CASTLEGAR, B.C. — Mountain Transport Institute (MTI) has introduced a new program to train professional drivers to drive trucks with automated transmissions.

The MTI Automated Transmission Specialty program provides a shorter path to a career as professional driver, by eliminating the time spent learning to shift the complex non-synchronized transmission of a transport truck and allows students to master driving a tractor trailer much more quickly.

The Automated Transmission Specialty course packs all of MTIs industry recognized training into a mere four weeks.

The majority of our trucks are equipped with automatic transmissions and we will continue to move in that direction going forward, as many large fleets are doing said Jim Mickey, co-president of Coastal Pacific Xpress based in Cloverdale, B.C. We are always looking for good, motivated drivers and this new program makes it much more affordable for someone looking to get started. Automated transmissions are the way of the future.

The Automated Transmission Specialty program provides MTIs industry-leading training in all aspects of professional truck driving except for training on manual transmissions. The course includes: a 20-hour air brake course; 14 hours of pre-trip training; 10 hours of slide 5th wheel/trailer axles/chain up; five hours for log book; 47.5 hours minimum driving in the yard/on the road; 40 hours of observation time; and driving time includes a minimum of eight hours night driving.

The Automated Transmission Specialty program allows graduates to be working four weeks sooner than our regular course, stated Andy Roberts, president of MTI. They are restricted to driving automatics, but more and more fleets are using those transmissions so its a real opportunity for those who cant attend the full course. Once they have sufficient driving experience on automatics, there is a non-synchronized transmission upgrade course available to gain an unrestricted licence.