Tight deadlines, high production rates, heightened demands… truck drivers face ever more demanding conditions. Better training means reducing risks and preserving their safety, as well as that of other road users. This is where training comes into its own: it anchors the fundamentals of truck driving and consolidates these skills throughout a driver’s career.
Understanding the challenges of truck safety
In 2024, 706 people lost their lives in an accident involving a commercial vehicle or heavy goods vehicle, according to the final figures from the ONISR. Of these, 556 were not in the vehicle, underlining the major impact of these collisions on other road users.
In this context, the training of professional drivers cannot be limited solely to technical mastery of the vehicle: it must incorporate a genuine culture of prevention and anticipation of danger, in the interests of the safety of all road users.
This is why the training of heavy goods vehicle drivers is governed by a demanding European and French regulatory framework to ensure a high level of safety across the entire road network and enable drivers to adapt to changes in their profession.
Mandatory training
Compulsory Minimum Initial Training (CMIT)
This training is necessary for anyone wishing to work in road haulage or passenger transport with a C or D license. Lasting 140 hours, it covers vehicle knowledge, safety rules and occupational risk prevention.
It can be taken at an accredited training center, or as part of a vocational qualification, such as road driver, which is longer and more comprehensive (up to 434 hours), and is often taken on a sandwich course.
Mandatory Periodic Training (MPT)
Lasting 35 hours, this training period enables employees to update their skills, adapt to new regulations (social, technical, environmental) and reinforce their preventive posture. It is also an opportunity to address new risks, such as the use of on-board digital tools, or work-related fatigue.
In addition to the compulsory hours of training, these courses aim to change driving behavior, better anticipate unforeseen events and adopt a more responsible driving style.
Training differently with driving simulators
While regulatory training lays the foundations for the profession of heavy goods vehicle driver, it does not always expose learners to the diversity of real-life situations or enable them to permanently correct certain automatic responses. Simulators are an essential tool for learning without putting anyone at risk, correcting reflexes and dealing with the unexpected without any real consequences.
Thanks to the simulator, drivers can practise technical manoeuvres such as tight turns, emergency braking and docking in a variety of contexts. Instructors can trigger unexpected events (pedestrians crossing the road, priority vehicles, invisible obstacles, etc.) and assess drivers’ reactions without exposing them to real danger. The replay function allows these situations to be replayed and techniques to be perfected, the driver’s gaze and therefore their attention to be analysed, and a comprehensive assessment to be provided at the end of each driving session.
This is precisely the objective of Truck Evolution, the simulator developed by Develter Innovation. Designed specifically for industrial vehicles, it provides a realistic immersion in a variety of environments (urban, motorway, mountain, etc.) and can be adapted to different types of lorries. With its accurate analysis feedback and customisable scenarios, Truck Evolution effectively complements CMIT and MPT training, enhancing drivers’ ability to anticipate, manage stress and make decisions.