On the training and testing of entry-level commercial motor vehicle drivers

This study examined the effectiveness of 3 different training types on commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers’ skill levels. The training types included a conventional 8-week certified course, a conventional 8-week certified course with approximately 60% of driving time spent in a CMV driving simulator, and a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) test focused short course. Participants’ scores on the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) road and range tests were assessed. In addition to their DMV scores, participants replicated DMV road and range driving tests in an instrumented vehicle and the CMV driving simulator. Results indicated no training group differences in DMV road tests. There were differences between training groups on DMV range tests and real truck and simulator versions of the DMV road and range tests; on these tests conventional- and simulator-trained participants generally scored higher than CDL-focused participants. However, all groups performed higher in the real truck than in the simulator for both road and range tests. These findings indicate the need for a minimum standard of entry-level CMV driver training as well as support of the use of a driving simulator for training entry-level drivers; however, testing using a simulator does not appear to be feasible with current technology.

► We examine 3 forms of commercial motor vehicle driver training.
► Conventional, simulator, and short-course training were compared.
► No differences in skills were found between conventional and simulator training.
► Conventional and simulator training lead to higher skill ratings than short course training.
► Longer and more formal training appears to have benefits for drivers’ skill levels.