The idea behind trip planning is to design the most effective, efficient, safe, and legal route between two points.
A well thought out trip plan can mean a savings of time and money for you and your motor carrier. A good plan can also mean a safe trip for you and the cargo you are hauling. If you have a solid plan before hitting the road, you are better able to devote all of your attention to driving.
The five basic steps of trip planning include:
- Making sure paperwork is up to date. Have proper freight documentation, current hours-of-service records if you are required to carry them, and proper permits and licenses;
- Selecting the route. Remember, many variables are involved including vehicle restrictions, cargo restrictions, traffic conditions, weather, and your safety;
- Estimating time and planning for stops. Plan to meet the scheduled deadlines, but consider driver and vehicle factors as well as weather and road conditions;
- Estimating fuel use and making sure you have enough fuel to complete the trip or plan ahead and determine when and where you will fuel the vehicle; and
- Estimating trip expenses, such as tolls, and have the means to cover them. Understand the length of the trip, what conditions to expect on the road, and plan for the unexpected.
This training is designed to teach inexperienced CDL Class A drivers the five basic steps of trip planning.
After completing this course, learners will be able to:
- Describe the paperwork required for you (the driver), your cargo, and your vehicle
- Discuss considerations when selecting your route, along with how to read a map and use a global positioning system (GPS)
- List vehicle and cargo restrictions
- Describe things you should consider when estimating your trip time
- List conditions that can affect fuel usage
The J. J. Keller Safe and Smart CDL Class A Driver Training for Inexperienced Drivers: Trip Planning program covers the following topics:
Trip Planning Basics
- Paperwork
- Route Selection
- Reading Maps
- Online Resources
- Global Positioning System (GPS)
- Vehicle and Cargo Restrictions
- Estimating Time
- Estimating Fuel Usage
- Selecting Fuel-Efficient Routes
- Estimating Trip Expenses
Intended Audience: Inexperienced CDL Class A Drivers
Copyright: 2021
Online Course Length: 20 minutes
Product Code: 62405
