Category: Driving Skills

Driving skill tips and news from our Calgary Driving School, Derek Brown’s Academy of Driving

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Choosing a Truck Driving School in Calgary

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Calgary, Alberta, is a fast-paced city known for its economic opportunities and diverse industries. It’s also a hub for trucking and transportation in Western Canada. If you’re looking to hit the road with a rewarding and in-demand career, enrolling in our Calgary truck driving school at Derek Brown’s Academy of Driving in Calgary is a great opportunity to begin a new career. Let’s explore the world of truck driving courses, the benefits they offer, and why Calgary is an ideal place to kickstart your journey.

The Path to a Trucking Career

1. Understanding the Basics

Before you begin your truck driving journey, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the basics. A good truck driving course will cover essential topics such as traffic rules, safety regulations, vehicle inspections, and defensive driving techniques.

2. Hands-on Training

In-depth practical training is a crucial component of any reputable truck driving course. You’ll have the opportunity to operate different types of trucks, practice driving skills in various weather conditions, and learn about load securing and handling.

3. Obtaining a Class 1 and/or Class 3 License

Successfully completing a truck driving course prepares you to obtain your class 1 or class 3 license, a prerequisite for starting a trucking career. The course should equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to pass the exam and earn your license.

Why Choose Calgary for Truck Driving Courses?

1. Thriving Transportation Industry

Calgary’s strategic location and robust economy make it a prime location for the transportation and logistics sector. The city’s demand for skilled truck drivers is consistently high, providing ample job opportunities upon completing your training.

2. Experienced Instructors

Truck driving schools in Calgary often employ experienced instructors who bring valuable industry knowledge to the classroom and behind the wheel. Learning from seasoned professionals can give you a competitive edge in your trucking career.

3. Diverse Training Programs

Calgary offers a variety of training programs tailored to suit different preferences and schedules. Whether you’re seeking a comprehensive program or a more flexible part-time option, you’ll find a course that fits your needs.

4. State-of-the-Art Facilities

Many truck driving schools in Calgary boast modern facilities, including simulator training, well-maintained vehicles, and expansive practice areas. These resources enhance the learning experience and ensure you’re well-prepared for the road ahead.

Benefits of Pursuing a Career as a Truck Driver

1. Job Security and High Demand

The trucking industry consistently experiences high demand for qualified drivers, offering a stable and reliable career path. As a truck driver, you’re an essential part of the country’s economic backbone, ensuring goods are delivered across the nation.

2. Competitive Salary and Benefits

Truck driving careers often come with competitive salaries and various benefits, including healthcare, retirement plans, and potential bonuses. With experience and expertise, you can enhance your earning potential significantly.

3. Flexibility and Independence

For individuals seeking a career that offers flexibility and independence, truck driving fits the bill. Many roles provide opportunities for long-haul travel, allowing you to explore different regions while earning a living.

Beginning a career as a truck driver by taking a reputable course in Calgary, Alberta, can open many doors to a fulfilling and financially rewarding future. As you start this journey, remember that safety, continuous learning, and dedication are key elements to a successful and prosperous trucking career. So, gear up, hit the road, and let the journey begin! Contact Derek Brown’s Academy of Driving to learn more about the truck driving courses Calgary trusts!

Red semi pulling white trailer. Learn how to become a truck driver.

Thinking About Becoming a Truck Driver?

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Have you been thinking about starting a new career as a truck driver? It might seem a bit overwhelming at first but with the right school, you’ll quickly learn the skills that you need to start your new career. Derek Brown’s Academy of Driving has the best truck driving school in Calgary, AB. Our expert instructors will guide you through a comprehensive training program and will teach you the skills that you need to be a truck driver. We believe in a hands-on approach and give our students thorough commercial transport training and heavy truck driving lessons that will teach them the necessary skills to obtain Class 1 and Class 3 licenses. You’ll be ready to roll after completing your courses at the truck driving school Calgary trusts!

What Should You Expect?

When you enroll in our truck driving school, you will be taught by our highly experienced instructors. We offer comprehensive instruction that includes time in the classroom, our simulator, and also truck driving lessons. At Derek Brown’s Academy of Driving, we have our own trucks for you to use during your lessons so that you don’t have to pay for a rental. We also provide more instructional hours than most other driving schools. Students who are successful in completing our truck driving program will also benefit from the employment leads that we provide.

What Truck Driving Courses are Available?

Derek Brown’s Academy of driving in Calgary, AB offers a full range of truck driving courses that will ensure your success in your truck driving career. We offer the following truck driving courses:

  • Class 1 Course: This comprehensive program will teach you basic driving techniques, professional driving habits, and everything that you need to know about documents, paperwork, and regulatory requirements.
  • Class 2 Course: You will learn about passenger management, loading, unloading, and also transporting passengers.
  • Class 3 Course: You will learn how to drive single truck rigs. Our expert instructors will guide you and make the whole process easy and interactive.
  • Q Endorsement Course: This course will give you the training that you to obtain Q Air Brake Endorsement.
  • Professional Driver Logbook Course: This comprehensive course will teach you how to fill out a logbook – the proper way! Your employer will really appreciate this skill.
  • Professional Driver Improvement Course (PDIC): Learn how to avoid dangerous situations and become a better truck driver.
  • Super B Course: You will learn the essentials of driving with a B-Train style trailer.

Register Today to Become a Truck Driver

If you are considering changing careers and becoming a truck driver, call today to register with the truck driving school Calgary loves. Our truck driving courses are comprehensive. They will teach you the skills that you need to begin your career as a truck driver. Our expert instructors make the lessons fun and interactive – and will also give you practical tips that your employer will appreciate. Contact Derek Brown’s Academy of Driving in Calgary, AB today to register!

Why All Season Tires Don’t Cut it For Alberta Winters

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“My all season tires are good enough.” This sentence is often heard, even during Calgary winters while we fight the snowy weather on our missions to get where we’re going.

However, anyone who has experienced the benefits of winter tires knows the truth: All season tires, despite the name, are not good enough for all seasons. Most certainly not Calgary’s seasons.

“All season tires” should really be read like this:

“All season* tires (* seasonal flexibility refers to wet and dry seasons, not hot and cold.)”

This is something we tell students a lot at our Calgary driving school. This is because the defining feature of an “all season” tire is the tread patterns, which are designed to prevent hydroplaning on wet roads.

Continue reading “Why All Season Tires Don’t Cut it For Alberta Winters” →

Cars driving on a snowy highway.

Defensive Driving for Winter Weather

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Some days, it seems like a lot of the drivers we share the road with are getting more and more “unpredictable”.

From parking on sidewalks and stopping for pedestrians in the pedestrian crosswalk to weaving all over the road in high-speed traffic (and any other example you can think of), it seems like we sometimes commute alongside some fairly erratic drivers.

And that’s not even taking the weather into account!

Bring in some cold and snowy weather, and these erratic drivers become even worse. What was an everyday danger on the road now becomes a veritable hazard.

That driver up ahead who drifted into the middle of 2 lanes while looking at his phone? He’s now in an uncontrolled slide across your path, headed straight into the vehicle driving to your far right. You and every other vehicle nearby are at risk of a serious collision.

Continue reading “Defensive Driving for Winter Weather” →

Six Winter Driving Tips

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Use our winter driving tips on this snowy street in Calgary.

As Canadians, we like to think that we have winter driving mastered. But one look at the accident statistics after a fresh snowfall tells us otherwise. Even for those of us who have attended (or even operate) a driving school, Calgary roads can be treacherous after a fresh snowfall.

For example, this past Christmas Eve saw approx. 4cms (1.5 inches) of snow fall within a 12 hour period of time.[1] The result? Over 300 vehicular accidents throughout Southern Alberta.[2]

With this in mind, we at Derek Brown’s Academy of Driving thought it might be a good idea to write a blog post about driving safely in the winter.

Continue reading “Six Winter Driving Tips” →

How to Prepare for a Driving Test

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Some Simple Effective Hints

Photo of teen girl taking driving test to get drivers license

Driving tests can be really stressful experiences.  Here are some tips to help you get through your driving test and on the road!

First thing to remember is that there’s a written portion to the driver’s test.  Your local registry or DMV have booklets to help you study.  In Alberta, a learner’s license is called a class 7.  You can also go online to the Government of Alberta website for the booklet and practice tests. Remember to not take the written portion of the test lightly, if you fail you’ll often have a waiting period before you can take the test again, and you’ll be out the testing fee.  If you have a friend or parent to help you study, have them quiz you over the rules of the road, so you know that you’re prepared for the test.

Depending on where you live, you’ll usually have to get a learner’s permit or have some sort of driver’s education before you can take the test.  Look on your local DMV’s web site to see what kind of steps are necessary in getting a license.

Next, sign up for a beginners driving course and in-vehicle lessons with an excellent and experienced driving school like Derek Brown’s Academy of Driving.  You’ll learn from experts who know everything you need to know to become a safe and skillful driver and pass your your driving test with ease.

First start with experts, and then practice, practice, practice.  In between classes get extra practice.  Do you have a friend or a family member that is really calm behind the wheel?  Have them teach you how to drive.  People who feel calm and collected on the road and in traffic, will help you stay calm and collected in traffic.

Make sure to practice in all sorts of driving scenarios.  You’ll need to learn how to drive on the highway, freeway, in busy traffic, at night, and in any other scenario you can think of before you’ll be confident on the road.

Remember to practice your parking.  Here, again, it’s good to have a knowledgeable friend or family member help you out.  Do you know someone that pulls into a parking spot perfect every time?  Have them help you learn how to park.

Remember to remain calm about driving.  If you need more practice to be calm and safe on the road, that is perfectly okay.  Do not feel like you have to prove anything on the road.  Driving is for getting from point A to point B safely, that is it.

At a quality Calgary driving school like Derek Brown’s Academy of Driving, we have driving classes, in vehicle and simulator training that will make getting a driver’s license much easier.

How to Drive with Cyclists

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City bikersCycling has become much more popular in recent years.  Bike lanes are being added to the streets of a lot of cities as lots of people hop on the bike to head into work, rather than take their car or public transportation.  But many of us never learned how to drive with cyclists next to us in a manner that allows both you and the cyclist to remain safe.  Here are some tips for driving around cyclists.

You should always be conscientious of opening your door when you’re exiting onto the street, especially if it is in a bike lane.  Cyclists often get surprised by doors on the street or in bike lanes and cannot avoid hitting them.  So, in order to preserve their bike and person and your car door, always take a look in your mirror and behind you before exiting.  Honestly though, you should really be doing this anyway as to avoid being taken out by a car.

Make sure to think about how you are going to pass a cyclist.  Nobody expects you to drive the whole time behind a cyclists doing 15, but you do have to wait until it’s a good idea to pass.  Ask yourself if there’s enough space, if there’s a stop coming up that will make it so you have to pass the cyclist multiple times, and whether the cyclist is aware of where you are in relation to them.

Just like with pedestrains in a cross walk, try to make eye contact with them so you know that they see you and you see them.  Never assume anything about the cyclist’s knowledge of you and your surroundings.

That said, you’ve probably made assumptions about how cyclists will behave on the road, and cyclists do the same to you.  So do you best to drive predictably to increase the odds that the cyclist will make the right assumption about your driving.

Try to be in the know about your locations laws about driving around cyclists.  If you do get into an accident with a cyclist and found to be at fault, that could lead to a lot more problems in your life.

If you aren’t a cyclist, talk to a cyclist buddy about what it is like to be on the road with cars.  It may give you a new perspective about what it means to share the road.

These are just some of the our driving school’s tips for driving around cyclists.  Always remember to stay safe and viligant on the road.

How to Drive in Snow

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snowyroad

Every year it seems people have to learn again how to drive on snow and ice. Inevitably the first snow and freeze brings spinouts, rear enders and even pileups as people continue driving as though it were still August.

You don’t have to be one of those people. First, be ready when winter arrives. Have your car tuned up, mount your snow tires and make sure your car is stocked with emergency equipment. This includes a flashlight with extra batteries, blankets and extra coats, appropriate boots, an ice scraper, an extension cord for plugging in, jumper cables and warning devices.

When it comes to driving be sure to go slowly. Just as important, always ensure there is enough distance between you and the car ahead to stop. Watch for pedestrians along roadways and corners and remember some may cross in the middle of a block. Antilock brakes will keep your car moving in a straight line, but if there is a pedestrian or another car in that line you will likely hit them.

snowroadsmall

Stop at least every two hours if you are driving long distances. Get out and walk around four at least ten minutes. Switch drivers if possible. Of course, never drink and drive. A bit of alcohol may not result in you weaving around the road, but it will reduce your reaction time enough to get you or someone else killed.

At Derek Browns Driving Academy we can help you learn to drive in snow.

© Copyright for top photo andy dolman and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

How to Parallel Park

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A photo of a long row of cars parallel parked.
Parallel parking is a skill that can come in handy.

Parallel parking was once the prime fear of every driving test victim. Not any more. What with power steering, automatic transmission, rearview cameras, ever greater efficiency of car design, and a greater number of parking lots, it is more easily accomplished and less often used by today’s drivers. Nonetheless it remains a skill well worth acquiring.

It seems counter intuitive but the easiest, most efficient and safest method is to begin by backing into the selected space. Nosing in requires a lot more backing and filling accompanied by head twisting, shifting and, usually, a lot of cussing. Remember people are watching and laughing.

So, here it is. Pull up exactly parallel to the car parked in front of your selected space; shift into reverse; place your right arm along the top of the seatback (no rear view mirrors!); look directly back through the rear window and ease your car back into the space making sure you don’t hit the curb or the car parked behind you. Next, shift into drive, crank the steering wheel toward the curb and ease forward remembering to keep an an eye out in both directions. There you are, easy and done. Remember speeds greatest enemy is haste. Take it slow and you’ll finish faster and safer.

Okay, so nobody has been injured or killed parallel parking. (At least it’s rare enough to be ignored here.) However a dinked bumper can cost more than $1,000 and you are responsible for all cars damaged. That can result in a heart attack or stroke and not a little embarrassment.

Want to improve your parallel parking or other driving skills? Derek Brown’s Driving Academy can help. Take a course or in-vehicle lesson.