For fleet managers, training drivers in safe, fuel-efficient driving techniques can help control costs, maintain compliance, and prevent accidents that can lead to bigger problems. Developing a comprehensive driver coaching program is the best way to do that.
In this article, we discuss how to develop, administer, and evaluate a driver coaching program so your fleet activities run as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
How To Build A Driver Coaching Program
Define Your Goals
For driver coaching to be effective, you’ll want to focus on the information and skills that have the most impact on your bottom line. In other words, the unique needs of your business.
Common goals for fleet-based businesses include preventing accidents, controlling fuel use, and reducing wear and tear on vehicles.
But what if no specific issue comes to mind right away? Instead of spinning your wheels, dig into your fleet data and identify the major cost centers that strain your budget.
For example, after analyzing fleet activities, you may conclude that identifying small problems on your vehicles before they become large (and more expensive) problems is the best way to begin cutting costs.
In that case, you would set a goal to create and train your drivers to use pre- and post-trip inspections to find those issues right away.
Whatever goal or goals you choose, do your best to focus on one at a time when building your training program. Some goals require your drivers to exhibit different skills behind the wheel, and you don’t want to overwhelm them with too much information all at once.
Identify Your Key Performance Indicators
Once you’ve defined your goals about the specific aspect of your fleet that needs improving, you can identify the key performance indicators (KPIs) you’ll use to evaluate whether you’re making progress or not.
Common KPIs for fleet-based businesses include:
- Speeding
- Distracted or aggressive driving
- Excessive idling
- Fatigue
- ELD violations
- Fuel usage
- Total cost of ownership (TCO)
- Vehicle cost per mile (VCPM)
Narrow down your KPIs to one or two. This will put you in a better position to change small behaviors in the way your drivers work. These small behaviors, in turn, can affect the larger aspects of fleet operation and move your business closer to achieving its goals.
Gather Data
After defining your goals and identifying your key performance indicators, gather as much data as you can about that specific aspect of your fleet.
For most fleets, this data will come from components in their tech stack, including telematics software, fleet management software, and smart fuel card software
If your tech stack doesn’t include these types of software, consider the following stats:
- 55% of fleets reported reduced fuel costs after using telematics software.
- 42% reported considerably fewer safety incidents since using fleet tracking software to monitor driver behavior.
With data from your tech stack, you’ll be in a better position to design a driver coaching program that has very real — and very positive — effects on all fleet activities.
Choose Coaching Methods
Not every coaching method will be conducive to the goals you’ve set and the KPIs you’re working around, so give some thought to the one(s) that will work best for your drivers and your fleet.
These could include methods like group training, one-on-one coaching, in-cab/telematics-based coaching, positive reinforcement, constructive feedback, role-playing, and active listening. In some cases, you may choose to combine two strategies to boost success.
For example, you can integrate group training and positive reinforcement into a rewards-based program that motivates your driver core to improve. Or you can integrate one-on-one training and constructive feedback to really focus on the specific needs of each driver.
Monitor Driver Behavior On The Road
Once initial driver coaching is complete, there’s still work to do. Monitor driver activity on the road, and use the KPIs you identified at the start of the process as benchmarks to see whether what you’ve taught your drivers has any effect.
For example, telematics data may show that drivers are accelerating and braking more slowly. As a result, you may notice a reduction in fuel use throughout your fleet. In that case, your efforts to reduce costs through fuel-efficient driving techniques have been successful.
Continue to monitor drivers on the road and retrain them if their behaviors start to change or you notice a rise in fuel use due to heavy acceleration and braking.
Driver Coaching Challenges And How To Overcome Them
Insufficient Data
A major challenge when setting up a driver coaching program is a surprising lack of data.
If you find certain kinds of information missing from your business, implement tools from the tech stack to fill the gaps. The three most fundamental tools of the trade are fleet management software, telematics, and smart fuel card technology. Here’s what each of these offers:
- Fleet management software: Whether it’s individual vehicle data, driver performance, or overall fuel efficiency, fleet management software puts comprehensive fleet data at your fingertips.
- Telematics: Capture crucial vehicle data (like miles driven and engine performance) that helps you track trends and stay ahead of maintenance issues.
- Smart fuel card: Ensure correct odometer data, which then informs fuel economy stats.
With these components in place, you’ll have access to much more of the data necessary to improve the way your fleet runs.
Resistance To Change
Resistance to change is a common problem when it comes to putting together a successful driver coaching program. Many drivers are set in their ways and reluctant to switch old habits for something new — even if those new habits will be better for them and the business.
To combat this, emphasize the benefits that your drivers will see and experience. Focus on how your training will improve the way they work, including things like stress, job complexity, job satisfaction, and safety.
Even if one driver isn’t concerned with the complexity of their job (for example), if you show them a variety of other benefits, something will likely motivate them to make the changes you’re asking of them.
Time Constraints
Another major challenge of setting up a driver coaching program is time. Everyone in your business is already busy, so you’re likely going to have to take time away from other tasks in order to make room for the training.
Prioritizing coaching in that way has the benefit of showing your employees that these classes are important. Seeing that you’re willing to take time away from money-making activities can prove to your team that you’re serious about change and motivate them to participate.
As you set up your class structure and think about the time constraints, be sure to allocate sufficient time to the training so you don’t have to rush.
Lack Of Resources
Lack of resources may be a very real issue for those trying to create and run a driver coaching program. As a fleet manager, you’re likely focused on the resources that help your business run — not the resources that make for a good teaching environment.
Don’t let that deter you from trying. Consider partnering with an external training organization or hiring a consultant to move the process forward. Doing so has the added benefit of giving you more time to keep your attention on the day-to-day operations of your fleet.
Train Drivers To Save Fuel With Coast
Driver coaching is an effective way to train drivers to conserve fuel throughout your fleet. But you need data. With the Coast smart fuel card and software platform, you can dig deep into fuel use numbers and find where your weaknesses are and what training your drivers need.
Erin Hutson, owner of Saint Louis-based JED Transportation, used Coast’s comprehensive reporting features to gain unparalleled transparency and insights into the business’s fuel expenses.
That meant she could track and analyze spending patterns, identify areas for optimization, and make data-driven decisions quickly and easily.
“After switching to Coast,” Erin says, “our level of confidence really went up because there are real-time controls that we have in place.”
By incorporating these features into all of their daily operations, JED Transportation can not only create or maintain an effective driver coaching program, but they can also aim to minimize expenses and find new ways to conserve fuel throughout their fleet.
To learn more about how Coast can help your fleet-based business, visit CoastPay.com today.
