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Trucking requires many different skills in order to be successful. Driving skills are an obvious requirement, but there are many more things to consider. One aspect that you may not think of at first is your mindset. This can play a significant role in your career as a truck driver.

What Mindset Should Truckers Have?

Before we discuss why it’s important to cultivate the right type of mindset as a trucker, we first need to define what exactly the ideal trucking mindset entails.

Here are some factors:

Safety

Safety is essential in the trucking industry. While there are many aspects of safety that involve physical tasks to complete, a large portion of staying safe comes down to your mindset. If you prioritize safety as a driver, you’ll find it easier to focus on driving defensively.

Communication

Although truckers spend much of their time alone behind the wheel, relationships and communication play a large role in this career. The best drivers understand this and know how to work well with the different people they encounter, including dispatchers, staff at loading docks, and more.

Purpose

No matter what career a person pursues, they can benefit from feeling a sense of purpose. If you know why your career path is worthwhile to you, it makes it easier to handle tough days. Remember the reasons you got into trucking and keep these in mind when things are difficult on the road.

How Does The Right Mindset Help Truckers?

One way that maintaining a positive mindset helps truckers is that it makes it easier to manage stress in a safe and productive way. Whether you’re dealing with traffic, weather delays, a lack of parking, or any other concern that arises on the road, it’s easier to take the necessary steps to manage the situation if you are able to focus on the most important factors.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that you’ll never feel frustrated or overwhelmed. It’s okay to be upset about conditions on the road, but if you are prioritizing safety, communicating well, and staying focused on your purpose, you’ll be able to turn a bad situation around more effectively.

Are You Interested In Becoming a Trucker?

If you’re interested in a rewarding career and have what it takes to keep our nation moving forward as a trucker, the first step is earning your commercial driver’s license (CDL). At Phoenix Truck Driving Institute, we can help you accomplish this in as little as four weeks. We teach our students the skills they need to pass the CDL exam and succeed as truckers. In addition, we offer job placement assistance to help you get on the road and earning as soon as possible.

Contact us today to learn more about our CDL training program in Phoenix, AZ.

Truck driving is an excellent career that provides competitive pay and benefits. This industry attracts a wide range of individuals, including many who have families or are hoping to start one soon. While there are some unique considerations truckers with families need to keep in mind, it is definitely possible to be successful as a driver while staying connected to loved ones back home.

Here are some tips for trucking with a family:

1. Set Clear Expectations

Communication is an essential skill for truckers, and this extends beyond interactions that are directly related to your job. You’ll also need to communicate clearly with your loved ones back home and have conversations about your expectations for how trucking will affect your family life. Being on the same page with your loved ones is important, and having support back home can make it easier to manage life on the road.

Some questions to talk through your your spouse and/or co-parents include:

• How will you handle any emergencies that occur while you’re on the road?
• What household responsibilities are most important to handle during home time, and how can you continue to contribute while you’re away?
• Which events or holidays are most important to try to arrange home time for, and how will you handle it if you aren’t able to get home when you expect to?
• How will you stay in touch while you’re on the road?

2. Take Advantage of Modern Technology

Modern technology makes it easier than ever to stay in touch with your family while you’re away from home. Set a time each day for a video chat or phone call to catch up. You can also take photos of interesting sights or things that remind you of your loved ones and send them via text. However, make sure you never drive distracted!

3. Get Your Family Involved

There are many ways you help your family feel involved in your life on the road, depending on your unique circumstances. Consider asking your children to help you with trip planning and give them a way to keep track of where you are during hauls. Then, during your calls, you can keep them updated about the places you are visiting. If your children are older or your partner has time off work, many motor carriers allow you to take a passenger on the road. This can help them see what your life on the road is like. Be sure to choose a shorter haul if possible and plan ahead for such a trip.

4. Look For Family-Friendly Trucking Companies

Finding a company that offers home time that aligns with your needs can make trucking easier in the long run. Although you will likely start with an over-the-road (OTR) position that involves a few weeks at a time on the road, you may be able to transition to a regional or even local job over time. These allow for more consistent time at home. As a general rule, many truckers spend one year OTR before they have enough experience to look for a regional or local job, although this can vary.

Earn Your CDL in Phoenix

If you’re interested in supporting your family with a career in trucking, Phoenix Truck Driving Institute can help you get started. Our students are able to earn their commercial driver’s license (CDL) in as little as four weeks, and we offer job placement assistance to help you find positions that match your goals.

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

There are many different types of specialized truck driving jobs available once you earn your commercial driver’s license (CDL) and have some experience under your belt. Some of these, like tanker truck driving, require additional CDL endorsements. Because of the skills and extra certifications for these specialized types of driving, they often pay more. If you’re interested in driving a tanker, it’s important to know the differences between various types of tank trucks so you can determine which you may be interested in and know what to expect.

Chemical Tankers

As the name implies, chemical tankers haul chemical products. In addition to requiring the tanker endorsement, they also require the hazardous materials (hazmat) endorsement. The combination of these two is known as an “X” endorsement.

The types of chemicals that tanker drivers haul vary. One of the most common is fuel and fuel tanker truckers are in high demand due to the essential nature of these jobs. Fuel needs to be transported to gas stations, airports, and many other locations across the country. Other types of chemicals also need to be transported across long and short distances for manufacturing and other purposes. Some examples include ammonia, chlorine, and hydrogen fluoride.

Chemical tanker drivers need to be highly-skilled and safe drivers. There is additional pressure and regulations for potentially hazardous freight, and most motor carriers hauling these materials compensate for the additional responsibilities with higher pay.

Food-Grade Tankers

Tanker trucks aren’t only used for hazmat transportation. One of their most common purposes is transporting liquid or dry bulk food products. These trucks move foods and beverages between their production sources and the processing plants where they are packaged for consumption. The tanks often have multiple compartments, allowing for different types of liquids to be transported at once.

The most common type of freight for food-grade tankers is milk. Other types of liquid freight include fruit juice, vegetable oils, alcohol, corn syrup, and vinegar. Food-grade tankers can also haul dry bulk food products like sugar, flour, or starch. If only dry bulk is being hauled, the tanker endorsement may or may not be necessary depending on a variety of factors.

Although food-grade tankers aren’t subject to the same regulations as hazmat tankers, they are still more regulated than typical dry van freight. There are typically strict regulations for the temperature of the load as well as other requirements from various regulatory organizations. Truckers hauling food products need to be aware of and follow these requirements.

Other Types of Tankers

Although chemicals and food-grade products are the most common freight for tankers, these are not the only goods and materials these vehicles can haul. Some tankers haul water, asphalt, or dry bulk materials for construction. The regulations and requirements for different types of tankers vary.

Earn Your CDL and Tanker Endorsement

At Phoenix Truck Driving Institute, we can help you earn your CDL in as little as four weeks. We also include three endorsements with our curriculum: tanker, hazmat, and doubles/triples. This increases the variety of the jobs available to you after graduation.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you become a truck driver.

When most people think of trucking, they imagine long-haul routes that travel across multiple states and even coast-to-coast. This is known as over-the-road (OTR) trucking and while it is one of the most common starting points for new drivers, it is not the only type of driving job available. Intrastate trucking, which includes routes only within a specific state, is also an option, although the availability of routes and the requirements for getting these jobs may vary.

More information about intrastate trucking:

What is Considered Intrastate Trucking?

An intrastate trucker transports goods and materials within state lines.

In order for the route to fall under intrastate commerce laws and state-level trucking regulations, the following must be true:

• The pick-up and delivery locations are in the same state.
• The truck does not cross state lines. For example, if you have a pick-up and delivery in the same state, but the most efficient route uses a highway that crosses into another state and back, this is no longer intrastate trucking.
• The freight does not continue its journey and move out of state. This means that interstate commerce laws apply to freight that may be hauled between terminals in one state, but then travel out of the state afterward.

FMCSA Age Requirements

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets requirements for earning a commercial driver’s license (CDL). One of these is that you must be 21 years of age or older to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) across state lines. However, you can earn a CDL with the intrastate restriction if you are 18 years of age or older.

This leads many individuals interested in trucking to wonder whether it’s worthwhile to earn a CDL at 18 and start with intrastate trucking. The answer depends on your individual circumstances and the job market in your area. In most cases, new drivers start with OTR jobs because these are the most accessible to drivers without previous experience and because these provide wide exposure to driving conditions so you can build your skills. However, areas with lots of agriculture or jobs moving construction vehicles may have more options available for younger drivers. Be sure to check the requirements and honestly consider whether you are able to do the job confidently, as many intrastate jobs involve more city driving or other difficult conditions, which can be challenging to navigate in large vehicles.

Types of Intrastate Trucking Jobs

Some types of trucking jobs are more common to find intrastate opportunities for. Depending on specific state motor vehicle department requirements and applicable FMCSA regulations, some of these may or may not require a CDL. Be sure to check the requirements for any specific job you are interested in.

Possible types of intrastate driving jobs:

• Agricultural transport
• Tow trucks
• Construction vehicles, including dump trucks, cement trucks, and bucket trucks
• Box trucks
• Garbage trucks

Earn Your CDL in Phoenix

If you’re interested in a trucking career, Phoenix Truck Driving Institute can help you get started. You can earn your CDL in as little as four weeks and we offer job placement assistance. We’re happy to discuss the different types of trucking and your long-term and short-term goals to help find ideal opportunities for you.

To learn more about our CDL training program in Phoenix, AZ, contact us today.

 

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.