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Who Will Train the Next Generation of Truck Drivers?

-Jeremy Rhames

Every time I see a video of a rookie struggling to back up, or making poor decisions in other aspects of trucking, I immediately think of their training. Many CDL schools provide the foundation for new drivers, and then send them out on the road to learn on the job. They can't be fully prepared for every circumstance, but they can be well trained. What makes someone well trained? What makes a good trainer/trainee? Why is it so important to set a high standard when releasing rookies out on the road? Let’s explore the answers to these questions below.

To begin, we should acknowledge the very unique training experience in the trucking industry. Most new drivers get 3-4 weeks of in-class experience where they learn the regulations and fundamentals, and then they’re put with a trainer for another 3-4 weeks to shadow them and get real-world practice. From there, they get put in a truck solo. This is the standard operating procedure for the industry.

It should be mentioned that recently a law was passed that required anyone getting their CDL to have received training from an approved center. Previously, people could study independently, or learn from a family member, but now, to raise the standards of training, they’ve implemented this new regulation. What Are the Incentives to Becoming a Trainer? The most obvious is money. Less obvious, are the skills you gain from becoming a teacher. One of these skills being the newfound ability to discern work ethic/character by having a frame of reference that’s gained by evaluating a group of people. This may be advantageous for someone looking to hire for their own business. Also, a good teacher can identify strengths and weaknesses to provide precise feedback and help accelerate the trainee's growth. This translates to child rearing as well. Communication is a valuable skill that becoming a trainer will help you hone in on.

There are some challenging aspects to being a trainer. I’ll leave it to you to use your imagination to create circumstances based on these personality characteristics.

Attributes of a Good Trainer Patience, cleanliness, communication, discernment, adaptability, professionalism, accountability, responsible, concern, compassion, humility, empathy, and respect.

Attributes of a Poor Trainer Irritable, haste, indifference, poor hygiene, poor temperament, lack of knowledge of the profession, lack of initiative, greed, and lack of morals or character.

Attributes of a Good Student Is receptive to feedback, takes initiative, is respectful, professional, humble, clean, and grateful.

Attributes of a Poor Student. Arrogant, lazy, unaccountable, disrespectful, unhygienic, poor temperament, close-minded, indifferent, and entitled.

This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it does help illustrate some challenging aspects of the job. Lastly is the personal fulfillment that comes from assisting someone in beginning the next chapter of their life. Receiving sincere gratitude from these people is not expected, but most welcome. I had an incredibly pleasant experience getting started in my trucking career, and I want to contribute to the success of new drivers. Part of me feels responsible for helping create the drivers I will be sharing the road with. Changing the world, one driver at a time, by raising the bar on safety and etiquette standards. Putting the time and effort into preparing a new driver goes a long way in ensuring their success. If every old school driver who looks to the sky/boomer book, shaking their fist, cursing this new generation of "steering wheel holders," transformed that fist into an olive branch with a spirit of camaraderie, and used their vast experience to educate the people that they enjoy ridiculing, then they would become the change they want to see in the world.

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Jeremy Rhames is an Owner/Operator and driver trainer with Roehl Transportation you can subscribe to his Youtube Channel here

I want to hear from you! For Driver Submissions, questions, and comments contact me at: [email protected] or Text me directly at 423-275-2444

DOT Compliance Corner - Can DOT Do an Inspection in a Parking Lot/Rest Area

by, Santiago Talamantez

The simple answer is, NO!! This has been one of the most frustrating questions I have received in the past from drivers and companies, and this was recently brought back to my attention. A few of my students sent me a resurfaced video of two state troopers, I believe in New Jersy, requiring a driver to submit to inspection while he is parked in line at a tire shop to get repairs done. I also remember first seeing this specific video on the Mutha Trucka channel, where the video is labeled something like “FMCSA Rule Allows Inspections in Parking Lots”, where he discusses this video with a retired trooper.

In the video, they refer to the definition of the word “highway” in 390.5, which states the following: means any road, street, or way, whether on public or private property, open to public travel. “Open to public travel” means that the road section is available, except during scheduled periods, extreme weather or emergency conditions, passable by four- wheel standard passenger cars, and open to the general public for use without restrictive gates, prohibitive signs, or regulation other than restrictions based on size, weight, or class of registration. Toll plazas of public toll roads are not considered restrictive gates.

They claim because this definition states public or private property, that automatically makes you “inspectable in any area.” That simply is not true. What they fail to address is the specific part that says, “ the road section”, a parking lot is not a road section! Why would a parking lot be closed during scheduled periods, extreme weather conditions, or be restricted by size, weight, or registration class? Because the definition refers specifically to the traveled portions of roadways, NOT PARKING LOTS.

Here's another factor; the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), not FMCSA, are the ones that govern the entire inspection program itself. FMCSA solely writes and amends the regulations themselves. CVSA also has numerous administrative policies that we as inspectors were required to comply with and follow. One of them is called, Operational Policy 13 – Selecting Vehicles for Inspection. This policy communicates some general guidance regarding which vehicles are selected and for inspectors to follow individual state legislation regarding the detaining of vehicles and drivers, etc. However, bullet number 11 in that same policy states this:

11. Certified inspectors shall not disturb/interrupt any driver of a commercial motor vehicle in off-duty or sleeper berth status when legally parked for the purpose of conducting a random inspection.

CVSA is explicitly telling inspectors not to do inspections when drivers are legally parked… such as in a PARKING LOT! Now you might ask, well Santiago it says “off- duty or sleeper”, what about if I’m on-duty not driving? Well that for me is simple too, tell the inspector that you are “off-duty”. They would have no reason to further inquire about doing an inspection, which they should not have begun in the first place, when you are in a PARKING LOT or at a rest area!

Now I will also advise all drivers though, please do not argue or have a combative attitude towards any enforcement official. You are never going to win against the government. I would use some tact with my questioning, however, always comply and address the issue later on through a DataQ. And if you need help with these types of legal matters, please visit my website to view my retainer options for moments like this where you need a resource to advocate on your driver or company’s behalf! Thank you for reading, have a safe week!

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Health Tip of the Week

Navigating Weight Loss Drugs

Over the past year there has been a rise in use of semi-glutide drugs such as Ozempic. Originally being used to treat diabetes, it is being used often now for weight loss. The Atlantic in this article hails semi-glutide as the new insulin, and in many ways it is.

An inactive lifestyle is just as, if not more dangerous than smoking. Visceral fat on ones’ organs is what can lead to chronic disease and multiple cancers. Removing that body fat will increase overall longevity.

From the Personal Training standpoint, I’m not at liberty to tell people to take them or not, my advice is to take them as directed by your doctor, however if you are on these drugs they should be used like any supplement, meaning the use of them cannot replace building sustainable healthy habits like regular exercise, and changing your eating habits. If you take these drugs, what you need to do is keep your protein intake incredibly high! Semi-glutide essentially takes away your hunger and cravings, so it is putting you in a caloric deficit, but at the same time you’re losing body fat, if your protein intake isn’t there you are going to lose lean muscle along the way. This can lead to an increased risk of injury, and other metabolic dysfunction.

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Partner Post of the Week

Check out this article about our Partner Mike Gaffin aka The Boston Trucker! You can use his code bostontruckr for $20 off your next booking!

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