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Commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders, including truck drivers, bus drivers, and forklift operators, play an essential role in the shipping industry and society. To succeed in their careers, these professionals need to acquire diverse skills, that go beyond just operating a large vehicle or heavy piece of machinery. At Mike’s Driving School in Clayton, NJ, we provide training to help students prepare to earn their commercial driver’s license. Here, our professional instructors discuss the personal and driving skills you need for a successful career.

What Is a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)?

A CDL is a type of driver’s license required by the government to operate any commercial vehicle, including trucks and buses. There are two types:

• Class A: With this license, you can operate a vehicle with a gross weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, including towing a vehicle over 10,000 pounds.
• Class B: With this license, you can operate a truck and a truck and trailer with a maximum gross weight of 26,000 pounds. You can also tow a vehicle that weighs less than 10,000 pounds.

You need specific knowledge, skills, and training to drive a commercial motor vehicle, as you will be transporting passengers, hazardous materials, or goods. You must pass a specific licensing course after your training to ensure you can operate the vehicle safely and properly.

Essential Personal and Soft Skills

Soft skills are important to build positive relationships in the field, operate vehicles safely and efficiently, and maintain a successful career. As a CDL driver, you’ll benefit from having the following essential skills:

• Communication: CDL drivers often use citizen band (CB) radio to communicate accidents, road hazards, and potential delays.
• Organization: You need to keep your logbook up to date, track receipts and expenses, and maintain your regulatory paperwork.
• Attention to detail: Focus is an essential part of a successful driving career. You need to make sure you stay on time, conduct preventative maintenance, and keep track of your truck’s condition – not to mention following all the rules of the road and always staying alert.
• Trustworthiness: Your employer, clients, and fellow drivers need to trust that you’re within compliance and know how to operate your vehicle safely. You’re expected to deliver your passengers and/or cargo on time, as well as fulfill other required responsibilities.
• Patience: Part of trucking is the waiting game. Between traffic jams, weigh stations and gas lines, loading and unloading, you’ll spend a lot of time waiting.
• Time management: You must efficiently manage your breaks, driving hours, and delivery schedules. Staying organized and planning your routes ahead of time can help you manage your time effectively.
• Adaptability: You’ll come across many challenges and unexpected situations on the road. Staying flexible allows you to adjust and respond effectively while under pressure.

Professional Driving Skills Taught at Mike’s Driving School

At Mike’s Driving School, we offer courses that teach you these must-have skills, so you can apply to pass the CDL exam and set yourself on the path to a rewarding career. Our programs include:

Advanced Class A with Forklift

In this 160-hour course, we combine classroom instruction with exercises in our training yard and on-road practice. You’ll learn:

• Rules of the road
• Basics of driving
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration forklift certification
• Pre and post-trip procedures
• Backing into spots, driving maneuvers, and parallel parking
• Driving on different types of roads
• Wide turns and double-clutching
• Shifting asynchronous transmissions

This course is intended for students who need to retake the CDL exam or refresh their skills. However, we also offer a class A CDL refresher course, which includes all the topics and skills covered in our Advanced Class A course.

Learn to Drive Forklifts

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has rules for forklift and forklift operators, so this course teaches these regulations, as well as the following:

• Inspection and maintenance protocols
• Safe operation
• How to stack and move pallets

Once you complete this training course and pass the OSHA exam, you will receive an OSHA certificate and a wallet card.

Advanced Class B Straight Truck with Forklift

This 120-hour class teaches you the same information as our class A course. You can also enroll in our passenger endorsement course. This extra course is required by the state of New Jersey for bus drivers, shuttle drivers, and tour bus drivers. You’ll complete 120 hours of training and can practice in our training yard.

Prepare for Your CDL Exam in Clayton, NJ

Do you want a career in the trucking industry? Mike’s Driving School in Clayton, NJ, provides you with the soft interpersonal and hard driving skills you need to help you pass your CDL exam. To learn more about our courses and our financial aid options, contact us today.