Month: August 2018

Six years ago, the U.S. Congress passed the Military Commercial Driver’s (CDL) License Act of 2012 into law with bipartisan support. The law provides a boost for former military members who are looking to get into commercial truck driving after completing their service to our country. Endorsed by both the American Trucking Association and the Owner-Operator and Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), the Military CDL Act has made a major difference for both the trucking industry and the career of former military personnel.

Here is a quick rundown of what you need to know about the Military CDL Act and what it does.

Why military personnel may have trouble entering the trucking industry.

Today, the trucking industry is responsible for employing hundreds of thousands of people around the United States. In the past, though, former military personnel had difficulty obtaining their Commercial Driver’s Licenses because they often resided in different states during their military service. Under federal law, people can only be issued CDLs by a state if they are a resident of that state.

What does the Military CDL Act do?

The Military CDL Act removes a significant barrier to a valuable career by permitting military personnel to obtain a CDL in any state where they trained or are serving. The new rule covers active duty members of the military as well as military reserves, members of the U.S. Coast Guard, members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and members of the National Guard. Thanks to this much-needed change, the members of our armed services now have far greater career opportunities open to them.

Truck driving can make a terrific career for anyone because it’s always in demand and it can provide you with a steady paycheck. If you would like to learn more about how you can embark on your new career as a truck driver, your journey begins with Phoenix Truck Driving School at Ft. Bliss. Call (877) 206-8344 for more information!

Citizens band (CB) radio is a short-wave radio service that is often used by long-haul truck drivers to communicate with each other. While many people associate CB radio with its short-lived popularity in the 1970s, it’s still a useful tool for truckers who want to alert each other to accidents, road construction, and other common driving hazards. If you’re going to be using a CB radio, you should know that these stations have their own unique terminology.

Before sending out your own transmissions, check out this list of common CB slang terms:

Alligator. If somebody says “There’s an alligator in the road,” it doesn’t mean a 10-foot reptile—it means that there’s a piece of tire trade lying in the road. “Gator” is sometimes used instead.

Evel Knievel. A slang term for a police officer on a motorcycle.

Go-go juice. This term refers to the diesel fuel you use to fill up most trucks. “Motion lotion” is another popular term.

Good neighbor. The once-popular term “good buddy,” which you may remember from the movies, is no longer used. Instead, “good neighbor” is used to address another driver.

Granny lane. Remember those “Slower Traffic Keep Right” signs? This term refers to the slow lane. The fast lane is known as the “hammer lane.”

Hammer down. Simply put, this means “Speed up!”

Hole in the wall. This simply means a tunnel.

Kiddie car. A term for a school bus.

Ratchet jaw. This is a term for somebody who talks too much, keeping other truckers from using the radio.

Sandbagging. This means listening to the radio without making a contribution.

Smokey. Perhaps the most famous CB slang term of all, this is used to refer to a police officer. Sometimes “Smokey the Bear” is also used.

Thermos bottle. This means a tanker trailer.

If you’d like to become a truck driver, your first step should be to enroll in Phoenix Truck Driving School at Ft. Bliss. We offer everything you need to know to master your new career path in our eight-week CDL training program. When you’re ready to get started, give us a call today at (877) 206-8344.