Need feedback on this topic:How long do you think Truck Driver Training should be??

Long enough to get it. Everyone is different, some will take longer than others Something you get in 2 or 3 weeks might take me 3 or 4, and my buddy might never get it, IMO there is no "set" time everyone is going to learn. Or any guarantee that they will be able to become a "Truck Driver". (opposed to someone that can drive a truck, again IMO there is a HUGE difference)By the way, I still learn something every time I get in my truck, so I suppose it would be safe to say I'm still a trainee. I will pass on the best advise anyone ever gave me, "being a Truck Driver is exactly like being a Motorcyclist, the minute you think you know everything about it, is about the time your about to have something bad happen"

 

I think there are certain skills that everyone can develop to make them better drivers. In the past, I've known illiterate people that could drive and find anything if you told them directions...even cross country. Or like the waitress that can wait on a party of 15 and remember everyone's order with precision without a notepad. Or the short order cook that can be in the middle of something and take an order and not need for them to repeat the order. They've learned to be good listeners.

Okay, here's the clincher: You should know how to do this BEFORE you start trucking.

What difference will it make? Well, the most common complaint that trainers have about trainees is that THEY DO NOT LISTEN. I think the problem isn't that the trainee is trying to be obstinate, but the trainee has never learned HOW to listen since they were in the 2nd grade. I remember being in the 5th grade and the teacher made a remark to another how when children hit the 6th grade, they began to believe that they are grown.

Same goes with map reading. Some people can preplan a trip, look at the map, and remember the entire route. This is how they used to do it back in the day. Or trying to back. Some of the old hands could look at a hole or a dock, remember where all the poles, other vehicles, whatever...and hit the hole every time without getting out and looking. Some of these drivers are so good that you will see them hit the hole blindside, 1 pull up. That's awesome. Seen it done. I've never been that great blindside, but I have seen drivers that were.

So, how long should training be? A new driver climbs in your truck and actually listens, can remember all instructions so that you don't even have to tell him again, reads and remembers all roadsigns, reads traffic and road conditions well, I'd say give him his own rig at the end of the run.

"But isn't there a chance he may mess up?"

Sure. But there's a chance that any and all of us may mess up. If your job was to train this person to drive, and that person can drive, sign him off...he's ready. Keeping this type of person in a trainer's truck is handholding.
On the other hand, if the trainee cant seem to remember anything you tell him, cant read and remember roadsigns after two weeks, and you the trainer are tired and cranky because you haven't been able to sleep, because you have to do the thinking for two people, and you have to scream, "WATCH OUT" or "STOP" every single day...

what's the point of keeping this person on your truck for another 4 weeks? It's an accident waiting to happen.

 

No expert here just old, but , whether you learn the basics from a private school/community college , a big mega company/Mom&pop company , a friend/family member who is an O/O or you just go take the test , rent a truck and take the driving test to get your CDL...none of this matters.

Once you get into a truck driving career, you are ALWAYS/FOREVER , a student.....every single , solitary mile you run is a learning experience. Getting the basics just opens the door to learning the skills both mental AND physical to become a driver.

You learn as you gain experience...and as long as you're driving , and gaining more experience albeit for 6 months or 60 years...you're still learning.............Happy Trails newbietrucker and Good Luck....

 

You hit that one right on. These schools are only there to get the student their CDL. The real training should start out with the company and like you say continue on until you leave the truck to retire or change job career.. A lot of times these new drivers are getting robbed because they get a driver trainer with only 6 months driving experience him/her self and the driver trainer that should be teaching does not know squat. Or they get some lazy bum that doesn't want to train and tries to make more money out of the new partner. If I had to go to school I'd look for a school with a decent reputation and gives out good paper upon graduation. Then I'd search for the best company that meets my goals. I would not go the easy way like a lot of new drivers are doing. The one poster stated that Prime paid really good and was a great company. That may very well be. But show me a W-2 statement for a year which pays a much better picture. Also tell me the turnover rate. If it's high there's a turnover rate it's for a reason.

I like seeing a driver with so many years making statements about you never stop training. I feel it's our job to show the way then we retire and they take over. Great post.

 

I think you need to read my posting a little more closely, because what I was talking about and what you are talking about and linking to are two completely different issues. What I was talking about was DOT making requirements to receive a CDL and your links refer to requirement that where never passed and that where to be training standards to be required of new drivers working interstate commerce. What I made mention to was what DOT said on their web site. Either of which even mattered to the question or comments asked, because either of which was every a requirement only ideas on the table at DOT.

You reference to being pre-hired you again mixed apples and oranges. The fact a driver is not working for the company they where pre-hired by only proves two issues 1. they were hired 2. they were happy they didn't attend school with that carrier they by allowing them to switch.

Your comment about leaving a job with less than one (1) at the company is a little like the sky is falling. Anytime you leave a company if that company subscribes to Hirerite it will be reported and added to you DAC, this is true. That doesn't mean you are Black List in the industry. If you left before your OTR training was done the next company will probably make you start over. If you have less than a year the next company might have you ride with a trainer for a week or two to see how you do. Plus 99% of the local job have never ever heard of Hirerite or of a DAC report. Any profession in the country you will have trouble finding work until you have experience, trucking no different.

Will it look bad on your DAC if you switch companies? NO
Will it look bad on your DAC if you switch companies often? YES, just as it would in any industry!

Now about my reference to being stuck at a company 12-15 months if you attend their school.:

Normally when you attend a carrier sponsored school they will explain the contract to you over the phone and when you agree to attend and they buy you bus ticket, you have entered what is know in court as an express contract/agreement and the meter is now ON! You are under contract with that carrier for the deration.

Normally these contracts are for a year. A year from when? That is the question.

So you spend a day or two on the bus.
Then you spend 4-6 weeks training at their school or some college or school down the street. Are you on that one year clock yet?
Then you train OTR for 4-6 weeks with a trainer. Are you on that one year clock yet?

Normally you are not on that one year clock just yet and in fact you are still not even hired yet. Cause if you are not passing your training the carrier has the option in the contract to drop you anytime prior to you being assigned your own truck to solo. The carrier can also say you need more training and hold you over for more training.

If you are released from your contract you are released from having to work for them NOT from paying the bill for the bus ticket, tuition, housing, cost of the Medical exam, any meals they paid for, and any other expenses they paid up to that point. The something happens to the driver who leaves 9 months after being solo.

Oh and they will be so nice to have it added to your DAC report with full details. I have seen it on DAC reports first hand both at where I work and at my brother trucking company.

Most carrier sponsored training contracts the One Year Contract Clock doesn't start till you are solo.

 

GasHauler you said it..... turnover rate is more important than pay IMO...when looking for a potential employer a person should look at how long the drivers/employees have been there. Good pay/benefits is one thing , but its only a small piece of the puzzle when looking for a place to work. I was really fortunate , and got hired on to a company (GSF) that i wound up retiring from after 30 years...and I was still only number 5 on the board. If a driver looks closely at companies , and sees that there are drivers there with double digit seniority , then they are definitely worth more research. If the most senior driver has 5 to 7 years in then I say keep looking....folks stay on jobs for lots of different reasons , but they only stay for more than 10 years if all of the important things are in place...the way the company is ran , the way they are treated as employees , the home time , the pay/benefits/retirement packages they are offered...lots of things to look at.

 

I cannot agree more with what has been covered already on this subject, I want to add as a "Safe Driver Assessor" that , these "schools" should take a more closer assessment of a potential "new driver" most likely after they accept there money for training!! It's been my experience that there are many men/women who are just not cut out to be a CDL driver, they just don't have "IT", some are naturals , others should not even drive a 4 wheeler IMO. But then again , at the end of the day unfortunately it all comes down to the all mighty$$$ , suck'm in and spit them out , safer roads , safer drivers , but yet this continues everyday , and there are many that contribute to this scenario , from the schools to the trucking companies even some funded programs . I hope this isn't taken the wrong way , but it's frustraiting to anybody who drives on our highways and roads.....Be safe!!