Tag: Truck Warrior

No Image September 02 2021 in Truck Driving, Trucking

Top 5 Reality Truck Driving Shows

Do you ever find yourself scrolling endlessly through your TV channel guide, just waiting for something interesting and exciting to catch your attention? You can only watch so many repeats before you start debating whether you even need access to a television, and it would seem that nothing remotely enticing is available to stream in the modern day.

Thankfully, your search for great shows can finally grind to a halt! The genre of trucker reality shows is here to save you from your mind-numbing scroll. Trucking shows can have you riding on the edge of your seat and binge-watching one episode after another, as the nail-biting experiences that some truckers go through regularly are enough to cause even the steeliest of individuals to shake in their boots. 

If you’re interested in finding some of the best trucker shows available on TV today, then you’re in the right place. Read on for our thoughts on 5 amazing programs that offer the ultimate track-focused entertainment.  

1. Ice Road Truckers  

Ice Road Truckers is an American reality television series that originally premiered in June of 2007. It showcases the lives of truck drivers who operate across seasonal routes, navigating frozen lakes and rivers in remote Arctic territories throughout Canada and Alaska. During harsh winters, remote villages and work sites are totally cut off from the world. 

To keep them supplied with all of their most essential items, a tenacious group of truckers drives their rigs over vast distances (often hundreds of miles) on some of the scariest ice roads. Often, the ice is unable to support the heavy rig, causing the drivers and their cargo to break through and forcing them to act quickly to avoid sinking to the bottom. Climb on board for a risky ride-along as they head straight into bone-chilling danger for the sake of those who cannot escape these icy landscapes.  

2. American Trucker  

American Trucker is a show on the Speed channel hosted by Robb Mariani. It has 28 episodes spanning 2 successful seasons. American Trucker results from Mariani’s desire to highlight the trucking industry and is based primarily on his knowledge and experience. The show follows him across the country as he tells the colorful stories of American truckers and their trucks. 

With each episode, he also shares useful tips and tricks that everyone in the trucking industry should know. Mariani and the featured guests who power the show all have a solid grasp on the many demands and difficulties that the average trucker’s lifestyle can bring, and they do their best to present these challenges honestly and realistically for their audience. If you want to find an informative and educational trucking show, then American Trucker is a great option to look into. 

3. Shipping Wars  

Shipping Wars is a popular reality television series that first aired in January 2012. The show followed a varied cast of rookie and seasoned independent truckers who make money by transporting large, bulky, or unusual items that traditional truckers cannot or do not transport.

Each character competes for available shipments in timed auctions held by uShip, one of the world’s biggest online auction houses for independent shippers. In any given episode, the truckers will place bids on two separate shipments that have been listed online, and when the time limit runs out, the job is given to the lowest bidder.

This is, of course, at the client’s discretion, as it could be awarded to a pricier bidder that maintains higher levels of feedback from previous clients. The winning bidder then loads their cargo and attempts to transport it to its destination in good condition before the deadline hits, aiming to achieve great feedback due to their efforts. If you like shows that feature a fierce competition to complete nail-biting challenges, shipping wars are the perfect option.   

4. World’s Toughest Trucker 

World’s Toughest Trucker is a TV show originally broadcast on Channel 5 in the United Kingdom and Discovery Channel in the United States. The show pits eight seasoned truck drivers against one another in a series of different challenges that aim to test the true skill set of each. The winning trucker will receive a whopping sum of $150,000 (US) as well as the title of ‘The World’s Toughest Trucker. 

The truckers who enter into the show are totally fearless, and they’re more than ready to showcase their abilities in some of the world’s most feared locations.  When the show first aired, more than 60,000 hopefuls applied to participate in it, proving just how interesting and exciting the program really is. Who will come out on top as the world’s toughest trucker? Tune in to find out!  

5. Highway Thru Hell 

Highway Thru Hell is a documentary TV series based in Canada that details the day-to-day life of those who work for Jamie Davis Motor Trucking, which is a heavy vehicle rescue and recovery towing company. The show describes the hardships and difficulties that you can expect to face when operating along the dangerous and risky highways of the BC Interior.

The show was created by Neil Thomas, who met one of Jamie Davis’ heavy rescue operators after his own large moving truck fell into difficulties along Highway 5. Neil posed the idea of a show that features heavy recovery to Jamie, who expressed a strong desire to change the public perception surrounding his industry and help people understand what it takes to be a rescue and recovery trucker. Those on the show get themselves into some seriously tricky situations, but Davis’ team has the right experience and expertise needed to provide the most productive solution every time.  

Conclusion

Each of these truck driving shows will give you a glimpse into the trucking companies as you’ve never seen them before, so there’s no time like the present to get lost in the enthralling stories featured in each of these exciting shows. Settle in from the comfort and safety of your own home and watch some of the world’s top truckers expertly perform risky maneuvers to overcome impossible odds.

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No Image 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 truck driving license.

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 truck driving 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 truck driver 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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