CDL Driver Trainer / Driver Training SupervisorJob Overview
Youhas Trucking is seeking an experienced CDL-A professional to help lead our driver-development and safety training program in Danville, Illinois.
This position is designed primarily to train, supervise, coach, and evaluate CDL drivers — not to operate as a regular company driver.
Our goal is to provide newly licensed CDL-A drivers graduating from CDL schools and training academies with additional real-world, behind-the-wheel development before they are released to operate independently.
The Driver Trainer will ride with trainees on actual local and regional freight routes, providing hands-on instruction while the trainee performs the driving. The trainer may operate the truck when necessary for instruction, demonstration, safety, or operational needs, but the primary responsibility is to develop the driver behind the wheel.
The purpose of this program is simple: develop safe driving habits early, before unsafe habits have an opportunity to develop.
Primary Responsibilities
- Ride with newly licensed CDL-A drivers during their initial company training period
- Supervise trainees while they operate commercial motor vehicles on real local and regional routes
- Teach and reinforce Youhas Trucking safety and operating standards
- Train drivers on applicable FMCSA regulations and Hours-of-Service requirements
- Coach proper vehicle control, lane positioning, following distance, merging, interstate entry and exit procedures, and defensive driving
- Train backing, docking, coupling, uncoupling, pre-trip inspections, post-trip inspections, and equipment awareness
- Teach safe decision-making in traffic, customer facilities, parking areas, construction zones, and adverse conditions
- Reinforce proper use of mirrors, signals, space management, and maintaining an escape route
- Coach drivers on ELD usage, trip planning, communication, paperwork, and customer procedures
- Evaluate each trainee’s progress and identify areas requiring additional development
- Document training progress and communicate results with Safety, Dispatch, and Management
- Recommend when a trainee has demonstrated the skills and judgment necessary to operate independently
- Provide additional coaching when a trainee needs more time before independent operation
Current Driver Safety Coaching
This position will also support Youhas Trucking’s ongoing safety program.
When an existing driver demonstrates a pattern of safety concerns, driving deficiencies, preventable incidents, or other areas requiring improvement, the Driver Trainer may conduct a ride-along evaluation and coaching session with that driver.
The objective is corrective development — identifying the issue, coaching proper technique, and helping the driver improve before the behavior results in an accident or more serious safety problem.
Training Philosophy
We believe earning a CDL is the beginning of a professional driver’s education — not the end of it.
CDL schools teach the foundation necessary to earn a commercial driver’s license. Our training program is intended to provide the next stage: supervised experience operating commercial equipment in real-world freight operations.
We want drivers to learn proper techniques from the beginning rather than having to correct unsafe habits later.
Our objective is to put safer, better-prepared professional drivers on the road.
Position Structure
This is a hands-on driver training and safety position.
Most of the trainer’s time during active training periods will be spent riding with CDL trainees or drivers requiring additional coaching.
Training schedules and weekly hours may vary depending on the number of active trainees and driver-development needs.
The trainer is not expected to function as a regular route driver. Driving by the instructor will generally be limited to situations involving:
- Demonstration of proper driving techniques
- Safety intervention
- Equipment positioning
- Operational necessity
- Training situations where hands-on demonstration is beneficial
Qualifications
- Valid Class A CDL
- Strong commercial driving experience
- Safe and professional driving history
- Thorough understanding of FMCSA regulations
- Strong knowledge of Hours-of-Service requirements
- Ability to safely operate tractor-trailer equipment
- Strong defensive-driving and safety-management skills
- Patience and ability to work with inexperienced CDL drivers
- Ability to clearly explain and demonstrate commercial driving techniques
- Ability to evaluate driver performance objectively
- Strong communication and documentation skills
- Comfortable providing constructive correction when unsafe behavior is observed
Previous experience as a CDL trainer, driver trainer, driver supervisor, safety professional, CDL instructor, road-test evaluator, or transportation manager is preferred but not required for the right experienced CDL professional.
Company Training
The selected candidate will be trained on Youhas Trucking’s specific operating standards, safety expectations, training procedures, documentation requirements, and driver-development philosophy before independently supervising trainees.
We are looking for someone who wants to do more than drive a truck.
We are looking for someone who wants to develop professional drivers and help make our fleet and roads safer.
Pay: $29.00 - $39.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
