Driver trainers,your take.

A driver should not become a trainer for at least two years. My first trainer years ago had a whole 6 months under his belt. He also was of the opinion that women did not belong in the driver's seat of a big truck.

With the companies that do train, I don't think they are overly concerned with the quality of the training, but the quantity.

I do think that they should be a bit more selective in choosing trainers, and make sure that the trainers are quality people.

 

My opinion....


A driver should not be a trainer unless they have at least 10 years of consequative OTR time.

10 years should be enough time to overcome the "holier the thou, I'm better then you, I know everything, billy big rigger, super trucker" mentality. Only then should they be allowed to train!

 

I'll weigh in.

For the most part, I agree to the 2 year minimum, with RARE exceptions. However, there are two main aspects to look at: Experience on the road, and Can they TEACH?

22 years in service, I watched repeatedly as someone higher up thought that just because someone had 2 years exp they could teach the job. A real teacher teaches not just what to do but why! The why portion is often ignored or brushed aside with " cause I said so". I was the primary trainer in every job qualification I held.

That said, my driving "mentor" (I hated that word) had 4 years under his belt on the road. Teaching technique, he was fine. However, his communication skills left the why portion severely wanting.

 

Rookies teaching rookies. It is one of the reasons that certain companies have such a bad safety record.

Regardless of time on the road, the companies need to look at a prospective trainer much more closely than they do. As was mentioned, they need communications skills. They also need patience. Good hygiene. Work ethic. Morals. People skills, not just in dealing with their trainees, but also in dealing with all their other contacts. A good trainer shows his trainee how to deal with people, by his own actions. And of course they need common sense.

 

Makes good sense to me.....

 

Some don't like this but I feel an additional endorsement (A driver trainer)should be added to the CDL. I believe once a driver is quaified as a trianer he shoud get paid more all the time not just when training. I believe the cut off should be 10 years along with the driving record.

On the CDL test there would be questions on how to teach and not just truck questions. It should be more directed on truck handling and problem provention. The paperwork can be learned whil the driver is out of the truck. It should be standardized like the CDL test for all the states and the FMCSA should have spot checks to insure the program is working. The driver training should hold all the power to turn a driver out on his own to drive. Plus the driver trainer would have to be recertified by another driver trainer. If it works you've got a good system in place. If it doesn't work then you've got a better system than what most have now.

It would have to be work and re-worked but I do believe you could come up with a system like the Smith System.