Commercial Truck Driving Schools Selection Process
As the name indicates, commercial truck driving schools provide necessary training for intended truck drivers. Although specific laws vary between states, the basic requirements of the Commercial Drivers License adhere to the federal law, with further conditions imposed by The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations. The issues of safety for truck drivers and other road users are paramount. This point is strongly reinforced through the duration of the course. Well schooled graduates, following sound industry practices, and conscious of the public road safety issues, are the end product of any well run commercial drivers’ training.
Naturally, the temptation is there for the trainers to produce as many drivers as possible. Trucks are waiting, and so are endless volumes of cargo. Constant pressure exerted by the trucking companies, asking for more qualified drivers, sometimes results in cutting corners. This results in overcrowded classes, underqualified instructors, and outdated equipment. The situation is improving constantly, under an accreditation scheme run by the Professional Truck Drivers Institute. If a given educational institution holds a current certificate, it’s a sufficient guarantee of it following the minimum professional requirements, and in effect, producing competent truck drivers. Graduates won’t have any problems to negotiate crowded streets and tight corners. Their ability to manoeuvre heavy semis and tractor trailers equally well on a busy highway, as well as on the factory’s hardstand, makes them proficient and reliable.
So far, the emphasis was given to schools run by colleges (vocational training), and businesses. There is however another important branch of the truck driving training;
Courses run by the trucking industry operators. They are quite distinctive from the ones mentioned above, in the following aspects:
- Participation cost.
- Proportion of the theoretical and practical training.
- Variety of the equipment available to the students.
- Job security.
- Employment restrictions, upon graduation.
Let’s analyse them in detail.
Often the cost of the course is born by the trucking company, running the school. In return the graduates commit themselves to “serve” them for a period of two to three years, driving their trucks. On the balance, it’s a rather insignificant restriction bringing the benefit of a certain employment, with the company you now know well. For the same reason, they will want you to gain as much “real” experience as possible. And it means extended driving practice, under watchful eyes of their best truckies, acting as instructors. This gives the company some assurance that the graduate driver can handle their expensive rigs safely, and with confidence.
Training trucks are often the latest makes, used on short and long hauls. Big Macks, Freightliners, Volvos and Fords mixed with smaller Dodge and Mitsubishi light trucks. Gaining a commercial truck driving license this way, seems to be in favor with those looking for the most suitable school. It puts them in immediate contact with the profession they are going to follow for the rest of their working life. 
Truck Driving School Contact Us Site Privacy
|
