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PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS
Trucks
don't move without professional drivers. And the freight they carry
won't move either. Those who drive professionally have very
important jobs. In fact, the strength of our economy is dependent to
a large extent on the ability to keep goods moving in a timely and
safe manner by road.
 The job of a professional transport driver is one of very few that
shares its workplace with the public. As such, drivers need to
approach their jobs with the utmost professionalism. Being a
professional transport driver involves more than driving. Drivers
need to be able to plan their trips, be organized, maintain a
multitude of paperwork, and be finely tuned to the operating
characteristics of their vehicles. Drivers are also the front-line
contact on a day-to-day basis with their companies' customers, and
as such play an important role in maintaining customer loyalty.
While it may seem that driving one tractor-trailer combination is no
different than driving another, drivers must familiarize themselves
extensively with different types of equipment and the loads they
carry. In some cases, additional training for special loads can take
several weeks.
It
is highly recommended that those wishing to become professional
transport drivers enroll in a recognized and credible truck driver
training institution. When choosing a driver training school,
prospective students are advised to thoroughly investigate their
options to ensure that they offer solid training, and that potential
employers recognize the school as a solid source for qualified
drivers.
Red Deer
College has received funding for a two year, 100 student pilot of
the Professional Driver Certificate Program. It
was
developed in consultation with government, training schools,
educational institutions, and, most importantly, with industry.
The AMTA has been involved and
supportive of a publicly funded, credit program for professional
driver training.
The Professional Driver Certificate Program is the result of
extensive industry consultation with Alberta Advanced Education and
Red Deer College’s commitment to meet the urgent need for
province-wide entry level truck driver training. The program will
provide graduates with the competencies, skills, and experience
necessary for success in entry-level, professional driver positions.
A strong transportation sector and well trained drivers are critical
to continued economic growth in Alberta.
This unique program has a province wide scope, and is based on
collaborations between Red Deer College, private training schools,
other colleges and carriers in the trucking industry. The innovative
program design includes college classroom instruction,
behind-the-wheel training, a practicum with a professional
coach/mentor in a trucking company and a paid co-op work experience.
It is a post- Class 1 program. Applicants must have a valid Alberta
Class 1 license.
The program will provide an avenue for individuals to enter the
workforce as professional truck drivers at an earlier age. The
program will provide educational opportunities and training for
under-served groups.
For details on this program
...
please click here.
All drivers who operate vehicles equipped with air brakes must
obtain an air brake endorsement on their license, which usually
involves 12 hours of training followed by written and practical
exams.
Short-Haul Drivers
While many people associate the job of being a professional
transport driver with being away for weeks on end, the fact is
that 75% of drivers return to their home base at the end of
their shifts every day. Short haul drivers typically leave their
terminal early in the morning to deliver a full load to a
location within a half-day's drive, or can be sent on a peddle
run, which requires that they stop at frequent locations along
the way to pick up or deliver more goods. Short haul drivers
typically require Class "A" licenses, since many loads move via
tractor-trailer combinations. In some cases, a Class "D" licence
may be sufficient since some companies operate straight trucks
between various urban areas.
Long Haul Drivers
Long haul drivers symbolize what the majority of people
associate with being a professional transport driver. For these
drivers, driving is more than an occupation; it is a lifestyle.
Long haul drivers are often dispatched over long distances;
sometimes from coast to coast or sometimes on long international
routes between central Canada to the U.S. West Coast. Since
drivers tend to spend most of their time in the vehicle, today's
truck cabs are extremely comfortable, and offer many amenities.
Besides being equipped with bunks for sleeping, vehicles can
also include televisions, microwave ovens and fridges. In
addition, manufactures have stepped up the conditions for
driving by including air ride driver's seats, and an
ergonomically designed control centre.
Long haul drivers need to be well-organized and skilled in
aspects like trip and route planning. Since they are largely
unsupervised, they must be responsible and be able to work in an
autonomous environment. Since a great deal of trade between
Canada and the U.S. moves by truck, many long haul drivers must
be familiar with customs and border crossing requirements and
procedures. In the vast majority of cases, long-haul drivers
require Class "A" licenses.
Local Pick-up
& Delivery Drivers
Local P & D drivers typically work in one very localized area,
often with smaller trucks or tractor-trailer combinations. Their
job is to pick up or deliver many small shipments that may be
combined in one truck or trailer. Often, they are responsible
for planning their routes to ensure that freight is delivered or
picked-up in the most efficient manner possible. Familiarization
with the local area and strong map-reading skills are essential
assets. In many cases, only a Class "D" licence is required,
though a Class "A" licence may be required for some jobs.
Shunt Drivers
Many operations - both at trucking as well as customers'
facilities - require the skills of a shunt driver. These drivers
make sure that docks always have trailers to load goods on, or
unload goods from. Shunt drivers typically locate the required
trailers in the yard, and then "shunts" them to the appropriate
dock. Once the dock personnel are finished with the trailer, the
shunt driver "shunts" the trailer back to an appropriate
location in the yard, ensuring that the corresponding paperwork
accompanies the trailer. Since the shunt driver may drive
exclusively on private property, he/she may not even need a
commercial driver's license, though company policy may dictate
that the driver must hold the appropriate class of licence. For
some drivers, this is the ideal place to gain the necessary
equipment handling experience that is necessary in being a fully
qualified and competent commercial driver.
Driver Trainers
Though most drivers are hired possessing the full set of
driving-related skills, many companies offer a thorough training
and orientation program for new driving recruits. This allows
the company to focus on processes and procedures that drivers
are expected to follow on a day-to-day basis. It also allows
companies to ensure that drivers are sufficiently trained in key
safety areas such as the handling of dangerous goods (a legal
requirement), as well as specific commodity handling procedures.
This can include tarping and chaining a load of steel, or
learning the safe loading and unloading techniques of gasoline.
Depending on the specific company requirements, training can
last anywhere from one day to several weeks.
The driver training function is a critical component due to the
level of responsibility riding on the drivers. In addition to
the training component, many companies rely on driver trainers
to recruit, assess and hire drivers. Driver trainers are often
former professional drivers, but don't necessarily have to be.
In all cases, they must be solid communicators, and accessible.
Training in adult learning is an asset, though not always a
requirement. Since a great deal of training is offered in a
classroom environment, skills and a comfort level in public
speaking are also important.
Driver Supervisors
Driver supervisors ensure that all drivers working for the
company continue to meet both legislative requirements and
corporate policies. They ensure that the drivers are fully
familiar with the appropriate operation of all equipment and the
corresponding customer needs. They also ensure that drivers are
in compliance with the various hours of service regulations and
other driver-specific rules, and that they receive the
appropriate training to enable them to perform all of their
necessary job-related functions.
Often, the position of driver supervisor is a progressive
position that allows professional transport drivers to put their
skills and experience to use in a higher position of authority.
Since specific training courses are not often available, the
driving experience of the individual is supplemented with
on-the-job training.
Owner-Operator Drivers
Basically, and owner-operator is a small business entrepreneur
who owns his/her own truck, and contracts it along with his/her
driving services to trucking companies. As the owner of the
equipment, an owner-operator is responsible for its operating
condition and efficiency. A successful owner-operator relies on
skills that extend beyond those related to operating a vehicle.
For example, he/she should have strong business management
skills including a background or training in finance, accounting
and business planning. As small businesses, owner-operators are
typically compensated on a mileage basis that is significantly
higher than company employee drivers' wages. However, again, as
a business, an owner-operator must pay for all his/her operating
expenses including fuel, insurance and vehicle maintenance and
repairs. Many owners of all sizes of trucking companies started
out as owner-operators.
Business Skills development courses for owner-operators are
becoming increasingly more popular, and more available. Anyone
wishing to become an owner-operator is advised to gain some
experience as a company driver, and then take some business
courses to assist with the business management side. In
addition, owner-operators should be prepared to dedicate time
and resources in developing and reviewing comprehensive
contracts with carriers to ensure that both parties benefit from
the business relationship. A review of Guidelines for
Owner-Operator Contracts may be a beneficial first step.
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