professional truck driver Archives

March 30 2022 in Truck Driving

9 Simple Tips for Passing Your CDL Exam with Ease

Congratulations on your decision to become a truck driver! Driving a big rig is a challenging but rewarding job, and it’s a great way to see the country. But before you hit the open road, you need to pass your CDL exam. Don’t worry – with these simple tips for passing a CDL exam Warrior Logistics, you’ll breeze right through the test and be on your way to becoming a professional truck driver. Good luck!

1. Be Sure You Meet Your State’s CDL Exam Minimums

Know and understand what you’re up against before you get started. Look over the requirements in your state for earning your CDL or Commercial Driver’s License. Make sure you meet all of the age and physical ability minimums to be sure you’re off on the right foot for your professional truck driver career!

2. Get A Copy of Your State’s CDL Manual

You particular state may have different rules and particulars for you to learn and pass your exam than another state, so verify you have the right learner’s manual for your state to study from. Most are available for download from each state’s DMV site, but if you prefer a physical copy, swing by your local DMV to pick up a copy that way. Read it once all the way through to start for a full overview, then hone in on the spots you need to spend extra time studying.

3. Time to Study

You can’t memorize it all in one go, so focus on understanding the overall concepts. You’ll be more likely to actually retain the important parts of the information, and also, you’ll be better able to answer questions should they be phrased in a different way from your learning materials.

4. Practice Makes You Aware – Not Perfect

The physical part is easier said than done considering commercial vehicles used by professional truck drivers aren’t exactly easy to come by, but the studying is definitely doable, especially if you plan far enough ahead. Give yourself plenty of time to review and re-review the content before your exam. Not feeling like you’re in a pressured rush will be so helpful to your ability to recall the info on which you’ll be tested.

5. Try Some Different Approaches to Studying ‘Till You Find Your Best One(s)

Some study methods work better for some than for others, so play around to find what works best for you (if you don’t already know, that is). It may be flashcards or practice tests or mnemonic devices like acronyms or rhyming strategies. Recruit your friends or family members to help quiz you on a few practice runs after some studying!

6. Don’t Forget to be Mentally and Physically Ready, Too

This one might not be such a hot tip, but we at Warrior Logistics think it still should be said – get plenty of rest the night before and be sure to have some breakfast that morning. It’s so hard to focus when you’ve got the yawns draining your energy while the sounds of your stomach rumble on.

7. Keep in Mind the Automatic Fails

There’s a pretty hefty list of what are considered to be automatic failures, but if you’ve gotten your non-commercial driver’s license, there is a lot of overlap of what’s considered poor driving for both.

Rolling through stops
Not noticing road signs such as lane endings, highway exits, etc.
Using a cell phone while driving
Stopping while crossing a railroad track
Taking hands off the wheel while in motion
Forgetting your turn signals
Speeding more than 5 miles over the posted limit
Causing another driver to drive evasively
Not checking mirrors before switching lanes

Pretty basic, right? One potential catch we want to mention, though, is that practicing at a CDL test site is entirely forbidden!

8. Know That They Don’t Expect Perfection

You want to do well on your exam – which is good! – and that can end up feeling like a lot of pressure for perfection. Remember that they know you’re human. The test administrator is looking for clear safety risks, not a single missed shift when changing gears. Give yourself a little grace, and odds are so will the admin.

9. Show Confidence (Even If You Don’t Really Feel Confident)

Fake it ‘till you make it, right? Like we said earlier, test admins know you’re relatively new to this set of skills and that you’ll continue learning and improving even after you’ve started running your first routes. Stay cool and calm. Put your mind in the mode of familiarity as much as sharpness. It’s perfectly okay to make a little conversation where you’re comfortable and then turn it off when you need to focus on the task at hand. If something goes wrong, it’ll count that you’re able to keep your composure – even if you don’t necessarily pass this go-around. No matter what, you got this!

So, there you have it – our top tips for passing your CDL exam with ease. Of course, every person is different, and some people may find some techniques more helpful than others, but we hope that at least a few of these ideas will be useful to you. If you’re looking for help getting started on your truck driving career, reach out to us at Warrior Logistics. We’re here to get you through those tough exam tricks and onto finding a fulfilling job in the industry. Best of luck on your upcoming exam!

March 10 2022 in Truck Driving

7 Essential Unwritten Rules for Truck Drivers

If you’re new to the trucking industry, there are a few things you should know. Trucking can be a tough business, and there are certain unwritten rules that everyone is expected to follow. In this blog post, Warrior Logistics will give you a rundown of some of those rules – everything from how to behave on the road to what to do (and not do) at truck stops. So read on and learn the ropes of one of America’s most essential industries. Welcome to the world of trucking!

First rule of hauling…Don’t talk about your haul

It’s easy for anyone to overshare when they feel they’re amongst friends (as we hope our WL drivers feel), but always remember to stay buttoned up and professional at least when it comes to what you’re carting around in your truck. Be aware of other people you don’t know who is asking suspiciously about your cargo or maybe oversharing about their own in hopes you’ll let down your guard.

Plan ahead for where you’ll park your truck overnight

Long haulers, this one’s for you… You don’t want to get stuck somewhere you don’t really want to be or end up having to push your daily limits trying to find a good place to stop and rest for the night. If you’re new to the profession or just new to the route, we recommend you pro-actively ask around to find where others who are more familiar with your route suggest you pull over.

Get Your Diesel and GO!

You remember how irritating it is when you can see that people are just sitting in their car while you’re also sitting there, waiting for a parking space to open up? same kinda thing.

If you’re done fueling up, be courteous and move away from the diesel pump before getting settled back in with your GPS or popping in the convenience store for that snack you’ve been craving. It may only take you a minute or two to go inside, but that added time could end up cutting into another trucker’s schedule and/or, even worse, their paycheck.

Keep Your Distance When Passing

It’s bad enough that the average car driver on the road cuts off a truck driver without a second thought; so don’t do it to another truck driver.

Keep at least 200 or more feet of space between the front of their cab and the back of your trailer/bumper before passing. A shorter distance between may prevent the driver you’re passing from having a safe, full view around them.

Remember the Golden Rules of Lot Courtesy

Mind your headlights.

If you’re getting situated in a lot at night, think about where your lights are shining in relation to where other truckers may be trying to get some shut-eye.

And don’t block anyone in.

Think about it logically – if you pull in in front of someone who is already there, their break will very likely be over before yours and they will need easy access to pull out around you.

Look Out for Each Other, Too

No one understands the trucking life better than other truckers. When there’s an issue, odds are you’re not the first to experience it, nor will you be the last.

Extend a helping hand or even just advice or a listening ear to your fellow truck drivers wherever possible. Pass along tips you’ve learned, warn of bad weather or traffic to those on the same or similar routes, and especially if you see a truck on the side of the road in distress, pull over (only if it’s safe to do so) and make sure they have help on the way.

And finally…

Honk That Horn!

It’s a time-honored tradition to honk your horn when signaled by a kid in the minivan or school bus beside you. A bit of harmless fun makes everyone’s day better, and you can’t tell us you don’t love seeing the smiles your honk elicits. Don’t let ‘em down!

How Can Warrior Logistics Help You?

The trucking industry is full of unwritten rules that help keep everyone safe and moving along. As a new driver, it’s important to be aware of these rules so you can avoid any penalties or dangerous situations on the road. At Warrior Logistics, we want to make sure our drivers have all the information they need to stay safe and successful while hauling freight. If you have any questions about the rules mentioned in this post or anything else related to truck driving, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re always happy to help out our drivers!

October 10 2021 in Truck Driving

Why Truck Drivers Like Their Jobs

As the name suggests, professional truck drivers drive trucks to earn their living. Usually, they drive back and forth between manufacturing plants or distribution centers, and they might work during either the night or day, depending on the company. Many people love life as a truck driver. If you’re thinking about pursuing this profession, you’ll want to learn about the perks. Why do truck drivers like their jobs? Let’s find out. They might work during either the night or day, depending on the company. Many people love life as a truck driver. If you’re thinking about pursuing this profession, you’ll want to learn about the perks. Why do truck drivers like their jobs? Let’s find out.

1 . Lots of Travel Opportunities

If you enjoy traveling, you’re much more likely to love life as a truck driver, spending your days driving the open highways. Trucking life is about leaving the desk job behind and heading off around the USA.

If you’re bored in the office and getting tired of your 9-5, remember that truckers get to leave all that behind and travel to see some of the gorgeous landscapes in America instead. From Lake Tahoe to the Golden Gate Bridge to the Grand Canyon, truckers get to see some beautiful places. Sound enticing? Sound enticing? Then the life of a truck driver might just be your calling! Then the life of a truck driver might be your calling! In the Grand Canyon, truckers get to see some beautiful places.

2. Trucking community

As a professional truck driver, you’ll become part of a real community. Truck driving isn’t just a profession; it’s a lifestyle on the roads. To get involved in the trucker lifestyle, you can join online trucking communities, forums, and associations. You can meet new people, network, and attend trucking events. There are many associations that truckers can join, including it’s a lifestyle on the roads. To get involved in the trucker lifestyle, you can join online trucking communities, forums, and associations. You can meet new people, network, and attend trucking events. There are many associations that truckers can join, including:

The American Trucking Associations: The ATA was formed when Federated Trucking Associations of America and the American Highway Freight Association combined forces. When you become a member of the ATA, you can access plenty of benefits. A few benefits include product discounts, liability insurance discounts, professional services, and career opportunities.

Women in Trucking: This is a non-profit organization for women who work in the trucking industry. Members receive various educational benefits, and the association also helps women pursue management opportunities within the trucking industry.

3. Earning Potential

Wondering how many truck drivers earn? According to Indeed, ‘The average USA Truck salary ranges from approximately $31,466 per year for a driver to $103,645 per, ‘The average USA Truck salary ranges from approximately $31,466 per year for a driver to $103,645 per year for an owner-operator driver.’ The great earning potential is what attracts many people to the trucking industry. Many professionals start as drivers and then move their way up the ranks into more lucrative roles. L is what attracts many people to the trucking industry. Many professionals start as drivers and then move their way up the ranks into more lucrative roles. Warrior Logistics offers one of the most competitive driver packages around. Offering brand new top-of-the-line trucks, five days and home weekends, and drivers bring home an average of $2,000 a week, not including bonuses and benefits.

Money can’t buy happiness, of course, but it definitely can provide a whole lot of freedom and other benefits. If you’re looking for financial security and a career with room to grow, truck driving is a great option.

4. Trucking Benefits

If you’re thinking about becoming a truck driver, you might be wondering what benefits truck drivers get? As a professional truck driver, you’re likely to receive paid vacations and holidays, as well as health and dental insurance. Most trucking companies offer pay raises and other bonus opportunities.

5. Training Options

To become a professional truck driver, you’ll need to receive the right training. The good news is, it’s not a lengthy or complicated training process. All this explains why it’s a popular pursuit for many people! It’s not particularly difficult to get started as a professional truck driver, making it one of the most accessible professions with long-term potential and comfortable pay.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most long-haul employers expect applicants to hold at least a high school diploma or GED equivalent, along with a CDL. Do some people wonder if the CDL is worth it? The answer is: Yes! If you want to become a truck driver, you need to get your CDL.

Some trucking companies offer training programs to help support individuals interested in pursuing this industry for their careers. When you’re choosing a trucking company, ensure that you conduct detailed research. Not all companies have the same reputation or offer the same benefits. Or offer the same benefits.

6. Sense of Freedom

Why do truck drivers like their jobs? Many say it’s because of the sense of freedom. As a truck driver, you’ll be working alone or with a partner. You get the opportunity to explore the open roads without your superiors constantly looking over your shoulder and micromanaging your work or otherwise bothering you. Plus, truckers can often choose how many hours they take on. It’s not a rigid profession where you’ll be working a 9-5 shift. If you like the idea of managing your own work schedule, trucking might be the profession for you.

7. Flexible Work

If you’re interested in becoming a trucker, you might be wondering what your schedule could potentially look like. As previously mentioned, there’s no straight answer to that question because it depends on the company and the job. The good news is that most trucking professionals have a flexible schedule. In other careers, people often express dissatisfaction with their work because they feel ‘tied down.’ On the other hand, professional truckers often express how much they love the flexible nature of their work. Before you leap, however, consider talking to a few professional truck drivers. It can be helpful to ask questions and get a handle on what the day-to-day is actually like. The trucking lifestyle certainly isn’t for everyone. It comes down to how much they enjoy the work and the opportunity it provides for many people.

8. Always in Demand

What’s the best thing about being a trucker? Professional truck drivers are always in demand. You’ll never be short on work or opportunities, and if you don’t like the company you’re working for, then there are plenty of others out there—professional truckers like the sense of job security. No one wants to worry about running out of work, and in the trucking industry, it’s very unlikely.

According to CNN Business, ‘Massive increases in online ordering during the pandemic have sent demand for delivery truck drivers through the roof.’ If you’re interested in becoming a trucker, now’s a great time.

At Warrior Logistics, we have plenty of opportunities for those looking to get into the trucking industry. We have an excellent reputation and provide our drivers with amazing training and plenty of benefits. To learn more about becoming a professional truck driver, get in touch today! We are happy to answer any questions you have about this career path. We have plenty of opportunities for those who are looking to get into the trucking industry. We have an excellent reputation and provide our drivers with amazing training and plenty of benefits. To learn more about becoming a pro truck driver, get in touch today. We are happy to answer any questions you have about this career path.

August 05 2021 in Truck Driving

What to Expect When Getting Your CDL-A License

Getting your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is essential to become a professional truck driver. Having this allows truckers to access the highest levels of pay, which is what we believe truck drivers deserve for the hard work they do. If you’re considering getting your CDL, here are some things you should know about what to expect:

UNDERSTANDING THE COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE

There are several types of CDL licenses that you’ll need to know about as a logistics driver. Authorities break these down into A, B, and C.

A CDL-A license allows drivers to pilot vehicles weighing up to 26,000 pounds total or tow vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds.

A CDL-B license keeps the same total vehicle weight, but drivers can only tow trailers with less than 10,000 pounds total weight. A license of this type allows drivers to drive many vehicles without trailers, such as dump trucks, box trucks, buses, and straight trucks. However, this type of license is not the best option for drivers seeking employment at major haulage companies that need people with licenses to drive articulated vehicles.

CDL-C allows drivers to pilot vehicles weighing less than 26,000 pounds and permits them to transport hazardous materials. It is a popular choice among people looking to drive HazMat vehicles.

Even if you pass your CDL exam, many drivers must also supplement with endorsements. While not all trucking jobs require them, they can help make you more attractive to carriers and haulers. Getting a “T” endorsement, which allows drivers to haul double or triple the freight, makes people more confident in hiring you for difficult jobs. It also helps get a passenger transport endorsement, an endorsement for carrying hazardous materials, and a tank vehicles endorsement, as carriers often want to offer more flexible services to their clients at short notice.

WHO CAN START PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVER TRAINING?

In terms of federal law, virtually anyone who meets the age requirement can become a truck warrior. To drive within the same state, you need to be at least 18 years old. If you want to go across state lines or carry hazardous materials, you must be at least 21 years of age. Regardless, you can’t have any criminal offenses that disqualify you from earning your CDL.

If you meet those requirements, you’ll need to jump through some hoops to satisfy the local state laws. Keep in mind that these can vary considerably from state to state, so there isn’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all approach. However, they will likely ask you to do the following:

Pay a CDL license test fee
Provide proof that you’ve completed a professional training course
Pass a skills test
Prove that you’re medically fit
Provide valid identification
Provide details of your driving records from the last ten years

BOOK A DRIVING SCHOOL

Once you find out which certification rules apply in your state, the next big decision is choosing a driving school – and don’t take this task lightly. You’ll need to put considerable effort into this because the school you choose for CDL training can substantially impact your future work.

Although you can technically obtain a license through self-study and then pass a CDL test at the end of it, the best option is to go through a verified trucking school because most companies will ask you where you studied and require a “qualified” school.

Do your research and look for evidence of quality when searching for a school to attend. How? Check that the Department of Education accredits its program, and also determine if the school has the certification from the Department of Transportation.

Beyond that, you’ll want to check what else the training school includes in its price. Most offer learning materials and on-road training at the basic rate. They may also offer additional classes and catch-up lessons for those prone to falling behind or needing refreshers.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

Even though it takes more money and effort upfront, getting a CDL license from a truck driving school is substantial value for your money. Most institutions will charge between $3,000 and $7,000 to take you through an entire course. Generally, the more you spend, the higher the level of qualifications and endorsements you will receive.

CDL training is comprehensive. Program length varies; however, the DOT requires a minimum number of hours in order to be certified. If you have any questions, you can reach out to us here.

PASSING A CDL TEST

At the end of professional truck driver training, you’ll need to pass a final test. Schools divide this into both written and practical components.

For the practical part, you’ll drive with an instructor on the road who will judge your skills and ability to follow the highway code as a truck driver. Truckers can only pass the practical exam if fewer than 30 points are deducted from their score for errors.

The written component requires taking a multiple-choice test. Drivers must memorize various rules and regulations and get more than 80 percent of the answers correct to pass.

It’s a good idea to take a free CDL practice test beforehand to know the format of the written component of the exam. This way, you can get more familiar with the controls. It would help if you also spent as much time driving a big rig as you can before the practical segment of the exam. Most drivers log more than 100 hours in big rigs before attempting the practical exam, and your school may have set minimum driving hours you must complete in advance of your test.

Getting a CDL-A license requires a lot of commitment and dedication. However, just like so many other educational programs, there are big payoffs in the end. If you pass a truck driving school course, it will open the door to higher-value work.

WRAPPING UP

Once you pass the tests and get your commercial driver’s license, you’ll then be able to start looking for work. Carriers, like Warrior Logistics, regularly have job openings that new drivers can fill.

When searching for companies after CDL truck driving school, look for those that offer a good basic rate of pay and perks. This way, you can maximize your career success and meet your personal goals. Quality firms offer vacation pay and bonuses for things like safe driving. If you are interested in learning more about starting an exciting new career in truck driving, reach out to Warrior Logistics and apply here.

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