Month: February 2018

Going to school to earn your commercial driver’s license is the first step in getting a job in the trucking industry, but not just anyone can sign up. You must be of a certain age and have driving experience, pass the physical and drug test, and understand conversational English. Read on for an overview of what you need to enter a CDL program.

Age and Experience
You need to be at least 18 in order to earn your commercial driver’s license, but you might have to be older than that depending on the specific type of license you’re looking for. You can apply for an intrastate CDL at 18 years of age, but you have to be 21 or older for an interstate license. You also need an active driver’s license a year’s worth of regular driving experience under your seatbelt in order to register for a program.

Physical and Drug Test
You might not think physical fitness has much to do with being a truck driver, but your physical condition actually plays a big role. People who are in poor health will need to make more stops on the road, and they may have a harder time staying focused and avoiding accidents while driving. In order to enter a CDL program, you have to meet the Department of Transportation’s physical requirements. You’re also required to pass a drug test prior to enrollment.

Understanding of English
Whether you’re driving locally or across several state borders, you need to be able to interact with dispatchers, other drivers, and business owners. Since the primary language in America is English, you must have a working understanding of the language.

If you’re interested in enrolling in a CDL program so you can become a truck driver, call the Phoenix Truck Driving School of Ft. Bliss at (877) 206-8344 to get started. You can learn about our admission requirements and more by visiting our website.

OTR, or over the road, and local driving are two different types of commercial driving. OTR drivers go farther distances and spend more time on the road, while local drivers’ routes are closer to the central area. If you’re deciding between OTR and local, continue reading and see which one is best for you.

Family Time
Since OTR drivers take on longer distances, they have to go farther away from home and won’t be able to see their families as frequently. Whereas local drivers might get to go home every night or two, OTR drivers may spend the better part of the week on the road. If you have young children that you want to be around, it might be best to go with local driving. As your kids grow up and you can spend more time out, you might switch to OTR driving.

Sights
You’re not going to see anything too out of the ordinary if you’re driving along the same routes every day, as a local driver might, so OTR driving has the advantage when it comes to sightseeing. You’ll see places and landscapes you’ve never seen when you travel for long stretches, which is what draws some people to the job in the first place. If you’re in it for the sightseeing, then consider OTR driving.

Job Security
Knowing that you have a job to show up to every day and a steady paycheck to make a living off of is comforting, and truck drivers in general enjoy a great deal of job security. If you want to be as comfortable as possible in your job security, know that OTR drivers are retained slightly more than local drivers.

No matter which option seems more appealing, you have to start by earning your commercial driver’s license. The Phoenix Truck Driving School of Ft. Bliss is happy to help you prepare, so visit our website or call us at (877) 206-8344 today.