Driver Bundle Training

This bundle includes:

Course 1 - Daily Trip Inspection Training: Daily trip inspection training in is designed to ensure commercial drivers comply with National Safety Code (NSC) Standards, which requires mandatory vehicle checks every 24 hours.

Core Training Content: Most Alberta-based courses cover the following key inspection areas:

o Documentation: Verifying registration and mandatory safety inspections (CVIP).

o Mechanical Systems: Checking tires, wheels, steering, suspension, and air brakes.

o Visibility & Lighting: Testing lights, reflectors, mirrors, and windshield wipers.

o Under the Hood: Inspecting fluid levels (oil, coolant, brake fluid) and belts.

o Walk-Around: Performing a 360-degree exterior check for body damage or loose parts.

o Defect Management: Identifying and distinguishing between major and minor defects.

Course 2- Provincial Hours of Service : Alberta's Provincial Hours of Service (HOS) rules for heavy vehicles (over 11,794 kg) or large buses (11+ seats) focus on preventing fatigue with limits like 13 hours driving/15 hours on-duty in a shift, requiring 8 consecutive hours off-duty to reset, and demanding logbooks; these apply if operating only within Alberta, with key limits including a 13-hour drive cap, 15-hour duty cap, and mandatory 8-hour rest before a new shift.

o Key Limits

A- Work Shift: Starts after 8+ hours off-duty.

B- Driving Time: Max 13 hours in a work shift.

C- On-Duty Time: Max 15 hours in a 24-hour period.

D- Mandatory Rest: At least 8 consecutive hours off-duty needed to end a shift and start a new one.

E- Short Breaks: Drivers can drive up to 4 hours, then must take a 10-minute break.

o Who It Applies To

A- Drivers of commercial vehicles registered at 11,794 kg or more operating only within Alberta.

B- Drivers of commercial vehicles with a seating capacity of 11 or more people, including the driver, operating only within Alberta.

o Key Requirements

A- Logbooks: Drivers must maintain daily records (logbooks).

B- Fatigue Management: Carriers must have fatigue management programs.

o When Federal Rules Apply: If a carrier operates even one vehicle across provincial or state lines, they fall under Federal HOS regulations, not just Alberta's.

o Exemptions: Rules don't apply to emergency vehicles or vehicles transporting primary farm, forest, or sea products, among others.

Course 3- Weights and Dimensions Cargo weights and dimensions involve legal limits for commercial transport (axle, gross vehicle weight) and shipping cost calculation methods like dimensional weight, where carriers charge based on space (L x W x H / Divisor), favoring dense goods. Key factors are actual weight vs. dimensional weight (whichever is higher for pricing) and specific regulations for different freight types (air, ocean, road), often requiring permits for oversize/overweight loads, especially in regions like Alberta.

A- For Shipping (Dimensional Weight)

o Purpose: To price lightweight, bulky items fairly, ensuring space isn't wasted.

o Calculation (Air/International): (Length x Width x Height in Inches) / 366 = Dimensional Weight (lbs) or (cm) / 6000 = (kg).

o Calculation (Domestic/Ground): (L x W x H in cm) / 6000 = (kg) or (in) / 166 = (lbs).

o Chargeable Weight: Carriers use the greater of the actual weight or the dimensional weight for pricing.

B- For Trucking (Legal Limits)

o Axle Weights: Limits vary by axle type (steering, single, tandem, tridem) and spread.

o Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW): Total maximum weight for the entire vehicle, increasing with more axles.

o Over dimensional/Overweight Permits: Required for loads exceeding standard limits; often involves special signs, lights, travel time restrictions (daylight only, no weekends/holidays), and designated routes.

C- Course Key Takeaways

o Actual vs. DIM Weight: Always check which weight (actual or dimensional) your carrier uses for billing.

o Regulations: Provincial/state laws dictate legal road limits; check local authorities for specifics.

o Efficient Packaging: Use smaller, denser boxes to minimize dimensional weight charges.

· Course 4- Cargo Securement: Cargo securement involves using restraints like straps, chains, chocks, and braces to immobilize freight on commercial vehicles, preventing shifting, rolling, or falling during transport to ensure safety for the cargo, driver, and public, following strict Canadian standards based on load weight and type, requiring specific devices and tie-down calculations. Key methods include blocking (chocks, bracing), lashing (tie-downs, chains), and locking (mechanical) to meet force resistance requirements.