How You'll Learn to Keep America Rolling
The RDTC training program runs for three weeks - a total of 16 days. Time will move quickly throughout the three week program. You need to be prepared to complete homework and training assignments according to times allowed. Some assignments, you'll be expected to do on your time, outside of the RDTC training environment.
We want you to succeed. We will measure your daily progress and you will be tested on your understanding of concepts and content. We will provide you feedback. You will need to use the feedback to make necessary adjustments.
Because we know the particulars of the job you've selected, our training has proven effective time and time again. The program is divided between classroom and hands-on driving. On our closed course "the Range" you'll be put through a series of realistic driving exercises. In this controlled environment, we will help you understand the concepts behind backing, shifting and turning a truck and trailer combination. As you gain confidence, you'll drive on low-traffic roadways and city streets with truck-trailer combinations. We're confident your RDTC education will prepare you for your Commercial Driver's License exam........and the next step in your career.
WEEK 1 (Monday–Saturday)
Every journey begins with a first step. Yours will begin the first day when you get behind the wheel with an RDTC certified experienced instructor right beside you. During your first week, you will learn how to safely operate a truck and trailer in a controlled, range environment and on public roadways. We have a Range course to get you started and plenty of rural roads to help you develop your skills before we move the training into a more traffic populated environment. You'll learn how to complete a full pre-trip inspection to ensure your truck and trailer are in working order, safe to operate, and meets the federal requirements of all equipment traveling the roadway. Homework and training assignments will focus on motor carrier regulations, safety and some of the basic mechanical systems of a diesel truck and trailer. We'll work towards training you and getting you prepared to test for your CDL. Our goal is to train you to be a safe, competent, professional over-the-road driver in Roehl's fleet.
WEEK 2 (Monday–Saturday)
You'll be surprised by how much you've already learned after just one week in RDTC's training environment. In the second week, your driving skills and knowledge will quickly advance. You'll refine driving skills and learn how to manage your vehicle in close-quarter areas giving you the self-confidence to handle your truck and trailer around other motorists you share the roads with. Given more instruction and practice driving, you'll work on forward motion skills and further develop your shifting by learning accelerated shifting techniques. Using the Range, we'll introduce you to a variety of backing and turning maneuvers. During this week, the roads you will drive on are within the city limits and more challenging. In this environment you need to know what's happening at all times. You will need to bring all of your learning together - shifting, turning, backing and visually scanning your driving environment paying close attention to the motorists sharing the roads with you. It's not just about you, when you're a professional driver you have to consider the actions of others and anticipate what they might do. RDTC cares about everyone's safety and well being, we need you to as well.
WEEK 3 (Monday–Friday)
By the third week, you'll know your way around a truck, know how to identify common mechanical repairs, shift like a pro and understand how to safely handle your vehicle under various road and traffic conditions. But, there's more to being a professional driver than that. So, during this week, we will put more concerted focus on the other responsibilities of an over-the-road driver. Federal, state, local regulations - if you are driving you are responsible for knowing and meeting all of them. We train you by spending time learning the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and the national network of highways. You'll learn about the Hours of Service Regulations, how to effectively and legally trip plan, review permitting and required documents. You'll learn The Roehl Way of Protective Driving along with the policies and procedures that lead to driver success with Roehl. Classroom lessons and homework will have you planning trips and completing various regulatory assignments. And, there's still behind the wheel time so you can refine your driving skills and validate that you are ready to take the next step in your career as a safe, prepared and confident professional driver.
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