As Veteran’s Day approaches, Diesel Driving Academy wants to express support for all the men and women in uniform who choose to serve and protect our country. The trucking industry has always had a healthy relationship with the military and is a great career option for veterans. Whether you are a veteran with experience driving military vehicles, or looking for start a stable career, your military skills will transfer well to the trucking industry. DDA is proud to help veterans start on an exciting career path!

Veterans and Truck Driving

Veterans have proven they understand discipline, responsibility, and accountability. Trucking companies are looking for people who have this type of experience. Veterans possess these traits, and understand how critical teamwork and organizational skills are to completing any job or mission.

The same attention to detail and situational awareness that military service instills is crucial to safe driving. Recognizing what is happening around you and being able to adapt and adjust to changes in the environment are skills veterans have. This sets them apart from civilians, and make them perfect candidates for the trucking industry.

Veteran’s Benefits

The trucking industry offers veterans an opportunity to use their skills to enter a career field that provides long-term security. Today’s economy depends on drivers to move freight and products to fill consumer needs. As demand increases, so will the need for qualified drivers. With a median annual wage in 2016 of $41,340, the trucking industry offers a stable career with excellent earning potential.

A career in trucking offers the opportunity in an exciting, respectable, and well-paying field and DDA will make it easy. Former military personnel are eligible for tuition assistance, so training is not only quick, but affordable.

All of those at Diesel Driving Academy would be honored to talk with you about helping you to achieve your career goals. Contact us today to learn more about our Class A CDL Training!

For some, the DOT Physical Exam could be the easiest part of the process for obtaining a CDL. A quick check-up and you’re on your way to becoming a truck driver. For others, however, we understand that this is the most nerve-wracking part, especially those with certain medical conditions or who take certain medications.

The truth is, if you have a medical condition it may interfere with your ability to drive. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has a list of ailments that disqualify applicants from commercial driving. For many of these, this applies to instances where the disease is of sufficient severity that it would likely interfere with the driver’s ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle safely.

Disqualifying Conditions according to FMCSA:

• Diabetes mellitus, requiring insulin to control
• Myocardial infarction
• Angina
• Coronary insufficiency
• Thrombosis or other cardiovascular diseases that are known to be accompanied by syncope, dyspnea, collapse, or congestive cardiac failure
• Respiratory dysfunction
• High blood pressure
• Rheumatoid arthritis, orthopedic, muscular, neuromuscular, or vascular disease
• Epilepsy, or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a motor vehicle
• Mental, nervous, organic, or functional disease or psychiatric disorder
• Visual acuity that allows them to hear at least 20/40 in each eye (either with or without corrective lenses)
• Hearing that allows them to perceive a forced whisper at 5 feet (with or without the user of a hearing device)

Understanding these Stipulations:

These rules are in place as a safety precaution. These illnesses can compromise the driver’s ability to operate their vehicle safely, which creates a potentially dangerous situation on the road. Allowing a driver behind-the-wheel of a vehicle while having one of those conditions can lead to fatal consequences.

Those aren’t the only conditions that disqualify drivers. The loss of a limb or loss of or impairment of fingers would prevent gripping or otherwise would interfere with the ability to control their vehicle could also lead a driver being deemed unable to obtain a CDL.

However, in cases of physical impairment, much like with vision or hearing impairments, if the candidate can perform the tasks associated with driving a commercial vehicle with the use of a prosthetic, brace, or a similar device, they may be allowed to drive. Someone who has been granted a Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate (which was formerly called the Limb Waiver Program) is also typically allowed to drive.

Drugs and Medications

As you can imagine, the government tends to take a negative view of truck drivers under the influence of drugs and heavy medications as well. The FMCSA specifies that a driver who is using a drug identified in 21 CFR 1308.11 (391.42(b)(12)) (which is to say substances identified as controlled) or substances such as amphetamine, a narcotic, or another habit-forming drug, the driver should be deemed medically unqualified to drive. Exceptions can be made if the prescribing doctor can write that the driver is safe to be a commercial driver while taking the medication. The medical examiner then may (but is not compelled to) certify the driver. In addition, anti-seizure medications and methadone are both disqualifying medications as well.

Overall, the government strives to take a position of caution when it comes to allowing truck drivers to operate. In the unsteady hands of someone under the influence of medication, drugs or alcohol, or someone with a severe medical condition. A truck driven by someone medically unqualified could turn from a tool of commercial production and become a weapon of destruction.

If you are interested in becoming a truck driver, but unsure if you are medically qualified, contact Diesel Driving Academy. Our Admissions team would love to discuss with you about your options and your next steps to begin a trucking career.

The Real MVPs of the Game

The leaves are falling, temperatures are dropping, and college football is well underway. It’s one of the best times of the year as you gather with your family and friends and root for your favorite teams. Whether you are there for the game, the players, the marching band, or even the mascot, college football season always brings excitement to everyone. However, do you know who the underlying hero of the season is? Nope, it’s not the coaches or even the trainers, it’s the hard-working drivers and the trucks that haul all the equipment from game to game. They are the real stars.

The Game Plan

These huge trucks are not only responsible for hauling almost everything on the field; including the medical supplies, the warm-up gear, the equipment, the training gear, and anything else you may think of, short of the benches. However, their duties include so much more. They are required to pack all the equipment up and get it to the stadium on time. It can be a stressful job, as the start of the game is dependent on these drivers.

The Kickoff

Most of these drivers do this job on top of their full-time jobs. Mainly for the fact that they love what they do. They love the college football atmosphere, they love college football, and they love the perks of the job. Many of the drivers get to be a part of the football action. They are found in the locker rooms during halftime, listening to the coach’s speech. They are found watching the game and rooting for their team. The truckers are on the field before and after the game and enjoy the benefit of staying in a hotel with the team when on the road. The job is really fulfilling for many, stressful at times, but provides the drivers a sense of pride and a new look into something that many would love to be involved with.

The Touchdown

These drivers are not only employees but they are a member of the team. Truckers work closely with the team and the staff, knowing all the ins and outs of all the equipment. They are in charge of logistics and knowing where each piece of equipment has to go, including the exercise bike. They know they have to move fast, as pack-up usually lasts 90 minutes and the team cannot wait for them. However, it’s the excitement of the road and the fan interaction that brings the job to a whole new level. Whether it’s the fan waves or the boo’s as they are driving on the highway, or the high-five’s at rest stops, nobody can miss the giant college logos on the huge trucks. At the end of each game, no matter if it’s a win or a loss, the real MVP has to pack it all up and head back home. Riding off into the sunset as the true hero of the game.

At Diesel Driving Academy (DDA) we are the leaders in CDL training and can provide you with the required training where opportunities like this can be a reality. For more information about classes and our training programs, contact us today!

Updated August 13, 2022

Fall is always the time you see those back to school commercials or you find yourself buying supplies for your kids. You send them off to school, hoping they will learn every day. But have you ever wondered what you still have to learn? Chances are you are ready to go back to school too!  A CDL training program could quickly catapult your career forward. Here are some of the reasons why adults should consider adding to their knowledge with a CDL school.

Career Opportunities

Right now, truckers are in high demand and as a result, there are always trucking jobs available. The American Trucking Association estimates there are over 80,00 trucking jobs ready to be filled right now. These jobs include Over-the-Road (OTR), Regional, and Local positions. Additionally, Diesel Driving Academy’s Job Placement office helps our graduates find a position and trucking partner that best aligns with their truck driving goals and connects them with our trucking partners who will help them succeed.

Salary Options

Going back to school can dramatically impact your current salary. The average first-year salary for an OTR driver can be up to $60,000 after completing your CDL training and passing all tests. We know that an increase in salary could easily affect you and your family’s life.

Climb Up in Your Current Job

If you currently are working in a career field that includes truck driving such as a delivery service or a construction company, you could possibly benefit from additional skills. Speak with your boss and learn if earning your CDL or additional endorsements could benefit your career. If so, head back to school!

Give Yourself a Competitive Advantage

Currently, some fields are experiencing a shortage of graduates with skills and experience. Individuals who want to set themselves apart in a competitive employment market should embrace the idea of going back to school. You could make yourself an extremely competitive candidate.

If you are ready to better your current career or start a new career completely, this is the perfect time to go back to school. DDA is ready to help you get started today. Contact us!

The pre-hire letter is a written acknowledgment, from a trucking company, that you qualify as a potential candidate for hire once you complete your CDL training. Obtaining a pre-hire letter is a great way to enhance your confidence once you start looking for a career. This way you have already have gotten ahead of the hiring process and can be on your way to the best career. Check out our recommended steps to help you get your own pre-hire letter.

Do Your Research

Research and understand the different carriers/companies you are interested in working for. Make sure the company culture is one you are interested in and that you can handle their expectations for drivers.

Be Prepared Before You Reach Out

You should make sure you do meet all the qualifications for getting a CDL.

For Louisiana Residents: Louisiana CDL Handbook 2019

For Arkansas Residents: Arkansas CDL Handbook 2019 

Be Neat

As we all know, honesty is the best policy. Your application will be your first impression. You need to provide accurate and thorough information and make it look as neat and professional as possible.

Be Honest

Be sure that you let each company know you are not CDL qualified, and you are interested in a pre-hire letter. Be sure to tell them your current training status. If you’re getting ready to begin CDL training, you’re in training, or you’re about to take the required tests, they will appreciate having an idea when you may be available. You may also have a better understanding of your employment probabilities.

The More Pre-Hire Letters, The Better Odds You Have

You can apply to as many trucking companies as you would like. Take the time to do this. You will have better odds at employment if you make yourself known.

Follow-Up

Don’t assume that your application gets seen right away so do not be afraid to call and introduce yourself. Let the hiring staff know you have submitted your application and you are interested in someday working for their company.

Stand Out from the Crowd

If you already know you want to get CDL Endorsements, and you plan on becoming a highly-qualified truck driver, let them know. You may find you’re going to be in high demand. Don’t worry, you will learn more about CDL Endorsements at Diesel Driving Academy.

Become an Outstanding CDL Driver at Diesel Driving Academy

At Diesel Driving Academy (DDA), we are committed to offering the best in CDL training, and we also work hard to place our graduating drivers with exceptional trucking companies. With training from DDA and pre-hire letters in your back pocket, your trucking career is sure to have a great start.

Learn more about us and how we get you on the right road to a rewarding, truck driving career. Don’t hesitate to call with any questions you may have if you’re wanting to make sure you are ready to begin applying for trucking positions to request pre-hire letters. We’re excited to hear from you.

Celebrating the Rock Stars of the Road

National Truck Driver Appreciation Week

National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is September 8-14, 2019. This is a time for the business community to recognize the dedication of professional truck drivers. Thousands of trucking companies and industry suppliers throughout the country will be holding special events to honor their drivers. As we celebrate this week, we’re also taking a look at some rockin’ facts about truck drivers as well as their connection to the music industry!

Legendary Truckin’ Music

Utter the words “breaker, breaker” and trucking movie classics like Smokey and the Bandit come to mind. The 70’s were a time of free expression and open roads. The appeal of the CB radio took hold of the nation and suddenly truck drivers were of great interest. The music industry took notice and started turning out road trip hits.

Country music crooners and rock and roll legends produced songs that told the story of the long and winding road. They sang about the trials and tribulations that truckers face on a daily basis. Songs of love, loneliness, and driving took hold of the airwaves. These hits included:

• “East Bound and Down” by Jerry Reed (1977)
• “Teddy Bear” by Red Sovine (1976)
• “Movin’ On” by Merle Haggard (1974)
• “Truckin'” by the Grateful Dead (1970)
• “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson (1979)

Celebrities That Were Once Kings of the Road

Before becoming the King of Rock n’ Roll, Elvis Presley was “King of the Road,” as a truck driver for Crown Electric. At his first performance, he was told “stick to truck driving.” Lucky for us, he didn’t take that advice and became one of the world’s most well-known musicians. Several other famous celebrities also started their careers on the open road.

• James Cameron, of Avatar and Titanic fame, drove trucks to save money to buy film equipment.
• Liam Neeson was a truck driver in Ireland for Guinness Brewery.
• Robert Duval drove trucks while taking acting classes with Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman.
• Chevy Chase was a truck driver before hitting it big on Saturday Night Live.
• Jason Aldean drove for Pepsi while writing the country music lyrics to mega-hit “Asphalt Cowboy.”

Truck Drivers Are Essential to the Economy

Truckers still face many of the same issues that drivers dealt with in the 1970’s. But, today, they are looked at as the Rock Stars of the Road. There is a much greater appreciation for the work truck drivers do to keep our nation prosperous. Chris Spear, the President and CEO of American Trucking Association, recently stated:

“Everything that we consume – groceries, school supplies, clothes, medicine – gets delivered by a truck driver whether it’s to your front door, your local market, or your workplace. These drivers improve our quality of life by dedicating themselves to safety and making every effort to deliver the things we need efficiently, professionally and responsibly.”

Diesel Driving Academy is proud to participate in National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. If you are ready to hit the open road, contact us today to learn more about Class A CDL training.

“That’s a 10-4, good buddy.”

CDL Training Programs to Keep You on Budget

Trucking is a career that is in high demand and many people are interested in getting into, but the real question on many people’s minds is how much will it cost to go through CDL training?

The good news is that getting your Commercial Driver’s License is much more affordable than a standard 4-year college program. However, there are a few things that will determine how much getting your CDL through a training program will cost.

Diesel Driving Academy offers students the options of three driver training programs to choose from. Each of these programs are “career-oriented” and prepare students for a driving career in a short period of time.

Tuitions costs vary by program, and your out-of-pocket costs will depend on what types of financial assistance you qualify for. Our goal is to offer quality truck driver courses at an affordable cost to students.

CDL Training Variety

At DDA, you can choose from three different CDL training programs that will fit with your current skill level so you can meet your professional goals.

The CDL Basic training program, you are looking at 4-weeks of hands-on training. The Advanced CDL training program will require a bit more training, running 20-weeks for daytime classes, and 30 for the evening schedule. Admissions Representatives will help you cover the basics needed for entry into the program. The 3-week CDL prep class will help you stay sharp behind the wheel and improve your driving skills.

What Do These Programs Cost?

Tuition costs will vary, depending on which program you enroll in, if you qualify or use any sort of financial aid, or if you attend school through a carrier sponsorship program. At DDA, we offer a variety of financial aid options that can assist students in paying for their driving school costs.

Admissions staff can help provide with exact costs for each CDL training program and can help with registration and enrollment.

What’s covered in Tuition?

All Training Materials: Students are not required to purchase any additional supplies, books, or tools other than their DOT Physical Examination and Commercial Drivers License (CDL).

Intensive Classroom Instruction: in-class hours cover standards, qualifications, regulations, logging, ICC Safety Regulations, and preventive maintenance.

Maneuvering and Driver Training: docking, blindside parking, offset alleys, parallel parking, cornering and many other maneuvering techniques, basic hookup, and preventative maintenance and pre-trip inspection.

Road Driving: hands-on training in the driver’s seat.

Keep The Big Picture In Mind

While having to pay for your truck driving school may seem challenging, there are options and ways to help bring the costs down. Talk to a school representative today about programs that cover most (or even all) of your training costs! Drivers entering the industry make an average of $45,000+ in their first year with great potential for growth beyond their initial forays into the industry.

Whether you are just starting, changing, or advancing your career, getting your CDL license at DDA will help you earn positions with top companies offering great pay and competitive benefits.

Now that you are ready to take the next step as a truck driver, contact us to get started on your path to driving freedom. After all, there is no better time than right now to start work towards your new career!

CDL exams have changed. As of February 2020, you need to pass a federal level CDL exam that covers theory (classroom and bookwork), and drives on the road in an 18-wheeler. It’s important to know that no one is just born a truck driver. It will take study, diligence and practice to pass the CDL exam.

Do I Need Trucker School?

Yes, as of February 2020 you NEED to attend a formal training program. The good news is that trucking school will prepare you for the CDL exams. You’ll feel confident about passing a skills test and a written test.

What does the Written Test cover?

There is a free CDL practice test available for your use, but you can expect these topics:

• Weight & overweight trucks
• Securing Cargo
• What happens at scales
• General road rules: right of way, pedestrians, railroad crossings, trolleys & streetcars, 4 Way and 2 Way Stops, school buses
• Drinking and Driving / Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) rules for truckers, Drug and Alcohol testing
• Chaining up
• New Electronic Logbook regulations
• New Hours of Service regulations: 30-minute break in 8 hours, 10 hours of rest between shifts, 34-hour resets

Format:

There are different CDL written tests to take depending on what type of class the driver is testing for. The general knowledge test has multiple-choice questions and is usually taken on the computer.

Score Needed to Pass:

Students will need at least an 80% is needed to pass the CDL Knowledge Test.

How to Prepare:

The best way to prepare for the written portion of the CDL exam is to faithfully attend your trucking school classes, take good notes and STUDY! Just cramming for this exam the day before the test is not going to be enough. You need to set aside time to really focus on learning the laws.

What does the Driving Test cover?

Again, the new tests aren’t public but you should expect these sorts of skills to be used:

• Backing up safely
• Making sharp turns correctly
• Shifting
• How to chain up
• Safe parking
• Execute a safety walk around your rig

Format:

The skills test is given in the class of vehicle the driver intends on using in their future career. An instructor will sit in the passenger seat and markdown notes and deductions as the drive perform the instructed directions. The instructor will tell the driver which route to take and give specific maneuverability instructions for the course.

How to Prepare:

To prepare for the driving portion of the CDL exam your best bet is to get as much time behind-the-wheel as possible. Again, be present and alert during your driving classes. Practice checking your mirrors a lot! You will have a professional tester in the cab with you, so you might want to practice driving this way. Have a helper tell you which turns to take and where to park.

At Diesel Driving Academy our focus is you! We partner with numerous trucking companies that need drivers now! We want you to be successful, so we take a lot of one-on-one interest in our CDL students. Contact us for more information about the CDL test today!

*This blog was originally written in 2011 and has been updated according to industry standards.*

Truck drivers are extremely important to our economy and help drive the economy forward. Without our hard-working truck drivers, we would all experience an unhappy lifestyle. We are all used to seeing the trucks all over the interstates, but have you ever considered what would happen if all truck drivers stopped driving?  Without our truck drivers, life would almost completely stop. Consider the following timeline explaining what could happen if there were no trucks.

First 24 Hours

Gasoline shortages will begin. The busiest fuel stations require multiple gas deliveries a day. US mail and package deliveries will stop. Deliveries to hospitals and nursing homes will stop leading to shortages of supplies such as syringes and catheters. Many major manufacturers, such as computer manufacturers, rely on “just in time” manufacturing and without those they cannot continue their work and cannot continue to employ many people.

Day One

Gas shortages will continue to grow to lead to skyrocketing price increases and long lines at the pumps. Grocery stores will stop receiving food deliveries thus causing to the start of food shortages.

Two to Three Days

The situation will become even worse. Gas stations will completely run out of fuel. ATM’s will run out of cash and banks would be unable to complete transactions. Trash will begin to pile up in the cities and neighboring suburbs leading to toxins and infectious organisms leaching into the soil, causing disease. Container ships, railways, and planes will cease operations. Food shortages will lead to public panic, looting, and hoarding. Food essentials, such as bottled water, powdered milk, and canned milk, will completely disappear.

One Week

All personal vehicles will remain still due to the lack of gasoline. People will not be able to get to grocery stores for food, get to work for an income or receive medical care. Hospitals will begin to run out of oxygen reserves.

Two Weeks

Our clean water supply will begin to run dry. It’s important to remember that humans cannot live for more than a week without sustainable clean water.

Four Weeks

The clean water supply will be completely gone and the only source of clean water will be through boiling. This will lead to an increase in gastrointestinal disease which will then exhaust the medical system that is already terribly overloaded.

It is amazing to think about how much is riding on the shoulders of all those truck drivers. Remember to thank the truck drivers in your life because they help carry the future of our economy and our country. It is a difficult job but so worth it.

If you’re interested in becoming a truck driver to keep America moving, our team at Diesel Driving Academy is excited to talk with you. Learn more about how you can train for a great career in our trucking industry.

CDL Training is a fun and exciting time. It means the start of a new career path and new experiences. While you may be ready to get going right away, you also need to remember that your instructors still have much to teach you. You will have to demonstrate your learning before you can hit the road. Not taking CDL Training seriously could be detrimental when it comes time for you to take your CDL Test. Therefore, use these tips to help you stay focused and get the most out of your training.

Pay Careful Attention

Being a professional truck driver is a rewarding career, but it also comes with big responsibilities. You will be driving one of the biggest vehicles on the road and you will have other driver’s safety to account for. You need to make sure you are paying close attention to everything your instructor says during CDL training.

Tips For Class:

• Bring a notebook and pen to take notes
• Arrive on time and ready to learn
• Have good attendance
• Make friends with other students in the class. You can support and help each other study.
• Bring your best attitude to class every time. The more excited you are to be there, the more you’ll learn during your CDL training.

Ask Questions

If you are unsure of exactly what your instructor is saying, you should ask them to explain it in more detail. There is no such thing as a bad question. It is much better to ask questions and understand every aspect of the CDL training now before you hit the road. Also, instructors love to answer questions because it shows your interest in the topic and it allows them to share their knowledge with new students.

You Don’t Know It All

You may have been driving vehicles for many years now, but driving a truck professionally is a completely different story. There will be new rules and regulations you must follow. You will be responsible for the safety of not only you and the goods on your truck but also those driving around you. Staying humble during training with ultimately end up giving you the confidence you need when you are ready to hit the road.

Coming to CDL Driver Training with a positive, eager to learn attitude is the first step in having a successful driver training course. Students who understand the importance of listening and paying close attention to their instructors will excel in CDL Driver Training.

Diesel Driving Academy has been teaching students the ins and outs of CDL Training since 1972 and is one of the top driver training programs in Louisiana and Arkansas. We have day and evening programs to fit your busy schedule. If you are interested in starting your new career as a professional truck driver, contact us today to learn more or to enroll in our next class.