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Commercial drivers are essential for the American economy and the average truck driver salary continues to increase due to a driver shortage and the growing need for qualified haulers. After completing your commercial driver’s license (CDL) training, you will have a sense of pride that comes from being part of the trucking industry and you can earn more than $75,000 a year*.

Driver pay is determined in part by the number of miles driven, your experience, and the type of freight you haul. 

Mileage

The majority of long-haul truck driving jobs pay by the mile rather than by the hour. This means that how much you earn is partially dependent on how far you drive. Taking on longer routes and driving efficiently can increase your pay. 

You may also want to consider team truck driving. For these jobs, two drivers will haul together so one drives while the other sleeps. This allows you to cover more miles and as a result, you can take home a larger paycheck. Many trucking companies offer team matching based on your personality and professional preferences. 

CDL Driver Experience

The amount you get paid per mile can vary depending on your work history. Experienced drivers are in high demand and truck driver salary tends to increase for those who have been in the industry for a longer period of time. 

Type of Freight

Hauling freight comes with a great deal of responsibility, as you are trusted to ensure that the cargo you transport arrives safely. Trucking companies often pay more per mile for types of freight that involve additional safety concerns. 

These include:

Flatbed Loads

Flatbed loads are often high-paying due to the complexity of securing oversized freight. In many cases, driving a flatbed also requires more expertise than driving a standard tractor-trailer. 

Hazardous Materials

Hauling hazardous materials (hazmat) requires a CDL endorsement and strict adherence to safety standards. At Phoenix Truck Driving School, you will earn your hazmat endorsement, giving you the ability to transport this higher-paying freight. 

Tankers

Tanker trucks transport liquids or gases. Like hazmat, you will need an endorsement if you want to take these types of truck driving jobs. Sometimes, a combination of tanker and hazmat endorsements is required. You will earn both at our CDL School.

Start Earning a High Salary as a Truck Driver

If you are interested in starting a career as a truck driver, you should consider attending Phoenix Truck Driving School. Our programs help you earn your CDL as well as three endorsements: hazmat, tankers, and doubles/triples. We also offer job placement assistance for our students, making it easier for you to find a job with the pay, benefits, and home time that best matches your needs. 

Truck driver salaries are increasing as the demand for truckers continues to grow, so don’t wait to earn your CDL. Call us today to learn more about our programs.

*Professional truck drivers earn a mean annual wage of $49,920. The top 10% of truck drivers make more than $75,220 per year according to the 2022 Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Earning your commercial driver’s license (CDL) is the first step toward a rewarding career. There are many different types of CDL jobs that you can consider. The pay scale, home time, and work involved vary, so you can pick the job that is best suited to your desired lifestyle and salary expectations. 

Some CDL jobs include: 

Truck Driving Jobs

When people think of jobs you can get with a CDL, they will most often think of trucking jobs first. These drivers transport goods and materials locally or cross-country. 68% of all consumer goods are transported by semi-trucks. This means that truck drivers are in high demand and many trucking companies are eager to hire new CDL drivers. Within the broad category of truck driving jobs, there are many options for different types of careers.

 

Types of truck driver jobs based on location:

Long-Haul/Over-the-Road

Over-the-road (OTR) trucking is an umbrella term for jobs that require truck drivers to travel long distances. These routes are essential for interstate commerce and the need for experienced OTR drivers is growing. Although these drivers spend more time away from home, the pay is usually higher than local CDL jobs. 

Local or Regional Trucking

If you prefer to stay close to home, you may be interested in a local or regional driving route. This type of driving involves transporting goods within your city or state (local) or within a radius of a few states (regional). 

 

Different types of freight:

Dry Vans

This is a common choice for truckers just beginning their careers. A dry van is a tractor-trailer that is used to haul dry and easy-to-transport goods and materials. 

Reefers

Refrigerated trucks, also called reefers, transport freight that must be kept at a low temperature. These jobs often pay more than dry van hauling as they require the extra responsibility of keeping the goods at a regulated temperature. 

Tankers

Tankers are vehicles that transport liquids, dry bulk, or gaseous loads. Since safety is a larger concern for these types of trucks, you must have a tanker endorsement with your CDL. This type of job may also require a hazmat endorsement depending on the type of material in the tanker. 

Flatbed Trucks

Flatbed trucks do not have a traditional trailer and instead will require you to secure materials by tying them down. Those who drive these trucks can make more due to the additional skill it takes to properly secure freight.

CDL Jobs Besides Trucking

Although truck driving jobs are among the most common, there are many other types of CDL jobs. 

 

These include:

Highway Maintenance Technician

These individuals complete highway construction and repair projects which may require large vehicles such as dump trucks, concrete mixers, or paint trucks. 

Dispatcher

Dispatchers communicate with truck drivers using a radio, track commercial vehicles, and act as the liaison between trucking companies and their drivers. This job is most commonly performed by those who have worked as CDL drivers in the past. 

Tractor-Trailer Technician

Although you do not usually need a CDL to service and repair semi-trucks and tractor-trailers, having your license can make you a more attractive candidate for this position. Knowing what the drivers deal with can help when repairing a vehicle. 

 

Interested in CDL Jobs?

If you are interested in a high-paying CDL driver job, you should consider attending Phoenix Truck Driving School. We will help you earn your CDL and we provide job placement assistance for our students, many of whom receive job offers before graduation. 

Contact us today to learn more about how earning your license with us can be an important step on the path to a CDL job.

Becoming a truck driver is a great career move for anyone wanting to escape the daily grind of an office job. Don’t stay trapped behind a desk when you could be out seeing more of our great country. As a professional truck driver you can earn more than $64,000 a year.* The first step to beginning a rewarding career in the trucking industry is earning your commercial driver’s license (CDL). At Phoenix Truck Driving School, our classes help you earn your New Mexico CDL.

Here is some valuable information about how to get your commercial driver’s license in New Mexico: 

When Do You Need a CDL?

There are different types of CDLs and each one is necessary for a different kind of commercial motor vehicle. A Class A CDL is required to operate any combination of vehicles with a total weight of more than 26,000 pounds with the tow vehicle being heavier than 10,000 pounds. With this license you can operate a tractor-trailer, truck and trailer, tanker vehicle, or flatbed. A Class B CDL is necessary to operate any single commercial vehicle not hitched to a trailer. This means straight trucks, large buses, segmented buses, box trucks, and dump trucks. A Class C CDL is required for driving a vehicle with a gross combination weight of less than 26,000 pounds, a vehicle towing another that weighs less than 10,000 pounds, or one that transports 16+ passengers. 

Federal vs. State Requirements

CDL requirements are subject to both federal and state regulations. Since trucking often involves transporting goods across multiple states, federal agencies such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) set certain requirements for CDL holders. However, your CDL is also issued at the state level. It replaces your standard driver’s license and if you move states you will need to obtain a new CDL. 

Federal CDL Requirements

You must be at least 21 years old to earn your CDL. A background check is necessary. If you have a license suspension or revocation in any state, you are not eligible for a CDL under federal regulations. You can also be disqualified if you have certain offenses on your record. Disqualification may be temporary or permanent depending on the offense and severity. The FMCSA lists disqualifying factors on their website. 

New Mexico CDL Requirements

The steps to obtain your New Mexico CDL are similar to the ones taken to receive your non-commercial driver’s license. First, you will need to pass a written test. There is an official CDL manual posted on the Motor Vehicle Division’s website for New Mexico to help you prepare. The written test assesses your knowledge of the basic rules of a CDL. If you do not pass the first time, you are able to retake it up to two times a week. You will then receive your CDL learner’s permit. An approved examiner will need to administer a skills test for you to complete all the requirements necessary to receive your CDL.

A Commercial Driver Medical Certificate is also necessary in the State of New Mexico. The certificate must be completed by a medical professional who is listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. They will determine whether you are physically qualified to operate a commercial vehicle. You must maintain an updated Medical Certificate to keep your CDL.  

The MVD requires the following documents, in addition to passing scores for the written and skills test, to earn your New Mexico CDL:

• Proof of Social Security number
• Commercial Driver Medical Certificate 
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence status in the United States
• Two proofs of New Mexico residency
• Proof of Identity with birth date 

New Mexico CDL School

Attending truck driver training is not a requirement to earn your CDL. However, the high-quality training you will receive at Phoenix Truck Driving School will make it easier to pass the written and skills tests. Graduating from a school can also make you more attractive to trucking companies than candidates who earned their license through self-teaching. We are here to help you earn your New Mexico CDL and will prepare you for a trucking career. 

Contact us today to learn more about our CDL training programs in Albuquerque, NM.

*Professional truck drivers earn a mean annual wage of $44,500. The top 10% of truck drivers make more than $64,000 per year according to the 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The demand for truck drivers continues to increase and high-earning truck driving jobs can earn you more than $64,000 a year.* A career in trucking gives you a sense of adventure when you set out on the open road. You can also choose the type of driving career that matches your earning goals and desired family time. Does this sound like the sort of job you would enjoy? If so, Phoenix Truck Driving School in Albuquerque, NM, can help you get there. Here are some tips for getting a truck driving job:

Earn Your CDL

In order to get a job as a truck driver, you need a CDL (Commercial Driver’s License). To earn this in New Mexico, you need to take a test. This consists of a written portion that will test your knowledge of truck safety and operation. You will also need to pass a CDL skills test, which requires you to drive a tractor-trailer. By passing both the written and the skills test, you will earn your CDL. You can also get various endorsements with your CDL, such as Hazardous Materials, Tankers, and Doubles/Triples. Adding an endorsement shows that you have a commitment to being a safe and skilled driver and this can help you secure a truck driving job.

Attend a Licensed Truck Driving School

While you can earn your CDL by studying and taking the test on your own, many truck driving companies will be more likely to hire you if you graduate from a licensed truck driving school. This is because in addition to getting a CDL, you will leave truck driving school with actual driving experience. You will also learn valuable safety skills, which gives trucking companies confidence in your ability to be a safe and effective driver. The Phoenix Truck Driving School in Albuquerque can help you earn your CDL. When you graduate, you will have the skills trucking companies are looking for. We are a licensed school with highly-skilled teachers who are ready to help you earn more money in your new career. Compared to earning a CDL through self-study, graduating from the Phoenix Truck Driving School will help you become a professional truck driver.

Job Placement Assistance

When you attend our truck driving school, you also get the benefit of job placement assistance. This means that you don’t have to go job searching alone. You will have a team of professionals working to help you find truck driving jobs that fit your qualifications and needs. We do our best to assist you with finding a high-paying job that will also provide you with the home time and benefits you deserve. We can also help you look at what type of truck driving job you prefer. For example, many CDL graduates look for jobs as a team truck driver. Teamed deliveries can help you get more miles and earn more money. You might also be interested only in local deliveries, or you might want to do long-haul trucking to see more of our country while earning higher paychecks. Our job placement assistance team can work with you to see how to turn your dreams into reality. If you are looking for a truck driving job, one of the best first steps you can take is to enroll in a truck driving school. Phoenix Truck Driving School is a licensed school in
Albuquerque that can help you start on the road to a new career. Contact us today for more information.

If you are thinking about a new career as a truck driver, you may be considering completing truck driving school to help you earn your CDL (commercial driver’s license). While you can earn your CDL through self-study, many trucking companies are more likely to hire graduates from licensed training programs. If you are ready to start and want to get on the road as soon as possible, then accelerated CDL classes are a great option. The accelerated program at Phoenix Truck Driving School in Albuquerque, NM, can have you on the road and earning in as little as four weeks. There are many benefits to accelerated CDL classes.

Comprehensive Truck Driver Training

Even though accelerated CDL courses take less time to complete, you will still get all the training you need to start a career as a truck driver. For the first week of your training, you will be in the classroom learning the ins and outs of trucking safety and operation. This helps prepare you to pass the written portion of your CDL test. After you successfully pass your written permit test, you will complete hands-on training with experienced truck drivers. Our instructors are among the best in the industry and they will show you the basic road skills you need to succeed as a driver. They will be by your side as you complete on-the-road training to prepare for your new career.

Start Earning Faster

Accelerated CDL classes get you on the road faster. This means you can start earning sooner. Once you complete our program, you will have your CDL and the skills that come with completing training at a licensed truck driving school. These qualifications will help you secure a job as a truck driver. Another benefit of taking CDL classes at Phoenix Truck Driving School is our job placement assistance program. Our job coordinators can help you look for a job while you complete your training. In some cases, you may even get job offers before you graduate. This will allow you to go right from CDL classes to a full-time trucking job.

Financial Considerations

Completing truck driving school does require an investment, but there are many ways to make completing your classes easier for you financially. When you complete an accelerated CDL training program, you get on the road more quickly, which can help reduce your financial stress. Many trucking companies also offer tuition reimbursement programs, so once you complete your CDL classes you may be able to start earning money to pay down your loans. Another great benefit of attending Phoenix Truck Driving School in Albuquerque is that we offer financial aid to students who qualify. We can help you determine which grants you may be eligible for. A combination of different types of financial aid and potential tuition reimbursement post-graduation can help you reduce your overall cost to attend truck driving school. Start on the road to your new career with accelerated CDL classes at Phoenix Truck Driving School. We can have you on the road and earning in as little as four weeks. Call us today to find out more about our truck driver training programs