Month: October 2018

Trucks are a large percentage of the traffic on our nations highways, interstates, and main roads each day. Trucks cross the entire nation delivering goods to our stores, restaurants, and other consumer locations. It’s hard to imagine how we would function on a day-to-day basis without our truck drivers. However, along with truck driving comes the responsibility of sharing the road with the other motorists that travel our roads each day.

The following are 5 great tips that a truck driver can keep in mind when sharing the road with other drivers. These tips will help you be an effective, courteous driver who is at a low risk of hurting themselves and other drivers on the road!

Stay in the Appropriate Lanes

The leftmost lanes are generally reserved for traffic that is moving at the most rapid speeds. When driving a truck that weighs thousands of pounds, getting up to speed can be challenging. Certain roads may also require trucks to stay in specific lanes to allow for faster traffic to pass in the leftmost lanes. Be aware of posted signs and stay in the lanes designated for the type of vehicle which you are operating.

Leave Extra Space When Traveling at High Speeds

Driving a heavy truck means that you will need to leave extra space for stopping than the average car or SUV. Leaving extra space between you and the vehicle in front of you allows extra room if you must come to a stop suddenly or unexpectedly. This can save you from rear-ending accidents, which may ultimately save the lives in the end.

Check Twice Before Changing Lanes

When you are attempting a lane change, you will want to check twice before you move over. Ensuring there are no other vehicles already occupying that lane can save you from sideswiping and taking out a smaller vehicle. Checking your blind spots twice before changing lanes is a simple way to make sure everyone is safer.

Be Courteous on Crowded Roads

When there is construction or an accident everyone may need to change lanes due to road closures or detours. You are driving a heavy truck that can be tricky to operate, however, that doesn’t mean everyone else on the road needs to accommodate to make things easier for you. Be courteous and remember that everyone has somewhere to be. Get in line and take your turn just like every other vehicle on the road.

Take the Entrance & Exit Ramps Responsibly

When you are entering the highway you want to be gaining speed. When you are exiting you want to decelerate. Taking the entrance and exit ramps at responsible speeds ensures that you are able to stop if you need to. In traffic, it is common for the entrance and exit ramps to be backed up. Take your time getting on and off the highway to ensure everyone’s safety!

 

These are just a few great tips to keep in mind as you begin your driving career. Essentially, just follow the golden rule and treat other drivers the same way you’d like to be treated on the road. You’ll sometimes encounter rude drivers who do not live by this rule. Just do your best to be mindful and the rest will come naturally!

Ready to take the first step towards your new career in trucking? DriveCo CDL Learning Center offers Class A CDL training that can get your on the road in just 4 weeks! Putting safe drivers on the road is our top priority at DriveCo. Contact us today to get started!

When you think of a “truck driver”, you may only be envisioning the driver of a semi. However, there are a variety of jobs you can get with a Class A CDL! If one path doesn’t work for you, there are still several other ways for you to utilize your commercial driver’s license (CDL).

Working as a professional truck driver can fit many different lifestyles and preferences. Getting your Class A CDL will open doors to new opportunities you may have never expected. Explore your options and find rewarding work you’ll love!

OTR Trucking

Of all the different jobs in trucking, Over-The-Road (OTR) truck drivers spend the most time on the road. Long-hauling trucking requires drivers to be on the road at least a few hundred miles per day in order to make their deliveries in time. The duration of routes for OTR drivers may vary anywhere from 2-5 weeks at a time. OTR drivers work continuously for an extended period of time but are given typically a week or more off of work in between their routes to spend time at home with their families.

Engineering Equipment Operator

The daily tasks of an Engineering Equipment Operator can vary greatly between different companies. Depending on where in the country you are located, the geographical structures around you, and the nature of the business that employs you, you can work in any number of environments up to and including bodies of water. Essentially, Engineering Equipment Operators control a variety of heavy machinery, including pump trucks and trash compactors, and will help prepare the terrain for upcoming construction projects.

Heavy Equipment Hauler

Working as a Heavy Equipment Hauler typically means you’ll be working in a construction environment. You may be operating dump trucks, concrete mixers, and other various construction-related equipment. These jobs are classified for anyone pulling equipment weighing more than 26,000 pounds. This hauling includes the total weight of the cargo, passengers, and vehicles all combined. Depending on the specific job, you could be driving across town or you might be hauling the equipment longer distances across several states.

Tractor Trailer Technician

Though it is not always a requirement in every state across the US, having a CDL is a big bonus as a Tractor Trailer Technician. As a Tractor Trailer Technician, you won’t be hauling loads or making routes, you’ll be fixing trucks! It stands to reason that it is better to be qualified to drive a vehicle you are working on. Maintaining fleets of trucks is a big job that is usually performed by a team of semi-truck techs. It is a vital part of the trucking industry, there will always be a need for Tractor Trailer Techs!

Terminal Manager

It is also not a requirement to have a CDL as a Terminal Manager, but it certainly helps. As the field manager of a trucking company, Terminal Managers are responsible for organizing, planning, and implementing transportation solutions. They oversee the entire terminal, including driver and dispatch personnel. In other words, they manage trucking company workloads and help everything stay on track!

 

As you can see, there are endless job opportunities for truck drivers. And this isn’t even the tip of the iceberg! One of the best parts of becoming a professional truck driver is the job security and high demand within the field. Are you ready to open doors to new job opportunities?

DriveCo can give you the training you need in as little as 4 weeks! In addition to top-notch CDL training, DriveCo graduates also have access to job placement assistance. We pride ourselves in helping students find a career they’ll love! Contact us today if you’re ready to learn more or get started!

Truck driving can be an exhausting, and sometimes monotonous, task. This is especially true for long-haul truckers driving through hundreds of miles of country or highway roads that may never seem to end. In order to ensure everyone’s safety, it is vital for drivers to maintain full awareness throughout their route.

Drivers are often required to work 10-12 hour shifts in order to make their deliveries on time. Many trucking companies have a mandatory rule that their drivers get at least 10 hours of sleep between shifts. Aside from getting proper rest, there are a couple of tricks drivers can use to stay alert and safe on the road.

1. Keep A Consistent Sleep Schedule

As a truck driver, it’s not only important to get the right amount of sleep but you also must maintain a consistent sleep schedule. Newer drivers may attempt to drive longer distances and only pull over to rest for shorter periods of time instead of getting a full night’s rest. This can be a very dangerous decision to make as you will never get to fully rest and, as a result, are putting other drivers on the road at risk.

The best way to stay alert as a truck driver is to adopt a consistent sleep schedule and stick with it. Naps are great if you need a short break but they do not replace quality, uninterrupted sleep at night.

2. Eat Lightly & More Frequently

We all know how tiring eating a large meal can make you. It may seem difficult to spread your meals out as you don’t want to make too many stops along the way. It may sound hard to maintain this diet but it can make all the difference in the world.

With proper planning, you can make the change from 2-3 larger meals to 4-5 smaller meals throughout the day. Adopting a more frequent eating schedule will not only help you stay alert, but it will also help you lose weight by boosting your metabolism!

3. Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is important for many reasons but it also plays a role in keeping us alert and awake. However, you can only stay hydrated if you’re drinking water. Avoid other drinks such as sodas or juices as the extra sugars can dehydrate you or even worse, cause a sugar crash after consumption. Drinking more water will also help keep extra pounds off since you’ll be drinking less of your daily calories.

4. Exercise Regularly

You may not think you have time for exercise since time is of the essence in the trucking industry. This is simply not true! Even if it’s just a quick jog around the truck stop, getting in at least 10-15 minutes a day of regular exercise will help keep you alert on the road.

Getting 30-45 minutes of exercise a day is ideal, however, what matters most is that you’re moving and getting your heart-rate up. Exercise will give you a rush as the brain releases endorphins and chemicals that produce more energy.

5. Use Caffeine Sparingly

Sure, a 5-hour energy or Monster energy drink will boost your level of “alertness” quite quickly. However, the crash that comes a few hours later can be problematic, especially if you’re still on the road when it hits.

Limit your reliance on caffeine as it can also impair your consistent sleep schedule. If you need a small pick-me-up, stick to normal coffee. Choosing coffee will give you the caffeine you need without as much of a crash later on.

6. Turn the Volume Up

Listening to audiobooks, podcasts, or music is a great way to pass the time while you drive. Listening to something while you drive can help you avoid boredom and in turn, help you stay awake longer! Entertainment options like these can serve as a great distraction when you need it most. Turn the volume up and enjoy the ride!

7. Take a Break When You Need It

When all else fails, just take a break. Trust your gut if you are ever in doubt about your ability to stay awake. We encourage you to pull over and get some rest when you know you need it. You must remember that you are responsible for the safety of yourself and other drivers on the road. Sometimes the safest option is to stop and rest until you feel confident that you can drive safely. It’s not worth anyone’s life, including your own, just to get somewhere “on time”.

When it comes to staying awake longer as a truck driver, it’s all about listening to your body and taking care of yourself. Over time you will find what works best for you and be able to get into a healthy routine. Researching ways to stay alert on the road is certainly a great place to start and shows you’re a responsible driver.

Looking to hit refresh on your career in trucking? DriveCo CDL Learning Center offers a CDL Refresher Course that may be exactly what you need! Our CDL Refresher Course can be completely customized to fit your needs. Contact us today to learn more!