What Is The Point Of A DSE??

Hey all, new here.

Starting with Roehl, phase two, that's heading out with a driver trainer for 19 days. Now, I'm told at the end of this experience, I will do yet again, another road test or whatever, called the DSE. Seems a bit offensive, doesn't it?

Go out on the road, all over the place, in all weather and terrain conditions while driving, backing, loading, unloading, and at the end they look at you and say... ok... but can you drive the thing? I might have to clock someone in the throat!

Tell me one thing they can learn from a test like that which they can't learn in the last 2.5 weeks? I mean, was all that time all for not? Should I have just done the CDL test twice for giggles so I can actually get out there and make it happen? Doesn't sound to me that they even care about that 19 days whatsoever.

Someone please give me some clarity on this.

I don't know what the initials "DSE" stand for, but a company can ask you to go for a checkout ride at any time.

Be proud, not put-upon, to show your stuff once more before you head out solo, driving $200,000 worth of Roehl's best equipment.

Oh, and welcome to Trucking Truth! Congrats on getting to the point where you can start making real trucker money for both you and Roehl. Come on in and ask your rookie questions. We'll have honest & straight answers for you.

Relax Dude!

You are a total greenhorn. You won't know hardly anything after 19 days. This is just a way to double check you from a safety standpoint. One more set of eyes to make sure you can be trusted to be safe out there.

Driving a big rig is a huge responsibility. You need to chill out and be thankful Roehl is trying to make sure you understand that. Because at this point, your attitude is in serious need of an adjustment.

I have years of experience, but no matter wher I go for a job, I will be subjected to a driving test. That is standard procedure.

It is standard practice across the board to give another check ride after finishing training. There are several reasons for it.

1) to make sure you are competent and are not going to kill anybody or destroy property.

2) To monitor the progress you made from initial test drive.

Becoming indignant about it, will only earn you a trip to the unemployment line. The company I drive for you do a check ride at orientation. Another one after training. Another one after 3 months solo and than another one EVERY year. The only way not to get an annual check ride is 5 YEARS of accident / incident FREE driving. Oh, when I became a trainer I had to redo my skills testing AND check ride! It is just part of the industry. Get used to it.

Drive Safe and God Speed.

Keep something in mind; the Test (DSE) is also an evaluation of your trainer.

The 2.5 weeks? That was for you more than it was for Roehl.

Attitude...you might want to make some adjustments. If a little test causes this level of angst, you ain't seen nothin'.

Chill.

So you think you learned everything you need to know in the previous 19 days? Get back to us after your first month solo. You don't know jack, yet.

My students usually come from a three week academy. They then complete at least 200 behind the wheel hours and at least 40 backings. This takes a bit longer than 19 days.

Before they can go solo they take a written test, a road test, and a backing test. Oh and throughout the 200 hours I have to complete evals on them.

My students stay on the truck for 30,000 team miles which equates to 6 weeks or more. 19 days is nothing.

what is offensive is that you think you can do.the job of exoerienced drivers and need no more evaluation. Every day out here forever unyil the end of time is a learning experience.

DSE = Driver Safety Evaluation

not "whatever". You dont even know the terminology yet, and you want to be left alone to go solo without making sure you are safe?

19 days is nothing it will fly by before you know it you'll be on your own in charge of a 200k dollar 80k pound rolling lawsuit. Of course they are going to want to make sure you are safe. And trust me I trained with 2 different companies last year for a total of 50 days and it still didn't seem enough.

Thanks for the responses!

I guess my worry came off the wrong way. I often wonder logically where companies come up with the things that they do, which starts off innocently enough with curiosity, but when I don't get answers or get some kind of run around, I can start arguing.

I've been through so much garbage with jobs in the past, my last job hasn't even paid me (or anyone) and they are in massive trouble with the US Dept of Labor.

The job before that was bought out by a tyrant who bought stores state wide with the intent to start fresh. Everyone state wide was either fired or forced to quit, and even if they quit, the company still told everyone they were fired. Funny thing was, I didn't like him the second I met him. My gut was so against him that I began to shake. He won everyone over by showing them big numbers, which they drooled over, not me, I know there's more important things than dollar signs. My hours were cut from 40 to 10.

I could go on, but the fact is, me being cautious is learned behavior. If I smell something strange, I want answers, and guys, you gave them to me, so I am chilled out!