What translates from truck driving school to the road?
Truck driving schools typically provide classroom instruction and hands-on training on a closed course, often with a standard tractor-trailer. This training typically covers topics such as basic driving skills, safety regulations, and cargo handling. However, actual truck driving can be more complex and challenging than what is taught in school. The real-world challenges that truck drivers face on the job can include navigating through traffic, dealing with inclement weather, and handling unexpected situations like vehicle breakdowns or accidents.
Furthermore, different types of truck driving jobs can have different requirements and demands. For example, a long-haul trucking job may require drivers to spend several days or even weeks away from home, while local delivery jobs may require drivers to navigate through urban areas with tight turns and heavy traffic. Overall, while truck driving schools provide valuable training and preparation for the job, there can be differences between what is taught in school and the realities of working as a professional truck driver. Experienced drivers often have to rely on their skills, judgment, and problem-solving abilities to navigate the challenges of the job.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has proposed a rule to simplify the process for obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), aiming to address the driver shortage in the trucking industry.
In a significant ruling, a federal judge in California rejected a challenge against the state's independent contractor law, AB5, from the trucking industry.
The DRIVE Safe Coalition leaders celebrate the passing of the fiscal year 2024 transportation funding bill, which includes a provision advocated by the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) to revive the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program.
Some Trump-supporting truckers are boycotting deliveries to New York City following the former president's $355 million fraud fine.
California lawmakers, labor unions, and truck drivers are urging Governor Gavin Newsom to sign a bill that would ban self-driving trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds from operating on public roads without a human driver on board.
Paul Bashaw, a 65-year-old trucker with over 20 years of experience in Massachusetts, is retiring with a $1 million jackpot, won just three days after he gave notice to his boss.
A female truck driver was fired by Groupe Robert, a Canadian trucking company, after a crash on June 30th, 2022.
A recent survey by Truckers News and Commercial Carrier Journal found that many truck drivers have no plans to retire.
Frank Sonzala, a veteran in the trucking and transportation industry, is spearheading a business plan to address the pressing issue of the nationwide truck parking shortage.
OOIDA President Todd Spencer provides insight into the alleged driver shortage in the trucking industry, attributing it to the inability of large fleets to retain drivers rather than a true shortage.
In this article, the author strongly opposes driver-facing cameras (DFCs) in trucks, arguing that they are an invasion of privacy.
In July 2021, the American Trucking Association (ATA) warned of a severe truck driver shortage, while the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) and Land Line Magazine disputed this narrative.
Trucking industry experts gathered at SMC3 Connections 2023 conference predict that the freight recession will continue, with a potential relief expected in early 2024.
A journalist in San Antonio reflects on the rare opportunity to befriend and gain insight from industry professionals while organizing a panel program for the Truckload Carriers Association Safety & Security Meeting.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has pledged to assist in the rapid repair of a section of Interstate 95 (I-95) on the East Coast, following its collapse in Philadelphia.
During a meeting of the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee, Todd Spencer, President of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), urged the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to assess the effectiveness of existing safety regulations.
A recent survey conducted by the Conversion Interactive Agency and People. Data. Analytics (PDA) sheds light on the current state of the truck driving job market.
The lack of seat belt use among truck drivers is a growing concern for federal regulators, evident from the recent fatality data.
Truck parking scarcity remains a major concern in the transportation industry, with insufficient parking spaces available for drivers to comply with mandatory rest breaks.
According to ACT, the shedding of excess capacity in the trucking industry may result in a shortage of available drivers, potentially causing a driver shortage late this year or in the near future.
The Supreme Court handed a victory to employers in a labor dispute case on June 1, ruling against unionized truck drivers who walked off the job with their trucks filled with wet concrete.
FMCSA has launched the "Your Roads, Their Freedom" campaign to raise awareness about human trafficking among commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers in the United States.
Georgia and Wyoming colleges are expanding their commercial driver's license (CDL) programs to address the shortage of truck drivers.
One of Jeopardy's recent champions, Brian Henegar, shed light on the transportation industry, as he works at Pilot Flying J in Tennessee.
The issue of truck parking shortages is not widely discussed in the media or public discourse, so many Americans simply may not be aware of it.
Truckers, like many people, can suffer from drowsy driving during daylight savings time due to the shift in time, which can disrupt their sleep schedule and circadian rhythm.
In September 2022, Kentucky’s Transportation Cabinet announced its installation of driver-focused cameras at weigh stations along Interstate 75.
Marijuana use can impair judgment, coordination, and reaction time, which can increase the risk of accidents and injuries.
Most electronic tolling systems use transponders, which are small devices that are mounted on the windshield of a vehicle.
In a notable Supreme Court ruling, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, it was unanimously decided that truck drivers hauling products like bread are in the transportation sector, not bakery workers.