You know what we mean - wake up, get ready for work, drive the same route each day, do the same job (such as operating a forklift) over and over with seemingly no signs of progress or change.
Steven was in a similar spot before he decided to go after a truck driver job. In fact, Steven went to another truck driving school prior to finding Driver Solutions. He soon found out that a school with credit checks and loans was not the best option for him. Driver Solutions, on the other hand, was able to find a company to sponsor his training (USA Truck) which meant no upfront tuition money and no credit checks.
Not only was the ability to travel the country appealing to Steven, he also wanted to provide a better living for his family. With a wife and 2 kids there were some upcoming expenses (such as dance school) he was going to have to take on and the first year potential salary that comes along with a truck driver job was encouraging.
We were able to catch up with Steven while he was waiting on this USA Truck Driver Trainer to pick him up. Watch the video above for more from Steven! Considering A Truck Driving Job? Are you ready to make a change? If you like the idea of seeing the open road and getting paid to do it, go ahead and complete our secure online application to schedule a time to speak with a Driver Agent about your training and job options in the trucking industry.
Becoming a truck driver takes a lot of focus. During truck driving school, you must focus on developing the skills you need to successfully get a CDL license. In order to do this in just 3-4 weeks, all distractions must be removed. You can do this by getting all other areas of your life in order. Make sure your family life is in a good state, you've budgeted for training and most importantly that you're truly ready to make the commitment to make a career change.
And once you've started your truck driving job, it's important you continue to maintain that focus. Understand that your job starts everyday in traffic. While being a safe truck driver means being aware of your surroundings, you cannot become obsessed with what others are doing around you. If another motorist cuts you off, as the professional driver - you must move on. If a vehicle stops suddenly in front of you, you must do as you were trained to handle the situation.
The bottom line is things are going to happen. Rather than you getting caught up with your surroundings and becoming part of the problem, you must become a part of the solution. Stay focused on the safe operation of your vehicle and life will take care of itself.
Go here for more truck driving tips
Apply with Driver Solutions Complete our secure online application if you're focused on a better 2012 and want to get started by finding a truck driving job that offers CDL training. Completing the application will allow you to schedule a time to speak with a Driver Agent about your career options.
Wondering what it's really like to go from an inexperienced driver to a confident CDL holder in 3-4 weeks? How about the instructors, what's it like to work with them?
Check out the video below as real truck driving school students talk about the learning experience that is CDL training. In this video, students will discuss training in general as well as their experience with the truck driving school instructors.
On the surface, driving a semi tractor trailer may seem pretty easy, but once you learn all of the information covered in the classroom, on the range and out on the road you'll gain a whole new resepect for what it takes to become a professional truck driver.
Truck driving school is a fast paced, fun learning experience that will give you the skills needed to find a truck driver job and open doors to a career in the transportation industry. Remember, the instructors are there for a reason and it's to help you be successful.
Apply with Driver Solutions If you are looking to find the best truck driving school in your area to learn the skills necessary to find a truck driving job, complete our secure online application. This will allow you to schedule a time to speak with a Driver Agent about your options.
Whether you're considering a career in truck driving, currently in truck driving school, or you're out on the road, you're probably wondering where your truck driving job will take you. Maybe the United States, Canada, Mexico…or Iraq.
In this blog post, we welcome back our guest video blogger Jerry Ott, who you'll remember is also known as "Bullfrog" to his friends and peers. A couple weeks ago, Jerry gave us some background on his career as a truck driver in Canada. He regularly posts videos for truck drivers on his YouTube channel called Big Rig Talk. Last time, Jerry told us how he got into the truck driving industry as an entry level driver, and more about his current job. In this video post, Jerry begins to tell us about his unique experience as a truck driver in Iraq, starting with how he got the opportunity, and what it was like to be in Iraq as a civilian truck driver.
Watch the video to find out what Jerry had to say about the experience:
Here's a video from Jerry's truck of his point of view in a convoy in Iraq:
Jerry was in Iraq from October 2007 to May 2009. He found out about the opportunity driving a truck for a company in Iraq through a friend and applied online. He was accepted to drive a truck, but had to delay his departure for a while due to medical issues since some facilities weren't available in Iraq. In October, he left his home city in Canada and flew to Houston, Texas for a week of training. All of his expenses, from the flights to the meals for training, were paid for by the company he was hired by. In Houston, Jerry and the other truck drivers hired were given basic training and policy instructions, including biochemical training. Next, they flew to the middle East. Jerry flew from Houston to London, then to Dubai. He spent a few more days in Dubai doing additional orientation and training before being sent to Baghdad International Airport.
Jerry says that the landing in Baghdad was very intense because of the tight airspace. Rather than the sort of landing people in the US are used to, this was a corkscrew landing which was unsettling. Jerry says the scariest moment in Iraq was actually the moment he stepped off the plane. He was surrounded by armed guards with weapons in a war zone. He even noted some of the guys left for home almost immediately.
Jerry did more training for his trucking job in Annaconda before being sent to his permanent home base in Tallil, in the southern part of Iraq. From there, he was part of the flatbed division. As a truck driver, he hauled everything from building materials to dry goods to construction equipment. Anything that might be needed at a base and could fit on a flatbed, he hauled on his truck.
As a truck driver in his area, Jerry said he did feel safe most of the time, though he felt most safe outside the base on a convoy than on the base. When they were on the base, they didn't wear any gear, while when he was driving he wore kevlar and was inside an armored vehicle. While driving his truck in a convoy, Jerry said he was only fired upon twice, and both times were by small arms fire which wasn't a big deal compared to what other convoys encountered.
Perhaps the most unsettling part of his truck driving job in Iraq wasn't his time behind the wheel, but in his housing on the base. The base would regularly be hit with incoming mortars at night. Jerry regularly had rounds going off within 1000 feet of him. The base would also send off outgoing rounds at night which happened to be very close to his housing area. In the video above, he shows an example of what this experience was like.
While he was in a war zone with regular heavy fire, Jerry does note that what we see in the United States and Canada isn't always very accurate. From his experience, he felt the media only reported the negative or twisted facts. On the contrary, while it is a very rough place to be, he saw a continual improvement in the conditions, especially with how fertile the land is becoming after regime change allowed waterways to open up.
As far as driving a truck in Iraq, Jerry says truck driving is truck driving no matter where you are. In Iraq, the trucks he drove included Mercedes, Volvo, Freightliner, and International. They were armored especially for these types of trucking jobs. However, there were some things about the truck driving experience in Iraq that were quite different. There was no speed limit to obey. There were also no weight laws enforced. Any rules that the truck drivers had were mostly self-imposed. However, being a safe driver translates to being a safe driver in Iraq.
Jerry is a great example of where an entry-level truck driving job can take you if you put in your time on the road and keep a safe, positive attitude as a truck driver. If you commit to a career in truck driving, there's no limit to the travel, benefits, and joy your job can give you.
Come back soon to learn more about Jerry's trucker lifestyle in Iraq, including where he lived and worked. If you have any questions, leave a comment and he'll answer in a future video.
Excited about where a truck driving job can take you? Start your journey with Driver Solutions. We offer company-sponsored CDL training to get you on your way. Apply online right now to get started.
I started truck driving school in order to move into a new career field. I had actually wanted to drive for a long time and always talked myself out of it. This time I went through with it and completed the challenge of attending the truck driving school in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The course curriculum is intense and demanding, but very thorough and rewarding. When you finally test out and go to State to take the actual CDL skills exam that will give you a CDL Class A, it all pays off.
I am looking forward to starting my career with my carrier USA Truck.
Name: Mark D Pankratz City: Cincinnati State: OH Approx Class Start Date: January 9, 2012
Driver Solutions graduate, Nicole Reeves, is quickly approaching the 1 year anniversary of her first truck driving job. She started truck driving school in late January of 2011, was able to graduate in mid February and by March of 2011 she was an official over-the-road (OTR) driver with PAM Transport. Overall, she's really enjoyed her time with the company and loves the freedom that comes with working a trucking job.
For Nicole, becoming a truck driver was fullfilling a dream she's had ever since she was 16 years. At the time, she was riding a bus to and from work. During that trip, she'd gaze out the window at the trucks passing by wishing she could become a truck driver. Since then she's had many other jobs such as: dog groomer, construction worker, cashier, working at a car wash and even at a carnival hauling rides.
Now Nicole has a stable truck driver job, allowing her to provide for her family. Her daughters are proud of their mom and show off the post cards she sends from her travels to their classmates at school. She's visited all but 5 of the lower 48 states and some of her favorites include: Washington, Arizona and Colorado.
In addition to getting to travel the country, Nicole has more financial freedom than she previously had with her other jobs. While she's had her ups and downs over her first year, she recognizes that it takes hard work and commitment to be successful. She's maintaining a positive attitude while staying on track and as a result she's getting good miles and making good money with PAM Transport. She's also been able to enjoy some of the nice benefits that come along with a truck drivers jobs at PAM Transport such as insurance plans and 401K options.
Overall, Nicole is loving her job and having fun...and that's how you know you've made a good career choice!
Side Note: Nicole has also been very active on the Driver Solutions Facebook page in answering questions new students have about CDL training and truck driver jobs. We'd like to thank her for support and for taking the time to stop by for this follow up interview. Keep on truckin!!
Apply with Driver Solutions Are you interested in becoming a truck driver? Simply complete our secure online application to schedule a time to speak with a Driver Agent about your trucking job options. Get started now by clicking the Apply Now button.
Before you know it, January will be behind us. Soon, it will be time to ask yourself if you've moved any closer to achieving the goals you set for 2012.
All too often we hear a story similar to the one below. Someone working a dead end job with minimal hours trying to find out which direction to head in life. It can be so easy to fall into the same rut and before you know it another year has passed and you're no closer to living the way you really want.
At Driver Solutions we love helping people get out of those ruts by providing them with direction in life. Let's take K. Cross for example. K. Cross to came to us during the holidays in 2011 to lay the groundwork for a better life in 2012. While going to trucking school to start a new career during the holidays is not an easy thing to do, his hard work is starting to pay off:
"Well i was at a dead end job working in a factory and getting no hours and little pay. I decided to take a new direction and try getting my CDL, thanks to Driver Solutions and there great team i was enrolled in C1 Trucking school. I went to class over the hollidays and passed my state test and now have what i wanted my CDL.. I can not say how much I appreciate all the help and support i recieved from Drivers Solutions and C1 Trucking.. Great people making it happen for everyone.... Thanks" - K.Cross -
For Driver Solutions, this type of feedback makes everything we do worthwhile. To hear time and time again that we've allowed someone to live a better life by giving them the tools (training) they neeed to start a new career is our goal.
Considering a Trucking Career? Finding a stable job in today’s economy isn’t easy. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find an industry as stable as truck driving. If you’re ready to bring home a steady paycheck, we invite you to get started by completing our secure online application. Submitting your application will let you schedule a time to speak with a Driver Agent to discuss your trucking career options.
Nicole Reeves first applied with Driver Solutions about 1 year ago today. She had always wanted to become a truck driver and when some things finally fell into place in her life she realized it was time to pursue this lifelong dream. She attended truck driving school in Indianapolis and went to work for PAM Transport.
Fast forward to a year later and we're happy to report that Nicole Reeves is loving life on the road with PAM Transport! Just yesterday, she stopped by one of the truck driving schools Driver Solutions works with in Indianapolis, Indiana to visit for awhile. During that visit she took the time to do a video interview (full video will be posted later this week) to share more about her story as well as tips for new truck drivers. Let's Get to Know Nicole :
Living Her Dream Ever since she first got her driver's license, Nicole has had a CB radio in her car just to listen in on the conversation. When trucks would pass out on the highway, she'd think about how she'd like to become a truck driver one day. She's now visited all but 5 of the lower 48 states and is very proud to say, "I love my job!"
Getting Started While she had not previously held a CDL, Nicole had some experience driving trucks and hauling things from other jobs which made areas of truck driver training such as backing up a bit easier for her. She really enjoyed her time at trucking school, stays in contact with some classmates and stops by for a visit when her schedule allows.
Positive Attitude & Communication Nicole has a positive relationship with her dispatcher which helps make communication between the two much easier. She recommends asking for home time as far in advance as possible and always asking to be home a day earlier than needed to plan for any schedule changes that may come up. She says that having a positive attitude as a truck driver is key.
Budgeting for Meals on the Road Nicole typically visits Wal-Mart to get her groceries and has a budget of roughly $50-$60 per week for food. She recommends having quick, healthy snacks available and avoiding highly-caffeinated drinks as much as possible.
What About the Miles and Pay? She is really enjoying her time with PAM Transport and averages around 2,500 - 2,700 miles per week, though she just wrapped up a 3,900 mile run to California. She's happy with the money she's making as a truck driver as it's allowed her to provide for her family. She plans on staying with PAM Transport for several years beyond her 1 year anniversary with the company
Helpful Hint She also mentions that velcro is a truck driver's best friend. She uses velcro on her CB radio as well as many other items around the truck.
Be sure to check back later this week for more from Nicole!
Interested in CDL training and trucking jobs with PAM Transport? Complete our online application to schedule a time to speak with a driver agent about your career options today!
If you're just starting to explore a career in truck driving, you might be wondering where an entry-level truck driving job can take you. What if we told you that you could travel across several countries - including some across an ocean? In this series, we're introducing you to our guest video blogger Jerry Ott, also known as "Bullfrog" among his friends and peers.
Jerry has a YouTube channel and video series called Big Rig Talk where he talks about and showcases his long career on the road. In the next few posts, Jerry will be talk about his background in truck driving -- and his unique experience overseas as a truck driver in Iraq! Watch the video to get acquainted with Jerry, and check back soon for the next part of this video post series.
Jerry has been in the truck driving industry for over 25 years. He started out with driving heavy tow trucks and wreckers and eventually grew tired of those vehicles and desired to drive a tractor trailer. With a little help from his family, he went to truck driving school and got his Class A endorsement on his drivers license. As a Canadian, his drivers license holds everything relating to his truck driving privileges including the Class A, Z air brakes endorsement, and medical card. In Canada, there is no such thing as a "Commercial Driver's License", and the drivers license can be upgraded or downgraded at any time by the Ministry of Transportation.
In 1993, Jerry got the opportunity to do "cross-border" truck driving and has been doing it ever since. He's been to every province in Canada except Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland, and all the lower 48 United States, many times over. He's hauled every kind of trailer, from reefer to flatbed. He's driven over two million miles, accident-free! He believes one of the things that makes truck driving jobs so great is the travel - you're essentially a paid tourist.
Jerry currently works with flatbed trucks on a semi-dedicated lane. He's home every weekend, but his routes somewhat vary between different customers which he prefers since it mixes up his routine. While he's on a dedicated route with plenty of home time now, he started out like all other new truck drivers start out: by paying their dues and spending a couple of years out on the road. But Jerry thinks new truckers shouldn't be discouraged - there's a lot of opportunity out there, and the trucks they'll be getting placed in these days are very comfortable and well-equipped.
Jerry is a great example of how approaching an entry-level truck driving job with hard work and a positive attitude can open up a wealth of opportunities from extensive travel, great benefits, and the perfect position for you.
Check back soon to learn more about Jerry's experience driving a truck overseas in Iraq. If you have any questions for Jerry, leave a comment and he'll answer them in a future video.
Interested in seeing how truck driving can change your life? Driver Solutions offers company-sponsored CDL training to get your started in this exciting career. Apply online right now to begin your journey in truck driving.
2011 was a big year for the trucking industry. With the truck driver shortage, the many FMCSA updates, and the increased attention to distracted driving, the trucking industry had a busy year.
Being a truck driver definitely comes with benefits, like good pay, job security, and the ability to travel, but potential drivers have to be ready for change. From the route your drive and the loads you carry, to the rules and laws that dictate what drivers can and cannot do, change is inevitable.
Driver Solutions covered many of the most important trucking stories in 2011 and tried to provide trucking industry and CDL training information to the many aspiring truck drivers out there. Though we wrote hundreds of posts over the past year, here are some of the highlights of 2011:
With the additional industry attention on safety and a continuing driver shortage, 2012 seems like a great time to get a career in truck driving started.
If you ready to get more information on the Driver Solutions CDL training program, go ahead and complete our secure online application. This will give you an opportunity to schedule a time to speak with a Driver Agent about your options in the trucking industry for 2012.
Today, we have a blog post to share from the Director at C1 Truck Driver Training in Springfield, Missouri - Rich Campbell. C1 Training is one of Driver Solutions' affiliate trucking schools and Rich is a great resource for information on becoming a truck driver.
Rich grew up in a trucking family, and started out driving at a very early age. After 5 years on the road, he decided that he wanted to travel the world so he joined the U.S. Navy.
Rich spent 20 years in the Navy, specializing in Naval Surface Operations, and Training. Rich retired from the Navy, went to truck driving school, spent time back out on the road and eventually moved into a Director role at C1 Truck Driver Training.
With the 2011 coming to an end and 2012 quickly approaching, Driver Solutions asked Rich to share with us his recommended goals for inexperienced, first year drivers (these can apply to experienced drivers as well!). Let's check out what Rich had to say...
As we’re ending 2011 and heading into 2012, we look back on the past year, think about the goods and others, and start planning the New Year. The first year of trucking is definitely the toughest, so the best approach is to set your goals for a successful first year. For goals to actually work for you, you have to be specific, make sure they are achievable, and they need to be measurable.
To say that in the first year my goal is “To become a good truck driver” is not a specific goal. You can’t measure it, and you have no real way of knowing if you’ve achieved it. That said, you have to break down what it means to become a good truck driver and here are 3 measurable goals that will help you do just that:
1. Earn Your Safety Bonus Each Quarter Every carrier out there offers a safety bonus to those drivers that make it through that period with no safety violations of any sort. The bonus varies different at each carrier, but bottom line is that you will get more money in your pocket. We stress the Smith System of defensive driving at C1, and if you always implement this approach to your driving on the road, you’ll do very well.
2. Finish the Year with Zero Points on Your CSA Score Every commercial motor vehicle driver is graded in 6 different areas by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in a program called Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA). This is a record of your performance out on the road, and is used to determine the likelihood of a crash occurring. Any violation you receive will put points on your CSA score, so a perfect score is zero. Here at C1, we teach a class on CSA, and talk about the best ways to maintain that perfect score.
3. Get Through the Year with a Clean DAC Report DAC stands for Drive A Check, and is comparative to a personal credit report, but it grades your performance as a professional driver with respect to on time pick-ups, on time deliveries, hitting stationary objects in a parking lot, damaging equipment, and the real big one is abandoning a vehicle. We stress the importance of paying attention to detail, which directly translates into a clean DAC report.
Setting the goals I have mentioned above will all add up to ultimately achieving that large goal, “To become a good truck driver”, but by breaking it down to things that are specific, achievable, and measurable you can truly see that you are accomplishing those things. Only you can decide which goals are important to you, but it is important to set goals.
In order to arrive at a specific destination at a specific time, every ship at sea must set a course to sail, and must maintain course to arrive at said destination. When pushed off course, you then determine what’s called “Set and Drift” which puts you back on course. This applies to all of us as individuals. Set your personal course, always check that you’re on course, and compute for “Set and Drift” when pushed off course. This will always ensure that you arrive at your personal destination, and that’s the ultimate goal.
We would love to hear some of the goals you've set for 2012, so please share in the comments section below!
If you’ve made the choice to become a truck driver, you’ll end up driving with a company trainer for a while. There are plenty of articles discussing what you can expect from the viewpoint of a trainee, but what about the trainer? I was a driver trainer for a large refrigerated carrier and would like to tell you what training is like from a trainer’s perspective. I hope this article helps shed some light on what trainers go through so that you can better understand why trainers do the things they do or say the things they say. It’s Stressful Chances are, you’ll be nervous about meeting your trainer. For the next 3 to 6 weeks (or longer), you’ll have to share a tiny little space with a total stranger nearly 24hrs per day and 7 days per week. Well, guess what? Trainers feel nervous about it, too!
Sure, trainers sign up for it and do it voluntarily, usually for some additional pay, but there is still a ton of stress involved when first starting out. On top of that, trainers are expected to ride around with a brand new CDL holder. Most trainees have absolutely no truck driving experience other than what their CDL school taught them. The only way trainers can control the situation is to use their voice. It’s a very helpless feeling seeing a curve coming up too quickly or noticing the trailer is about to take out a pole with zero control over the situation. To make matters worse, many trainees are either too nervous to take in everything they are told, or flat out don’t listen to advice. That only increases the anxiety levels. Lack Of Sleep A controversial issue within driver training is the fact that most companies operate training trucks as team dispatched trucks. Meaning, after the first week or so, the trainee drives while the trainer sleep and vice-versa. Do you know what it’s like to try and sleep while a brand new driver is cruisin’ along the expressway at 65mph? It’s terrifying! Any jerk of the wheel, curve, strange noise, or application of the brakes will jolt your trainer awake. This only adds to the stress for your trainer. It’s extremely difficult to get quality sleep in that type of environment because trainers usually aren’t ever in a deep sleep. They are one step below sleeping with one eye open!
Pressure Buildup It’s fairly common for trainees to complain about their trainer “yelling and screaming for no reason.” I don’t condone trainers yelling and screaming unless it’s an immediate emergency. But there is a very good reason this happens. Trainers are in constant stress and fear. Their job is not only to teach you how to become a safe and efficient truck driver, but they are also responsible for keeping you safe, keeping themselves safe, and keeping the motoring public safe. Combine that with the lack of quality sleep and a possible personality clash and it’s a perfect setup for a trainer to temporarily lose his or her cool. That’s what we call a blowout. Imagine a balloon being blown up with more air every time a trainer feels stressed, but suppresses that stress. Eventually that balloon is going to pop. Whether your trainer has a blowout or not entirely depends upon your specific trainer and situations you both go through together. Chances are, he or she will not have a blowout. But if it happens, just move passed it. Don’t take it personal. Trainers build up a ton of stress and anxiety over the course of training and not all of them handle it perfectly all the time.
Inability To Communicate The most frustrating thing for a trainer is the inability to communicate properly to a trainee. As a trainee, you’ll be forced to absorb a ton of information in a very short period of time. As a trainer, I had a very short period of time to teach things to my trainee. So it’s a double edged sword. While I didn’t expect my trainee to comprehend 100% of everything I said, after 3 or 4 times it would start to get frustrating having to repeat myself. Taking It Personal While I can’t speak for all trainers, I know that I took the success of my trainee very personal. I wanted nothing more than to see my trainee become a safe and happy truck driver. If my trainee were to get into an accident, quit, or get fired, I’d take personal responsibility for that. Even through the little arguments or personality conflicts that naturally comes with sharing such a tiny space, I never once wanted to see a student fail. The only thing I wanted was success and I took that very personally. Everything I did and everything I said was meant to further the success of my trainee. So remember, chances are, your trainer will be the same way. Even if you disagree on something, you and your trainer are interested in the same end result. Success.
Are you a driver trainer? If so, share with us some of your thoughts on this post below!
More About the Author Mike Rogers (also known as TruckerMike) is a former OTR truck driver, CDL Instructor, and driver trainer. During his trucking career, he traveled through all 48 continental states in all weather conditions maintaining a perfect service and safety record. Read more blog posts from Mike here
Are you considering truck driver school? It's officially the holiday season and we want to make sure you have all of the free CDL training information you need to be successful.
Driver Solutions has put together a quick list of some popular posts with advice and tips to help you with the process of becoming a truck driver. Check out these 3 resources below:
Finding a truck driver school doesn't have to be hard with the help of Driver Solutions. Getting the education and training you need to successfully start a new career is the first step toward finding some job stability.
As we all know,finding a stable job in today’s economy isn’t easy. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find an industry as stable as truck driving. If you’re ready to bring home a steady paycheck, we invite you to get started by completing our secure online application. Submitting your application will let you schedule a time to speak with a Driver Agent to discuss your trucking career options.
For many of the students that went through the Driver Solutions CDL training program this year, this winter will be the first time they will drive a tractor trailer through wintry weather conditions. And as many of you may already know, a truck driver’s first trip through a snow or ice storm can be an extremely intimidating experience.
The very worst weather conditions haven’t started yet, but with December finally here, the bad weather will soon be on its way. For the lucky drivers that spend most of their time driving in southern states, winter weather will not cause many problems. But for the truckers that drive routes across the country through the snow laden states, they’ll have to start putting their winter driving techniques to use.
There are so many things to worry about while driving in winter weather, so Driver Solutions has put together a list of things to remember.
Here are 7 winter driving tips for truck drivers:
Clear off all windows, mirrors, and exterior lights completely before driving.If snow or ice builds up while you drive, make sure to pull over and take a few minutes to clean everything off again.
Keep tires and brakes in good condition. Tires should be properly inflated and brakes should be correctly working.
Maintain a sufficient following distance from all vehicles and continue a safe speed that gives you plenty of time to react.
Plan your route. Make sure you know what types of roads you will be facing and that your vehicle is properly equipped to handle these roads.
Check cross-traffic prior to reaching and traveling through an intersection to help avoid collisions.
Do not drive if you feel fatigued. Your ability to properly react to your environment will weaken with fatigue, diminishing your ability to drive as safely as possible.
Don’t push your truck or yourself to do more than you can in unsafe conditions. If snow drifts are so bad you can’t see the road or ice is so thick you cannot stop properly, consider stopping the truck at a safe area until conditions get better.
Aside from driving techniques, make sure you have proper attire for the weather as well. Be prepared with the right shoes, socks, and winter-ware like jackets, gloves, and hats. In the case that you do make a winter driving mistake or an emergency does occur, make sure you have an emergency kit handy with special winter tools, like plenty of blankets, non-perishable food, an power source, and a first aid kit.
Out of all of these guidelines, the most important tip we can give any trucker when it comes to driving in the winter is that no load is worth your life or the lives of others. If you are on dangerous roadways, the safest thing for you to do is find a safe place to stop and wait it out.
Whether its rain, sleet, ice, heavy winds, or snow, make sure that you get great CDL training that will prepare you to drive in any condition. Winter weather can limit or reduce visibility, decrease traction, and make driving in general much harder than normal. Truck drivers that attend CDL training with Driver Solutions not only learn how to deal with inclement weather driving, but also other important safety skills, like how to drive safely on unsafe bridges.
To get started with a trucking driving school that focuses on teaching safe driving techniques for all seasons, complete the online application to set up a time to speak with a Driver Agent on your trucking career options.
Driver Solutions takes CDL training very seriously. But, we also know how to have fun!
Recently, we asked our Facebook fans to helps us write a new truck driver song for Christmas - The 12 Days of Training. Our fans responded and we created a new verse for each day based upon The 12 Days of Christmas theme. Each day and each verse features items often seen around a truck driving school such as log books, CDL tests and road atlases.
For example...
"On the 1st day of training my instructor gave to me...an atlas so the roads I can see!"
Once we had our song created with the help of the Driver Solutions Facebook fans, we needed to find people to sing each verse. Well, none of us at Driver Solutions are very talented when it comes to the singining department and we wanted this video to be something truly unique... so what were we going to do?
Well, we decided to head to a truck driving school in Indiana to see if we could get some students to do the honors by singing each verse. After all, it's a song about training, so why not have those currently at school help us out.
We weren't sure what kind of a response we'd get when we asked these truck driver training students to sing on camera, but much to our surprise most were very excited to have the chance to help us out by being a part of this fun video.
So we gathered up the props needed for the video and went to work. Everyone had a lot of fun and several stars in the video were anxious to share with their family.
Please join Driver Solutions in applauding these students for showcasing their singing skills and being such great sports while making this one of a kind video. We encourage you to share this among the trucking community and with your friends and family!
An aspiring truck driver recently mentioned Driver Solutions on the TruckingTruth Forum by calling us “the Cadillac of truck driver training.” For decades, the Cadillac has been synonymous with those that want the finer things in life. Cadillac has often been the first at making advancements in the auto industry, including developing the V8 engine, which set the standard for the American auto industry.
When you think of a Cadillac, words that probably come to mind may include “high quality,” “luxury,” “comfort,” “reliability,” “top of the line,” “innovative,” “superior” and “style.” So how is Driver Solutions like a Cadillac? Check out these 3 reasons why we think Driver Solutions can be compared to the Cadillac of truck driver training.
1. High Quality Driver Solutions takes care of all of the hard work, including helping you afford truck driving school tuition and how to find a trucking jobwhen you finish school. Driver Solutions will set you up to attend a top truck driver school for CDL training, which enables drivers to easily and quickly enter the trucking industry with significant advantages. The salary for truck drivers that start with one of the Driver Solutions network trucking companies are very competitive, so new drivers can earn up to $40,000 in their first year.
2. Reliable Driver Solutions has been in business for over 23 years and has helped more than 20,000 drivers start a trucking career. Everyone that applies to our program is assigned to a Driver Agent that provides one-on-one support, walks you through the entire process, and gives you all of the details, upfront. The Driver Agents’ goal is to educate you on what trucking school will be like, so you will be properly prepared when you arrive.
3. Innovative Students that attend trucking school with Driver Solutions get access to interactive pre-trip inspection videos, CDL practice tests, and other learning resources which will help them prepare for the CDL permit test before they even arrive at school.
Are you ready to hop in the driver’s seat at the “Cadillac of truck driver training”? Complete our simple online application to get started!
When considering CDL training, attending trucking school during the holidays may seem like a hassle. But, what many aspiring drivers don’t know is that attending school during the winter holidays can actually be one of the most beneficial times of year for new drivers.
Take a minute to check out these top 5 reasons to start trucking school during the holidays:
There are fewer people at school during the holidays, which means more time for you behind the wheel and more personalized time with a CDL instructor.
Most winter weather does not get too bad until January. There is always a chance of inclement weather through November and December, but your odds of avoiding the worst weather are better before January 1st.
When bad weather hits, you may experience rain, sleet, and even snow, but at trucking school you’ll be with an experienced trainer that can help walk you through how to overcome these events.
The carriers’ freight is usually at peak demand at the end of the year, so job opportunities are usually better after training.
The sooner you start your training, the sooner you can start working in your new career as a professional truck driver!
Even though there are a lot of benefits with coming to trucking school during this time of year, we understand that with the holiday season finally here, you may think that being away from loved ones during the holidays is too tough for you to handle. But keep in mind, after you finish your 3 weeks of CDL training, you’ll get experience under your belt driving in bad weather and covering a lot of miles. If you start trucking school this holiday season, by next summer you’ll have a high level of confidence in yourself and your trucking abilities.
Get a head start on your New Year’s goals by starting truck driving school now!
Ready to apply? Complete our online driver application to speak with a Driver Agent about your trucking career options.
When you are considering truck driver training school, it is easy to get excited about the freedom in your future career, the flexibility, and possibly a benefits package that you desperately need. However, while many new in student truck driving jobs realize that it is about the miles you log, not many consider that time management is a critical skill in this field. The more miles you log, the more you will make, but every mile costs time as well. Here is a two part series on how to learn effective time management on the road, so that you can manage your miles effectively:
Accept that you will be slow at first. Do not expect to make a ton in the beginning, because your body and mind need to condition to the experiences on your daily job. Give yourself that time to adjust or you will burn out quickly.
Learn the parking accommodations on the routes you will be taking. Parking in the evenings can be very frustrating to those signing on to entry level trucking jobs. Finding parking for the night after 6:00 P.M. can be difficult in some regions, know your areas well and how soon you need to park.
Research your traffic. Know your routes before you get on them, and you can avoid construction, delays, or rush hours. This may involve getting up earlier or adjusting your schedule, but this is an important time management tip that will save you grief down the road.
Today, Driver Solutions announced its membership in the American Trucking Association (ATA). And you might be thinking, “Big deal. You’ve joined a trade association.” To some degree, you are right; all that we did was join a trade association in the trucking industry. Now, take a minute and look at the members of the ATA. How many truck driving schools do you see? There are very few because ATA membership is not cheap.
So why did Driver Solutions choose to join? In a word, credibility. You see, Driver Solutions is a company founded on doing things the right way and accepting criticism when someone questions that. The most ethical business person I’ve met in my career is the co-founder of Driver Solutions, Chris Welch. Mr. Welch worked for Cummins, Inc., the well-known diesel engine manufacturer. His role was to identify diversified business opportunities related to the trucking industry. So, in 1987, Cummins Professional Training Center was Mr. Welch’s brainchild to help the trucking industry attain more qualified, well-trained truck drivers. When business conditions caused Cummins to divest of non-engine business interests in 1991, Chris believed so much in the truck driving school he founded that he found a partner and bought the school. And thus, the foundation for Driver Solutions had been laid.
For almost 30 years, Mr. Welch has guided Driver Solutions through high growth and recessions. And for those of us lucky enough to be along for the ride, his leadership has set the gold standard for how to treat customers. The membership into ATA is a natural progression for a company that cares about its customers. In joining the ATA, Driver Solutions demonstrates a commitment to the trucking industry and the industry’s most vital natural resource, the truck driver. ATA works hard to protect and improve the trucking industry. Through the ATA’s efforts, trucking drivers have gained more respect and improved their standard of living.
If you are considering a career as a professional truck driver or checking out CDL training, choose a truck driver training program that’s affiliated with the ATA. A truck driver training program that’s a member of ATA means that your school has a higher commitment to the success of the trucking industry. And as a truck driver, you’ll be reaping the benefits of a strong and successful trucking industry.
Before you sign up for CDL training, you’ll probably want to read some Driver Solutions reviews. Applying for truck driving school can lead to a big lifestyle change, so it’s important to understand exactly what to expect.
Driver Solutions is dedicated to helping inexperienced truck drivers get the CDL training they need to find truck driving jobs. We currently work with a network of reliable, reputable trucking companies that are looking for high quality truck drivers. Our company paid CDL training program not only trains and prepares aspiring truck drivers to properly driver a tractor-trailer, but also helps students find a great trucking job to begin a new career.
Unfortunately, the Driver Solutions training program is not for everyone. Company paid CDL training requires that students are willing to commit to training for a few weeks and are looking for a career and not just a job.
One of the best ways to learn about a company like Driver Solutions is from the first hand experience of truck drivers that have gone through our program. Here are some of the most recent Driver Solutions reviews that Facebook fans have left on our Facebook recommendations page:
• “Great school.” – Debra S. • “Driver Solutions is a good career opportunity in Asheboro N.C.” - Mark G. • “They helped me out so much with getting into school and getting a job” – Vernon H. • “This is a great place if you want to get your CDL training…” – Bret K. • “If anybody is looking for a job in trucking, contact Driver Solutions. They will help get you started.” – Stacy A. • “If you are interested in becoming a truck driver, this is a good place to start putting that idea in motion” – Gregory M. • “Driver Solutions is certified a+” – Darell S. • “Best school for truck driver training.” – Troy S. • “This is a great place 2 go if u want 2 learn 2 drive big rig” – John R.
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has had a CB radio in her car just to listen in on the conversation. When trucks would pass out on the highway, she'd think about how she'd like to become a truck driver one day. She's now visited all but 5 of the lower 48 states and is very proud to say, "I love my job!"
Today, we have a blog post to share from the Director at 
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