2020 Fall Farm Outlook

2020 Logan County Farm Outlook LINCOLN DAILY NEWS October 28, 2020 PAGE 25 So, why are we experiencing a shortage of drivers? According to an article published by Diesel Driving School (truck-school.com ) the top reason for the reduction is drivers are aging out and young people are not getting behind the wheel to make driving a career. This is one of the downsides of higher education. While we are producing more highly educated individuals, we are decreasing the supply of skilled workers, those who are the physical backbone of our economy. Heartland Community College offers a truck driver training class for those seeking a CDL or Commercial Driver’s License. Coughlin noted that the average age of the class graduate is 40 years old, supporting the theory that young people are not pursuing a career in driving. Coughlin spent some time recently explaining the program. Now five years strong at HCC, the truck driver school graduates an average of 40 students per year. The next class to be offered at the Lincoln campus will take place in January. Coughlin explained the process for prospective students. “The Truck Driver Training Program runs approximately four weeks for the daytime class and eight weeks for the evening class. To get behind the wheel as a CDL student driver, an individual must pass the permit test at the Department of Motor Vehicles, as well as have a certified copy of their birth certificate, and current driver’s license. In addition, drivers must “pass” the Department of Transportation (DOT) physical and drug screen, and have a DOT medical card issued by a nationally-certified medical examiner. “We are in the classroom for a full week, which equals 40 hours during which we cover Illinois Secretary of State and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) safety rules and requirements. Successful completion of the classroom portion results in earning a CDL Class A driver’s permit and a grade of at least 80% on activities, quizzes and final exam. And, of course, coronavirus is having an impact on this type of education, just as it is other types. Coughlin explained the covid approach to ‘in the truck’ training for students. “In accordance with Heartland Community College’s Standard of Care in response to Covid-19, our current behind-the-wheel training offers up to 64 hours behind the wheel for an individual sharing the cab with another student, since we can have up to two students in our cab with an instructor. Behind- the-wheel sessions last four hours per day, so students learn by both driving and observing.” Once graduated, students have the potential to acquire a Class A commercial driver’s license. This will enable drivers to operate vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more. They also can drive standard Class B, C, and D vehicles. What this does for the student and for the farm is enable the driver to do more than haul grain from the field to the elevator. According to Truck Freighter (truckfreighter.com) there are occasions when a vehicle on the farm may be driven without a CDL. “Many farmers and their families are not knowledgeable of the fact if they need a commercial driver’s license to drive a farm semi-truck. Most of them will rejoice the information that they don’t need a CDL to drive a farm semi-truck. CONTINUE X