Excell PDT Professional Driving Training: Guide for Professional Drivers

By Joe Martin

Drivers have been taught to always steer into a skid when they spin out. First, they need to know what causes a spin-out. The three things I've observed in my 35 years of driving on ice and snow are (1) ice and snow give one no time or space to correct a problem, (2) most drivers panic brake because they don't have the skills to counter-

• Language: English
• Publisher: MainSpring Books
• Release date: Dec 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9781958434673

Joe Martin

Been driving for 35 years on various conditioned roads. Howled off 22% grades, ice and snow, and one lane roads.

Book preview

ebk-cvr.jpg

Copyright © 2022 by Joe Martin.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

ISBN 978-1-958434-67-3 (e)

2022.11.21

MainSpring Books

5901 W. Century Blvd

Suite 750

Los Angeles, CA, US, 90045

www.mainspringbooks.com

Excell PDT

Professional Driver Training

Professionals Doing What Amateurs Can’t Do

What defines me as a professional? My training started at a very young age. I was a little boy riding along with my dad. He would talk to me about what was expected of me as a professional driver. His quote, If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys, was about the professional drivers and skills that require higher pay.

Learning To Become A Problem Solver

When I first became a truck driver, the equipment we used and the services available required that the driver had mechanical skills, strength, and endurance. The first three things a professional needed to know were the following: his fuel system, brake system, and electrical system. If there was ever a problem with those things, he could fix it on the road. Back then, many truck drivers were always willing to help a stranded driver regardless of what they drove. They were recognized as the White Knights of The Highway. These men relied on faith and sound decision-making to get the job done.

Learning The Importance Of Good Communication Skills And Following Instructions

Back then, we did not have the convenience of today’s modern technology. We relied on accurate information that we shared over the CB radio. We would call out for local information, and it never failed that somebody would give the information required to deliver our cargo.

Like many other new drivers, I started running over the road and learning how to use maps and the interstate, including state highways. This is where problems would arise, and I would have to solve the issues as they came up. We carried parts and tools with us as a standard. We all knew how to adjust brakes, change fuel and air filters, and fix lights. If we did not know how to do it, another driver would be there to assist. It was a common bond the old White Knights always had to make sure that people could get to their destination safely. They had the three musketeers’ attitude of one for all and all for one, never leaving anyone behind.

I got my Chauffeurs License in 1980, and then the license’s name changed to what is