Trucking

Updated October 2022 Managing finances can seem overwhelming when you are away from home. Staying organized does not have to be a source of additional stress. There are several ways to manage your money better while still on the move. Here are a few tips to start the New Year off strong by staying organized with your finances.

Make a List

In order to manage money well, you have to know how much is coming in versus how much is going out. Take the time to create a list that includes the date each bill is due, the date deposits are made, and any expenses for food, clothing, or other necessities.

Bank Better

Not all banks are created equal, and for that reason, it is important to do research and choose one that meets your individual needs. Choose a bank or a credit union that offers free checking services, low or refunded ATM fees, and mobile banking options so you can track and manage your account from anywhere. A good bank should also have no minimum balance requirements or limit the number of transactions you can make. Since you will likely be away from home, banks with a great Mobile App will be especially beneficial.

Consolidate

If you have multiple checking, savings, or credit card accounts, now is the time to consider consolidating. Having multiple accounts only makes it harder to keep track of what you owe, when it was paid, and through which account. As a bonus, this can also save you money. You can choose to keep the accounts with the lowest fees and interest rates.

Take Advantage of Technology

Free apps, like Mint and Rocket Money, are available and make staying organized a breeze. You can keep all of your financial information in one place and can access it from your mobile device. Not only can you pay bills through these apps, but also get notifications and reminders for any bill that is not set up on auto-pay. These apps can also help you set up a monthly budget and give you an analysis of your spending trends, so you can see where to save money. They can also be a great place to organize all of your different subscriptions. Taking the time to manage your money better is a great resolution. Knowing you are organized will give you that peace of mind while on the road. It might just save you some money as well!

At Advanced Career Institute, we are proud to offer training in the transportation and welding industry. If you're ready to make a career change, contact us for more more information!

Advanced Career Institute, Central Valley’s largest and only nationally accredited truck driver training program, will be doing a special Class A CDL training program for some lucky residents of Merced County in California.  There are 12 initial Scholarships available for a 4-week program to qualified residents. “Here in the Merced area, there are a lot of people looking for a better paying and long-term career.  So, we thought it would be a great idea to introduce the folks at Werner Enterprises to Worknet.  Werner has great paying jobs.  And Worknet has people that are looking for a new and different opportunity”, said Everett Yockey, ACI Merced Campus Director. WHAT CAN YOU EARN? New truck drivers with their Class A CDL at Werner Enterprises can earn up to $48,000 the first year.  In your 2^nd year, you can expect to earn $55,000 - $65,000 as an experienced driver!  So, Advanced Career Institute in Merced created an accelerated, local CDL truck driver training program for individuals to help make this happen.  ACI gets you trained and ready to start work for Werner in just 4 weeks.  “This is a really a great program!  We are helping people get the training they need to be successful in the trucking industry.  Worknet and Werner Enterprises are teaming up to offer an incredible scholarship program to help cover the costs for the student”, said ACI President, David Bither.  You will leave ACI prepared to take your DMV Permit Test because you will be receiving 160 hours of truck driver training. This new program is currently being taught at the ACI Merced Campus and spots are going fast.  Learn more about this CDL Training Scholarship program by contacting our Merced campus today at 1 (209) 437-3767.  The Admissions Staff will help get you started and review all the details with you.

When winter weather arrives, it presents a big challenge for professional truck drivers. Here are some winter driving tips that will help keep drivers safe and warm.

1. Carry proper supplies

Truck drivers should make sure they have cold weather essentials on hand. These include:

• extra clothing layers
• gloves
• flashlight
• rain gear
• windshield fluid
• blankets
• bag of sand or salt
• tire chains
• jumper cables
• snow scrapers and brushes

2. Slow Down

The slower you drive, the more time you have to react. Hydroplaning is also caused by going to fast. Avoid winter accidents by watching your speed.

3. Keep A Firm Grip On The Wheel

Grip the steering wheel firmly to maintain control. Keep both hands on the wheel at all times to guide the vehicle through snow and ice.

4. Allow Safe Space

In the winter, truck drivers should increase their following distance. Be sure you have more than enough space to stop and maneuver in unexpected traffic situations.

5. Watch Out For Bridges

Bridges, highway overpasses, and other elevated surfaces freeze faster than the regular road. They also may not be salted. Use caution when approaching bridges to avoid spinning out of control on black ice.

6. Avoid Black Ice

Black Ice is not just found on bridges. It is a layer of transparent ice that makes the road look wet. Drivers can spot black ice when the spray from other vehicles stops. You can also watch for frost on your truck antennae and mirrors.

7. Brake Slowly

In winter, accelerate and brake slowly. If the truck is not equipped with an ABS braking system, lightly pump the brakes when you need to slow down. Always remember, a good truck driver shuts down when there is too much ice, snow, or driving winds. If you're looking for a new career as a Class A CDL truck driver, get professional truck driver training at Advanced Career Institute. Contact us today to get details about Veterans assistance and other financial assistance that are available to those who qualify.

Tire maintenance is vital because it can help improve fuel economy in your truck as well as reduce the possibility of roadside emergencies. Check out these 3 easy tips to keep your load running smooth and efficiently.

Take Advantage of Pre-Trip Inspection

Prior to beginning every route, truckers holding a California CDL should perform a pre-trip inspection. A pre-trip inspection includes ensuring your tires are in good condition and are working properly. At this time, truck drivers should focus on inflation and inspection of their tires. It is crucial to monitor tire pressure. When tires are overinflated, less of the tire touches the ground resulting in reduced traction, which negatively affects stopping distances. However, underinflated tires result in increased friction between the tires and the ground causing them to wear prematurely. Low tire pressure may also cause tires to overheat, which could potentially lead to an accident. Tires preform best when the truck’s recommended tire pressure is maintained. Tires are created to hold a certain amount of air to efficiently carry the load. It is advised to avoid fluctuating from the recommended tire pressure.

Clean Tires & Wheels

Not only are clean tires necessary for a trucks visual aesthetics, but they ensure durability. Washing wheel and tires should be a key component in every truck driver’s maintenance routine because brake dust and other elements on the road including salt can eat away at the rubber causing them to crack and deteriorate. The next time your tasked with cleaning your truck, ensure your wheels are squeaky clean.

Pay Attention to Driving Habits

Last but not least, poor driving habits are a leading issue in tread wear. Habits to break include speeding, last minute braking and excessive tire spinning in snow and ice. These habits often result in curbing and the creation of flat spots.   An easy way to break these poor driving habits is to consider brushing up on your truck driver education through a CDL Refresher Course. Advanced Career Institute offers hands-on Class A CDL Training and CDL Refresher Courses to brush up your California CDL skills. ACI offers a variety of options for Professional Truck Driver Training. To learn more about brushing up your California CDL skills, head over to our CDL Refresher Course page!

Whether you decide to drive your truck during the daytime or nighttime is dependent on a variety of factors: your pick-up and delivery schedule, traffic, available parking, and your personal preferences. Adjusting to new work and sleep schedules can be challenging for professional truck drivers, so it’s important to consider these factors when setting your game plan for transporting each load. Continue reading to learn more about creating a schedule that works for you!

Pick-Up & Delivery

The freight you’re hauling has a lot to do with the schedule your truck must follow. Refrigerated and dry goods oftentimes follow different schedules. This means that if your freight is refrigerated, you typically have a specific time that your load must be delivered. You will need to work on strict deadlines. Therefore, your truck will need to be running both during the day and at night. However, sometimes if you are delivering dry goods, you will be given a range of time, such as 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., to which the load must be delivered to the customer. This allows you to create a schedule that runs mostly during the day. It is important to remain flexible because your schedule and loads may change at any time causing you to adjust your sleep and driving routines.

Potential Traffic Jams

Another factor that may affect your driving schedule are potential traffic jams. If you are set to drive through major cities such as Los Angeles or Atlanta during peak driving hours, you can expect to be sitting in your truck for extended periods of time. Time is valuable in the trucking industry. Truck driving is a competitive field, so you always want to keep your truck moving. Ultimately, time is money. To avoid sitting in traffic, it is important to plan out your routes ahead of time. If you know you will need to travel through major cities, it is vital to plan your route accordingly, so you hit these areas at low driving times which typically are during the nighttime. Again, be flexible and willing to adapt to necessary schedule changes.

Available Parking

Oftentimes, parking is the last thing on your mind during your delivery. However, parking is a major factor that affects the schedules of many truckers. Typically, all professional truck drivers would love to run a 9 to 5 route, and then turn in for the night. However, this cannot be the case because when you go to park your truck at a truck stop, you will be stuck in a congested area attempting to find a spot. Many times there will not be a safe place for you to park, so you will be left parking on a wide area on a shoulder or an off-ramp. To avoid the hassle of parking, many professional truck drivers recommend that you begin your route early and finish at an earlier time to ensure you always have a place to park. If this is not a viable option, many truckers often recommend parking in the customer’s lot. If you’re considering this option, it is crucial that you contact the customer to ensure they have room for you to park your truck overnight.

Personal Preferences

The final factor affecting your trucking schedule are your personal preferences. Maybe, you thrive during the nighttime, or consider yourself to be a morning person. You may also choose to drive during the daytime, so that you are on a similar schedule to your loved ones so communicating will be easier. Whichever you choose, remember to remain flexible, but also choose the schedule that best fits your lifestyle. Ultimately, a successful freight delivery is dependent on how healthy, dedicated and well-rested you are.   Want to learn more about the truck driving industry? Advanced Career Institute offers training courses to assist you in earning your Class A CDL. ACI has five campus locations throughout California and Nevada. To learn more about earning your CDL, head over to our Truck Driver Training Programs page!

Truck driver fatigue can lead to unsafe road conditions and increase the possibility for accidents. As a professional truck driver, it is your responsibility to maintain your health and sleep schedule in order to ensure safety on the road. Read on to learn more about how truckers can master to art of the long haul trucking!

1.     Keep It Cool

When nightfall or cold weather hits, we have the tendency to crank up the heat because the warmth reminds us of our cozy beds. This is the opposite of what truckers should be doing and thinking during the final hours of the long haul. Turn the heat off! By keeping the temperature down in your truck, you will be more alert and concentrated on the road.

2.     Sing Along to The Radio

The hum of quiet music can actually put you to sleep. So, pass yourself the aux cord, and crank up your favorite tunes. No one can hear you, so don’t be afraid to sing along!

3.     Swap Coffee for High Energy, Healthy Foods

We suggest that truck drivers avoid inhaling large amounts of caffeine. Too much coffee can be unhealthy, and coffee is not a sustainable source of energy. Eventually, you will crash as some point during the night. We recommend that truckers swap at least one cup of coffee for a high energy, healthy snack such as fruit, almonds or protein bars.

4.     Take Mini Naps

On top of maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, California truck drivers should also take power naps throughout the day. If you feel yourself becoming drowsy, pull over and rest. Additionally, taking short naps can actually give your body the extra boost of energy that it needs. So give in to your body, and take a little snooze before you get back on the road!

5.     Open the Window

Let the oxygen and cold air flood into your cab. The cold air will shock your senses, and give you additional energy. This only works temporarily, so make sure to stop at the next rest stop to rest up.

6.     Stay Hydrated

Water is your new best friend. We understand that drinking lots of water can result in numerous bathroom breaks during your drives. However, becoming dehydrated is a major cause of fatigue. Not only will drinking water keep you alert, but it will help you to maintain your health as well.

7.     Listen to Audiobooks

Listening to an audiobook or podcast will help keep your mind active during the long haul. Take this opportunity to learn something new, possibly even a new language! This will help keep you interested and engaged during your drive.

8.     Stretch Your Legs

When you start feeling tired, get out of your truck and move around. Getting the blood flowing will give your body the extra energy that it needs. You can use your truck and trailer inspection as an opportunity to get your body moving.

9.     Don’t Exhaust Yourself

This tip is crucial. Truckers must listen to their bodies! If you begin feeling tired, don’t hesitate to pull over. Ultimately, safety is the most important factor will inside your truck. Making sure you are in prime condition to navigate the roads not only ensures your safety, but the safety of all other drivers.   Are you interesting in becoming a professional truck driver? Advanced Career Institute offers California CDL Training Programs to help aspiring truckers receive their Class A CDL. Professional Truck Driver Training is held at three locations in Merced, Visalia and Fresno. To learn more about Long Haul Trucking, head over to our Class A CDL Training Program page.