Posted on May 8, 2018
There are mobile apps that truckers can use. Some apps are specifically designed for truck drivers, while other apps can be used by anyone who drives but is still very useful to truck drivers. With that said, below are some of the top trucker apps out there.
GasBuddy
Perhaps the best app for truckers is GasBuddy, which can help truckers save money on fuel costs. Many truck drivers easily spend hundreds of dollars per week on diesel gas on a weekly basis. This brings us to the first trucker app, called GasBuddy.
GasBuddy is a free app that displays up-to-date gas prices for gas stations across the United States and Canada. If a truck driver is in the middle of nowhere and they need help to find a cheap gas station nearby, this app will allow them to do it. Truckers can easily find the cheapest fuel, fueling stations nearby and they can view what features the gas stations have, such as food, restrooms, showers, etc.
Weigh My Truck
Many truckers find it aggravating to weigh their trucks at weigh stations. It costs money to do this. Sometimes truckers cannot avoid bypassing a weigh station.
Introducing Weigh My Truck, an app that works with CAT Scales. Drivers can save a significant amount of time when they download and use Weigh My Truck. When you’re at the scale, you can use your smartphone to pay your weight and to weigh your truck. There’s no need to ever get out of your truck.
This app also is able to access your location. Furthermore, your weigh ticket will be sent to you via email. However, you can still request a hard copy.
CoPilot Truck Navigation
This is a voice-activated app that helps truckers determine what the most efficient route to take is. The app highlights restrictions in regards to commercial vehicles. It does this based on the load you are transporting. Not only that but if you have multiple stops to make, the app will calculate the best route for each stop.
Another major benefit of the CoPilot app is the GPS feature can be used when it’s not online. Truckers are able to save their data by using the GPS offline. This app does cost money, but the yearly subscription price is well worth paying for.
OverDrive
This is a multi-purpose app that truckers find useful. Out of all the truckers apps, this one is probably one of the most useful. It can tell you what the weather forecast is, locate rest stops in the nearby area and it has a load tracker. It even has a message board. This app may have basic features, but they can come in handy when a trucker is out on the road. They can access the features from anywhere and at any time.
The trucking industry has evolved over time. As a result, more and more trucker apps have been brought to the market. If you’re a truck driver, then you should consider downloading the above apps. You’ll find that they come in handy and might help you improve your productivity and the way you drive.
Posted on May 7, 2018
Trucking schools provide a practical way to learn how to safely drive under varying road conditions. For this reason, choosing a driving school is an important decision. A good school will prepare you properly for exams and, above all, safe driving, thus avoiding accidents and damage to property. To make the right choice, carefully consider a number of key factors, including accreditation, a range of services, pricing and the condition of training vehicles.
Trucking schools must be accredited by the relevant authorities for the course to be validated. This is a condition for having the right to take the exams and to obtain a driver’s license. Trainers must also have an accreditation card in their possession.
As part of accreditation, schools must complete the compulsory program consisting of several hours of theory and practical classes. Several aspects affecting all facets of safe driving will be covered in the training.
The services offered can vary from one school to another. In addition to basic courses, some schools will allow students to use a driving simulator to test themselves in harsh driving conditions. Some schools also offer the option of renting an automobile to pass the practical test, which ensures compliance with the vehicle.
In addition, find out about the different models of cars used in schools for practical classes. It is recommended to try several types of vehicles and transmissions in order to have a varied experience.
The price of the driving course is typically regulated and a charge for the course material is added to the basic fee. The price for a quality course should not be too low. It is important to evaluate the driving schools according to the services offered than the price.
Additional considerations
A truck is regarded as a vehicle weighing more than 3.5 tons. Driving a truck requires specific permits other than those issued for driving a light car. In some jurisdictions, there are two types of license to drive heavy trucks. Class 1 is reserved for driving a two-axle truck or a three-axle truck pulling one or more semi-trailers. The Class 3 permit is specific to all trucks of three or more axles, to two-axle load trucks with a net weight of 4500 kg or more.
To start driving lessons for heavy vehicles, a person must fulfill some basic conditions, such as a visual test and have a satisfactory state of health or pass the theoretical exam and two practice tests. The individual must also have no more than four demerit points on his driving record. They must also not have the license suspended or revoked following the accumulation of demerit points or a Criminal Code offense. Truck driving is highly delicate; it is for this reason that some experience is required to obtain the driving license for heavy goods vehicles.
Extra caution is required when driving heavy-duty trucks. A savvy driver reduces speed when traveling on highways. The speed limit is also determined according to the weather conditions. Thus, in case of snow or rain, it is strongly recommended to reduce the speed of the vehicle.
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