One of the most important components of an efficient fleet safety program is employing drivers who possess safe driving skills. Motor carriers should screen and select their driv­ers to ensure they have requisite driving skills and knowledge. Assuming you have hired a “trained” driver with both a CDL and at least three years truck driving experience, you may think a simple orientation to com­pany policies and procedures is all that’s necessary. However, the current driver shortage has increased the need for trained drivers and the quality of the nation’s driver pool has not kept pace. Every motor carrier, regardless of size, should invest in ongoing training programs to help their drivers maintain and improve the skills they need to perform as a professional driver. There are many valid approaches to training and, while not every carrier can afford to staff safety train­ers or to send their drivers to truck rodeos, many other approaches are possible and affordable. Every company must decide when, where and what type of training is necessary to ensure safe fleet operations.

While motor carriers will conduct training programs at special times and places, safety skills and attitudes should be emphasized at every opportunity in order to make safety a part of the company culture.

When to Train

Training should be thought of as a process that begins retirement. The most effective time for extensive formal training is immediately following their hire.

Conduct refresher training to review and update material annually or at periodic intervals. Some fleets may want to schedule more frequent safety training sessions, at quarterly or even monthly intervals. Even experienced drivers benefit from periodic training and reminders of safe driving practices and skills.

Where to Train

Safety training can be done almost anywhere, from a formal classroom setting to the lunch room. Obviously there are benefits to having a special training room in terms of providing an environment conducive to learning, yet not every organization can afford or has special facilities available. Sometimes the most effective training is done one-on-one in the supervisors’ office.

Another effective method of training drivers is “behind the wheel” training. Periodic ride-alongs can provide supervisors and managers a chance to observe a driver’s skills and habits in different traffic situations in order to provide corrective counseling before bad habits become accidents.

What to train

The most crucial part of a training program is the subject matter. There is no shortage of information that drivers need to know in order to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle. Training on compliance with Federal and State Motor Carrier rules and company policies and procedures is always appropriate subject matter, as is material in your state Commercial Driver’s Manual (see exhibit below).

Drivers and other employees may be exposed to occupational hazards from lifting and handling freight, operating forklift trucks and other non-driving tasks. In some cases, you may be required to conduct employ­ee training programs to meet Occupational Safety and Health Standard (OSHA) requirements. There are many types of effective safety training meth­ods and programs available for motor carriers to use, such as classroom instruction and audio/ visual training, driver rodeos and driving simulators. Today, companies are finding that computer-based or e-learning methods are both effective and inexpensive.

CDL Driver Training Topics

1. Vehicle Inspection
2. Basic Control of Your Vehicle
3. Shifting Gears
4. Seeing
5. Communicating
6. Controlling Speed
7. Managing Space
8. Driving at Night
9. Driving in Fog
10. Driving in Winter
11. Driving in Hot Weather
12. Railroad Crossings
13. Mountain Driving
14. Seeing Hazards
15. Emergencies
16. Skid Control and Recovery
17. Accident Procedures
18. Fires
19. Staying Alert and Fit to Drive
20. Hazardous Materials Rules
21. Inspecting Cargo
22. Weight and Balance
23. Securing Cargo
24. Using Air Brakes
25. Inspecting Air Brakes
26. Driving Combination Vehicles
27. Coupling and Uncoupling
28. Pulling Double/Triple Trailers
29. Driving Tank Vehicles

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Source: Sentry Insurance