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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.

In 2019, the most recent year for which data is available, 3,142 people were killed in traffic accidents where distracted driving was a factor. This is according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which also estimates that 18% of injury-causing crashes involve distracted driving. All drivers have a responsibility to avoid distractions, but this is even more important for commercial drivers due to the large size of their vehicles and the increased time they spend on the road.

Types of Distracted Driving

Any type of distraction on the road is dangerous and it’s important to be aware of the potential varieties so you know what to avoid.

There are three types of distractions:

• Manual distractions take your hands off the wheel.
• Visual distractions take your eyes off the road.
• Cognitive distractions take your mind off the task of driving.

Many distractions fall into multiple categories. For example, texting while driving is a manual, visual, and cognitive distraction.

What Counts as a Distraction?

Some actions are obviously distracted driving. Texting and driving, for example, is what comes to mind first for most people when they hear this term. Other behaviors can be more difficult to pinpoint as distracted driving, although they are still dangerous. One example of this is talking hands-free on the phone. Many people mistakenly believe this is safe, but research demonstrates that it still poses a danger due to cognitive distraction.

When in doubt, you can likely assume that if you have to ask if a behavior will distract you while driving, it probably does. It’s better to be overly cautious than to put yourself and others at risk.

Why is Distracted Driving Dangerous?

Although many people may think they’re good at multitasking, the truth is that our brains have a limited ability to manage multiple tasks at once. Research shows that multitasking reduces performance and focus. You’ve probably experienced this before. For example, if you’ve ever watched a movie or television show while scrolling on your phone, you may have noticed that you miss parts of the story.

While the above example is relatively harmless, imagine the impact this loss of attention can have when you’re behind the wheel! At 55 miles per hour (mph), your vehicle travels the length of a football field in the time it takes to read a text. Think about how much can change in this short span of time, and it should be clear why distracted driving is so dangerous.

Your Responsibility to Drive Safely

Your actions as a driver affect not only yourself but also others on the road. You have a responsibility to practice safe driving, and this includes avoiding distractions. This is true whether you are a commercial driver or not, but if you do choose to become a trucker, safety is something that should be at the forefront of your mind at all times.

Earn Your CDL

If you are a safe driver and are interested in driving for your career, Phoenix Truck Driving Institute can help you get started. We can help you earn your commercial driver’s license (CDL) in as little as four weeks.

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

To start your career as a trucker, you need to earn a commercial driver’s license (CDL). To do this, you will need to take two exams: a written test and a skills test. Once you pass the written portion of the CDL test, you’ll earn your commercial learner’s permit. This is also known as a CLP or a CDL permit. Getting your commercial learner’s permit is a key step in your trucking training.

When Do You Earn Your CLP?

You will earn your commercial learner’s permit after taking and passing the general knowledge portion of the written CDL test. The test is multiple choice and you must get 80% of the questions right in order to pass. The CDL exam covers basic information about commercial vehicle safety and operation.

To remove the air brakes restriction and earn endorsements, you will need to take additional tests. Students take these written exams at the same time as the general knowledge test. They are not required to earn a CLP, but having endorsements on your license opens up more career opportunities.

Documentation Requirements For Your CDL Permit

In Arizona, you will need to provide the following before you can get your CLP:

• Documentation of a current Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination
• Social security card
• Valid operator’s (driver’s) license
• Two documents (one with a photo) demonstrating authorized presence in the United States, or three documents with no photos (Note: you can see the full AZDOT requirements for these documents here)
• Name change documents, if applicable

What Does a Commercial Learner’s Permit Allow You to Do?

With a CDL permit, you can operate a commercial vehicle on public roadways while under the supervision of a CDL holder in the passenger seat. The person supervising your driving must have a license for the specific type of vehicle you are driving.

Once you have your commercial learner’s permit, you’ll be able to get the on-the-road experience that is necessary to prepare for the CDL skills test.

When Does a CLP Expire?

In Arizona, a CDL instruction permit is valid for six months. If you are not able to take and pass your skills test by this time, it may be necessary to retake the written test in order to renew your CLP.

How Do You Get Your CDL After Earning Your Permit?

You must wait 14 days after earning your commercial learner’s permit to take your skills test. This exam assesses your driving ability. It includes a pre-trip inspection, drills to test basic vehicle control skills, and on-the-road driving. Once you pass all portions of the skills test, you must provide your scores, driver’s license, and CLP to the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) to receive your CDL.

CDL Training vs Self-Teaching

It is possible to study for and earn your commercial learner’s permit on your own, but it is often difficult to get the supervision and support you need to practice driving a commercial vehicle after this point. When you attend truck driving school, you will have the opportunity to learn from experienced instructions. Additionally, you will have access to job placement assistance and other valuable resources. Many trucking companies also prefer to hire drivers who graduated from a CDL training program as opposed to those who are self-taught.

Prepare For Your CDL Test

If you are ready to get started, Phoenix Truck Driving Institute can help you earn your commercial license in as little as four weeks. We help prepare you for the written test and then transition into hands-on training for your skills exam.

To learn more about earning your CDL at Phoenix Truck Driving Institute, contact us today.

Do you want a career where you are making a positive difference, and getting paid well to do it? Trucking could be a great option for you. Truck drivers are absolutely essential to our nation’s economy and due to high demand, long-haul drivers can make more than $69,480 per year*.

More information about the importance of truckers:

Trucking by the Numbers

Statistics about freight transportation in the United States demonstrate just how much of a contribution truckers make. The most recent data from the American Trucking Associations (ATA) shows that semi-trucks transported 72.5% of the nation’s freight by weight in 2020. In total, semi-trucks transported 10.23 billion tons of freight. Trucking also represented 80.4% of the total freight revenue, which amounted to $732.3 billion.

A World Without Truckers

The numbers show that trucking makes a huge contribution to the economy, but these statistics can be a little abstract. For a more concrete example of just how important truckers are, we can imagine a world where there were no drivers to transport freight by semi-truck. In this scenario, it’s clear just how quickly challenges would arise without truckers.

Here is a timeline of what would happen if all the truckers in the United States stopped delivering freight:

12 Hours

It wouldn’t even take a full day for some industries and individuals to notice the impact if there were no truckers. Within the first 12 hours, fuel would already start to become scarce. Hospitals and nursing homes would begin to run short on supplies, especially time-sensitive medications. Delivery of mail and packages would also stop.

One Day

Food shortages for certain perishable goods would start to develop within 24 hours without truckers. Manufacturing of many goods would cease without essential supplies. Fuel availability would decrease even further, and at this point, you’d likely notice higher prices and longer lines at the gas station.

Two or Three Days

After just a few days without truck drivers, gas stations would completely run out of fuel. This would have a ripple effect on public safety, as police, fire, and ambulance services would not have the gas they need to operate. Garbage and medical waste would begin to build up, causing major health and sanitation concerns. ATMs would also run out of cash within this time frame and food shortages would continue to escalate.

One Week

Within seven days, automobile travel would grind to a halt. Shelves would be empty or close to empty in many stores. Hospitals would run out of oxygen.

Two Weeks

After two weeks without truckers, sources of clean water would start to run dry. This would have a ripple effect on the already struggling healthcare system, causing even more issues.

Make a Difference as a Trucker

It’s clear that without truckers, the world would be a very different place. If you’re interested in helping keep our nation running as a truck driver, Phoenix Truck Driving Institute can help you get started. You can earn your commercial driver’s license (CDL) in as little as four weeks with our accelerated program.

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

*Professional truck drivers earn a mean annual wage of $47,130. The top 10% of truck drivers make more than $69,480 per year according to 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 

Are you considering changing careers? You benefit from becoming a truck driver. You can earn your commercial driver’s license (CDL) and get started in as little as four weeks and truckers are in high demand.

Here are some signs you should become a trucker:

1. You Love the Freedom of the Open Road

Long-haul truckers spend most of their days behind the wheel, driving to new destinations and seeing the country from the cab of their semi-trucks. These drivers wake up somewhere new each day. If you love traveling and enjoy driving, trucking could be a great career for you.

2. You Are An Independent Person

Unless you’re part of a trucking team, you’ll likely spend most of your day by yourself as an OTR driver. You’ll still need to communicate with others, but you’ll have control over your day-to-day schedule. When you’re driving solo, you can decide where to stop, what music to listen to, and how to set up your cab. With trucking, there’s no boss constantly looking over your shoulder.

3. You Are Highly Motivated

OTR truckers are typically paid per mile. You will need to follow requirements for driving time and be sure you drive safely at all times. That being said, you’ll find that your actions play a large role in how many miles you are able to drive and, by extension, how much you earn. Motivated drivers who commit to learning the tricks of the trade are able to get more miles and earn more. If you’re the sort of person who constantly strives to improve themselves, this can be a great reason to consider trucking.

4. You Are Looking For Job Security

The trucking industry offers excellent job security. There is an ongoing truck driver shortage and this means that qualified drivers are in high demand. As you gain more experience, you become an even more valuable asset. Motor carriers are consistently hiring new and experienced drivers and there are many available truck driving jobs.

5. You Are Interested in Quick Training

Many industries require extensive training before you can get started, such as a four-year degree. However, not everyone wants to be in school for that long. If you’re interested in getting started as soon as possible, trucking is a great choice. Earning your CDL can take as little as four weeks.

Start Your Career with Phoenix Truck Driving Institute

Truckers can make over $69,480 per year* and many companies offer competitive benefits as well. If you’re ready to take the first steps on the road to an exciting new career in the trucking industry, Phoenix Truck Driving Institute can help. We offer high-quality CDL training in as little as four weeks and have job placement assistance to help you find employment as soon as possible. In fact, many of our students have offers lined up before graduation.

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

*Professional truck drivers earn a mean annual wage of $47,130. The top 10% of truck drivers make more than $69,480 per year according to 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Entry-level drivers must meet certain requirements in order to earn their Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) for the first time, upgrade from a Class B to a Class A license, or earn some endorsements for the first time. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) just updated their entry-level driver training, also known as ELDT, requirements. These new regulations went into effect on February 7, 2022. 

If you would like to earn your commercial license, you will need to choose a program that meets these new requirements. At Phoenix Truck Driving Institute, our programs are in compliance with the new ELDT regulations and can teach you the skills you need to succeed as a trucker. 

Changes to the ELDT Requirements

To get an idea of how the entry-level driver training requirement changes affect CDL instruction, it’s useful to consider the differences between these and previous requirements.

Here some ways the new ELDT requirements are different: 

• Prior to this update, any institution that met state-level CDL training requirements could provide entry-level driver training. With these new changes, only institutions on the FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry (TPR) can provide such training. 
• Instruction topics are now standardized. 
• Previously, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in each state was responsible for administering the CDL written test. Now, schools must do so and will need to report the scores to the FMCSA. 

Requirements for Theory Instruction

Instructors must cover all of the FMCSA’s required topics and use assessments to determine whether students are proficient in each. Students must earn an 80% or higher on these assessments. There are no minimum hours for theory instruction. 

The FMCSA breaks up the theory instruction topics into five categories. Each of these also includes various sub-topics. 

The categories are:

• Basic Operation: Students must understand topics including backing and docking, basic vehicle control, and pre-trip and post-trip inspections.
• Safe Operating Procedures: This category includes topics such as space and speed management, nighttime driving, and various other topics related to how to safely drive a commercial vehicle.
• Advanced Operating Practices: Trainees will need to understand how to handle various emergencies including skid control/recovery and jackknifing. They will also need to understand hazard perception and railroad-highway grade crossings. 
• Vehicle Systems and Reporting Malfunctions: Topics in this category include identification and diagnosis of malfunctions, as well as maintenance and roadside inspections. 
• Non-Driving Activities: Theory instruction must cover information about non-driving activities including trip planning, Department of Transportation (DOT) medical requirements, and drug and alcohol testing. 

Requirements for Behind-the-Wheel Training

Similar to the requirements for theory instruction, there isn’t a minimum number of hours for behind-the-wheel training. However, instructors do need to document the total clock hours of training that students undergo. 

Behind-the-wheel instruction must cover the following skills in a range setting:

• Straight line backing
• Off-set backing
• Alley dock backing (45 and 90 degrees)
• Sight side parallel parking
• Blind side parallel parking
• Coupling and uncoupling
• Pre-trip, en route, and post-trip vehicle inspections

In addition, the program must cover these topics on a public road:

• Transmission/shifting
• Visual search
• Vehicle controls (e.g. lane changes, turning, entry and exit onto highways)
• Signaling/communication
• Space and speed management
• Safe driver behavior
• Hazard perception
• Railroad crossings
• Nighttime driving
• Jackknifing, skid control/recovery, and other emergencies
• Extreme conditions
• Hours of service (HOS) regulations

If a topic cannot be simulated on a road, such as extreme conditions or emergencies, then the instructor needs to engage in a two-way conversation with their students about how to respond to these situations.

Become a Truck Driver

Are you interested in earning your CDL? Phoenix Truck Driving Institute can help. We meet all the new ELDT requirements and can get you on the road and earning in as little as four weeks.

Contact us today to learn more about entry-level driver training in Phoenix, AZ.

Becoming a truck driver gives you the opportunity to earn competitive pay and see more of the country. However, operating such a large vehicle also comes with a great deal of responsibility. Safety should be your top priority at all times and it’s important to understand the key aspects of trucking safety before you even hit the road.

Here are some tips for safe semi-truck operation:

1. Maintain a Safe Speed

There is often a lot of pressure to deliver your freight as quickly as possible. Over time, you’ll learn how to plan your trips more effectively to do this while staying safe. One thing you should never do is speed to try to get to your destination more quickly. It doesn’t actually save you as much time as you’d think and, more importantly, it puts you and others on the road at risk.

Semi-trucks are significantly larger than the other vehicles on the road and already have a much longer stopping distance. When you increase your speed, you further increase this stopping distance. This means that by the time you see a hazard, it may already be too late to stop if you are speeding.

The safe speed for your truck will depend on the road conditions, so you may be driving unsafely even if you are under the posted speed limit. When in doubt, slow down. It’s better to take a little longer and get to your destination safely than to drive recklessly.

2. Never Drive Distracted

Driving requires you to pay attention to your surroundings and quickly respond to changing conditions. Anything that distracts you from this task is dangerous.

Texting is the most well-known example of distracted driving. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for an average of five seconds. If you are traveling at 55 mph, this is like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed. As we mentioned above, semi-trucks already have a greater stopping distance, so the danger is even more significant.

Other distractions include eating, talking on the phone (even hands-free), and adjusting the settings on your radio. Avoid these behaviors and keep your focus on the road.

3. Take Care of Yourself

At first, the link between your health and your driving may not be clear. However, fatigue is a form of impairment. Driving while tired brings many of the same dangers and driving while intoxicated. While it can take some time to adjust to the lifestyle of an over-the-road (OTR) trucker, it’s important to take care of yourself. Get rest when you need it, eat healthily, and exercise when you can. All of these things help you stay energized and alert while driving.

4. Manage Your Stress

Getting stressed or impatient on the road can lead to unsafe driving behaviors. For example, you may back into a spot without getting out to look because you want to park more quickly or because you are worried others will judge you. Remember that safety is your number one goal and that it’s okay to take your time. Find strategies that help you stay calm and reduce your stress. If you notice that you are starting to rush, take a few deep breaths and focus on the task at hand.

Learn How to Be a Safe Trucker

At Phoenix Truck Driving Institute, we teach you the skills you need to be a successful and safe truck driver. We go over important rules for safe trucking. Our program can help you earn your commercial license in as little as four weeks and we offer job placement assistance.

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