Four ways driving simulators improve new truck driver onboarding

While recruiting ends when you hire a new employee, the work of retention has just begun. Truck driver onboarding is an influential step in that process - you want them to feel welcomed and equipped when they enter your company for the first time.

The ultimate way to make your new drivers feel confident and prepared is by using a truck driving simulator. Keep reading to learn the difference they can make.

Four vital ways truck driving simulators improve onboarding

Discover how a truck driving simulator improves the truck driver onboarding process.

1. It demonstrates the importance of safety to your company

An essential part of onboarding new drivers is ensuring they understand that your company sees them as people, not numbers. The best way to do that is to show them that safety is your number one priority. You can do this by introducing a high-level training program and tools during their onboarding. 

Using a driving simulator shows your dedication to the safety of your new drivers. They’ll understand they can practice in a safe environment instead of on the road, where injuries occur. 

Seeing how seriously you take training and driver safety reinforces new drivers' decision to join your company. 

2. It allows new and existing employees to work together

Using a driver simulator during truck driver onboarding allows new employees to get closer to other employees - including other new workers and the trainers. A simulator training program takes time and involves a lot of communication between trainers and trainees. 

3. It builds driver confidence

Confidence is crucial as a truck driver. Hiring truck drivers can be difficult because many people worry about not having what it takes. Using a simulator during onboarding can make all the difference. 

A driving simulator lets users experience real-life scenarios in a controlled environment. The steering wheel provides real-time tactile feedback, letting users feel what it’s like to be behind the wheel of a large vehicle. 

Trainer feedback

If you’re using a Driver Training Solutions driving simulator, new drivers can get direct and specific feedback from the trainer. Every Driver Training Solutions simulator is equipped with trainer tools, including a replay feature.

This feature allows instructors to go back in a driver’s scenario and go to a specific point where the new driver did something wrong (or right). They explain what went wrong and what they should have done, which the driver can try when they redo the scenario. 

The instructor tools also allow instructors to build driver reports, providing records of their progress. This helps keep training consistent when there’s more than one trainer. 

Numerous scenarios

While being prepared for every situation is impossible, Driver Training Solutions simulator training gets close. We offer a variety of adjustable factors, including:

• Time
• Weather
• Road type
• Lighting

You can also create scenarios where the new driver must deal with vehicle malfunctions. 

These factors can create numerous scenarios a driver may face while on the road. Not only does that show new drivers what it’s like to be behind the wheel, but it gives them the confidence and experience to know how to deal with these situations on the road. 

4. It keeps new drivers engaged

The truck driver onboarding process is overwhelming; attendees may zone out while taking in all the new information. A simulator circumvents this problem by making them active participants in the process.

A simulator uses engaged learning based on hands-on experience, putting them in the driver’s seat and keeping their attention. It’s much harder for your attention to drift in this situation.

Create an engaging onboarding experience

Onboarding is an opportunity to ensure that your employees feel confident in themselves and their choice to join your company. Truck driver onboarding gives new employees a taste of what working for you will be like, and you want to make it as perfect as possible.

You do this by using a driving simulator as a primary onboarding tool. Driver Training Solutions provides all the tools you need within a single simulator to ensure a good onboarding experience for you and your new employees.