Should the Army adopt commercial drivers licenses for equipment operators?

2018-06-07T15:41:49-04:00

The Army for a variety of reasons, has always had a lack luster drivers training program, we preach safety, but fall flat on our face when it comes to drivers trainers courses. Should units have to provide that training? Should drivers training be done as part of AIT?

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Jun 7 at 2018 4:49 PM

2018-06-07T16:49:22-04:00

I led a fine Driver's Training course while Master Driver of a TRADOC company. Covered operating and maintenance, as well as safety and a road test before being licensed. Same process regardless of vehicle typed (as long as they were wheeled anyway, as we didn't have any tracks). Didn't take long to set-up or implement, so I'm not sure why other units would find it difficult to do.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 7 at 2018 4:49 PM

2018-06-07T16:49:59-04:00

Why would they subject themselves to outside certification when they already have robust programs. The 348 (if it is the same) provides proof of training and type allowing for Service members to earn outside certain when they leave service. Thank you for your service.

Response by Maj Walter Kilar made Jun 7 at 2018 5:12 PM

2018-06-07T17:12:03-04:00

I am a big fan of the military adopting commercial certifications, especially if the equipment is closer to COTS than in years past. Granted, the military should provide military unique training and certifications for military unique systems.

Response by SFC Jerry Humphries made Jun 7 at 2018 5:27 PM

2018-06-07T17:27:06-04:00

Yes give the drivers a CDL they can take with h them.

Response by PO3 Tom Clouser made Jun 7 at 2018 6:49 PM

2018-06-07T18:49:29-04:00

I obtained my CDL-A back in February of 2001, before the CDL tests were federally regulated, but i obtained mine in a state that basically used the same regulations as the new federally regulated tests. (the old CDL's were grandfathered into the new era)

I would say that a driver training program would benefit from using CDL training as a base model, and then getting vehicle and mission specific as required. military vehicles are much different from 18-wheelers, so the training would help prepare someone for obtaining a future CDL, but CDL's are now getting more specific to the civilian vehicles being driven.

a civilian CDL-A is generally tested in an 18-wheeler, requiring additional endorsements for Air Brakes (req for 18-wheelers), Combination Vehicles (req for 18-wheelers), HazMat, Tanker, Passenger (req for buses), Double / Triple Trailer.

Also keep in mind that CDL-A testing is now federally regulated, instead of each state being allowed to make up their own testing regulations. Also, the new regulations stipulate restrictions based on which vehicles you take the test in. for example, if you take your CDL-A test in an automatic transmission vehicle, you will NOT be allowed to drive a manual transmission commercial vehicle with your license.

generally speaking, a CDL-A training course is vehicle specific (18-wheeler, 18-wheeler with a tanker, or bus), lasts about 3 weeks, and requires a general knowledge test (which includes civilian driving laws) to obtain a permit to use while training, and the final test consists of 3 parts: 1) the daily safety inspection, 2) slow maneuvering in a parking lot, including backing into a dock for example, and 3) the road test. each of those parts generally lasts about 45 minutes.

those who administer the tests are required to obtain not only the CDL, but also additional certifications and licenses to be able to administer the tests.

since military vehicles are not civilian 18-wheelers, the federal government might not go for it.

basically, if you're going to try to set up something like this, make sure you do more than due diligence to get it right the first time.

last but not least, every year Congress adds new regulations for commercial drivers to follow, for "safety", such as Electronic Log Devices, which drivers receive specific training for when hired by a trucking company. (Hours Of Service Regulations are complicated enough as they are, and these ELD's can make those regulations easier to follow, since the log tells you how many hours you have left to find a parking space before a violation occurs. HORS violations can cost more than a week's pay, but now i suppose i'm rambling. There's a LOT of trucking regulations)

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jun 7 at 2018 7:35 PM

2018-06-07T19:35:18-04:00

Scouts conduct HMMWV and M3A3 training while in OSUT. I actually didn't know that other MOSs didn't always perform some form of driver's training. I do think that the military should start following their own doctrine a little closer when it comes to qualifying drivers. In addition, it should be that after performing well with tested qualifications like being able to drive a HET that SMs should qualify for a civilian CDL.