Use This Guide to Be Successful in Commercial Trucking School

You may have dreamed about being a truck driver since you were a kid, so now you may feel like you can't wait to get started on making a career out of driving commercial vehicles. Whether you look forward to driving a large passenger bus or transporting goods from one state to another, starting trucking school is the first step toward an amazing career.

As exciting as it is to work toward earning your Class A CDL, you should remember that as a commercial truck driver, you have a tremendous responsibility to protect the public's safety while you drive your truck on the roads.

For this reason, you will need to use these tips to successfully complete trucking school and pass all of the licensing requirements. You want to feel confident working behind the wheel of a vehicle that has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of more than 26,001 pounds.

In addition to enrolling in trucking school, you will need to pass a knowledge test to receive your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP).

The state of California has issued a Commercial Driver Handbook that is available for free online. All of the information you need to pass the written test is available in this handbook. Start by setting aside time each day to study the handbook and have a friend or classmate quiz you on the information.

If you find anything in the handbook that you do not understand, then simply ask your trucking school instructor when you go to training. Although you have three attempts to pass the written test before you have to reapply, you’ll be best off if you pass on the first try.

It is important to take trucking school just as seriously as you would any other type of educational path. In fact, you should take trucking school even more seriously because once you’re a trucker, you will sit behind the wheel of an oversized vehicle rather than comfortably lounge in the safety of a desk.

The majority of your training will be spent learning how to actually drive a large truck, so make sure to take the same precautions that you would before you get behind the wheel of any vehicle. Get enough sleep the night before your training, and do not take any medications that interfere with your ability to drive.

When it comes to learning how to drive a truck, you want to get as much hands-on training as possible. There are some things that you cannot learn by reading a handbook, such as how to perform straight line backing or how to parallel park with a long trailer.

At our school, you can train as much as you want within our business hours, and we recommended you get as much training as you can before you schedule your exam. Having a lot of experience helps you demonstrate competence during your on-the-road driving test.

During your training sessions, you will have the opportunity to watch and ride along with your classmates. While you may be tempted to zone out, you should recognize that observing other drivers is an important learning opportunity. By watching their mistakes, you can also learn ways to develop good driving habits.

At Commercial Trucking School, our friendly instructors and flexible training schedule makes it easy for you to realize your dream of becoming a truck driver. Contact us today and be on your way to starting a rewarding career within just a few weeks.