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Taylor Truck Training prepares local drivers for life on the road

June 28, 2019   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

Taylor Truck Training opened their new location on Stewart Court in Orangeville with a ribbon cutting and open house on Saturday, June 22.

The company was formerly located at Mono Plaza but made the move to the Orangeville location due to an increase in traffic volume on Highway 10, that made training difficult.

Training drivers in all aspects of handling a big rig, the centre teaches pre-trip and post-trip inspection, load securement, professional driver improvement, knowledge of the Highway Traffic Act, and how to actually drive a big rig safely. 

“It just got too busy out on Highway 10,” explained school owner Merv Taylor. “We are a private career college. In 2017 the government implemented a program called the MELT (Minimal Education and Learning Training) program. Anyone going for their Class A license must take it. You have to take a certain amount of training before you can even apply to go for your Class A tractor trailer license.”

The course requires two weeks of in-class training followed by three weeks of in-cab training.

“You learn all the fundamentals. You learn what is called a pre-trip. You check everything out and learn everything about the truck,” Mr. Taylor explained. “After that time is done we go to the drive test centre and the student takes their final road test.” 

Every student receives a manual when they enter the Taylor Training classroom. The manual has 780 pages loaded with information about driving a big rig.

“We go through that manual every day,” Mr. Taylor said. “We’re talking about how to turn corners properly, how to make sure your truck is loaded properly, how to check your truck out – everything that has to be done to get you out on the road.”

Mr. Taylor himself was a long haul truck driver for over 30 years.

The entire course takes five weeks. It’s 116 hours of total instruction.

Mr. Taylor stressed that if they don’t think a driver is ready, they will add additional time to ensure a person is properly trained.

“We’re not just going to take you to get a license because your time’s up.  You may feel  qualified but if I don’t think you’re qualified and my instructor doesn’t think you’re  qualified we’re going to tell you ‘no.’ There’s no sense going if you’re not ready. I don’t’ want to put you out on the read unless I know you’re ready to be out there and my instructor is the same way.”

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