive, so be sure to pack snacks and meals that are easy to make. Items like bread, crackers, baked goods, and certain fruits are great non-refrigerated options. If you have a mini fridge in your rig, you can bring cold items as well.

3. Personal Hygiene Supplies

Toiletries are an essential part of self-care while on the road. Even if you are on a short-haul route, you should always carry personal hygiene supplies with you. You never know when a job may extend or unexpected delays keep you traveling for longer than anticipated. Keep a kit with travel-sized products ready to go in your vehicle. 

4. Clean clothes

Extra clothes are another necessity for life on the road. No matter how long your route is, always pack comfortable clothes for both on and off duty. Make sure you have season-appropriate options also, such as a hat, jacket, and tennis shoes.

5. Tools

A toolkit complete with a wrench set, hammer, and tire pressure gauge should always stay in your semi-truck. Your kit should also include safety apparel like steel-toe work boots, a hard hat, safety glasses, coveralls, and a high-visibility jacket.

6. Emergency Items

Whether you’re a company driver or on your own, keep a medical first aid kit handy in case of emergency. You should also pack other emergency items like bottled water, a flashlight, and jumper cables. 

7. Mattress and Bedding

A comfortable mattress and bedding are must-haves for long-haul truckers. These items will help you get quality sleep and prepare for the rest of your route.

8. Entertainment

Entertainment items like an e-reader, TV, or game console can provide you with much-needed downtime when you aren’t operating your truck.

9. Cleaning Supplies

Stocking your rig with cleaning supplies can help keep it tidy and comfortable. You should keep paper towels, cleaning spray, disposable wipes, a small broom and dustpan, and trash bags on hand.

10. Other Essential Trucking Supplies

Other essential trucking supplies include:

• Road atlas
• Pens and paper
• Chargers for all your devices
• Road flares and cones
• Any over-the-counter prescription medicine you need 

Truckers Are in High Demand

The trucking industry needs qualified individuals to haul freight now more than ever. The first step to joining this career field is to earn your commercial driver’s license (CDL) with a reputable organization like Phoenix Truck Driving Institute. During and after your training with us, we are committed to helping you succeed as a trucking professional. We offer job placement assistance, and many of our students receive job offers before graduation or shortly after.

Call us today to learn more about our available programs.

Starting a new career can be intimidating, and trucking is no exception. Settling into your new job can take some time as you navigate the ins and outs of life on the road. The first year of your trucking career acts as a second kind of truck driving school where you can put all of the information you learned into practice. 

As a first-year trucker, you should expect to:

1. Gain Driving Experience

The main goal as a first-year trucker is to gain as much driving experience as possible. The more experience you have, the more routes you’ll be assigned and the more money you will make. It will also help you relax and ease the stress of your job.

2. Adjust Your Lifestyle

Trucking is a career unlike any other, and you will need to adjust your lifestyle to fit its demands. Few other jobs force you to be away from home and on the road for weeks at a time. Be prepared to make the necessary changes to live a rewarding life as a truck driver.

3. Get Less Favorable Assignments

Even if you passed CDL school at the top of your class, you still need to gain real-world experience as a trucker. You can expect to be assigned less favorable jobs for a while during your first year. This will test your ability to deliver a load on time, clearly communicate with dispatchers, and properly maintain your truck. If you are patient and complete each job to the best of your ability, it won’t be long until you are assigned more enjoyable routes.

4. Be Assigned to a Driver Trainer

Many first-year truckers are assigned a driver trainer, so you should be prepared for the possibility. Sharing a rig with another person is hard, but make the most of it and learn from your trainer’s experience. They are a valuable resource and can answer any questions you have about the job. 

5. Miss Your Loved Ones

Another adjustment you must make as a new driver is being away from home for weeks at a time. It is an important factor to consider if you are in a relationship or have a family. Stay in close contact with your kids, spouse, and parents while you’re on the road, and remember that they are the reason you work so hard.

6. Prepare Your Budget

There are sacrifices you’ll need to make if you plan on making a living in the trucking industry. As a first-year driver, you won’t be able to travel as efficiently as a more experienced driver and sometimes won’t get the miles you need. Additionally, living on the road can get expensive if you are not careful. It’s a great idea to bring a cooler or mini fridge stocked with food to avoid eating at truck stops for every meal and snack.

7. Get Lost

You will likely get lost at some point during your first year as a truck driver, so it is important to be both mentally and physically prepared. If you get off track, pull over, relax, and consult your directions, and you will be back on your route in no time. It is also an option to call the supplier you are headed to, as they can give you accurate directions to your destination.

CDL & Driver Training in Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix Truck Driving Institute is a premier educational institution for truck driver training. We have trained thousands of students to pass their commercial driver’s license (CDL) exams and become the kind of professional drivers that companies look for. We’re ready to help you start your journey.

Call our school today to get started on earning your CDL.

If you are interested in new trucking job opportunities or a way to increase your income, consider adding one or more trucking endorsements to your commercial driver’s license (CDL).

These certifications are beneficial and go a long way in the industry. Learning more about the available endorsements and their value will help you better expand your eligibility as a trucker.

What are Trucking Endorsements?

While a CDL allows you to drive commercial vehicles, a CDL endorsement expands your capabilities. An endorsement is a certification that you have learned safety and operational skills beyond the standard CDL requirements. These certifications give you permission to operate a specific type of commercial vehicle or transport a certain type of freight. 

Types of Trucking Endorsements

There are several types of trucking endorsements that drivers can receive, three of the most beneficial being tanks, doubles/triples, and hazardous materials. 

Tanks

A tanks or tanker endorsement allows a driver to operate a vehicle with a tank to transport liquid or gaseous materials. This includes fuel, water, and industrial chemicals.

Doubles/Triples

While a standard semi-truck will only carry one trailer, a driver with a doubles or triples endorsement can operate a truck with two or three attached trailers, known as long combination vehicles (LCVs). This permits them to transport more cargo at once.

Hazardous Materials 

A hazardous material, or hazmat, endorsement lets truckers transport substances labeled by the Department of Transportation as potentially harmful to human health. Drivers with this endorsement can earn more money per mile than other truck drivers.

Why Earn Endorsements?

Obtaining endorsements requires an investment of time and money beyond what is required of being a truck driver. While they are not necessary to be successful in the industry, having one or more endorsements is beneficial in many ways.

Broaden Your Job Opportunities

Earning CDL endorsements will set you apart from other drivers. Every endorsement you obtain gives you a chance to join a whole subset of truck driving jobs. Specializing in a certain type of vehicle or cargo makes your services even more desirable to transportation companies. This allows you to apply for a variety of opportunities, enhancing your career track in today’s competitive landscape.

Earn More Money

Drivers with endorsements, especially the tanker endorsement, are currently in high demand. Most companies are willing to pay more for drivers with certifications beyond a CDL because they are more difficult to achieve. Companies also give these drivers favorable hours and routes. The hazmat endorsement in particular pays much better than regular loads due to the perceived risk involved in hauling hazardous materials. Earning these endorsements makes you a valuable asset to any trucking company.

Keep Your Knowledge Fresh

Endorsements are an avenue for a driver to continue their education and further prove their value on the road. Studying and testing for these certifications will keep your knowledge of the industry fresh and up to date. It can also help you avoid the boredom that comes with hauling the same cargo in the same vehicle for every job.

High-Quality CDL Training is Waiting For You

No matter what type of trucking endorsement(s) you plan to pursue, you can earn them alongside your CDL at Phoenix Truck Driving Institute. We do all that we can to help our students succeed, and that includes providing them with opportunities for additional training.

Call us today to learn more about our available trucking endorsements. 

Trucking is the preferred method of shipping for most goods, accounting for over 70% of all the freight transported in the United States. There is a wide variety of semi-truck trailers available, each suited for a different kind of cargo. Finding the right trailer for your job will make all the difference in facilitating the safe arrival of your shipment. In this guide, we will break down some of the most common types of trucking trailers found in America and what cargo they can haul. 

Dry Van Trailers

Dry vans are the most commonly used trailer in the trucking industry. Also known as dry box trailers, they are enclosed to protect cargo from the elements and other hazards on the road. Some of the largest corporations in the US use dry vans to transport their inventories, including clothing, non-perishable food, and household goods. These goods are loaded on pallets or boxes into the back of a dry van through a loading dock. While dry vans can carry up to 45,000 pounds of freight, their boxlike shape makes them unable to transport oversized loads.

Flatbed Trailers

Another popular type of trailer is the standard flatbed. Flatbed trailers are generally dry van trailers without the top or sides. They are used to carry large, bulky items, like construction material, that won’t fit in a dry van. Flatbeds are extremely versatile due to their open back and sides, which makes loading and unloading easy with a forklift or overhead crane. Flatbeds also come in extendable versions to avoid overhanging freight. For both types of flatbeds, drivers must properly secure their load with chains, straps, or tarps since they are not contained.

Refrigerated Trailers

Refrigerated trailers, or reefers, are the best option for shipping goods that need temperature control. This type of trailer is insulated and will maintain a cool temperature for chilled or frozen cargo despite the weather. Items like fruit, pharmaceuticals, and ice cream are commonly moved using reefers. Similar to a dry box, refrigerated trailers have a maximum weight capacity of around 45,000 pounds. Since they are enclosed trailers, they cannot haul anything that exceeds the length of their deck.

Other Types of Trailers

In addition to the three most common types of trucking trailers, there are others made for more specific purposes.

• Drop-Deck Trailer: These trailers are an alternative to flatbeds when the height of a load is a factor, such as with building materials and various types of machinery.

• Lowboy Trailer: A lowboy, or double drop trailer, is closer to the ground than any other type of trailer and is used for heavy hauls.

• Removable Gooseneck Trailers: A RGN trailer has a debatable front, allowing it to be dropped on the ground and used as a ramp. It is capable of carrying freight weighing up to 150,000 pounds.

Earn Your CDL Today

No matter what type of trucking trailer you wish to haul, you will need to earn your commercial driver’s license (CDL) first. Phoenix Truck Driving Institute has been offering high-quality CDL training for over a decade. With our accelerated program, we can get you on the road in as little as four weeks.

Contact our Phoenix location today to learn more about our CDL training program.

Managing your money and time are two of the key aspects of being a successful truck driver. Living on the road introduces unique budgeting challenges for truckers, especially when it comes to meal planning. With a bit of effort, however, it is possible to create and follow a budget to save your hard-earned money.

 

Follow these trucker budgeting tips to save money on the road:

Keep Track of Income and Expenses

The first step in creating a budget is keeping a record of how much money you are taking in each month relative to how much you are spending. Budgeting one month at a time is beneficial because it allows you to be more exact with your estimates. For each trip, track all of your income and expenses in a spreadsheet. After a few months, take a look at the data to see where you may be overspending, then adjust your habits to improve the balance. 

Pay Close Attention To Food Costs

Food is a big expense on any budget, especially for over-the-road truckers who spend a lot of time away from home. If you eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at a truck stop or restaurant five days a week, the money you spend on fast food can quickly rack up. Instead, invest in truck-specific kitchen gear like a microwave, crockpot, or refrigerator, and meal prep before you leave on a trip. Even if you cover one meal a day in your truck, the savings will accumulate over time.

Take Advantage of Amenities 

Gas stations and rest stops have a variety of free resources available to truck drivers. Take advantage of everything gas stations have to offer, from free water for showers and filling up your water bottle, to lounges with WiFi. The same goes for rest stops. Do your laundry and work out if they have a laundromat or fitness center available. There are also many novelty rest stops across the United States that offer unique amenities and entertainment for truckers.

Join Loyalty Programs

Becoming a rewards member for companies you frequent is another easy way to rack up savings while on the road. Establishments like restaurants, gas stations, truck stops, and hotels have loyalty programs that can save you money when you make purchases you were already going to make. These points can turn into a free cup of coffee, a meal, a shower, or even a night’s stay in a hotel. Certain companies offer commercial driver’s license (CDL) discounts to truckers as well, so it doesn’t hurt to ask.

Avoid Tickets by Driving Safely 

Speeding tickets and traffic violation fines can add an unexpected expense to your trip. Speeding may seem tempting because you can get more miles in and therefore make more money. However, it is in the best interest of your budget, driving record, and (most importantly) safety to avoid violations at all costs. Receiving several tickets in a certain period of time can result in the suspension of your CDL, which you need to continue working as a trucker. This means you will actually save money in the long run by following traffic laws.

Get Rewarded For Your Hard Work

One of the biggest items that affect your budget is your income. When you earn your CDL at Phoenix Truck Driving School, you are setting yourself up for success in the trucking industry. Our programs can help you get on the road and earning in as little as four weeks.

Get started on earning your CDL by contacting us today. 

Time off for truckers looks a bit different than it does in most other fields. Whereas an office worker typically gets home every night and gets weekends off, long-haul drivers spend longer stretches of time away from home, then get more days off in between these hauls. This is known as home time, and it’s important to understand how this works so you know what to expect and can plan for your truck driving career.

Home Time vs Paid Time Off

Home time is not the same thing as paid time off. During paid time off, you are still getting compensation. Many trucking companies offer this after you’ve spent some time with the company. By contrast, home time is more like weekends in other professions. It’s unpaid time that you take at somewhat regular intervals.

How Much Home Time Do Truckers Get?

Your home time depends on the type of trucking job you pursue – local, regional, or over-the-road (OTR). Each company within these categories has a different policy, so be sure to read this before you commit to a job and ask questions if you aren’t sure how often you can expect home time. 

Local truckers stay within a region close to home, and report to the same location at the start and end of every day. These drivers often have longer daily shifts, but come home every night and get regular days off. These may be every weekend, or sometimes during the middle of the week depending on the job.

Regional truckers travel further from home than local drivers, but not as far as OTR truckers. Their exact home time schedule varies depending on the job. Many are able to get home once a week, typically on the weekend.

OTR drivers spend the longest amount of time on the road, often four to six weeks. Different companies offer different lengths of home time between hauls, usually based on the amount of time spent on the road. For example, a motor carrier may offer one day at home for every week spent on the road.

You’ll likely start as an OTR trucker after school to get experience. However, after spending some time in this niche, you may decide to look for a regional or local job. These are typically more competitive and often pay less, but may be a good fit if home time is a primary concern.

Can You Guarantee Home Time on Certain Days?

Some trucking jobs, such as dedicated freight for one customer, are easier to predict a stable schedule for. These are harder to get as a rookie, but may be possible to move into later in your career. For a standard dry van OTR job, freight can be harder to predict. You can always put in a request with your company to be home at a certain time, but it’s helpful to be prepared for the unexpected in trucking.

Do You Have to Take Home Time at Home?

Despite the name, you don’t necessarily have to return home for your home time. Many motor carriers will allow you to take this time elsewhere. This can be a great way to see more of the country and try something new. Keep in mind that many companies do have additional requirements for this.

What Do You Do With Your Truck During Home Time?

Different motor carriers have different policies for what you need to do with your semi-truck during home time. In most cases, you’ll leave it at a terminal so that it is secure. In some cases, your company may allow you to bobtail, meaning drive without a trailer, home as long as you have a secure and large enough space for it. Just make sure you’re also in line with any local regulations for where to park, that you have enough space to leave safely.

Start Your Trucking Career

At Phoenix Truck Driving Institute, we can help you earn your commercial driver’s license (CDL) and start your trucking career. We offer job placement assistance for our students and can help you find positions with home time that matches your needs.

To learn more about our CDL training, contact us today.

Brake failure has the potential to be catastrophic for any vehicle. For semi-trucks, the risks are even greater since these vehicles are so much larger than a standard passenger vehicle and require more force to stop. Even though complete brake failure is relatively rare, any reduction in the amount of force brakes can apply can have serious consequences. Commercial drivers have a responsibility to make safety a priority, and this includes taking steps to prevent brake issues.

Some common causes of semi-truck brake issues to be aware of include:

Improper Maintenance

It’s essential to inspect your semi-truck before you hit the road each day. Doing so is required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and it helps you catch any potential maintenance issues before they become serious. Failing to perform these inspections or not getting maintenance when your truck needs this can cause brake issues to get worse over time.

Over-Braking

If you are braking too hard or using excessive force when braking, especially when descending steep hills you are over-breaking. Over-braking can overheat the brake drum and weaken the brakes over time. To prevent this, use a hard and short intermittent brake application instead of holding the brakes for a long stretch of time.

Airline Damage

Since semi-trucks typically use air brakes instead of hydraulic systems, they won’t run out of brake fluid or experience these types of issues. Air brakes are more effective for vehicles of this size, but that doesn’t mean these systems never have issues. If there is any damage to the airline, the air will not be pressurized properly and you won’t be able to brake as effectively. Cracks, tears, breaks, or worn-down areas of the airline are some possible causes.

Brake Lock

If the brake shoe on your truck becomes stuck, this is known as brake lock. If your truck has a sluggish acceleration, this may be the cause of that issue. This is due to the shoe struggling to release after it has been engaged.

Improper Loading

An uneven load does not distribute weight properly in the trailer, and this can lead to issues with braking. It may be more difficult to stop if this is the case. This is why even if you aren’t directly responsible for loading and unloading your truck, you should still check to make sure the distribution of weight isn’t causing any problems.

What to Do If Your Brakes Fail

Although full brake failure is unlikely, especially if you are keeping up with maintenance, it’s a good idea to know what to do just in case. If your semi-truck brakes fail, you should first downshift. If you’re on a downgrade, there are often runaway truck areas at regular intervals that you can drive toward. Otherwise, look for other possible escape routes such as an open field or side street. Going uphill is also a possible way to slow the truck down. Engage the emergency brake to stop the truck, but do so slowly to avoid the wheels locking up.

Learn to Be a Safe Trucker

At Phoenix Truck Driving Institute, we teach our students valuable skills to help them become safe truckers.

To learn more about our commercial driver’s license training program, contact us today.

No one likes a flat tire or blowout, no matter what type of vehicle they’re driving. In addition to being inconvenient, blowouts on a tractor-trailer have the potential to cause serious accidents. This is why semi-truck tire maintenance is so essential. 

 

These tips can help you avoid tire failure, improving safety while also helping save you time and money: 

1. Always Perform Thorough Pre-Trip Inspections

When it comes to any potential maintenance issue, pre-trip inspections are one of your best tools for preventing problems before they occur. These daily inspections are required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and you’ll need to know how to perform one to get your commercial driver’s license (CDL). Tires are one of the many parts you’ll check during these inspections. 

 

Unfortunately, many drivers get less thorough over time when it comes to pre-trips. Avoid the impulse to “save time” by shortening your daily inspections. Taking a few extra minutes in the morning to make sure your vehicle is in good working condition could save you hours of downtime due to a flat tire, or worse. 

2. Check Air Pressure With A Gauge

Some truckers swear they can tell if a tire is underinflated solely based on its appearance. Others may also use a “thump” check. While these can certainly help you catch a seriously underinflated tire, it’s easy to miss a less severe underinflation or overinflation, and these still need to be addressed. 

3. Ensure The Tread Isn’t Worn Down

To be safe to drive, your tires need to have enough tread. One trick to check this is to place a penny with Lincoln’s head pointing down in between the tread grooves. If you can see Lincoln’s face, the tire is too worn down. You should also check for any uneven wear on the tires. 

4. Rotate Tires Regularly

Just like you rotate tires on a four-wheeler, you need to rotate them regularly on a semi-truck as well to keep tire wear even. There are various methods for determining how often to do this, and if you’re a company driver, there may be a policy in place as a guideline. Otherwise, you should aim to rotate the tires at least once during their expected mileage lifespan, either at the halfway mark or at each quarter mark depending on various factors. Other truckers prefer to rotate based on measuring the difference in tread wear between the tires. 

 

If possible, try to schedule tire rotations during other required maintenance visits. This helps you reduce downtime. 

5. Practice Safe Driving

The way you drive impacts how quickly your tires wear down and helps you avoid flats and blowouts over time. 

 

Here are some safe driving tips that can improve the mileage you get out of your semi-truck tires: 

 

• Avoid accelerating too quickly or braking suddenly. 
• Maintain a safe speed. 
• Be careful around curbs. 

Learn Safe Driving Habits at Phoenix Truck Driving Institute

At our CDL school, we teach our students the skills they need to succeed in the trucking industry. This includes going over important safety information and covering key maintenance topics, like how to care for semi-truck tires and how to perform pre-trip inspections. 

 

Contact us today to learn how we can help you earn your CDL in as little as four weeks. 

While semi-truck fuel efficiency has improved significantly over the past century, diesel is still one of the biggest expenses in the trucking industry. The average semi-truck gets around 6.5 miles per gallon (MPG) as opposed to the average car, which gets around 25 MPG. 

 

The difference in fuel economy between a passenger vehicle and a semi-truck is due to the considerable difference in weight. For semis, efficiency also depends on the make and model of the truck, how big of a load it is hauling, and if the truck is driving up or downhill.

 

Fuel efficiency is important for truck drivers because they often trek upwards of 100,000 miles every year. Although drivers don’t have a lot of control over the weight of their vehicle, there are some steps that can be taken to get the most mileage out of a full tank of fuel.

 

Follow these four tips for a more fuel-efficient vehicle:

1. Regulate Your Speed 

In any vehicle, maintaining a constant speed also maintains steady fuel usage. Try to stay in one gear for as long as possible as you follow the speed limit of the road. For every MPH increase above 55 MPH, the vehicle’s fuel efficiency reduces by 0.1 MPG.

2. Avoid Idling 

Another way to get the most out of your tank is to avoid idling whenever possible. Many drivers leave their vehicle running so they can run an errand, maintain its internal temperature during extreme weather, or avoid restarting it. However, it is a good rule of thumb to not leave your semi idling for longer than five minutes at a time. Each hour of idling your truck can burn a gallon of diesel and contribute to decreasing fuel efficiency. 

3. Take Advantage of Cruise Control 

Excessive acceleration and braking will negatively affect the fuel efficiency of your semi-truck. Taking advantage of cruise control will keep you driving at a steady and safe speed at all times. Just be sure you continue to pay close attention to the road. 

 

You can also try coasting when possible. Driving a heavy truck builds up a lot of momentum. Periodically using this built-up momentum rather than the gas pedal to propel you forward can add up and save you on fuel.

4. Check Tire Pressure 

In addition to making sure you choose the right tires for your vehicle, it will also help fuel efficiency to keep them in good condition. Check your tire pressure regularly to make sure they are not underinflated. If your tires are underinflated by 10 pounds per square inch (PSI), your fuel consumption increases by 1.5%. 

Additional Tips

A few more ways to maximize fuel efficiency in your semi-truck are:

 

• Watch out for slippery roads.
• Stay in top gear and shift as little as possible.
• Don’t overfill your fuel tank.
• Fix your roof-mounted air deflectors. 

Earn your CDL with Us

If you are interested in pursuing a truck driving career, take the first step by earning your commercial driver’s license (CDL). At Phoenix Truck Driving Institute, we can help you get on the road in as little as four weeks.

To learn more about how to earn your CDL through our training program, contact us today.

Semi-truck drivers are on the road a lot during ever-changing weather. There are many challenging driving conditions you’ll encounter over the course of your career, and one of these is driving in high winds. If you find yourself in a wind storm while on the road, the best thing you can do is come prepared. 

 

These six tips will help you safely drive a semi-truck in windy weather:

1. Check the Weather Before Your Trip

The first step you can take to stay safe while driving during windy weather is to prepare yourself for the conditions. Check the weather before you leave on your route so you know what to expect. If the forecast is calling for a storm, look out for the frequency of the wind as well as the speed of the gusts. In general, wind speeds above 60 miles per hour (mph) are dangerous for semi-trucks.

2. Slow Down

Truckers should always exercise caution when driving a semi, especially in less than ideal circumstances. It is okay to drive slower than your usual speed if it makes you feel safer, even if it is below the speed limit. Listen to how your truck is holding up in the bad weather and adjust accordingly.

3. Consider Your Surroundings

Paying close attention to your surroundings when driving in windy weather can be the difference between being involved in an accident or avoiding one. To prevent a crash, do not pass other vehicles or make sudden lane changes on the highway. It is also important to be cautious when driving through bridges, overpasses, and tunnels.

4. Know When to Pull Over

Sometimes, wind speeds will just be too high for you to keep driving safely. It is important to know when it is best to stop driving rather than try to power through. If you do decide to pull over, try to park next to a building so it can block some of the wind from hitting your vehicle and make sure your truck is visible to anyone passing by. 

5. Secure All Doors and Exposed Items

Preparing your semi-truck before a trip is another step you can take to drive safely when it’s windy. During your pre-trip inspection, make sure that the doors of your vehicle are closed tightly. In addition, tie down any other exposed items that have the potential to come loose while you are driving. 

6. Keep a Firm Grip on the Wheel

Keeping a firm grip on the steering wheel is a good practice to keep a handle on your truck, but it is especially crucial when the wind picks up. Gusts of wind can force your vehicle side to side, causing you to veer off the road. Keeping both hands firmly on the wheel can ensure that you safely stay on course.

Learn How to Be a Safe Truck Driver

While you are earning your commercial driver’s license (CDL) at Phoenix Truck Driving Institute, we will teach you the necessary skills to be a safe and successful truck driver. Our accelerated program can get you out on the road in as little as four weeks. We also offer job placement assistance to help you find employment as soon as possible after earning your license. Many of our students even have offers before graduation. 

Contact us today for more information about our truck driving school. 

Learning to drive a semi-truck can be a daunting task. Among the different driving skills new truckers need to learn, backing is often the one that causes the most anxiety. If you’re worried about semi-truck backing, you definitely aren’t alone. This skill takes time to develop, but with consistent effort, it’s possible to learn how to safely and effectively back a semi-truck.

Here are some tips for mastering semi-truck backing:

1. Practice

While tips and tricks can help you learn, there’s only so much progress you can make in your driving from reading about it. At the end of the day, you need to get out and practice these skills in order to develop them. Commercial driver’s license (CDL) training programs include time behind the wheel and if you need extra time to practice backing, try talking to your instructor to see if they can accommodate this.

2. Pay Attention While Others Are Backing

Most CDL programs include a mix of time where you are driving and time when you are in the cab observing while another student drives. In order to get the most out of your training, it’s important to actively pay attention even when you’re not the one behind the wheel. You can learn a great deal by seeing what works and what doesn’t for others.

3. Use Your Steering Wheel to Determine the Direction of the Trailer

This trick can help you remember how your trailer will move when you are backing up. If you have your left hand at the bottom of the steering wheel, the direction you move this hand is the direction the trailer will move. For example, if you move the bottom of the wheel to the left, the trailer will move to the left while you’re backing. This is reversed if your hand is at the top of the steering wheel.

4. Get Out and Look (GOAL)

Don’t rely solely on what you can see from inside your cab. It’s important to get out of your truck and look at the area you are backing into and what is around it. This allows you to get a more complete picture of what is behind you. For the CDL skills test, you can have a certain number of “GOALs” in order to pass, but this isn’t the case when you’re out on the road. On the job, don’t let embarrassment stop you from getting out as many times as you need. It’s better to be safe than sorry, and others will understand.

5. Ask For Help When You Need It

This tip applies during training and beyond. While you’re in the process of earning your CDL, ask for help from your instructors. They have extensive experience helping students master backing, and will have some tips and tricks to help you get it down. On the road, ask for spotters if you need it when backing into a tough space. Once you have experience under your belt, you can return the favor.

Truck Driving School in Phoenix, AZ

If you’re ready to become a truck driver, Phoenix Truck Driving Institute can help. We offer high-quality CDL training and can help you earn your license in as little as four weeks.

To learn more about our truck driving school, contact us today.

The trucking industry is subject to a variety of regulations that are intended to help protect truckers and others on the road. Your commercial driver’s license (CDL) training will cover topics related to these regulations and you’ll be expected to know and follow them during your career.

One such requirement is the cap on hours of service (HOS), which includes limits for driving time and on-duty time. In order to track HOS and ensure compliance, most truck drivers will need to use electronic logging devices (ELDs). It’s important that you understand how these devices work and why they are necessary.

Who Needs to Use ELDs?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) began enforcing an ELD mandate on February 16, 2016. Since this date, commercial vehicle operators within the United States have needed to use ELDs to track HOS, with some exemptions.

Exempted drivers include:

• Those driving below a certain distance (short-haul drivers)
• Those operating a vehicle that has a model year older than 2000
• Drivers who only keep logs for eight days within a period of 30 days
• Livestock, agricultural, and farm vehicles
• Tow-away/drive-away operations in which the commodity being delivered is the commercial vehicle that is being driven

Unless your driving job falls under one of these categories, you’ll need to use an ELD. Most truckers will need to use one of these devices at some point during their career.

How Do ELDs Work?

Specific models of ELDs may have some differences in operation, but they all work in more or less the same way, and the FMCSA mandates minimum requirements for their functionality.

An ELD plugs into a port under a commercial vehicle’s dashboard and syncs with the engine. It will automatically record any driving time and will also track the number of miles driven. Truckers will also need to use the system to log on-duty time when they are not driving as well as off-duty time.

Inspecting ELD Records

If a driver is stopped by a law enforcement officer or undergoes a Department of Transportation (DOT) inspection, the ELD records can be electronically transferred for review. This makes it easy to check for HOS violations compared to having to go over paper logs, and it also prevents falsification.

As a driver, you will need to know and follow HOS regulations in order to avoid violations related to your driving time and your electronic logs.

High-Quality Truck Driver Training

At Phoenix Truck Driving Institute, we cover a variety of topics related to commercial truck driving, including understanding how to use an ELD and track your HOS. We give you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed as a trucker. Our program can help you earn your CDL in as little as four weeks.

To learn more about becoming a truck driver, contact us today.