Many of today’s senior drivers are wondering pretty much the same thing. “What the are the trucking schools teaching today’s new drivers?”
 
Experienced and veteran drivers today are noticing the caliber of new drivers who are out on the roads today. It is evident that there is a lack of proper CDL training, including maneuvering in and out of parking spaces, streets, and on the highways of our country. The comments about these new drivers, from the experienced “hands”, are far from pleasing. These new drivers are leaving a mark on the industry, with rising accident rates, unsafe driving habits, failing to use caution when passing other vehicles, not watching when they use on-ramps and the lack of attention paid to making sure that they are in a safe position to merge with traffic. These are only a few of the actions that new drivers, and even some drivers that have been behind the wheel for several years have been doing. Both truck driving schools, and companies with their own schools have been developing these new drivers, but they need to take a step back and look at the mess they are creating.

CDL Training
 
The FMCSA only recently (under pressure from the US Congress), started looking into the issue of truck driver training standards. Many drivers recognize that something has to be done, both quickly and effectively so that standards are put into place and that all trucking schools should be required to adhere to. Promoting safety awareness among trucking companies, and requiring higher standards for who is qualified to train new drivers is a must in our industry.
 
Over the years it has been documented and found in several states that a number of people have gained commercial drivers licenses illegally. This has been by paying exorbitant amounts of money so that officials will “turn the other cheek”. One such case having taken place in Illinois, back in the 90’s and then most recently in New York City, with these officials having been arrested and charged, or removed from their jobs. It seems that there needs to be more oversight for drivers license offices around the country so that officials are also held responsible for the testing of new drivers.
 
Hopefully the changes that are needed will come in such a way that when a new trainee starts at a school, they will be properly taught all aspects of trucking. Then when they are hired to fill a seat with a company they will be held to a standard of quality that many companies require.

This article was originally featured on North American Trucking Alerts.

Image Source - https://www.flickr.com/photos/12567713@N00/

Comments (7)

Hal Kiah

Hal is a 20+ year OTR Veteran driver and a 12 year military police veteran. He has also served as a dispatcher and has been a trainer for new Over The Road Heavy Haul drivers. Hal has performed “FHWA” inspections (now called DOT Inspections) . He has been instrumental in the last few years, aiding and mentoring other drivers via social media and personal communications as founder of Truck Driving Career, on Facebook and has a passion and goal of seeing that drivers are respected and recognized for their efforts and sacrifices in the trucking industry, recognizing that trucking is a Lifestyle, and not just a job.

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Everybody was new and rookies at one time. The problem we have today is not enough of our new entrants stay long enough to become seasoned veterans of our industry.

April 18, 2015 8:04:58 AM

One of the problems I have seen in driver training is that it is geared to pass the test and not based on reality. Until government makes the test based on the real world it will never be right.

April 06, 2015 5:42:31 AM

I've seen the new drivers coming out on the road and I find it distressing. This new breed is part of the me generation. Its ALL about me. They drive that way, and they act that way.Part of the problem is that the 4 wheelers act that way also. Now you have a chemistry for disaster. They need to learn not just how to drive, but to live the life style as well. If you're going to succeed in trucking, you first have to understand that its a life style not just a job. Any body can drive, but it takes a professional to drive like a professional. You have to think for other drivers. You have to care about other drivers. The driving part is easy, it's the whole picture that gets tough

April 03, 2015 13:44:54 PM

I've seen the new drivers coming out on the road and I find it distressing. This new breed is part of the me generation. Its ALL about me. They drive that way, and they act that way.Part of the problem is that the 4 wheelers act that way also. Now you have a chemistry for disaster. They need to learn not just how to drive, but to live the life style as well. If you're going to succeed in trucking, you first have to understand that its a life style not just a job. Any body can drive, but it takes a professional to drive like a professional. You have to think for other drivers. You have to care about other drivers. The driving part is easy, it's the whole picture that gets tough

April 03, 2015 13:44:44 PM

M. Eileen,
I like your opinion! If new drivers followed your plan I bet they would come out on the other end much better prepared and trained.

April 03, 2015 12:57:08 PM

I'd like to say - my opinion only - there seems to be a confusing blur between "training" at a truck school (private or otherwise) and the "training" after one obtains a CDL.
I believe that the truck schools are only responsible for the basics to successfully pass both the written and field/road tests to get their license (similar to a driving school when we were teens)... I'll call this "CDL training".
"Driver training", the REAL training, should be done at a training company by a qualified driver/trainer or an independent driver/trainer.
Trainers should have taken a class to become a trainer, have an acceptable safety record, at least 2 years OTR (mountain/snow/city/back roads) experience, and NOT be allowed to run as a team with a trainee at any point during the training period, but may split/run the full 14 hour period allowed for a solo.
The trainer/trainer should both remain in their seats while the truck is moving regardless of who is driving.
A minimum of # weeks/# hrs/# mi with a trainer for new CDL holders should include driving/backing skills,trip planning, time management, how to use a truck atlas, weight adjustment, load securement, etc.

I am concerned with companies with 'in-house' CDL schools, and training companies that rush their CDL training so they can get that new CDL holder in with a lease operator or another newbie to 'team'. The fact is: if the trainer is in the bunk they cannot observe/assess/teach the trainee. Likewise, if the trainee is in the bunk, they are learning NOTHING from the trainer.

I don't believe the focus/oversight is nearly so important on (private) truck schools as it should be on companies that have their own schools and policies of training companies.

April 03, 2015 9:49:39 AM

It is definitely time for training and testing standards.

April 03, 2015 4:27:51 AM