Posts by SWTDT
How to Become a Trucking Owner-Operator
If you love long-haul driving but are tired of answering to someone else, becoming an owner-operator could be a great career option. Running your own business allows you to pick and choose the jobs you want and use your own truck. But it comes with risks, too. What is a Trucking Owner-Operator? A trucking…
Read More18 Wheel Talk Podcast Sits Down with Steve Strong from Southwest Truck Driver Training
Featuring Steve Strong, Vice President of Southwest Truck Driver Training If you haven’t checked out the 18 Wheel Talk Podcast Show, then a recent episode featuring Southwest Truck Driver Training is a great place to get started. In this episode (#74), hilarious hosts and veteran truck drivers Patrick Heller and Janet McCue share the mic…
Read MoreDOT Physical for Truckers: How It Works and What to Expect
All people with commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) must pass a physical exam to drive commercially in the U.S. These medical exams serve several purposes for the benefit of the drivers and others on the road. Passing medical tests can be intimidating, especially if your career hinges on one. So, having questions is natural. Read on…
Read MoreHow to Make More Money as a Truck Driver
Whether you’re a seasoned driving veteran or a newly trained rookie, the earning potential for truck drivers is at an all-time high. In fact, average truck driver salaries rose an average of 11% in 2021. But, widespread pay increases aren’t the only ways to make more money as a truck driver. With more experience, a…
Read MoreHow to Prepare for the CDL Theory Test
Every state requires prospective commercial drivers to pass a written exam when earning a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Preparing for the CDL test isn’t just necessary to get a passing score. The information will also be part of your work as a commercial driver. CDL holders must understand and follow specific rules and guidelines when…
Read MoreHow Much Do Truck Drivers Make in 2023? Average Pay for Graduates
Truck drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) can often make a good income, no matter where they work. Those with specialized endorsements and skills stand to make even more money working in this in-demand career. Read on to learn about average truck driver salaries, pay for various driving positions, and how you can increase…
Read MoreHow to Prepare for a Truck Driving Job Interview
Featuring expert advice from Steve Strong, Vice President, Southwest Truck Driver Training With a nationwide truck driver shortage of 80,000 drivers—potentially surging to 160,000 by 2030 if current trends continue—it should be cake to get a truck driving job, right? Not necessarily. While many trucking carriers are having a hard time finding qualified employees, most…
Read MoreELDT (Entry-Level Driver Training) Rules: What It Means for CDL Students
You may have heard of the recent rule implemented by the federal government called “Entry-Level Driver Training” requirements, which recently went into effect February 7, 2022. What are these new rules, and what does it mean for you, the prospective commercial driver’s license (CDL) applicant? New ELDT Rules for CDL Drivers: A Simple Explanation The…
Read MoreEmployer Profiles Who Hire Grads: Covenant Transport
Covenant Transport is more than just a trucking company. The carrier is a network of dedicated and dependable transportation experts offering safe, expedited, and temperature-controlled freight services to their customers in the United States and Mexico. Covenant Transport carries goods from a wide variety of industries, including automotive, construction, paper and packaging, and food and beverage. This transportation provider isn’t just loyal to their customers, but to…
Read MoreEmployer Profiles Who Hire Grads: May Trucking Company
When you finish trucking training school and are ready to start your career in the trucking industry, it’s important to be smart about which trucking company to work for. There are many factors to consider, including the type of work, routes, pay rate, benefits, and home-time policy the company offers. When investigating potential employers and trucking companies in Arizona, be sure to take a look at May Trucking…
Read MoreHow to Work for Yourself as an Owner-Operator
Starting your own trucking company as an owner-operator is a great way to become your own boss while potentially making more money in the process. Although the median annual salary for heavy vehicle and tractor-trailer drivers is $43,680 (BLS, May 2018), Payscale notes the average salary of owner-operators in the industry to be around $97,000.…
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