Tag: truck driving jobs

No Image June 21 2022 in Truck Driving

What To Do After I Get My CDL Permit?

You’ve completed your CDL training. Congratulations! Now you may be wondering: what do I do after I get my CDL permit? This blog post will outline the next steps to obtaining a CDL license to begin your career as a professional truck driver. Stay tuned!  

CDL Steps  

Once you’ve gotten your CDL training out of the way, you will have to take the CDL test. This test consists of two parts: the written portion and the driving portion. After passing these exams, you’ll be officially allowed to drive a commercial vehicle on the road and become one step closer to starting your truck driving career. 

Testing Time  

Written Test: this part of the exam requires you to answer 50 questions within a 60-minute timeframe. It will be multiple-choice, and you’ll have to decide between four options. They’ll cover topics like general knowledge, passenger transport, combination vehicles, hazardous materials, and tanker vehicles, to name a few. The best way to prepare yourself for this test is to take practice exams online and dedicate 30-60 minutes each day to studying the topics. This way, you won’t have to pay the testing fees multiple times.  

Driving Portion: It’s time to put the peddle to the metal! Depending on the class of the CDL license you’re trying to bet, there will be three versions. The types of licenses available consist of Class A, Class B, and Class C. Class A licenses are required to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross total weight rating of 26,000 or more pounds, provided that the towed vehicle weighs more than 10,000 pounds. Class B and Class C licenses are required to operate single vehicles weighing less than 26,000 pounds and aren’t hitched to a trailer (commercial trucks or buses) and a vehicle weighing less than 26,001 pounds (your average car). A CDL-A license is required for professional truck driving. The road test generally takes a total of two hours and will include two sections. The first is displaying the knowledge about how the vehicle operates (how to start the vehicle and how to use emergency and turn signals), and the second focuses on how to maneuver and drive the vehicle as you will on the road.   

After You Get Your CDL-A License 

After you pass both portions of the exam, you’ll earn your CDL-A license and be able to start your career as a professional truck driver. If the carrier that you were hired by requires you to complete additional training or coursework, that would have to be completed before you’re able to drive on your own. Most companies will likely have an orientation, on-boarding, or extensive training program you must complete before you can start driving on your own.  

To summarize, the CDL steps after you’ve acquired your permit are: 

  • Pay fees for application and testing 
  • Pass both the written and driving portions of the CDL test 
  • Complete additional training if it’s required by your company 
  • Complete orientation program unique to your company 

After you have completed all of these steps, you’ll be able to hit the road (officially) and start your truck driving career! 

Which Company Should I Work For? 

If you’re just starting out as a professional truck driver, you may be unsure of which company to choose. You should consider what career aspects and conditions are your top priorities and see which company is the best fit for you. Some important things to look for in a professional truck driving company are reputation, quality of equipment, freight type and driving styles, pay and benefits, and importance of safety. 

If you’re looking for a company that provides the highest quality service in a superior environment, contact Warrior Logistics to join our team! Warrior Logistics believes that people are their greatest assets and strives to empower each person to reach their fullest potential. Our utmost priority is the safety of our Warriors. We provide rigorous safety training, invest in advanced technologies, and continuously reinforce industry standards. We hold ourselves to the highest degree of professionalism, respect, and integrity. Sound like a match? Fill out an application today! 

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No Image May 26 2022 in Logistics, Truck Driving

How to Successfully Recruit Millennial Truck Drivers: Tips from the Pros

The trucking industry is facing a major challenge: recruiting enough truck drivers to keep the nation’s supply of goods moving. A recent study by American Trucking Associations revealed that the truck driver shortage could reach as high as 175,000 drivers by 2024. So, how can your business successfully recruit millennial truck drivers? In this blog post, we will share tips from the pros at Warrior Logistics! 

How to Hire CDL Drivers

First, it is important to understand that millennials are not a monolithic group. They are the most diverse generation in history, with members of this cohort coming from all walks of life. As such, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to recruiting millennial truck drivers. However, there are some best practices that any trucking company can follow.

Millennial Truck Driver Recruiting Ideas

Here are some tips for filling young trucking jobs from the pros at Warrior Logistics:

Social Media 

Use social media to your advantage. Social media is a powerful tool that can help you reach a larger audience of potential truck drivers. Use platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to share information about your trucking company and job openings. Be sure to use hashtags and target your posts to truck drivers in specific geographic areas. 

Easy Application

Make the application process easy and convenient. Millennials are used to being able to apply for jobs online with the click of a button. Make sure your trucking company’s website is up-to-date and that job postings are easily accessible. You may also want to consider developing an online application process. 

Competitive Pay & Benefits

Offer competitive pay and benefits. Truck drivers are in high demand, so it is important to offer compelling pay and benefits. Make sure your trucking company’s compensation package is attractive to Millennials. In addition to competitive wages, consider offering health insurance, retirement savings plans, and other perks like paid time off.

Highlight Purpose

Emphasize the greater purpose of the job. For many Millennials, finding a job that has meaning and purpose is just as important as earning a paycheck. When recruiting truck drivers, be sure to emphasize the importance of the trucking industry in keeping the country’s economy moving. You can also highlight the company’s commitment to social responsibility, such as environmental sustainability or supporting local charities.

Share Interview Questions Beforehand

Find people who are genuinely good for the job, not just good at interviewing, by sending your list of interview questions ahead of time. This will give potential truck drivers the opportunity to thoughtfully prepare for their interviews and will help you weed out those who are not truly interested in the job.

Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance has never before been more important. The trucking industry has a reputation for long hours and being away from home for extended periods of time. While this may be true for some trucking jobs, it is not necessarily the case for all positions. When recruiting Millennials, be sure to highlight the company’s commitment to work-life balance. You can do this by offering flexible scheduling options, telecommuting opportunities, and other perks that allow truck drivers to have a better work-life balance.

Training & Development

Provide training and development opportunities. Many trucking companies require drivers to have a certain amount of experience before they can be hired. However, this may discourage Millennials from applying for truck driving jobs. To attract Millennial truck drivers, consider offering training and development opportunities. This will show that you are invested in their success and provide them with the skills they need to be successful truck drivers.

Wellness Perks

Wellness is a buzzword for good reason with Millennials, so reflect that in what perks your company offers. In addition to traditional benefits like health insurance and retirement savings plans, trucking companies should also consider offering other perks that appeal to Millennials. These might include flexible work schedules, on-site childcare, and student loan repayment assistance.

Company Culture

Finally, don’t forget about culture. Millennials value a company culture that is collaborative, innovative, and socially responsible. When recruiting truck drivers, be sure to highlight your company’s culture and values.

By following these tips, you can successfully recruit Millennial truck drivers to join your trucking company. For more information on recruiting truck drivers, contact Warrior Logistics today! We are dedicated to helping trucking companies find qualified drivers and qualified drivers find the right trucking company to keep America’s supply chains moving. To join our team, contact us here today!

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No Image 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! 

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