Month: September 2018

Driving long distances as a truck driver can be challenging. Miles can run together and it can be easy to become a bit drowsy behind the wheel. While you may start your day feeling alert, after several hours of driving it can be easy to let down your guard.

However, paying attention to where you are driving is vital to keeping yourself and other drivers safe while you are on the road. The following are 5 great tips to help you stay alert on the road!

Set Up a Schedule

As hard as it may seem, it is imperative to set up a consistent schedule for yourself to ensure that you are getting an appropriate amount of rest. Setting specific times for driving and for rest will help you stay alert as you’re giving your body the rest it needs to perform optimally. It’s also nice to have a set schedule so you can plan out your stops accordingly!

Try Small Naps

If you feel yourself getting tired while on the road, even taking a short nap can make a big difference. Naps short as 20-30 minutes can help give your body the energy you need to get through the next leg of your trip before you can get a full night’s sleep. Don’t push yourself too far and take a rest when you need it.

Emphasize Nutrition & Vitamins

Maintaining a quality diet of good, wholesome foods will help you be more awake and alert at the times it is needed most. Ensuring you eat a quality blend of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy proteins as well as low-fat dairy can help you ensure you are getting the nutrients your body needs to perform at an optimal level. Taking vitamins and supplements can help you ensure you are getting any nutrients you might otherwise be missing.

Focus on Hydration

When choosing beverages there is no shortage of options for truck drivers. From sugary sodas or juices to Gatorade or iced tea, there are a lot of options out there. The simplest choice you can make that is the best for you⏤water. Water hydrates and helps keep your body functioning at its optimal level to help keep you alert and awake long after you reach your destination.

Turn Up the Volume

Turning up the volume on the radio can help you stay awake for longer and can help keep you alert. The noise will distract you from being able to fall asleep while you are getting to your destination. The distraction may be all you need to stay awake and alert until you are able to arrive safely.

Open the Windows

Sometimes when all else fails just simply opening the window for some fresh air can really help. The feeling of fresh air, whether it’s hot or cold, can alert the mind that it is time to stay up and get the job done before turning in for the night.

When All Else Fails⏤Pull Over

Ultimately, when nothing else works the best bet is to just pull over. It’s not worth your life or anyone else’s to try to get somewhere sooner if you are doing it in an unsafe manner. When you are driving any motor vehicle it’s your responsibility not just to keep yourself safe but also others on the road as well. If you are not alert and ready to react when necessary, you put yourself and other drivers at risk.

Are you interested in earning your CDL? United Truck Driving School can help you get on the road to a new career in just 4 weeks! Contact us to learn more.

There are two main ways that you can get started on your new career as a professional truck driver. You can either enroll in a CDL training program or complete your training through a trucking company.

Both are options that many truck drivers have successfully used, however, there are a few distinct differences between the two. The following are some of the pros and cons of both forms of training!

Pros to CDL School

You can earn your CDL in a matter of weeks. CDL training at United Truck Drivin School only takes 4 weeks to complete! Most CDL schools also offer financial aid options to help you finance your training. In addition to a variety of government-funded programs, United also offers veterans assistance, personal financing, and tuition reimbursement. Explore your financial aid options!

Learn from skilled instructors, each with extensive OTR experience. Most CDL training schools will also help graduates with job placement. United graduates get help with their job hunt and have access to exclusive hiring events with top trucking companies. Another great benefit to CDL school is that you can choose which type of CDL you want. United Truck Driving School offers both Class A, Class B, and a combination of A & B CDL certifications!

Cons to CDL School

Attending CDL school may require a little bit of time off work for day classes. This may not be very doable for people working full-time jobs while training. It will also require a commitment to completing training in just a matter of a few weeks which may be hard for someone with family-related or additional personal responsibilities that they have to tend to

As you can see, there are many pros to choosing a CDL training school. CDL training schools, like United, equipt you with all the tools you need to succeed in the long-run. Now, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of company CDL training!

Pros to Company CDL Training

The biggest pro to company CDL training is that may require little or no payment up front. A lot of trucking companies will cover the cost of most, or all, of your CDL training. However, you will have to pay the amount back over a certain period of time.

Though there is often a bit of flexibility in paying back the cost of your CDL training. Oftentimes trucking companies will allow payment back for training to start when you start working. This will allow time to pay back the money and take only a small portion of the fund from each paycheck you make for a predetermined amount of time.

Good news⏤you’re already hired! Training with the company you’re going to work for means that you won’t have to mess around with a job hunt once you’re finished with your training.

Cons to Company CDL Training

Trucking companies are often owned independently, meaning they are not able to provide financial aid options. Though they may cover the cost of your training upfront, tuition is often expected to be paid back in full whether through loans or other means.

Companies that do offer “free” CDL training will tie you into a contract for a time period (usually one year or more) in return as payment for the training. Being tied to a contract can be frustrating if you later find out it’s not the best company to work for.

While there are several pros to company training, there are many more pros to enrolling in a CDL school in the long-run. United Truck Driving School can give you the training you need to get started in the new career. Forget the contracts and have the flexibility to choose the best company for your lifestyle! Contact us today to learn more!

Truck drivers work tirelessly to deliver the goods we need to keep our economy moving. From the food in your pantry to the bed you sleep on at night⏤if you bought it, a truck driver brought it!

September 9th-15th, 2018 is National Truck Driver Appreciation Week! Here are a just a few reasons to join us this week in celebrating these heroes in disguise.

Keeping America Running

They may not wear capes or fly through the sky, but truck drivers truly are heroes of the highway. They play a vital role in our society but are rarely shown appreciation for all of their hard work. Without truck drivers, your favorite stores and brands wouldn’t be able to stay in business.

Drivers are also responsible for the more essential items including medical supplies, food, and gas. Almost anything you can think of, at one point, been hauled down the highway by a hard-working truck driver.

Saving Lives⏤Making an Impact

Not only do truck drivers make a positive influence on our economy, they are also making an impact on human trafficking. Over 500,000 trucking industry members have trained with Truckers Against Trafficking, the amount of human trafficking reported by these modern day heroes is outstanding.

As our nation continues to battle the travesty of human trafficking, these drivers took it upon themselves to make a difference. Truckers Against Trafficking trains truck drivers how to spot and report signs of trafficking activity. These superheroes are making a true impact and helping to create a safer world!

Challenges of the Trucking Industry

Being a professional truck driver is not a simple job. It takes special skills and knowledge to be able to operate a tractor-trailer. Plus, drivers are left to their own devices if something goes wrong with their truck while on the road.

Of all the challenges truck drivers face, being away from their home and loved ones is certainly the most difficult. Long-haul drivers may be required to spend several weeks at a time away from their families to make a delivery. These sacrifices are more than enough reason to give truck drivers your appreciation!

 

The supermen and wonder women of our roads deserve appreciation every single day of the year, but especially during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.

United Truck Driving School can help you get started on your career in trucking! Contact us today to learn about our CDL training options.