Long-Haul Truck Driver Training Does Not Meet Driver Needs in Canada

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health and Safety
• Transportation Logistics
• Driver Training and Education

Background:

• Canadian long-haul truck driver (LHTD) training standards are evolving.
• Driver perspectives on training and licensing have been underrepresented.
• Existing training may not adequately prepare drivers for industry demands.

Purpose of the Study:

• To survey LHTD regarding their training history.
• To examine LHTD perceptions of current driver training protocols.
• To assess LHTD views on licensing standards.

Main Methods:

• Survey and semi-structured interviews conducted with LHTD.
• Recruitment occurred at truck stops across two Western Canadian provinces.
• A sample of 207 surveys and 67 interviews were completed.

Main Results:

• 33% of surveyed LHTD reported at least one crash.
• Drivers without formal training were more likely to crash.
• Participants deemed current entry-level training insufficient, recommending classroom, practical, and mentorship components.

Conclusions:

• LHTD lack confidence in novice driver training guidelines.
• Standardization and revision of Canadian truck driver training curricula are necessary.
• A federal mandatory entry-level training program, developed with LHTD input, is proposed to enhance driver safety and skills.