Truck Driving Schools Key Terms

Use truck driving schools key terms to put yourself at the head of the class

By Christine Pollock

Talk like a professional by learning and understanding truck driving schools key terms. Plus, knowing the lingo of the business helps you determine which driving school is best for you.

If you already attend a truck driving school, knowledge of truck driving schools key terms helps you understand concepts and situations pertinent to the industry. Your knowledge shows others that you know what you are talking about and indicates you are ready to learn other facets of the driving industry.

Commercial drivers license

In the United States, a driver must have a commercial drivers license, also called a CDL, before operating vehicles weighing over 26,001 pounds. This includes tow trucks, buses and tractor trailers. Drivers obtain this license from the state.
Try: National Training offers schooling for truck drivers interested in obtaining a commercial drivers license. It addresses topics such as accreditation and coursework in addition to providing stories from graduates.

Long haul

Driving schools prepare drivers for a long haul, or over-the-road driving experiences. This means that drivers take the trucks on a trip covering a great distance.
Try: Net Industries addresses and defines long-haul driving while offering information on education, training and schooling.

Heavy-weight

This type of truck, also called a heavy-duty truck, has a weight over 19,500 pounds in most cases. Different laws and governmental agencies might also define heavy-weight standards on minimum weights.
Try: YouTube offers videos for students interested in learning about the heavy-weight trucks they learn to drive in school while getting their commercial drivers license.

Company-sponsored training

When there is a shortage of truck drivers, companies sometimes offer to cover training costs and criteria for truck drivers they wish to employ.
Try: MTC Driver Training offers information on company-sponsored training. It explains why it supports company-sponsored training and what drivers might expect from the deal.

Professional Truck Driver Institute

The Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI) is a not-for-profit organization that offers courses for drivers interested in getting a CDL. Many employers look for this type of training on a trucker's resume.
Try: The Truckers Report offers a forum for truckers to discuss topics of interest in the industry. It covers areas such as the pros and cons of attending a school certified by the Professional Truck Driver Institute.

Department of Transportation

In the United States, the Department of Transportation (DOT) is a federal department that governs, coordinates and institutes transportation programs on a national level.
Try: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration offers information from the United States Department of Transportation on obtaining a commercial drivers license. Schools use these requirements to ensure complete and accurate legal education for truck driving students.