2 Simple Tips To Changing Lanes As a CDL Truck Driver - A Must Know For CDL Requirements

Summary
Thinking of being a truck driver and you are planning on going to truck driving school? Here you will learn the 2 simple steps to a perfect lane change. Learning this CDL requirement is vital to your success as a trucker.

2 Simple Tips To Changing Lanes As a CDL Truck Driver 
Thinking of being a truck driver and you are planning on going to truck driving school. Here you will learn the 2 simple steps to a perfect lane change. Learning this CDL requirement is vital to your success as a trucker.

So you want to know how to be a professional truck driver and make a professional lane change. Let me help you and give you a few good tips because remember it is just you and the truck. You are out there making the decisions and calling the shots.
 
CDL Requirements For Professional Lane Changing

We all know what it means to change lanes. You are merging from one side of the road to the other. But now you are a trucker and that makes all the difference. Having your CDL license and operating a big truck is all the difference between you and the regular cars out there on the road.

When going through your <u>CDL training at a truck driving school</u> they will teach you all the basics. Remember to always check your mirrors. Watch you blind spots. I'm going to give these 2 simple tips that they just may fail to say.

1. First step is before changing lanes in a truck plan ahead. You do this by knowing whats around you. You are using your mirrors and checking blind spots. If there was a car right behind you and he is not there take a second look at your blind spot because he just might be sitting there next to you.

2. Second step to changing lanes in the Before - During - and After routine. Plan your move before you change into a lane this is the, "Before". As you are moving into it be aware of the space you are taking, this is the, "During". And, "After" you are in that lane take a look who is coming in and out of traffic around you. I say after because once you are in that lane, there just may be someone who needs that lane, and you need to get out of there way.

A Tip About Trucking
Before changing a lane take another look to make sure the car that has passed doesn't have a trailer hooked-up to the back of it. There were a few times when I saw that the car was cleared for me to move over so I did a double check and saw that they had a trailer tagging along.

So watch your mirrors and plan your lane changes, also don't forget to look for that trailer. Remember your blind spots and who's around you because these CDL requirements are the key to your success.






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Man I got a story for you. I remember way back when I had no job. Just got out of the Marine Corps. I really felt like I had a lot of talent, I knew a lot of stuff but just had no direction. I always liked truck driving but thought it was to big for me because I just didn't know the CDL requirements.

I had no idea how fun and rewarding truck driving could be and how easy it was to meet all the CDL requirements. Not only was I able to make good money and see the country but I was my own boss.

Another reason why trucking is such a great career. No big degree schools, no 10 years of higher learning. When you get your class a CDL you are a certified professional trucker.

Truck Driving Schools

Yeah I went to a good trucking school. But honestly, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. When I was a kid I accidentally backed my pick-up right into my dads house. My dad said to me you can do anything you put your heart into. So I did it and made that first step to being a trucker.

Truck driving school was a challenge but I did it. I have to tell you that when I got out there in the real world to start making money there was a lot of stuff that they didn't teach me. I went right through the school of hard knocks.

What They Didn't Teach Me

What they didn't teach me in school I made up for it in these last ten years of driving. So yes a trucking school will teach you of all the CDL requirements that you need to know to pass a DOT test and get on the road. But what you need is a head start in trucking to get you prepared to the many challenges you will face.

I remember when the truck driving school was teaching me how to meet all the CDL requirements. They taught me how to back up, shift and do lane changes and everything. But the real deal of getting loaded, to driving through the mountains is another thing.

Shifting gears and driving trucks has always been my kinda thing ever since I got my CDL. I have met a lot of truckers who have well long-ago meet the CDL requirements for truck driving. With truck driving you can make a lot of money and see the country that is what it is all about.

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5 Steps to Fixing Your Semi Truck Lights - Why Knowing This CDL Requirements Is Important For YouA

Summary
Having lights is a CDL requirement and extremely important. These 5 simple tips will keep you trucking and money in your pocket. Also one thing this will cover your but from getting a big ticket.

Many truckers will do a pretrip inspection before they start driving. Of course this CDL requirement is by law and these simple tips will keep you trucking, and money in your pocket.

Why Having Lights is a CDL Requirement

Not having your lights working is an easy ticket. Epically if you are going through an inspection station, DOT will write you a ticket to get it fixed. Determining how bad it is they may just shut you down until you fix it. If that happens you have to hire a repair truck to come to your rescue.

One time I got pulled around the scale house when I was trucking through Indiana. What had happened was my tail lights were not working. DOT said that they would not let me go until it was fixed.

Luckily I knew a few things about trucking. I went to front of my trailer and found that plug on my pig-tail was loose just because the female side in the trailer was worn. So all I did was open up the prongs on the plug which made a tight fit for the pig-tail.

Having lights is a CDL requirement and extremely important. It is so people and see you and you can see them. If you are at a place where you can not fix them, know this tip... Jot down in your log book that you have inspected the truck and have the following wrong and intend to have it fixed at nearest truck stop. This will cover your but from getting a ticket.

Few Tips To Fixing Your Lights

1. First check the pig tail. This is the cord of wires that comes form the truck to the trailer giving the trailer lights power. There are 2 ends on the pig-tail. One to the tractor and the other to the trailer.  A lot of times this plug gets corrosion from all the salt and the pins get worn. Sometimes the lights will work on and off as the pig tail bounces up and down while you are driving down the raod.

2. Second if the pins in the pig tail are loose you can bend them back slowly with a screwdriver to spread them apart, which will help making a tight fit. I also keep a can of spray lube for electrical connections.

3. Third I check the breakers and fuses.

4. Forth if it is just one bulb most likely it is just that bulb the needs to be replaced. Or a few wires broken.

5. Lastly don't forget your grounds. So a good tool to have is a light tester to see if you have power coming in.

Learning to trouble shoot electrical problems it very important. This will keep you legal with all the CDL requirements enforced by DOT and in turn you will keep your truck rolling and making money. 

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4 Tips to Learning How Truckers Back-Up Their Trucks - Why Knowing This CDL Requirement is Helpful

Summary
A CDL requirement is to learn how to back up a semi truck. So learning how to back up your truck will of course make your life a whole lot easier as a trucker. Today many people seeking to learn how to be a truck driver struggle to learn how to back up. These 4 simple tips will help you learn the CDL Requirements by DOT and gain the confidence you need to a perfect backing up.

4 Tips to Learning How Truckers Back-Up Their Trucks
Learning how to back up is what many students struggle with. Truck driving schools are continually training this major CDL requirement. Which when learned will make your life a whole lot easier as a trucker.

Learning how to back up  is something that some people pick up right away and with others it takes a little bit longer. Don't worry if you feel like you are one of the those who can't pick it up right away. Trucking takes time to get used to and experience is something we all wish we could get right away.

Many truckers have become pros at backing up.  Even as for myself I have been into some really tight places where I thought there was no way for me to get in. But after you learn a few tricks here and there it becomes second nature to you.

I remember delivering a load to Kraft in St. Louis Mo. This place is in a cave under ground.  I helped a Prime driver out by backing up her truck for her. She was so happy to get it in the dock. She said that she was trying to back up for the last 45 minutes and just couldn't get it in there.

These 4 Simple Tips to a Perfect Back-Up Will Help Meet The DOT CDL Requirements

1. First know where you are backing up. If it is in a tight spot sometimes I'll walk over and take a look. What I am looking for is the best approach. Most of the tips a straight back-up is a lot easier than a 90 degree back-up. 

2. Second I take a look at all the areas that other truckers had hit with their trucks. This gives me a clue of what not to hit. What could be in my blind spot.

3. Third when you drive up to the dock just take a look and make sure there is nothing you will hit, or blow out a tire.

4. Lastly while you are backing up be aware of the blind spots around you. If your not sure as they always say get out and look.

Keeping these four simple tips in your mind will always help to keep you out of trouble. Although DOT doesn't enforce a single way to back-up your truck. DOT does enforce the CDL requirements to be able to back up your truck in a single line and in 90 degree back-up. Knowing these tips will help to your success as a truck driver.

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3 Ways To Avoid An Accident - What Truck Driving Schools Don't Tell You About DOT CDL Requirements

Summary
Accidents are common and of course accidental. To learn how to be a professional truck driver you become wise on eliminating the risk factors. 7 Steps to Planning Ahead For Meeting DOT CDL Requirements. 5 Steps To Thinking Ahead For Meeting DOT CDL Requirements. Many truckers get into accidents because of 2 things. So proper training and with these tips will keep your truck rolling and accident free by eliminating these risk factors. Happy trucking....

What Truck Driving Don't Teach You
Accidents are common and of course accidental. The number one CDL requirement is safety. The most common phrase is, "I didn't see that coming". So the name of the game is learning how to eliminate the risk factors. Accidents cost you time and money and possible a life or a limb, so play close attention.

7 Steps to Planning Ahead For Meeting DOT CDL Requirements
Planing ahead is 50 percent of not getting into an accident. Many truck drivers plan ahead their trips which by far eliminates a lot of risk factors. This gives you ease of mind to meet all the DOT CDL requirements so your not rushing and start forgetting stuff.

How Truckers Plan Ahead
1st. You look at how much time dispatch gives you to get there, and how much time it takes to get there.

2nd. Is this is your location? Verify the location to and from you are going. I have seen truckers go to the right city but in the wrong state.

3rd. Is this the best routing? This may depend on the weather, mountains and construction. Give yourself extra time to crossing mountains. What would take a car 1 1/2 hours make that 3 to 4 hours if your in a truck.

4th. Is there enough time for sleep? Plan for sleep you need it. Don't get caught up at a T.A. watching a moving or playing with your C.B. radio.

5th. Know when you get tired. Even though you may not feel like running because you just got loaded and it took all day. Run it to make up some time.

6th. Give yourself a cushion of time for break down and bad weather.

7th. Know where you will be getting fuel and plan for tolls.

5 Steps To Thinking Ahead For Meeting DOT CDL Requirements

Speed and distance, knowing your equipment and paying attention are all things you need to think ahead. These are major things that if ignored will cause a big accident and put in violation of DOT CDL requirements. With truck driving you always have to be on the ball.

How Truckers Think Ahead
1st. Speed and distance. This varies in traffic and conditions. Whatever they may be you need time to react, and respond to the situation professionally.

2nd. Knowing your equipment. This is important because if you're hauling a heavy load that is stacked to the ceiling of the trailer. You'll loose that load or the load may shift if you are going to fast.

3rd. Pay attention. Don't get distracted with all the pretty girls driving by. Especially when you are in heavy traffic. Seconds matter when you have a situation forming. If you are distracted such as texting on you cell phone of playing with your lap top, then the risk factor goes up.

4th. Don't drive with bad equipment like bald tires or no oil in the hubs. Do a good pre-trip.

5th. No road rage. You are a professional trucker, stay that way.

As a Truck Driver Learn From Your Mistakes
Many truckers get into accidents because of 2 things. First they are over-confident thinking they know everything. Second they may be under experienced and don't bother to take for-thought. Like going down the mountain at a %7 percent grade at 80 miles an hour. There a trucker saying it is, "Once you think you know everything you might as well hang it up before you get yourself killed".

So proper training and with these simple tips will keep your truck rolling and accident free by eliminating these risk factors. Happy trucking...

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Trucking Can Change Your Life...

Trucking is an opportunity to change your career, and life style. It is one of the few jobs where you can pick where you want to live and how much you want to work. You can either be your own boss as an owner operator, or occasionally see your boss as a company driver. You can be home every night, once a week, once a month or home just for the holidays. Whichever works for you!

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