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 nearly 10,000 CDL drivers with events in 13 cities. In this year’s spring series, Driver Appreciation events were held across the country at Werner terminals stretching from Fontana, California, to Lake City, Florida and Le ..read more

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 driver training. Among other topics, Williams and the other truck driver school representatives emphasized the importance of: Entry-level driver training (ELDT) legislation that went into effect to bring greater safety to the co ..read more

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 is rising. According to the 2023 Women in Trucking (WIT) Index, women comprise 12% of drivers with commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). In 2019, women accounted for over 10% of truckers; in 2017, they onl ..read more

Nearly anyone can be a truck driver! That may sound pie-in-the-sky, but it is true. If you meet the legal, medical, training, and exam requirements, a trucking career may be open to you. Here at Southwest Truck Driver Training, we’ve trained people from all different backgrounds. Let’s dig into why you can become a truck driver.   What Are the Requirements to Become a Truck Driver? Generally, if you meet these standards, you could qualify for a commercial driver’s license. A few of the requirements to become a truck driver include the following:   Passing a DOT physical Meeting age ..read more

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 owner-operator owns and operates their own commercial trucking business. Instead of being employed by a company as a driver, an owner-operator runs the show with their own truck (or even a small fleet of trucks).   What Do Owner-Operators Do? As well as doing the day-to-day drivin ..read more

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 with our own Steve Strong, vice president of administration for Southwest Truck Driver Training, to talk about all the ways Southwest Truck Driver Training steers its students in the right direction. Pun intended!   Journey to Southwest Truck Driver Tr ..read more

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 to learn more about the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) physical exam for commercial vehicle drivers.   What Is the DOT Trucking Physical Exam? The DOT physical exam includes medical, vision, and hearing tests to ensure drivers can safely do their jobs ..read more

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 performing their duties to maintain safety on the road.   Preparing for Your CDL Written Test Studying for the CDL test (or any endorsement exams) takes time and effort. But cramming the entire manual into your brain isn’t the best study strategy. Inste ..read more

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 your salary as a truck driver.   Jump to average pay for Southwest Truck Driver Training grads   Average Truck Driver Salary in U.S. (Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Driver Salary) In 2022, the average annual salary for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers ..read more

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 are still looking for drivers that are a good culture fit in addition to having the necessary driving skills. What does this mean for drivers searching for work? No matter what type of truck driving job you’re applying for, it ..read more