When do you stop being a “new driver”?

The moment your not a new driver and know it all is the moment you slip up

 

Still new here.

Take your mind off that truck she'll find a way to get away from you.

 

I've driven through all 4 seasons in South Texas; Almost Summer, Summer, Still Summer and Christmas.

 

Our seasons are a hour long. If you hate the one you are in wait a while.

I was raised in the midatlantic and the weather systems are so predictable. But here in Dixie Alley anything is possible. The big season we go to alert status will happen at the mid to end of Feb and run to end of April. (Tornadoes) Right now it's just rain that we don't need, but since we are on generally very good ground with the exception of the Little Cypress Bayou Bridge (Highway 5, all water funnels to that overpass then to Austin and Ward for the Bayou edge by railroad across US 67 which is being rebuilt and raised in many areas.)

 

While all drivers should never stop learning I tend to think the new wears off in 18 to 24 months, depending! One thing to keep in mind is there is a difference between being a new driver and being new on the job. All jobs are different enough that there is a period when you are new to that job. Driving in general like I said 18 to 24 months. Because of the horrid turnover in this business, there is not that many drivers that last 24 months. If you do more than 24 months more than likely you are developing confidence in your ability and skillsets. You can handle the curveballs tossed at you. You can handle a difficult backing maneuver and not tear up everything in the area. You should also have at least 1 good level 1 DOT inspection (depending on where you run) under your belt and have a clean report, or only minor violations. If you last through that 24 months there is a great chance you will stay on the road for a long time. If not this business will chew you up and spit you out like nobody's business. You get through all that, you are no longer new, well until you change jobs!

 

As far as many companies go after 1 year they don’t consider you new. But they just want a butt in the seat that they can justify.

 

1. When you can trip plan and execute your plan flawlessly.
2. When you can drive and comprehend road signs at the same time.
3. When you understand the mechanics (the ‘whys’ and ‘why nots’) if the job instead of saying, “My trainer taught me to do it this way.”
4. When you can no longer be intimidated or forced by your office people to do something that you know is the wrong thing to do.
5. When you know your limits.
6. When you need zero hand holding by office peeps or electronic cattleprods in the truck to be a safe, courteous driver.
7. When driving, shifting, and scanning your mirrors, setting up your turns or backing becomes as natural as breathing.
8. When you become smooth on the steering and the trailer no longer does the rookie wiggle.
9. When you can run a constant speed on the pedal.
10. When you know the proper use of the brights and fog lights
11. When you can look down the highway and keep the truck centered in the lane instead of hogging the zipper.
12. When you can get yourself unstuck.

 

No longer a rookie right after your 1st real close call, and emerge unscathed. Just hope a camera didn't catch it.

 

When you are comfortable taking an open door wet dook in a crowded truck stop bathroom. Then, and only then...

 

When you’re home for a week and you treat the big trucks with respect while running around