Letter to the Editor: Driver Training
MCSA’s ruling to eliminate in-vehicle training as part of a new driver’s entry-level training requirements is contrary to much contemporary research and wisdom in regard to properly preparing commercial drivers to enter the complex driving environment in which they must function.
The Model Curriculum for Training Tractor Trailer Drivers, published in 1985 by the Federal Highway Administration, recommended that training was critical in five specific areas:
• Basic operation.
font size=4>• Advanced operating practices.
font size=4>• Vehicle maintenance.
font size=4>• Non-vehicle activity.
In response, leaders from the trucking industry, concerned training institutions and the insurance industry met and helped form the Professional Truck Driving Institute of America — now called the Professional Truck Driver Institute — to develop and establish standards for quality truck driver training institutions.
The standards cover such items as:
• School policies and procedures.
font size=4>• Course content.
font size=4>• Trainer qualification.
font size=4>• Quality of training equipment.
font size=4>• Instructional time (both classroom and behind the wheel).
font size=4>• Testing.
font size=4>• Records.
font size=4>• Follow-up.
These voluntary standards have been in place since 1986. PTDI currently certifies 56 quality programs in schools throughout the United States and Canada.
As FMCSA begins to look for direction in revising its training standards, it may note that such standards already exist and function well. Graduates of programs such as those certified by PTDI, including in-vehicle training, are better prepared; the industry is more able to promote its commitment to safety; and some insurance carriers look favorably upon companies hiring drivers from schools with PTDI certified programs.
The Court of Appeals ruling presents FMCSA the opportunity to review and support what the industry has already established.
David Money
i>Chairman — Certification
ommittee
rofessional Truck Driver Institute
This letter appears in the Jan. 2 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.
