Female Truck Driver Making Strides in Truck Driving Career

*This story was originally published on thetrucker.com.*

A native of Brooklyn, New York, who now lives in central Arkansas, Sue Peña decided her ultimate goal was to become a professional driver. However, it was nearly a decade later before she had a chance to follow that dream. When The Trucker Jobs Magazine team first met Peña in July 2022, she was working as a crime lab forensic technician and moonlighting as an emergency medical technician (EMT), in addition to attending night classes at Diesel Driving Academy (DDA) in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Student Success Begins at DDA

In October, she completed her training and passed the final gauntlet — the driving portion of the CDL exam. She now has both hazmat and tanker endorsements and is slated to begin orientation with Dallas-based Stevens Transport in early January.

“My biggest challenge was believing in myself, believing that I could do this training that I started late in life,” said Peña, who is now 44. “It wasn’t that I didn’t have confidence; if I didn’t, I wouldn’t have signed up,” she said. “Once I delved into it and realized, ‘Wow! So this is what trucking is,’ I thought, ‘Can I do this?’”

Student Reflects on CDL Training Experience

Two of Peña’s instructors at DDA were women, something she says helped her build confidence behind the wheel. “Ms. Kat and Ms. Rachel, those two were the most that really inspired me to continue pursuing what I was doing. There were days I was like, ‘Aw hell, I can’t do this!’” she said. “But after speaking with them, learning what trucking was like when they started, I realized it was actually harder for them. They paved the way. If it wasn’t for (women like) them, I wouldn’t be able to do this.”

Peña says the most memorable milestone of training was the first time she drove a truck across the driving pad. “It was feeling that movement, knowing that I was driving,” she said. “When they start you off, it’s a straight back; you drive forward, you drive backward. That’s it, nothing fancy. But feeling the vibration, feeling the movement, knowing that I was driving a 53-foot truck and trailer — that moment, I was like, ‘Oh my God! I’m really doing this!’”

The second-most memorable step was the first-time students in her class took the school rigs out on the road. “I can only imagine what the instructor was thinking and feeling, knowing that this person was driving a truck for the first time,” she said. “Now I’m comfortable with it.”

Watching Peña’s skills progress from those first shaky, tentative attempts to smoothly and confidently completing straight and offset backs, then 90-degree backs and other maneuvers was an amazing experience for The Trucker team.

Looking Forward to Future Truck Driving Career

While she’s excited about starting her new career behind the wheel, Peña is well aware that she still has much to learn, and that actual over-the-road driving will be quite different from training. The challenge is one she looks forward to overcoming.

“Male or female, if this is what you want to do, if this is your passion, if all you think about when you get up and go to bed is driving a truck — then go for it,” she said when asked what advice she would give other would-be drivers. “Do it for the right reasons, do it with the best intentions, and just go for it.”

To read the full article, click the link here.

Inspired by this story to begin your truck driving career? Fill out the form on this page, or contact us to get the journey started!

How truckers help keep all highway motorists safe

Commercial truck drivers have many responsibilities, including safely transporting their cargo to its point of delivery and keeping the surrounding motorists safe. Driving a commercial truck for a living can be a rewarding career that offers long-term stability and higher-than-average starting pay. But it is also a challenging job, which is why carriers seek professionally trained drivers for thousands of job openings across the country.

Well-Trained Truck Drivers Keep Highways Safe

The need to practice safe driving is most important during the winter holiday travel period, defined as Dec. 23 through Jan. 2. According to AAA, road travel continues to be the favored transportation method among Americans, with air and other methods rounding out the top three. Over 100 million headed to their festivity destinations in a road vehicle in 2021, which equates to ~30% of the country’s total population. This equaled high holiday traffic on all roads.

AAA also expected to respond to over 917,000 motorists who encountered an issue on the road in 2021. To help alleviate some stress this holiday season, you can plan to account for any issues that may arise. AAA suggests getting inspections done early to avoid any unavoidable breakdowns. In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advises stocking your vehicle with essential items, such as an ice scraper, jumper cables, extra clothes, and non-perishable food items.

Holiday Travel Tips for Truck Drivers

In addition to the regular motorists venturing out during this winter season, professional drivers also have a heightened level of responsibility, awareness, and driving skills during this time. According to the NHTSA, an estimated 182,000 police-reported crashes occurred in wintry conditions in 2021. These incidents caused high holiday traffic patterns and delays for all, especially professional drivers, who work to meet tight deadlines with every delivery.

One of our carrier partners, Schneider, compiled a list of the top winter tips for truck drivers. The list includes tips such as exercising caution on entrance and exit ramps and increasing your following distance to 7-14 seconds to allow full recognition of all moves surrounding motorists may make.

Professional Drivers Train at DDA

Safe driving is essential year-round, but highlighted during the holidays as more motorists venture out on the highways. Truck carriers are looking for drivers who can safely handle a commercial truck and those that have received professional training from a respected CDL training program.

Diesel Driving Academy offers multiple CDL training programs that help job seekers start long-term careers as professional truck drivers. With Financial Aid available to those who qualify, along with our Job Placement program, we ensure every student is set up for success in their new profession.

Interested in beginning your new professional driving career? Contact us today or fill out the form on this page!

How Do Professional Drivers Prepare for the Summer Season?

The summer season is now in full swing. This time of the year brings higher temperatures, longer days, more people on the road, and greater freight availability. These factors will now grow the responsibilities that truck drivers already possess. But don’t fret – the team at Diesel Driving Academy has compiled a list of the best summer driving tips for drivers to have their most successful summer yet. Keep reading to see if you’ve checked off every item!

Summer Driving Tip #1: Stay Hydrated

As stated before, the July-September months bring record-high temperatures across the United States. And more sun comes more energy consumption and sweat, meaning quicker fatigue. To combat this, it’s essential to stay hydrated with enough water. Doctors recommend drinking, on average, eight to ten bottles of water per day for proper hydration. An easy way to accomplish this goal is by always keeping filled water bottles in the front with you instead of your favorite sugary drink. We also suggest using a reusable water bottle as it helps reduce the costs associated with multiple single-bottle purchases while also lowering your carbon footprint!

Summer Driving Tip #2: Wear Sunscreen

More sun brings about higher sun exposure. Now, many vehicles include windshields that filter out UV rays. However, the other windows that surround you daily cannot block the harmful UVB or UVA rays. Studies have shown that drivers are at a higher risk of developing skin damage or skin cancer. To prevent this, we advise wearing sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 and reapplying every two hours during sun exposure. Researchers have also suggested that drivers keep exposed areas covered with protective clothing or sunglasses.

Summer Driving Tip #3: Practice Caution on the Road

These months bring about higher traffic conditions caused by vacation travelers and construction projects. Because of this, it’s crucial to account for these conditions when creating your route for the day and coming up with alternate routes in the event of road closures.  Drivers must also ensure that all safety measures are followed, including but not limited to following distance, speed, and secure loads, especially in construction zones. Reminder, construction zone fines are double or sometimes triple the standard ticket price.

Summer Driving Tip #4: Monitor Truck Conditions

The high heat conditions have also affected a truck’s mechanical makeup. Some things to look out for include increasing tire pressure, which can cause them to burst, low coolant levels, which can cause engines to overheat, and friction loss in the brakes. To combat any mechanical issues, a proper pre-trip and post-trip inspection is necessary. This effort offers peace of mind for drivers on the road and helps drivers discover possible issues before they become a more significant issue down the line.

Summer Driving Tip #5: Keep Your Cab Clean

The hot and humid weather conditions bring about higher temperatures inside the cab. If not treated right, these conditions can cause different bacteria and mold to build up in areas inside the truck. Thorough and proper cleaning at least once per week, along with proper air conditioning flow, can help deter these issues from arising in the first place.

Learn Summer Driving Tips and More at Diesel Driving Academy

These tips are only the start of what you will learn in Diesel Driving Academy’s Class A CDL Truck Driving Training programs. We design our programs for those who have no previous truck driving experience as well as those who just need a refresher. We also offer Financial Aid, including Veterans Benefits, to those who qualify, as well as Job Placement opportunities with top-rated trucking carriers for our students.

Interested in learning more? Contact us to speak with an admissions representative or to get scheduled for our next class today!

Diesel Driving Academy recounts success since beginning operation in 1972

Diesel Driving Academy is proud and honored to celebrate its 50^th Anniversary in 2022! What began as a one-truck and trailer training school has grown to three campuses across Louisiana and Arkansas and thousands of successful graduates! But before we celebrate this momentous occasion, we must look back at the journey that got us here.

Opening the First Truck Driving School

This story begins on June 20, 1972, in Mansfield, LA. The founders, Abe Busada and M. B. Chastain, found an airstrip of land on the outskirts of DeSoto Parish and knew it would be the home for their CDL School. Based on the foundation that people can succeed in the trucking industry, they wanted to begin training interested truck driver trainees. However, before any students enrolled, there was a need to develop sound driver training programs curriculums.

DDA established its programs after extensive research and careful processes. Students were then welcomed into the facility and learned everything there is to know about truck operations and the industry. After seeing the high demand from both interested students and the high industry demand, Diesel Driving Academy knew that it had to expand.

Truck Driving School Grows in Size

The success of DDA’s first location was solidified by receiving accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The continuous growth allowed this school to open its second truck driving school in Baton Rouge, LA, in July of 1987. This location saw quick and overwhelming success. Because of this, a third school location opened its doors in Jacksonville, AR. Later down the road, this third location moved from Jacksonville to its new permanent location in Little Rock, AR. Lastly, the number of training programs grew from one to three to include Basic CDL training, Advanced CDL training, and a CDL Prep Course.

Consistent Success for DDA CDL Schools

Our staff and graduates, who built their career foundation on our training yard, have seen great success over the last 50 years. Also, during this time, Diesel Driving Academy developed different opportunities for its students. These include fostering and continually developing relationships with some of the top trucking carriers across the nation and financial aid incentives. Finally, the training standards have also changed and will continue to evolve as the regulations and industry may require.

Become a part of Diesel Driving Academy’s history today! Contact us to get started in our next available class!

Abraham Kalil Busada | February 19, 1922 – March 15, 2021

It is with great sadness that Diesel Driving Academy shares the passing of our school’s founder Abraham “Abe” Kalil Busada. Abe passed away on March 15, 2021, just a month after celebrating his 99th birthday.  Born in 1922 in Worcester, Massachusetts, Abe was the son of Lebanese immigrants. During World War II, Abe proudly served his country as an officer in the United States Army Corp of Engineers. It was during this time that Abe met his wife, Louise Monsour, a daughter of Lebanese immigrants and a native of Shreveport, Lousiana.

Achieving the American Dream was more than an idea to Abe, it was the way he lived his life. Abe’s long business career was marked by his relentless optimism, extraordinary vision, and unyielding drive. In the early 1950’s, he founded Busada Sales Company which introduced plastic pipe to this region of the country. Busada Sales Company pioneered the usage and sale of this revolutionary product that is still widely used today. Recognizing the need for a robust workforce in the growing transportation sector, Abe was one of the founders of Diesel Driving Academy in 1972. After 49 years. we continue to stand as one of the oldest and largest commercial vehicle training schools in the country with campuses in Louisiana and Arkansas. Because of Abe’s vision, we have helped tens of thousands of Americans earn their Commercial Driver’s Licenses and enter the trucking industry.

Abe was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Louise. He is survived by his 4 children and their spouses, 11 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren. His legacy will continue on through all of them and the many businesses and employees he has mentored over the years. We thank Abe Busada for his dedication and commitment to not only the city of Shreveport but the entire state of Louisiana. The ideals he espoused during his life will continue to be at the core of Diesel Driving Academy and how we strive to help others created a better life for themselves. May you rest in peace, Abe.

Schneider Recognizes Diesel Driving Academy in Q3

On December 9, 2020, Chris Clark with Schneider National, Inc. recognized Diesel Driving Academy as their Training Provider of the Quarter for Q3 2020. This is a wonderful honor for DDA’s campuses, our staff, instructors, and students. Chris Clark presented a plaque to DDA President, Bruce Busada, Shreveport Campus Director, Josh Woodard, and Shreveport Associate Campus Director, Ty Moore.

Diesel Driving Academy has partnered with Schneider for several years now, both helping thousands of trainees enter the truck driving industry. Schneider visits all three Diesel Driving Academy locations in Shreveport and Baton Rouge, LA along with Little Rock, AR monthly to recruiter their students. DDA is proud to partner with Schneider and is excited to see what 2021 has in store for both companies.

Diesel Driving Academy is one of the largest privately owned and accredited truck driving schools in the United States, and have been in continuous operation since 1972. Since opening our doors, we have helped thousands of men and women begin their new careers as professional truck drivers. We offer convenient CDL truck driving training locations in Louisiana and Arkansas, and continue to grow and develop our relationships with some of the largest trucking companies in America, such as Schneider National, Inc.

Schneider National, Inc. is a provider of truckload, intermodal, and logistics services. Schneider’s services include regional, long-haul, expedited, and more. Schneider is headquartered in Green Bay, WI, and currently staffs over 11,000 truck drivers.

This year, unlike any other, the world has begun to recognize the importance of truck drivers and their help in keeping our shelves and aisles stocked. This year, while you are enjoying your Thanksgiving meal (safely), remember to be thankful for truck drivers. Thanksgiving kicks off a hectic holiday season for truckers that adds to an already busy workload due to COVID-19. These truck drivers spend long hours away from family during holiday festivities to make your holidays happen.

Thanksgiving

Each year, Americans consume approximately 46 million turkeys on thanksgiving. That’s a whopping 15,300 truckloads of turkey alone! Truckers don’t just bring the turkey–they are also responsible for those all-important side dishes. According to a study conducted by the Minnesota Trucking Association, in order to meet the needs for Thanksgiving, truck drivers are responsible for carrying approximately:

• 2.4 billion pounds of sweet potatoes
• 80 million pounds of cranberries
• 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins

When all is said and done, it takes an estimated 83,000 truckloads to make sure that Americans can enjoy their Thanksgiving feast with their families. If that’s not a reason to be thankful for truck drivers, we don’t know what is!

Black Friday And Cyber Monday

While you enjoy your pumpkin pie and browse your phone for Black Friday deals, truck drivers are still on the move. Every year truck drivers take time away from their own families, working hard to meet consumers’ needs. They’re making sure the shelves are stocked in time for our toiletry, medical, and food needs, along with those Black Friday deals.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of the busiest times of the year for truck drivers. Last year Americans spent 717.5 billion dollars on Black Friday, resulting in approximately a 20% surge in freight volume. Americans also spent a record-breaking 7.9 billion dollars last Cyber Monday, and you can bet that truck drivers were hard at work making the shopping season a success.

This year, while you’re enjoying your turkey, remember that a truck driver was behind the scenes making sure your holidays are extra special. That’s something we can all be thankful for.

Are you interested in becoming a truck driver? Enroll in a CDL training program at Diesel Driving Academy! Contact us today, and let’s get you on the road to your new career.

Considering a career in trucking, but confused on whether you need a Class A or Class B CDL? Wondering which one will earn you the most income? The different classes of CDL’s can be quite confusing, but today we’re going to explain the benefits of getting your Class A CDL – which can be earned right here at Diesel Driving Academy.

Class A CDL  – What Training is Involved?

At DDA, we offer two types of Class A training; Basic and Advanced CDL courses.

The Basic Class A CDL course does not require previous truck driving experience for you to enroll in. Classes can be completed in 4-weeks, for a total of 160 clock hours. Your instruction will include both classroom and hands-on driving experiences as part of our course. Graduates of this course are prepared to do entry-level truck driving work.

The Advanced Class A CDL can be completed during daytime classes (20-weeks) or evening classes (30-weeks) for a total of 600 clock hours. Students do not need previous driving experience, and instruction will still include both classroom and hands-on driving experiences as part of your course. Students who graduate this program have many career options available including employment as a Truck Driver, Line Haul Driver, Owner Operator, Semi-Truck Driver, or Over the Road (OTR) Driver.

Why Choose a Class A CDL?

When deciding between a CDL A or CDL B, you want to weight your career options. Your Class A CDL will generally be able to garner you the highest wages of any type of truck driver. Most students who graduate with their Class A CDL will get into over-the-road (OTR) trucking. That means you drive longer distances, log more miles, usually drive across the US, and therefore get the highest wages of any class of truck drivers.

What is the pay, Year 1?

A trucker beginning with a company in their first year can make quite a range of pay, and many things can factor into a truck driver’s pay including the following:

• The Company Being Worked For: Some companies pay more or less than other companies as in any industry. The company you choose to work for may alter the pay from the “standard” for the industry to fit their business model.
• The Size Load You Haul: Larger or smaller loads may pay less or more than the typical “median” pay for the industry” as it requires different licensing and training to haul different sized loans.
• The Distance Driven: Sometimes local-versus-long-distance drivers might be paid differently depending on the miles driven and the number of hours that require driving per week.
• Location: Some states may pay more than others, it depends on the cost of living, the going rates, and the area that
• What You Are Hauling: Drivers hauling dangerous materials or materials of high value may be paid more than those carrying more traditional items. Every company will vary in how they handle the payment for hauling different loads.

On average, DDA graduates can expect to start with an income of around $45,000+ annually, while an average salaries run between $50,000 annually (25th percentile) and $70,00 (75th percentile) for OTR truck drivers.

Additional Benefits

Most carriers also provide their drivers with a host of additional benefits in addition to a good salary when they are OTR truckers. The following are some of the other benefits you can expect to get from your carrier:

• Full health insurance coverage (for your family also)
• 401k and other retirement options
• The possibility to qualify for monthly payments back to help pay off your student loans (signing a 1-year contract is usually required)
• Opportunities to earn additional performance-based bonuses
• The possibility of promotion to higher-paying loads (with experience)
• Annual paid vacation time

These additional benefits make getting your Class A CDL worth your time and money. Once you get your Class A CDL you will enjoy access to some of the highest-paying jobs in trucking and you will have a career that can become a passion for the rest of your life.

Want more information on getting your Class A CDL so you can start earning a consistent paycheck? Call us today at 1-800-551-8900.

*This article was originally published in 2019 and has been updated with new industry standards.

COVID-19 has put the country in a tailspin. With most of the 50 States in declared states of emergency, many Americans are living under some sort of stay-at-home order. Many businesses have closed their doors causing mass layoffs. Uncertainty has become a way of life. The one thing that we hope to continue to rely on is having access to food and necessities – all of which is only made accessible because we have brave truck drivers on the front lines distributing goods to keep America’s store shelves stocked. However, keeping America’s stores stocked has put a tremendous strain on a trucking industry that had already been suffering from a truck driver shortage. Truck drivers are needed more than ever to keep the supply chain so that food, soap, toilet paper, and cleaning supplies get to store shelves. Here are 5 reasons why you should become a truck driver.

#1 Truck Driver Training Doesn’t Take Long to Complete

To start a new career, it often takes years of training to get certified or to complete a degree. Depending on the program, CDL training programs may only take a few months to complete. For example, DDA offers their Class A CDL training and can be completed in anywhere from 4-weeks to 20-weeks. Our Class A CDL training is designed for those who have no prior driving experience. If you want to become a professional truck driver, this program will prepare you for a new and in-demand career in the trucking industry!

#2 Be Your Own Boss

Be your own boss – sort of. Okay, so commercial truck drivers do have bosses, but they don’t have bosses looking directly over their shoulder telling them what to do every second of the day. Truck drivers are held accountable for their work by the status of their shipments, but they typically don’t have to worry about working in a traditional work environment where they have to put up with an overbearing boss.

#3 Pay is Better Than Average Right Out of the Gate

A career as a commercial truck driver offers many advantages. However, one of the main advantages is that people entering the truck driving career field can make good money right out of the gate. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Heavy and Tractor-trailer Truck Drivers have a median pay over $40,000 a year. Some truck drivers can make over $70,000 a year. Truck drivers often start out with a higher than average starting salary, good benefits, and opportunities for advancement and stability.

#4 You Work Well Under Pressure… and Not Scared of Hard Work

The situations you will face as a truck driver varies from severe weather conditions to overwhelming road construction, or heavy traffic. The job requires running a tight ship, getting to your destinations on time with a safe and secure load. You can read a map, figure out GPS, and can manage your time well. You have a patient manner and are able to keep a clear head when unexpected issues come your way. Problems like these can actually be fun challenges for you.

#5 Feel the Freedom of the Road

Does sitting in an office every day staring at a computer sound awful to you? A commercial truck driver is able to look out over the open road and the landscape they are passing, whether it be mountains, the prairie, or the desert. Plus, a truck driver can personalize their truck driving experience in many more ways than they could several years ago. Many commercial trucks are outfitted with the ability for add-ons, whether it be a min-fridge, gaming system, or entertainment center. Truck drivers can personalize their trucks to make it feel like a home away from home. In today’s commercial truck work, drivers can feel right at home on the road.

Are you Ready for Truck Driver Training?

The advantages of becoming a professional truck driver are many and they go beyond just the good pay and benefits. The Diesel Driving Academy offers a CDL training program that is helping job seekers start a long-term career as a professional commercial truck driver, which is especially needed in today’s era of high unemployment. Carriers all across the country are experiencing a shortage of qualified drivers, which makes professional training from a respected school like the Diesel Driving Academy the logical first step in getting work in this growing industry.

*This article was originally published in 2015 and has been updated according to industry standards*

The demand for commercial truck drivers in Louisiana offers ample career opportunities for those who want a stable career and enjoy the open road. Anyone that drives commercially must have a valid CDL license. If you are planning to be a commercial truck driver in Louisiana, you’ll have to know how to get a Commercial Driver’s license. At DDA, we can provide the training you’ll need to get your Class A CDL.

Requirements for Getting a CDL License at Diesel Driving Academy

If you are looking to get your CDL at Diesel Driving Academy, you will need to meet some enrollment qualifications. These include:

• Have a current, valid Driver’s License
• Be a minimum of 21 years of age (by the time of graduation)
• Have an acceptable driving record
• Proof of your citizenship such as a birth certificate or certification of naturalization
• Pass the Department of Transportation (DOT) physical and drug screening
• Meet the Department of Transportation (DOT) qualifications for truck operators

If you meet these basic requirements, you will be eligible to attend DDA to complete your CDL training.

What CDL Programs does Diesel Driving Academy Offer?

DDA offers 3 different types of CDL certification programs:

The CDL Prep Course is a 3-week, 136-hour prep course that teaches the basics of the trucking industry. No previous experience driving trucks is necessary to enroll in this course.

Our Basic CDL Driver Training Program is a 4-week, 160-hour program that requires no previous experience to enroll. This program will prepare truck drivers for the entry-level duties of a truck driver. Evening classes are available at our West Monroe campus. The evening program will run 8-weeks and 160 clock hours.

The Advanced CDL Driver Training Program is a 20-week, 600-hour course that gives you the advanced knowledge you need to be a truck driver. There is no experience required to enroll in this course. Upon completion, you will be able to obtain employment in a variety of different lines of work including as a Truck Driver, Line Haul Driver, Owner Operator, Semi-Truck Driver, or Over-the-Road Truck Driver. Evening classes are available at each campus and will run 30-weeks and 600 clock hours.

What To Expect During CDL Training

Diesel Driving Academy’s CDL Prep Course is three weeks and 136 hours of intensive training in and out of the classroom. This is what your course list will look like in your time here:

• Intro to Trucking – a brief introduction of what you will be studying, plus discussions about the trucking industry and DOT qualifications
• Hours of Service/Log Book –  going through hours of service regulations, as well as the driver’s daily log and logbook
• Competency Development – studying competency areas for your test at DMV, including air brakes and combination vehicles
• Backing Maneuvers – Basic procedures for operating vehicles and tractor-trailers
• Vehicle Maneuvers – More advances procedures for operating vehicles and tractor-trailers as well as shifting and driving vehicles
• Vehicle Inspection – Methods and documentation for inspections

What is the Cost for CDL School?

Out of pocket costs will vary depending on the program a student enrolls in, and if any financial assistance is used. Diesel Driving Academy offers a variety of programs that may cover some or all training program costs. Don’t let the cost intimidate you. DDA’s Financial Aid staff can help you learn more about what types of assistance are available to you to help make getting your CDL affordable.

How do I Find Work Once I get my CDL?

Diesel Driving Academy provides Job Placement Assistance for all of our current students and graduates. This service is available to former students for the rest of their careers. We have a variety of connections to some of the largest carriers and employers nationwide. In addition to this service, many recruiters visit our campuses to hire highly trained and well-qualified graduates.

What Kind of Benefits Can I Expect as a Truck Driver?

Truck driving is one of the best jobs that doesn’t require a 2-or-4-year college degree. Truck driving is a very hands-on experience that allows drivers to get out on the road and work with their hands. In addition to quality-pay and employment benefits, most truck drivers receive additional benefits including:

• Starting pay at around $45,000+ annually for most OTR positions
• Full healthcare benefits for drivers and their families
• Monthly reimbursement payments for your tuition (usually available to those who sign a 1-year contract with the carrier)
• 401k company matches and full retirement benefits
• Annual paid vacation time

These are just some of the benefits that the truck driving industry offers. Job security is also a huge benefit to this industry. There are currently about 60,000+ driving jobs open in the United States. As consumer demand grows, so will driver opportunities and employment options.

If you are looking for a high-paying job in a booming industry, truck driving might be a great option for you. For further assistance or to enroll in any of the CDL programs at Diesel Driving Academy, fill out the form on this page, or call us today 1-800-551-8900.