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How do operators train new drivers on the vacuum truck?

Deb K.asked 1 viewRental OperatorsVacuum truckService visitPsaiDriver trainingAda unit

I've been driving a vacuum truck for nine years, but I still remember my first week. The training started with a classroom session on the truck's vacuum pump, hoses and the holding tank. Then I rode with a senior driver for three days, watching how they handled a standard unit and an ADA-compliant unit. The real test was the first solo run: 40 stops, from construction sites on level ground to a festival on grass where the truck had to park 30 feet away. They drilled into us the importance of checking for blockages and not overfilling the tank. How do other operators structure their training? Do you use a set number of shadowing days, and how do you handle teaching drivers to service a restroom trailer with its fresh water tank and gray water system?

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Ray M.Dallas, TX

We start with a day in the yard learning the vacuum truck systems: the pump, the holding tank capacity, and the hose reel. Then it's two full days riding with an experienced driver. The first solo run is a short route with easier stops, like construction sites on level ground.

For a restroom trailer, training is separate. The driver learns to connect to the trailer's waste outlet, pump the gray water tank, and refill the fresh water tank. We emphasize checking for clogs in the trailer's plumbing and ensuring the unit is level after service. The main risk is overfilling the truck's tank, so we teach drivers to watch the sight glass and know the weight limit.

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