Best Amount Of Time To Be With A Trainer?

In the end it depends on what your dealing with, some people you can toss the keys to and thier good. Others have to have it pounded into thier head. So I wouldn't really put a set number on it.

Frankly both can be a problem for different reasons.

 

Sly stalone mastered it in 20 minutes.

But I say a week not for driving.... But for stuff like trip sheets dvir & other proper forms. Having a spotter backing up for a week to get used to the truck is good enough.

If its an automatic same deal still say a week for the same purpose.

 

Really just depends on you man. If your the type to keep a level head and not flip out and jump 3 lanes trying to get to that offramp you should be fine with a month or 10,000 miles with a trainer. You could be with a trainer for 6 months and still learn new little tricks every day. Just focus on how to safely operate the truck, and try to get comfortable with the vehicle. Being stiff and uptight in the drivers seat can be just as bad as being to loose with your driving. You probably wont feel ready when you are done with your trainer, its natural. Just take it slow and dont be afraid to stop that truck and call someone if you arent sure.

 

Im going to Roehl and i read a driver went only 9 days because his trainer said he did a great job better then most his students. He said 9 days is the,minimum they allow but most people its a few weeks. The short trainer period is part of the reason im going. Im a fast learner and most things im better at just learning on my own. Like most things in life i think the only way to really learn is to do it yourself. Someone jabbing in your ear all day about how to do things isnt always the best,method for everyone to learn.

 

Good for you; it's nice to see someone use common sense about training.

 

I'll add something here that I think most people ate either overlooking, ignoring, or are not being honest with themselves about. There are situations, 1,000s of them that you are going to get into, and have to make quick decisions about,that the wrong decision, could even end your career by getting you into trouble, or making you want to give up. No matter how much common sense you have, many of these situations require experience to get through them properly. Now, the longer you have a trainer to give you ideas on how to get through those situations, the the better you are gong to be at doing it yourself later. Now, I'm speaking only of OTR positions here, but if you want to be guided through enough of these problems until you are probably going to be able to handle it on your own comparably with an experienced driver, them you are looking at 3 to 5 months, and probably closer to 5. However, if you get a job where you are going to the sane customers all the time (dedicated) then maybe 1 month will do.

 

I had two horrible trainers and more alone by trial and error. 6 weeks was mine.

 

As a trainer I've had students who were safe drivers right out of school and some who passed the test out in 30 days but I wouldn't drive team with them ever. Some students after training will spend months hitting anything parked but are safe on the highway while another is going to roll a truck but can back it like a champ. What's the right training period? It should be up to the trainer and not based on money.

 

One hour
or
One day, would be best, right? A trick question? A level?

one minute? maybe you skillfully avoid a death disaster and impress trainer so much he says "your good" turn around
If not then, I say a year

 

You definitely need more than 3,weeks ,like 6 to 8 weeks of training and you still won't be that good,it will come with lots of repetition