CDL College

COLORADO WINTER DRIVING

Anonymous cdl college, cdl school, cdl training, defensive driving, snow, truck driver, truck driver training, weather 12:30 PM

COLORADO WINTER DRIVING

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Colorado State Patrol and CDL College holding weekly DOT classes, presented by Trooper Thomas

Anonymous cdl, cdl school, cdl training, defensive driving, dot physical, dot training, pretrip, truck driver training, trucking 9:44 AM

Colorado State Patrol and CDL College holding weekly DOT classes, presented by Trooper Thomas

CDL College DOT Training

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Vision Waiver for CDL License-Colorado

Unknown cdl, cdl college, cdl school, cdl training, dot medical card, medical waiver, truck driver training, vision waiver 12:45 PM

Every once in awhile someone asks how to obtain a CDL if they have vision problems. It is possible to get a CDL with a vision waiver from the Colorado State Patrol. The first step is to obtain the paperwork. Here is a link to the files. <a href="http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheadername1=Content-Disposition&blobheadername2=Content-Type&blobheadervalue1=inline%3B+filename%3D%22Apply+for+a+Medical+Waiver.doc%22&blobheadervalue2=application%2Fmsword&blobkey=id&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=1251734557336&ssbinary=true" target="_blank">Colorado State Patrol Vision Waiver</a> This paperwork will accompany your DOT Medical card. Take these documents to DMV. They will allow you to take the written test at motor vehicle. You will obtain your CDL instruction permit from DMV.<br />
<br />
Here are the steps for you.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Vision Waiver Steps</b><br />
1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Medical Card. <a href="http://trucktips.safetyasaservice.com/2013/10/colorados-dot-medical-card-rules-are.html" target="_blank">More information about the DOT Medical Card</a><br />
<br />
2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Waiver papers from State Patrol-<a href="http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheadername1=Content-Disposition&blobheadername2=Content-Type&blobheadervalue1=inline%3B+filename%3D%22Apply+for+a+Medical+Waiver.doc%22&blobheadervalue2=application%2Fmsword&blobkey=id&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=1251734557336&ssbinary=true" target="_blank">State Patrol Waiver Forms</a><br />
<br />
3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Employer Authorization-The State Patrol Vision Waiver requires that you notify the State Patrol when you obtain your first job and any subsequent job. (included in link above)<br />
<br />
4.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Take Vision Waiver papers to doctor. (included in link above)<br />
<br />
5.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Take Vision Waiver papers and Employer Authorization to State Patrol office. Obtain waiver.<br />
<br />
6.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Take Medical Card and Vision Waiver papers to Motor Vehicle and take the written test for the CDL to obtain CDL Instruction Permit.<br />
<br />
7.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Attend CDL College.<br />
<br />
8.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Pass CDL Skills Test at CDL College and deliver CDL Road Test Certificate to Motor Vehicle. This step will give you a CDL License.<br />
<br />
9.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Find a job. Notify Colorado State Patrol of your new job.<br />
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Vision Waiver for CDL License-Colorado

Every once in awhile someone asks how to obtain a CDL if they have vision problems. It is possible to get a CDL with a vision waiver from th...

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Winter Driving Requires More Preparation, Patience, and Performance

Anonymous career, cdl college, cdl school, cdl training, defensive driving, driving, driving jobs, truck driver training, truck driving school, weather 2:10 PM

<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Winter time
is upon us, and with it comes the challenges of driving in snow and icy
conditions. When driving in adverse weather conditions there are many helpful
safety tips given to help drivers get to their destinations without incidents.
Three things I always try to remember in winter weather are preparation,
patience, and performance. </span></span><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Preparation
includes having a vehicle that is in optimal condition. Tires should be in good
condition and properly inflated to handle the snow, water, and icy roads can be
a critical factor for safe driving. All fluids should be checked and filled to
the proper levels including that all important washer fluid. In areas where deicers
like magnesium chloride are used, you don’t want to run out of washer fluid or
your visibility could be totally smeared by the splash of the deicing materials
used on the roads. It’s a good idea to carry an extra gallon of washer fluid
along with you in the winter as well, and make sure it is winter rated so it
won’t freeze. It’s critical to keep the wiper blades in good working condition
as well. Jumper cables, a snow/ice scraper, a snow shovel and some sand or cat
litter, even some nonperishable food and a thermal blanket are some of the
basic supplies that many agencies recommend carrying in the winter.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Fill that
gas tank up before the storm hits! More gas means more weight, which can give
your vehicle better traction. Also, a gas tank that is nearly empty is more susceptible
to condensation which can form in the tank and then freeze in your fuel lines</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">, </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">possibly
causing your engine to be difficult or even unable to start. A full tank is a
happy tank!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Clean your vehicle off! I shake my head in amusement sometimes when I see a car
driving down the road with a small area of their windshield cleaned off
and the rest of the car covered in ice and snow. It may look funny, but it is
very unsafe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When winter weather comes blowing in, the change can be
sudden and sometimes dramatic. Here in Colorado, it is not unusual for the
temperatures to drop 30 or 40 degrees in a very short period of time. Even with
these dramatic and quick changes, you can be prepared by monitoring weather
conditions using all the multimedia resources that are available today. </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Patience is required in all driving situations, but
particularly in bad weather. The challenges of safe driving become even greater
in snow and icy conditions. Not all people have experienced driving in winter
weather. But even with winter driving experience, we all must practice more
patience and increase our awareness. Traffic slows down in bad weather which
can cause others to become impatient. Since the road conditions are compromised
in winter weather, planning your drive becomes even more essential. Allowing
extra time is a key aspect in winter driving. Drivers should not expect to be
able to get to their destination in the same amount of time as they do on dry
clear roads. Time management is a factor in many accidents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nmlfzoAW-MU/UubXz7joEzI/AAAAAAAAABU/bKay2NeLg80/s1600/SNOW+FENCE+DAMAGE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nmlfzoAW-MU/UubXz7joEzI/AAAAAAAAABU/bKay2NeLg80/s1600/SNOW+FENCE+DAMAGE.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rYOwXneBl4Q/UubYHw05YoI/AAAAAAAAABc/wyzaw-r7S1A/s1600/SNOW+FENCE+DAMAGE+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rYOwXneBl4Q/UubYHw05YoI/AAAAAAAAABc/wyzaw-r7S1A/s1600/SNOW+FENCE+DAMAGE+2.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Performance in bad weather driving is an extremely
critical aspect of safely negotiating the roadways that are covered with snow
and ice. We need to handle our vehicles more gently-easy on the brakes and
accelerator, smooth easy turns and lane changes, and much slower speeds than
under normal conditions. More following distances will give you a safe space
cushion from other vehicles, and also help cut down on the amount of road spray
that splashes up on your windshield. Allowing extra time for traveling, keeping
your focus, and helping others by being courteous and safe, can make a
potentially dangerous and miserable ride much easier to handle for yourself and
everyone around you.</span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Driving in bad weather presents many challenges, but being
prepared, patient, and performing at a higher level, we can increase our level
of safety. Yes, the weather outside can be frightful-but we can still safely
get home to where the fire is so delightful! Safe travels everyone! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>

Winter Driving Requires More Preparation, Patience, and Performance

Winter time is upon us, and with it comes the challenges of driving in snow and icy conditions. When driving in adverse weather conditions...

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CDL College and Shamrock Foods combine "Train the Tainer" course's and Entry Level Commercial Drivers Course's for a unique experience!

Anonymous career, cdl college, defensive driving, driving jobs, education career, jobs, pretrip, truck driver training, truck driving, truck driving school 10:36 AM

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CDL College and Shamrock Foods combine "Train the Tainer" course's and Entry Level Commercial Drivers Course's for a unique experience!

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The Things We Do to Make it in America Today.

Unknown career, cdl, cdl college, cdl school, cdl testing, defensive driving, driving jobs, truck driver training 9:47 AM

The Things We Do to Make it in America Today.

This is a great piece from the New York Times chronicling the life of a female truck driver in the oil fields of North Dakota. What a hard l...

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The Driving Game

Anonymous cdl college, cdl school, cdl training, defensive driving, driving jobs, truck driver training, truck driving school 9:03 AM

<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, I am on
my daily drive and I am watching the vehicle in front of me. It is making
random lane changes from one side of the three lane road to the other. There is
no warning or indication of this-just a sudden jump from one lane to another,
sometimes more than one lane at a time. Racing up. Moving over. Dropping back.
Cutting across. Racing up. It looks like a different version of Frogger. In
this game though, you don't try to cross the road. The objective here seems to
be getting around as many obstacles as possible in the shortest amount of time.
I am hoping that they have enough tokens or quarters to get to their
destination. They must get energy points for every car they pass, tail gate or
cut off. This seems to be their goal because they have done that to dozens of
vehicles along the way. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It's a 40
MPH posted road, but this vehicle has the extra power it has collected on the
drive to go at least 60 in some areas. I am guessing they are after those
energy stashes before anyone else gets to them. Oh, and those traffic lights?
Merely a suggestion to this person. I watch them run several that have no
cameras watching them. I am assuming that this is okay to do if you are
convinced that no one sees you, because this vehicle is running all of them.
The challenge is to get more of those energy stashes and the red lights must be
worth more points. I am learning the rules of this new game.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently the closer you ride to another
vehicles bumper you get more points as well, because this person is almost
attached to the vehicle in front of them. And if you get another person to beep
their horn in anger-more credits. Then you use your hand showing just one
finger to indicate that you just scored another point.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now if you
want the game to get even more interesting, you try to get others to join the
game with you. It appears to be working, because I am seeing more vehicles
playing now. They must have put their tokens in the slot that reads more than
one player.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am
learning more and more about this game on my daily commute. It looks
interesting. Hopefully they will come out with a home version soon because
playing it out on the public roads looks too intense and dangerous to me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

The Driving Game

So, I am on my daily drive and I am watching the vehicle in front of me. It is making random lane changes from one side of the three lan...

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Professional Truck Driving: Specialized Skills, Dedication, Integrity

Anonymous cdl college, cdl school, cdl testing, driving jobs, truck driving school, trucking 12:03 PM

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="288" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XAVDzjjc0cY/UsHRgoame2I/AAAAAAAAAAg/E_Q-p2ZzKNs/s400/BLOG+MOBILE+IMAGING+PICTURE.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Me with Mobile Nuclear Imaging trailer in Oberlin, Kansas in 2001 </span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Professional truck drivers are in higher demand today more than any other time. One of the challenges that the trucking industry is currently facing is replacing an ageing workforce as the Baby Boomer generation that formed the backbone of the transportation industry are slowly beginning to retire. That fact, and the difficulty of hiring young, committed, and certified truck drivers; willing and capable of working long hours and being away from their families, plus the challenge of driver retention adds to the need for more professional drivers nationwide.</span></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Today’s fast paced “I want it now” thinking has added many demands on shippers to satisfy their customer’s needs. When Joe in Boston wants 200 bags of flour delivered on Saturday for baking bread and rolls for a wedding on Sunday, he relies on the shipper to deliver as promised. Those bags of flour find their way to Joe on a truck driven by a professional truck driver. That driver uses all of their skills to maneuver the vehicle to its destination, dedicating themselves to the goal of making that on time delivery, keeping themselves in check by following all safety regulations and guidelines, plus their sense of integrity and commitment to their task-many times sacrificing being in their homes with their families in the process. It is generally agreed by numerous entities that 60-70 % of America's commodities move by truck, which highlights the importance of a well-trained and dedicated fleet of professional drivers to provide those services that many people sometimes take for granted.</span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"></span><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">SPECIALIZED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE</span></span></b></div>
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</div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"></span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Candidates that want to become a professional truck driver are required to go through extensive training and studies to acquire their Commercial Drivers License. They must pass a DOT (Department of Transportation) medical exam to make sure they are physically fit to take on the responsibility of driving large commercial vehicles. After that step, they need to take numerous written tests at their local DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) to obtain a CDL permit, which allows them to drive a truck with a licensed and qualified CDL driver. There are also Endorsements that can be added to the permit: Doubles and Triples for those interested in hauling multiple trailers, a Tanker Endorsement, or Hazardous Materials are some examples. These are all written tests that can be taken by a CDL candidate and then are added to their license when they pass their CDL test. Adding endorsements can enhance one's ability to find a job in the competitive world of truck driving. </span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then, the candidate is ready for hands on training in the type of vehicle that they are interested in driving. Hands on training will include learning how to do a thorough Vehicle Inspection. A commercial driver is legally responsible to do Pre and Post trip inspections of any vehicle that they drive per FMCSR (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations) rules. A CDL driver needs to have a good understanding of the components involved with the safe operation of their vehicle. Besides being the first part of the CDL test, this knowledge should be used and practiced everyday in the life of a professional driver to ensure that the vehicle they are driving meets all safety requirements. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The CDL candidate also needs to learn how to maneuver the vehicle in a measured and defined area. These are the Basic Control Skills part of the test. Drivers of larger vehicles face many unique challenges while maneuvering in close quarters. There are many blind spot areas that need to be considered when moving large trucks. These are basic skills that are learned and used every day. There are so many different places where large vehicles need to be driven to: tight cramped lots, moving vehicles, forklifts, and people- these are just some of the numerous challenges in backing and maneuvering and each driver is responsible to do this safely and efficiently. These skills are necessary to pass the CDL test, and more importantly, used and enhanced daily to be a safe and competent truck driver. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then, of course, there is the on the road training and Road Test. Many streets are designed to accommodate larger sized commercial vehicles, but there are also many that are not. A professional driver needs to be able to drive their vehicle safely under all circumstances. Blaming a narrow lane or a tight turn doesn't absolve you if there is property damage or an accident. Good decisions and constant assessment of both the driver and vehicle capabilities and limitations are necessary to be able to safely and successfully arrive at any destination. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If a driver candidate passes their CDL test they are issued a CDL license for the class of vehicle they have proven to be qualified to drive. This is an exciting moment in most people's lives! I have been a CDL tester, and the joy and relief when the test is over and the individual has passed is a great thing to witness! Now comes the learning. Now you say? Haven't I just passed all these written and practical tests? Doesn't the learning process ever end? The answer that is universally given by experienced professional drivers is NO! Every day a truck driver leaves the lot, they are facing different challenges, and every day they should be open to learning more. Different trucks, gear patterns, horsepower, RPM's, clutch depth and control, turning radiuses; many of these things can be unique to each vehicle that is driven, and a professional driver must be able to adapt quickly to a wide variety of equipment that they may be required to operate. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As a new driver goes out into the truck driving world, there will be job specific training required for the types of vehicles that they intend to drive. So once again- the training is ongoing, and during the first few months to a couple of years a driver can still be considered a novice by many companies. Now is the time for them to put all of their specialized knowledge and skills to practical use in the real world. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">These skills are vital to society and our economy, are needed to drive safely and deliver the commodities in a timely and competent way, and are essential for the driver to obtain and hold on to a good driving position. No one wants a driver who is a liability. In my years of driving, all of my employers were confident in my abilities and skills and my decision making. They knew I could be counted on to do the right thing and to represent them and their interests to the highest level. When I drove out of their lot, no one had to wonder how I was operating the vehicle or how well the job would be done. This is what a professional driver should strive for every day of their career. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"></span><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">DEDICATION</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"></span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Specialized skills are just one of the characteristics of a professional driver. Dedication to the task is another. Pro drivers maintain a high level of pride in their work, and also great determination to accomplish their daily responsibilities. Many drivers work very long hours, spend weeks away from home, sleeping odd hours, traveling thousands of miles operating in extreme conditions; harsh weather, heavy traffic, bad road conditions, and detours. There are many times when truck drivers are on the road and miss a family birthday, a holiday, or other special occasions. Deep commitment and dedication is needed to be able to safely and calmly handle any and all of these conditions keeping safety as the number one priority. For example, driving over a 10,000 foot mountain pass safely requires great concentration, focus, and delicacy to safely negotiate critical ascents and descents on steep and winding mountain roads. I drove over many such places, and this is when great patience and keeping a cool head is essential. Putting on tire chains in the middle of a snow storm to get to your destination or a safe stopping area takes time, practice, and lots of patience. This is just another one of the ongoing challenges and learning situations professional drivers may encounter in their career. This is what makes truck driving challenging, rewarding, and fun!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"></span><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">INTEGRITY</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"></span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Specialized skills and knowledge, dedication and commitment, and a high level of personal integrity best describe the professional truck driver. Integrity is doing the right thing at all times. It is taking personal responsibility for all of your actions and behaviors; whether dealing with a customer, buying fuel, presenting permits or log books at a port of entry, or simply sitting in a restaurant having a meal. How we act towards others is a direct reflection on ourselves, but it also reflects on our company and the truck driving industry as a whole. Courtesy and respect to others, driving to protect yourself and the public, taking pride in the condition of your vehicle, following all rules and regulations; these are the traits of a professional driver that are not taught in a classroom. They come from each driver taking personal pride in their profession and practicing it every day. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Professional drivers are honest and have the trust of their employers driving large expensive vehicles hauling products for their customers. This is a responsibility that cannot be taken lightly. All safety considerations in making deliveries on time, avoiding liability, potential loss of customers due to accidents or damaged freight, property damage, injury or fatalities are taken seriously by the pro driver.  One bad truck driver can give the perception to the public that all drivers are reckless. The acts of one irresponsible driver can have negative effects on the entire industry.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Integrity also involves self monitoring to be sure you are fit for work,  well rested, healthy, and capable of doing the job safely and efficiently. I have asked large groups of experienced drivers around the country this question: "Would any of you want your family to be driving around or near an unsafe, fatigued, or unhealthy driver"? The answer is overwhelmingly NO! So it is up to each individual to avoid being that unsafe driver. Striving for excellence and doing the right thing, making those safe decisions and choices: these are a matter of an individual following the rules, coupled with the inner voice that tells you what is right or wrong. Whatever the driver decides or which voice he listens to could be the difference between life and death. And that is a line that no professional driver should ever be willing to cross.  </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;">In conclusion, professional truck drivers using their specialized skills and knowledge, dedication, and integrity, are a large part of the backbone of this country's economy. Safety, commitment, and pride in their work are what keep the professional driver in the elite category. Being self directed and having the right attitude at all times while facing the many challenges presented to them are also traits that should be emulated every day. The next time you are sitting in your home take a good look around you and remember that 60-70% of all commodities are delivered by a truck driver. Picture your life without many of those things, and say a thank you to all of the dedicated professionals out there 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, bringing everything needed to your favorite stores so that you can live a comfortable and enjoyable lifestyle.</span></span></div>

Professional Truck Driving: Specialized Skills, Dedication, Integrity

Me with Mobile Nuclear Imaging trailer in Oberlin, Kansas in 2001 Professional truck drivers are in higher demand today more than a...

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