Improve Fleet Performance by Focusing on Truck Driver Training

A study performed by Performance Innovation Transport demonstrated that driver training has a measurable impact on employee performance. Over 30 percent of drivers who participated in the study saw improved anticipation and performed more consistent shifting. A good deal of drivers saw declines in their hard braking and excessive acceleration as well. Improved performance makes the driver safer while minimizing potential harm to fleet vehicles at the same time. In this way the cost of extra training will more than pay for itself. Inspect these driver training tips for more ways to keep your employees safer on the road.

Know the difference between training and education
Truck driver training programs become less helpful as they become overly complex or disorganized. That’s why Automotive Fleet said it’s vital for fleet managers to distinguish between driver training and driver education. Mixing the two processes can muddle both and leave drivers more confused than they were when their training program began. Furthermore, a disorganized training program may put your company at risk for greater liability if an under-trained employee is responsible for an accident. Gaining a clearer understanding of how training and education differs will make it easier to plan your driver training accordingly.

Driver education communicates the information (such as company policies and local traffic laws) that drivers need to know in order to do their jobs properly. Alternatively, driver training explains how employees actually go about performing their daily responsibilities. The news source emphasized that both are critical pillars of preparing your employees for their jobs on the road. However, getting drivers into the thick of their hands-on training without a bit of context will just lead to wasted hours. Strategically organizing the presentation of training and education is an important part of creating an effective training program.

Take your time in implementing new training materials
The Houston Chronicle noted that there are several steps that must be taken before implementing a new training program. First, create benchmarks that can be used to measure progress toward the company’s training goals. Next, consider how employees receive and internalize information most effectively and design your training program to accommodate their learning styles. Think about incorporating pictures, video and other forms of multimedia into your training program is possible – shifting gears in the middle of an education section will help employees to better retain important information.

When it comes to planning education sessions for drivers, the news source recommended that companies reach out to professional trainers and presenters. After all, drivers are far more likely to take away the presentations point if they are engaged and entertained.

Emphasise safety with extra training and review
It’s impossible to overtrain or over-educate employees on safety. Avoiding accidents has much more to do with decision-making, focus and alertness than simply passing a traffic safety course. Safety is best emphasized in the culture of the workforce or via company policy than through driver training, but it is still important to go over performance expectations with drivers so they can be held accountable for their mistakes.

There are multiple approaches your fleet can take to train drivers, from behind-the-wheel performance reviews to the use of remote driving simulators. Simulators give new employees a chance to get their feet wet before they get behind the wheels of a vehicle they could possibly damage. On the other hand, old fashioned behind-the-wheel training may be the best way to communicate some of the nuances of the job to drivers. Evaluate the experience and talents of your new employees to get a better need of what kind of education materials you’ll need to lead the class.