The First 30 Days
You passed the CDL test. Now you’re learning to do the job on your own. Start with three situations that can make that first month feel harder than it needs to.
Hi, I'm DeLond Parker, Sr.
I've spent more than 50 years as a professional truck driver and accumulated over 5 million accident-free miles.
I created this program because I believe passing the CDL test is only the beginning.
This lesson is for the stretch between passing the test and feeling at home on the road.
Watch the lesson
Narrated adaptation of DeLond Parker, Sr.’s lesson. The on-screen presenter and voice are not DeLond.
Read the lesson
Your first solo trip
Before you pull out, take a moment to understand your route, your next safe stopping point, the weather, and any restrictions that apply to your truck. If something changes on the road, find a safe place to stop and reassess. You do not have to solve every problem while moving.
Backing when people are watching
Set up slowly. Get out and look when you need to, even if someone is waiting. Check your space and your path again if the picture changes. A few extra minutes spent backing safely are better than one hurried move you cannot take back.
When the schedule starts pushing you
A delivery time does not change the road conditions, your available hours, or the space you need to stop. Communicate delays early, make a safe plan, and do not try to recover lost time by following too closely or driving faster than the situation allows.
Before your next trip
Ask yourself: Which part of the day is most likely to make me rush? Decide now what you’ll do when it happens. Stop safely, take another look, and give yourself time to make the right call.
Keep learning with the full manual and Daily Safety Reinforcement.
Truck-stop etiquette, tandem control, frozen roads, the don'ts that kill careers, reading the interstate, hours of service, and the CB radio chapter — all included.
Get the full manual