The move in a trailer to and from the dock is a vital link that must be done safely by skilled and qualified employees. These drivers — known as yard drivers, jockeys, hostlers or yard goats — require specialized training. This program provides instruction for moving trailers safely and efficiently in the yard and on the road, including coupling and uncoupling, vehicle inspections, backing and docking, and more.
How Our Program Works
Online Courses
Ensure that your yard drivers have a strong understanding of the safety practices, vehicle operations and regulations that apply to them.
Classroom Instruction
Featuring interactive discussions, this phase of the program reviews the content of the online courses to ensure drivers have a solid understanding of key training topics.
Range Experience
Lets your yard drivers apply their training in a safe, closed-course environment.
Why Our Program is So Effective
We employ a team of experienced instructors who are skilled at training in yard trucks. You'll be assigned a trainer who we've certified as highly qualified in training on the specific type of vehicles your staff will train on. These instructors combine our proprietary program methods with advanced adult learning techniques to maximize retention. And all of this is tailored for the unique needs of your company.
Assessing Your Needs
We’ll work with you to develop the most effective yard driver training program by evaluating your:
- Driver performance data
- Most common/serious crashes
- Driver segments with the most crashes
- Average cost per crash
- Driver turnover rate
- Vehicle types
Improve Yard Driver Safety & Efficiency
Discover how J. J. Keller’s Safe & Smart Yard Jockey Driver Training provides practical instruction for moving trailers safely and efficiently in the yard and on the road, including coupling and uncoupling, vehicle inspections, backing and docking, and more.
Learn how the Safe & Smart® Yard Driver Trainer Certification Program gives your trainers the knowledge, skills and experience to deliver the practical, hands-on training your drivers need to operate safely and efficiently while moving your company’s trailers in the yard and on the road.
Resources
Critical Questions to Address if You Use Yard Jockeys
Nearly all freight moves on trucks at some point. Most likely, a yard driver, also known as a yard jockey, hostler or switcher, helped get the goods to the destination. The short move in a trailer to and from the dock is a vital link that must be done safely by skilled and qualified employees.
Defensive Driving — Not a One and Done
Defensive driving skills that should be covered regularly include seeing and being seen, visual scanning, speed and space management, merging, and navigating intersections. Plan to cover each of these topics at least once a year, or more often if you notice a need for refresher or corrective-action training.
Five Key Elements of a Yard Driver Training Program
Skilled yard drivers, yard jockeys, spotters, or whatever the job title is at your company are crucial to yard safety and efficiency. It is imperative to train CDL-holding and non-CDL yard drivers, reduce potential liability and avoid accidents, injuries, or worst-case, a fatality, even if they never leave your yard.
3 Tips for Providing Driver Training to a Diverse Group of Learners
Trucking is a diverse industry. It employs individuals of various ages, backgrounds, and experiences. This diversity adds value to an organization, but it can also present challenges for even the most experienced driver trainer. What may work in an instructional setting for one individual may not work for another.
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