Being new to trucking can be a bit scary. There are a lot of rules to follow that go far beyond obtaining your normal license to operate a vehicle. You have a responsibility on the road to not only transport the product but for yourself and the people surrounding you. 

As with most things, new trucker training driver rules will go into effect in the coming weeks. Understanding these is crucial to becoming a truck driver. So, in a quick summary, this is what you need to know about the new truck driver training rules taking effect February 7, 2022. 

Who Does This Apply To?

The new rules are specifically for people who are applying as new, entry-level truck drivers. This includes anyone who is applying for the following licenses:

• Class A or Class B CDL for the first time.
• Needs to upgrade an existing Class B CDL to a Class A CDL.
• Get a school bus, hazardous materials, or passenger endorsement for the first time. .

So any truck driver who already has these licenses, or is not applying for these specific scenarios, does not need to worry about the new rules going into effect.

What Does It Mean?

The rule has changed the way that training is done. Now you have to complete your training outlined by the new rules before being able to take either the written test or required skills test . Anyone who has obtained their CDL before February 7, 2022 will not need to abide by this new training. 

This new training program was meant to take effect in 2020 but had a two-year delay. It was delayed so that there would be a completed Training Provider Registry so that new truck drivers entering this training had a better sense of the process. 

What’s Changed?

One of the biggest differences that new truck drivers will notice is that there is no timeline for how many hours you need in training behind the wheel or in range. At first, this doesn’t make sense, but then when learning more it’s a great addition. It accounts for those who learn quicker than others. 

Instead of logging time, you need to pass the proficiency test. So, drivers who learn quickly during the training will be able to move on and those who need more time can certainly take it. This makes the rules of the road a lot safer and proficient. 

Where Can I Find More Information?

The Trainer Provider Registry is the best source that new truck drivers can use. Supplied by FMCSA, this registry can pair new truck drivers up with certified trainers to help them walk through the steps of obtaining their license in the desired class they are looking for. 

While these rules have certainly changed the way truckers are able to get their license, many are saying improvements are needed and that the rule changes have not gone far enough. By using the Trainer Prover Registry you can stay up-to-date on these changes.

While some truckers won’t care about the beauty of having their wheels shine, most will care if dirty wheels cause wheel damage. Because this is the case, wheel damage can end up completely derailing a trucker’s route and schedule. So learning how to make that aluminum wheel sparkle can be a great tool. 

But what’s the best way to go about it? Whether you are a beginner or need some brushing up (no pun intended), we have the ultimate way to do it. 

Step 1:  Rinse and Wash

The first and most important step is getting rid of the dirt that is building up in your wheels. You also want to check that there are  no small rust spots forming when cleaning the wheels. You can do this with a power washer or hose. After using just water, you can start to use a wheel cleaner solution. Make sure that this is manufacturer approved because you don’t want a solution that will eat into the wheel materials. 

Get into all the tiny bits and pieces like the spokes, lug nuts, and wheel wells. Getting the wheel completely cleaned in wheel solution is the key to ensuring the wheels stay healthy. Once you do this, rinse it all off. 

Step 2: Polish

Now that the grunt work is over you can polish to brighten up the wheels. Again, make sure that you are using both an approved polish and polish tool. While applying the polish one wheel at a time you can increase the speed of your polisher. Once you are done with this process use a towel to wipe the polish off. 

Step 3: Buff It Up

With an approved, and great quality, sealant finishes your work off by ensuring it stays nice for a little while. You can use a buffer pad to rub the sealant in and get the shine you worked for! If you do come across more dirt caught up in the wheel, it’s better to go back to stage one than try to buff it out. 

Why Does This Matter?

While we talked about the fact that your own schedule and driving can be affected when you have wheels with built-up debris, there are other reasons you should ocean your wheels as well. You don’t want to contribute to debris, dirt, and grime kicking up from your truck and affecting other drivers on the road. With so much dirt built up on trucks, it’s possible to have rocks or hard dirt impair one of the other drivers on the road. 

To prevent this you can follow the steps above, making sure to put priority on rinsing and washing the wheels thoroughly. This is the best way to remove the dirt. Only after can you use a high-quality polish and later sealant. Just remember that any products you use and tools should be approved so you don’t cause any damage to the wheels that could result in issues. 

TO-MAY-TO, TO-MAH-TO, tornado! The word for tornado likely comes from two Spanish words, one meaning ‘to thunder’ and the other ‘to turn.’ That seems like an accurate description for the whirling storm clouds. Tornadoes are quite common in the Central United States. There is even a specific season and an aptly named high tornado risk zone known as Tornado Alley that stretches from Southern Nebraska to Northern Texas. As a cross country or regional driver in the central US, you will likely face a tornado situation in your career as a driver. So, how do you stay safe during tornado weather?

Tornado Warning!

The first thing you should always be on the lookout for is the weather forecast when you’re driving. While meteorologists cannot always predict a tornado, they know the conditions that can create one and can give advance warning of where one may form. In addition to this, watching the sky while you drive especially when there seems to be a sudden darkening, or the winds are changing rather rapidly will help you determine whether a tornado is starting to form and how far away you are from it. Seeing a tornado near your truck is likely one of the scariest things you will ever face as a driver, but there are ways to increase your chances of survival and possibly even save your truck.

What Should You Do?

The priority in a tornado situation is saving yourself- if you are faced with a tornado, Trucks can be repaired and goods can be replaced, but you’ve only got one life. There are two courses of action when it comes to addressing a tornadic situation. These depend on whether you are inside your truck or outside of it (at a truck stop, delivery point, pick-up location, fueling up, etc.). 

If you are driving, the best thing to do is look for a place below ground level to pull your truck into. DO NOT pull under a bridge or overpass as the winds flowing through these areas are more treacherous than the ones in the open. The best place to take your truck is into a culvert or into a ditch. Make sure that your truck is not near any structures or trees, as these may collapse and fall on your vehicle. After your truck is parked, remain in the driver’s seat, buckle your seatbelt, and cover your head with your arms and a jacket or blanket to aid in protecting you from debris or broken glass. If you cannot get your truck into a low place, get yourself into a ditch or culvert far from structures or vehicles, and cover your neck and head with your arms and a jacket or blanket.

If you are stopped, try to get to the nearest building and shelter in the innermost room. If this is not possible and you have enough time, drive your truck into a low place. If you can’t get into a building or don’t have time to drive, run to the nearest ditch and cover your head and neck with your arms and a jacket or blanket.

If you are driving and cannot find a low place, DO NOT keep driving towards the tornado. Turn away from it and locate the nearest possible low place that is far from structures. 

Staying Safe

Tornadoes are usually sudden, but it is possible to stay safe. Following the above guidelines gives you the best chance at surviving the storm. If you know that you are traveling through tornado country at peak tornado season (May-June), it is a good idea to pack a kit of supplies. This kit should include extra food, water, a flashlight, and a battery powered radio. As you are driving, check the weather on the radio, and take shelter when warnings are announced. Hopefully you will never face a tornado, but it always pays to be alert and prepared during any severe weather condition. Stay safe out there!

Picture a truck driver in your mind, he’s probably an older man, right? This is a very common trope, that drivers are all older men, but this really isn’t the case anymore– welcome to the 21st century! There are drivers representing nearly all shapes, sizes, and demographic backgrounds. A little known fact is that there are many women who work in the industry. Women are changing the trucking world for the better and making it a more diverse and successful industry!

Stories You Should Hear

The tale that a lot of women hear when entering the industry is “oh, trucking is for men.” Sometimes this dissuades women, but for those who really love the career like Christine Bosgraaf and Melissa Bencivengo-Ahorrio, it’s a personal challenge to prove that trucking is also a great career for women.

• Christine Bosgraaf

Christine Bosgraaf is a driver and driving instructor from Sanger, Texas. For the first 20 years of her working life, she was a veterinary technician in the biomedical research field in Illinois. She was laid off from her job in the lab because of a lack of funding. During her time searching for a career, she noticed a program that would provide training to receive her CDL in 20 days. She took on the challenge, and afterwards got a job working for Schneider and has been working there for almost the entirety of the past 8 years! Six months ago, Schneider recognized Bosgraaf’s seniority in the field and provided her the opportunity of being an instructor for future employees. Now Bosgraaf works to instruct many men and women on the rules of the road and all the skills they need to attain a CDL! Read more about Christine here!  

• Melissa Bencivengo-Ahorrio

Melissa Bencivenego-Ahorrio is another woman driver who hails from New Jersey. She has always been brash, bold, and confident, which has helped her excel in traditionally male-dominated roles including being a mason, drill rig driver, carpenter, tree service employee, and finally truck driver as of almost four years ago. Melissa knew that trucking would be a great career for her because it offered great opportunities to travel and get out on the road. Read more about Melissa’s story here! 

Consider Trucking as a Career

There are countless stories of women driving and having very successful careers. The transportation industry in the United States is always growing, and right now is a great time to jump in if you think trucking is right for you! As a woman in trucking, you will likely face challenges that men do not, which is unfortunately a reality of navigating traditionally male careers, but often the benefits of a career in trucking outweigh the challenges. If you enjoy traveling, navigating, and interacting with all kinds of people, trucking might be a great career for you. If you decide to try it, don’t let anyone stop you from pursuing your dreams!

Final Thoughts

Trucking is a great career for all different kinds of people. Anyone who sets their mind to it can form a successful career in the transport industry. As has been proven by the wonderful women we’ve highlighted, truck driving is no longer just a ‘man’s world,’ it’s everyone’s world, and has become all the better for it! This goes for anyone, if you feel like trucking is a good career choice for you, go for it and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it!

Sometimes it feels like diesel is expensive enough to bedazzle your truck and buy it a pearl necklace, and this is especially true at present. Diesel prices are on the rise. This can spell trouble for the transportation industry and those that depend on it, which includes nearly everyone in the United States). When diesel is more expensive, it means that overall transport costs increase. This can pose a challenge to smaller and individually owned companies as miles stack up and a few extra cents per gallon can end up costing a pretty penny. 

The Cost of Transportation

Transportation of any kind either commercial or civilian is expensive, from travel via rail, air or wheels, it is almost all powered by fossil fuels in some way or another. In wheeled transportation, gasoline and diesel reign supreme. Diesel and gas come from the same source, crude oil, but they are very different in terms of properties. Gas is a thin fuel that has low density but is very combustible, making it perfect for moving smaller vehicles. Diesel on the other hand is thick, dense, and packs a powerful punch which is perfect for fueling trucks and other heavier machinery. It may seem like robbery that diesel is more expensive than gas, but diesel is far more energy dense and therefore holds a higher value.

Besides the regular costs of purchasing vehicles and maintaining them, diesel is the main cost for trucking companies. It is a necessary and recurring expense that really adds up, especially when driving frequency is increased. If trucks are moving, there is the constant expense that comes with fuel. When diesel is more abundant and less expensive, it makes transportation less pricey which helps drivers and their companies save money. However, the economy functions best with balance and moderately priced fuel and transportation usually saves the most money for all parties. 

Diesel Prices

Diesel prices have been rising for sometime now. According to the EIA (U.S. Energy Information Administration), diesel prices in the US are up $1.28 per gallon from last year and are still rising. However, diesel prices are not expected to stay this high. Predictions from the EIA show that crude oil (the source of diesel) will likely become less expensive in 2022 due to the possible action by Washington to open the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to stabilize costs. The action the government will take remains to be seen, but likely as we roll into the new year, diesel prices will fall.

The fall in diesel prices will possibly be promoted by the colder months as winter is usually good for diesel,particularly colder winters. As the freezing temperatures reduce the likelihood of car travel, which is bad for gas, but good for diesel as it becomes more profitable than gasoline sales. If there is plenty of supply for the demand, diesel prices will remain affordable.

Final Thoughts

Diesel prices have been steadily rising, but there is an end in sight. Soon they will likely fall to a more affordable level. This is very exciting as it means that businesses will be able to breathe easier and reduce their expenses. As we enter the new year, pay attention to political actions and the weather to see how diesel prices play out. A great source for diesel news is the U.S. Energy Information Administration for the most up to date energy news!

Winter seems to come too quickly. It’s a beautiful season filled with opportunities to see the family, eat great food, and celebrate the holiday season, but winter is also one of the most dangerous seasons as there are all the usual hazards coupled with ice and snow. As the days continue to get colder, it is crucial that you are prepared for the challenges of winter, in both your home and work life as driving in near-freezing temperatures and potentially inclement weather can be hazardous.

Driving in Severe Weather

Considering the problems that can occur while driving is the first step to building safe winter driving habits. The first thing to take into account when you are planning on taking your next route is to make sure you are familiar with the weather in all locations you will be driving through. Some places will be warmer or colder than others, and it is crucial that you know which locations will have hazardous conditions such as snowstorms, icy roads, or freezing rain. Being familiar with the challenges you will face on the journey and continuing to check the news (or a dependable weather app) will help you be prepared. 

The most important thing to know when driving in potentially icy locations is that going slowly can save lives. Speed is very highly valued in the trucking industry, and it can be very hard to choose to slow down especially when most drivers are in a time crunch. However, in hazardous conditions, the most responsible thing to do is slow down to a comfortable and safe speed, being sure to follow any emergency directives from road signs even if this results in a delayed arrival. 

In addition to this primary guideline, you should also complete pre-travel checks of your truck to ensure it is well-equipped and functioning correctly for the trip. Other important tips for safe driving in any season, but especially the winter, include following traffic at a safe distance, staying to the right, checking your brakes often and keeping them clear of winter slush overnight, avoiding distractions, and making sure your headlights are clear. While you are driving, do your best to avoid panicking, even when you face scary situations. Staying calm and using common sense will help you through even the worst problems. You can always pull off the road and call for assistance if you believe the conditions are too unsafe to continue.

Stay Safe, Stay Warm

Icy conditions wreak havoc on the plans of drivers (both commercial and civilian) all through the winter season. While there are hazards on the road all year round, from animals and natural dangers, winter takes the cake as the most dangerous season of the year because it combines all the risks with ice and snow. However, many incidents are easily avoided by using common sense and making sure to follow the guidelines of going slowly when necessary and taking steps to ensure you are staying alert, aware, and prepared for any challenge winter throws at you. 

There’s a spec on your tire. No, not a spot of dirt, but a specification. In fact, specs are on every tire produced and are used to inform the customer of the details regarding sizing, usage, tread, and distance limits. There are thousands of different types of tires on the market today from a multitude of tire makers. Properly spec’ing your tires means that you can choose the best out of this abundance of options.

The Right Way

According to Overdrive.com, variables to consider when spec’ing your tires include, “size and number of plies and related weight rating, tread design, tread depth, tread compound and wheel position.” As you research tires for your vehicle, evaluate the type of work your truck will be performing and then choose tires based on their ratings for this type of work. For instance, choosing low profile tires for long-haul highway driving can save on fuel because the sidewall height is less than the width. 

There are adjustments you can make to your tire buying process once you begin doing your research to spec your tires. When researching, be sure to check all the options in all price ranges. Sometimes the more expensive tires have longer lifespans or can save you more money on fuel, and likely enough to afford the upgrade. Some changes to consider when spec’ing tires could be to research wide singles that can be used as alternatives to double wheels. You will likely have to get your truck refitted for these, but they are a great choice for long haul driving since they are much lighter. 

Save Money and Time

Once you have properly spec’d tires, you can be sure that your truck is running as efficiently as possible. While you are focused on the financial aspect, a great idea for those trying to save more money is looking into retreaded tires. New tires can be extremely expensive, but retreads usually run about ½ or ? of the new price. Retreads, when bought from a reputable source, are just as safe and have been inspected for quality and durability on the road. One final money saving tip is to shop wisely. Make sure you are choosing the best quality for the best price, even if this takes a while to research. 

Road and Wallet

Traveling on the road costs money, from fuel, to taxes and insurance, to maintenance and parts for the vehicle, there are a lot of high prices that you will pay as a driver or fleet owner. Some of these costs can be reduced in the long run by properly gearing your rears, ensuring your engine is running at peak performance, and spec’ing your tires, you can be sure to save money which is important for keeping your business healthy. The great news is, with some research, you can save your money without sacrificing quality. 

Final Thoughts

Why should you take the time to research how to properly spec your tires? The short answer is to save money by decreasing your fuel usage and getting the most life out of your tires. Everyone loves saving money, but the added benefit of spec’ing your tires properly is knowing that you have the best tires for your truck and its application means that your truck is ready to face the roads safely and efficiently! 

Winter is here! The leaves have fallen and frost is on the ground in the mornings, which means that the snow and ice of winter are coming soon. This holiday season, before the outdoors become uninhabitable, is the perfect time to prepare your truck and ensure it is winter ready. While you’re thinking about getting your truck ready for winter, read our helpful tips for making your winter travels safer and more comfortable.

Winter is Finally Here!

It may seem like Winter rolls around faster than other seasons, and that may be because we dread taking out the winter coat, gloves, and snow shovels. Even though Winter may be inconvenient, it should not be something to be dreaded as it is a very beautiful time of year with plenty of celebrations taking place. If you know the right procedures to stay safe while driving, your winter can be a blast! 

You may not have noticed the day it became cold enough to wear a coat because that change is usually gradual, but when the frost begins to collect on the ground, you likely know that winter will be approaching soon. Something that most people do automatically is to locate all the cold weather gear as winter begins to take hold. In addition to this, many families gather firewood, ensure their homes are well fueled, and stock up on groceries in case the weather becomes too bad to get outside. With all this home preparation, you should also think about your truck.

Frightful Cold

Driving in the winter can be scary as there are added hazards to the road including slick roadways, high winds, and low visibility. Keeping your cool is necessary in these situations. The best way to stay calm is by knowing you have the tools to get you out of sticky situations. Creating a game plan for how to act in dangerous situations can save your life and others.

Be Winter Ready

How can you be winter ready? Checking up on your truck and assembling a safety kit are great first steps. Inspecting your fuel filter, battery, and cooling system is crucial to starting the winter season correctly. Ensuring your fuel filter is clean and not contaminated with water can save your engine from failure. In addition to this, make sure your batteries are still strong. It is never a good idea to enter winter with  weak batteries. Finally, while the cooling system may seem to be a weird place to check when you’re entering the coldest months of the year, checking to make sure your antifreeze is sufficient for freezing temperature is important.  Antifreeze testers are cheap and can save thousands of dollars in engine repairs. Items you should include in your winter kit are extra winter clothes (especially gloves), a first aid kit, extra blankets, a flashlight and extra batteries, extra fuel filters and coolant. After creating this kit, there are many recurring things you should do throughout the season to make sure your truck is running at peak performance.  

Alongside these preparations, you can use fuel additives throughout the winter to reduce the effect of diesel fuel crystallization at colder temperatures which will make the engine work efficiently. On the coldest days keeping the engine running may be your best defense against fuel gelling.  Many trucks are equipped with fuel heaters that only work when the engine is running.  If you can’t leave your engine running in sub zero weather a block heater can be a life saver.  Check to make sure yours is working before you need it.

Final Thoughts

As winter progresses, it is important to make sure you have made all due preparations. Taking the time to prepare yourself and your truck will give you the best chance of having a safer, warmer, and happier winter. The cold is coming, so be safe out there!

With over 3.5 million drivers on the road, as of 2019 (according to census.gov), the American Trucking Industry is a huge community represented by diverse people from across the nation and the globe! People from all walks of life have become a part of the transportation industry, making this a unifying career field. Drivers across the nation work hard every day to ensure that goods are transported to their destinations safely and timely. This is truly what keeps the American economy going.

The Big Engine That Could

Trucks are big, not only in size and mass, but in economic impact as well. Oftentimes trucks carry thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of dollars worth of goods. This much value in a single route is a big responsibility, but every day there are drivers across the nation making this transport possible. This requires honesty, integrity, and a dedication to one’s career. Drivers have a truly inspiring work ethic.

 Diesel engines may not always be the most efficient, sometimes they break down, but most drivers know how to address any issues and resolve them as quickly and safely as possible.. In the industry, it is never really a case of whether the truck is up for the job or not, but rather the driver because the driver is the most important player in the system. Without dedicated drivers, trade would be at a standstill.

Transportation Nation

The American economy relies on trade across the nation. America is huge, spanning 2,800 miles from coast to coast according to mapsofworld.com. When time sensitive deliveries are in order (especially with produce and other food items), there is always a rush to make sure none of the goods spoil. So, how do goods made on the West Coast arrive so quickly on the East coast and vice versa? Drivers make it possible through taking on loads and tirelessly making journeys to get the goods to their destinations on time! 

A Valiant Effort

Drivers face many challenges daily: hazards of the road, health issues, and difficulties in transport all make it hard on drivers to do their best work, but even then, they do an amazing job of keeping America running. Drivers may see many dangers from traffic incidents, slick roads, high winds, drunk drivers, cargo thieves, and people with malicious intent. They may also suffer through negative health conditions and stress associated with the career..  Drivers are met with adversity nearly every day of their career., Instead of being afraid and refusing to act, they meet these challenges head on and continue making it possible for people across the nation to acquire what they need, shop at their favorite stores, and receive important packages on time.

Thank You Drivers!

Drivers are some of America’s most important citizens, and while they sometimes go underrecognized, they deserve our thanks for the great work they do. Without the 3.5 million drivers in the United States, the nation would be brought to its knees. So today, thank a driver, and if you drive trucks or have ever driven, thank you for your service. You are truly a special person for making the sacrifice to keep America going strong!

News is everywhere these days, on television, online, on the radio, on social media, and by word of mouth. Everywhere you look or listen, someone is trying to tell you a new story about something going on in the world. This can be overwhelming, especially when you don’t want to be bombarded by news about everything, but only about things that you care about. Of course, staying up to date on global events is important, but when you want to find news about your specific interests you sometimes have to dig a little. For trucking news specifically, there are many good sources and we have a few tips and tricks to help you get started in cultivating a list of news sources. 

Choosing Reliable Sources

There is good news and bad news. This statement isn’t referring to the content of the news, but rather the quality. Much of the news today is created to sensationalize rather than explain the facts of a situation. That is just part of the industry, shocking headlines receive the most views. The difficulty comes when you try to find which news is true. Oftentimes it seems that all news has parts of truth and the more news you read, the truer perspective comes to view. Unfortunately, this sometimes takes more research than you have time for, but finding reliable sources can take some of this burden off yourself.

Many nationally accredited news sources (like the New York Times, the Washington Post, CNN, and FOX) are great places to look for news, but most of these are biased politically to one side or the other as news companies and are filled with people that have opinions. It is usually a good idea to read stories from one side and then the other, and in the middle is where you can find the truth of the matter. When looking for news, look at this chart by Ad Fontes Media that shows the amount of bias and the factuality of the news station. 

Websites and Magazines

Onto some more specific to the trucking industry sources, there are many websites and magazines that have great information that is directly applicable to your career. Some of the most popular magazines and websites that contain factual news are: Overdrive Magazine, Freight Waves, CDL Life, and Transport Topics. There are plenty of other great sources to learn more about what’s going on in the industry as well. Looking at their stories and comparing them to other sources is a good way to determine their credibility. 

Government Information

The best sources for regulatory and legal news for drivers and managers  from governmental websites and broadcasts as these are the sources from which regulation is coming from. There are a few different government programs that coordinate with one another to regulate transit, drivers, and the roads that we all use. When looking for news online, if the website has ‘.gov’ at the end of the web address it will be the most reliable source you can find.

Final Thoughts

There are plenty of sources online to get your news from, but it is up to you to determine the reliability of the source. The best way to do this is by using research skills and comparing different sources to make sure you are getting accurate news. If you are absorbing news effectively, you will be up to date on the true trucking news, making you a responsible and informed citizen.