Trucking Industry
Road to the Office: Nicole’s Path After Earning a CDL
Meet Nicole, a Southwest Truck Driver Training graduate with a fleet assignment job at Werner. Trucking wasn’t Nicole’s first career. When she applied to our school at her cousin’s urging, she was working as a hairstylist. Nicole enjoyed her over-the-road (OTR) experience. “It was a way for me to travel and see the world…
Read MoreQ&A with Instructor Tabitha
Meet Tabitha (or “T,” as everyone calls her). She’s a second-generation truck driver, as her dad was a driver before her. “My dad taught me to respect the trucks and love the trucks when I was a kid,” she says, inspiring her to get a CDL at only 18. But now? She’s using her…
Read MoreRoad to the Office: Dylan’s Journey After CDL School
Meet Dylan, a Southwest Truck Driver Training graduate! For Dylan, trucking is kind of the family business. His grandfather and uncle both entered the field. His grandpa drove for years, and Dylan used to ride with him, leading to a love of trucks and a desire to work in the field. His uncle is…
Read MoreSouthwest Truck Driver Training Graduate Gina Jones Honored as 2024 TA Citizen Driver of the Year
Gina Jones, a graduate of Southwest Truck Driver Training and current Werner Enterprises driver, was honored as one of TravelCenters of America’s 2024 Citizen Drivers of the Year, along with her husband Steve Jones and one other honoree, Tim Taylor. This honor was first announced at the Mid-America Trucking Show in March 2024. As part…
Read MoreWerner Enterprises Hosts Southwest Truck Driver Training at Fall Driver Appreciation Event
On September 13, Southwest Truck Driver Training students and staff were honored to participate in Werner Enterprises’ semi-annual Driver Appreciation Week event, held at Werner’s Phoenix terminal. This event gave future CDL graduates an inside look at one of America’s leading trucking companies. Our staff and students heard from Werner drivers and listened to a…
Read MoreWerner Enterprises Welcomes Southwest Truck Driver Training at Spring Driver Appreciation Event
On April 10, students and several instructors from Southwest Truck Driver Training’s Phoenix campus were hosted by Werner Enterprises at one of their semi-annual Driver Appreciation Week events. Werner Hosts Regular Driver Appreciation Events Nationwide Werner, a notable employer of many Southwest Truck Driver Training CDL graduates, went on the road to celebrate its…
Read MoreSouthwest Truck Driver Training Joins Other CDL Schools to Advocate for Students in Career Training
This March, nearly 30 representatives from CDL training schools from all across our nation convened in Washington, DC, to sit down with approximately 60 members of Congress and their staff. Among the participants was Southwest Truck Driver Training’s president, Sean Williams. The group visiting Capitol Hill advocated for policies to help improve accessibility of truck…
Read MoreWomen in Trucking and Southwest Truck Driver Training
As more women enter the transportation industry, supportive resources and training are increasingly important to launch women into exciting careers. Southwest Truck Driver Training offers comprehensive programs for anyone, provided by a diverse staff, including female instructors dedicated to helping each student be successful. How Many Truckers Are Women? The number of female truckers…
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 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 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 MoreNew California Trucking Labor Laws Throw Owner-Operators Under the Bus
Recently enacted California trucking labor laws may force owner-operators to flee the Golden State. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed controversial Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) into law in September; it was intended to reduce the number of workers classified as “independent contractors” and put them on payrolls where state and federal income taxes would be automatically deducted.…
Read More