How Truck Drivers are Trained

The trucking industry is in a continuous hiring mode, driver turnover is 100% or greater. Most of the larger trucking companys have their own training schools. With this article I will try to show how potential drivers are trained and in future articles, Why they do not stay in this industry.

CDL (Commercial Drivers License) training usually is from 3 to six weeks.

1. What does training consist of: my source of information is from students I know and have met over the years. and the web.

a. CDL permit training---need a permit before you can drive, just like drivers ed

b. Endorsement study---CDL has endorsements ie: tanks, doubles & triple trailers, hazmat, etc.

c. Job procurement---you have to know how to fill out an application

d. DOT hours of service---federal regulations which control how, when & if a driver can drive legally

e. Map reading/trip planning---roads, travel time, where you are to fuel, where to park to rest, & proper time management

f. DOT regulations--- federal rules which cover the transportation industry

g. Pre/post trip inspections--- federal rules require specific things to be checked daily

h. Accident reports---both how to report, & how to fill one out

This is just the basic classroom training, the driver training is done hands on and requires much more time. In my opinion driver training never ends. The schools I checked on the web require 120 hours of practical, behind the wheel training. Then the student goes (over the road) out with a driver trainer for 3 to 6 weeks. The trainers are certified by the company they work for, and have went through a course to learn proper training principles.

2. Most of the hands on school training involves:

a. different backing maneuvers

b. shifting the transmission---although several companys now have automatic transmissions in their trucks

c. pretrip/postrip inspections

d. turning corners

e. being aware of what is happening around your vehicle while you are driving, looking for hazards

f. night driving

g. crossing railroad tracks

h. lane changing

i. hooking up to a trailer & unhooking

j. how to merge on a ramp

k. space management---how to keep the area around your truck clear---front rear and both sides

l. learning the blind spots--- places the driver cannot see either though mirrors or by turning his head

m. bobtail---driving the tractor with out a trailer attached

This is at best just a partial list, basically just as in life training never ends.

Just for your information.

The world's most solitary tree is located at an oasis in the Tenere Desert in Central Africa. There's not one other standing tree within 31 miles. In 1960, it was smashed into by a truck.
( taken from truckinfo.net )

HOW DRIVERS OPERATE

Today is Thursday, to bring this up to date I delivered my load to Shelbyville, Tn. Wednesday at 2:30 pm and was given another load. My next load picked up at 7:00 pm and delivered at 8:am Thursday.
Now to understand my situation, you need to know how the trucking industry works.

!. Drivers are given a set of rules they must follow( these are federal) very basically they are:
a. drivers can only work 14 hours without taking a 10 hour break
b. drivers can only drive 11 hours without taking a 10 hour break
c. drivers must maintain a written log showing their daily status both on and off duty
d. logs must show every change of duty status in excess of 15 minutes

2. Almost all drivers are paid by the mile; I make 42 cents per mile

Now my Wednesday work day started at 10:00 am -- plus 14 hours it will end at 12 midnight
(some factors can change this but as I said it is very basic)
I drove to my destination and unloaded at 2:30 pm then drove 15 minutes to get trailer washed
out and reload. I was not reloaded until 8:00 pm I still had 4 hours to drive before my 14 ran out.
Driving time to my destination was 7 hours----3 hours short
At midnight I sent a message (on quail com) to my night time dispatcher and informed him I was stopping to take a 10 hour break. (which means the load will not be delivered on time)

YES I SHOULD HAVE TOLD MY DISPATCHER WHEN I WAS PUT ON THIS LOAD THAT I COULD NOT MAKE IT ON TIME

However; I did not. Trucking company's have what they call planners--their job is to plan the use ofall assets (drivers and trucks) to get the most out of them. Can you see a lack of planning here?
Drivers are mostly responsible to regulate themselves as far as hours worked being logged properly.
When the freight gets slow and driver pay (remember paid by the mile) gets very low well!!!!!!!!
I was tired the roads were a little icy I obeyed the law, I got in trouble with my company.
You see truck drivers are put in a catch "22" situation---the need for income versus the DOT rules.
And planners and dispatchers know this as well. However; when a driver is caught in violation of DOT rules the driver is responsible to pay the penalty both in money$$$ and loss of time from work.
The company can also be fined so they do not get off scott free either.
Most planners and dispatchers don't realize we cannot put sleep in the bank and draw it out when we need it. If you look back at other entries you can see a drivers hours are not 9 to 5 but whatever is required to get the job done while staying with in DOT rules