Steering Success: Inside Morrows' Driver Onboarding Program
The Road to Readiness
When getting new drivers behind the wheel, Morrows takes no shortcuts in its thorough onboarding process. Work Health and Safety Manager Mark Yates explains that "the journey from interview to independent driving typically spans two to three weeks", ensuring every driver is fully prepared for the road ahead.
Ten Steps to the Driver's Seat
Each truck driver applicant undergoes the same process to ensure safety, skills, and performance are at the highest standard. The detailed ten-step pathway involves:- Initial phone screening.
- Face-to-face interview.
- Hazards assessment including VicRoads driver's licence and practical driving test with a registered trainer.
- Employment medical examination.
- Contract issuance.
- Comprehensive onboarding covering safe operations and driver manual.
- Safety induction including introduction to dangerous goods handling.
- Buddy system pairing with an experienced driver trainer.
- Scoring and assessment of performance over a week.
- Final approval for independent driving.
Licensed and Leading
Professional licensing is a non-negotiable foundation at Morrows. Before entering the onboarding program, each candidate must possess a heavy or heavy combination licence. These qualifications ensure every driver in the fleet has the fundamental skills needed for handling large commercial vehicles. Mark emphasises that their assessment process aligns with the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and five regulations. All skills checks are tiered according to specific vehicle and cargo requirements.
Safety in the Driver's Seat
New drivers undergo comprehensive safety training, including dangerous goods handling, Basic Fatigue Management (BFM), and chain of responsibility awareness. The buddy system is particularly crucial, as trainees work alongside experienced driver trainers who score their performance across various systems and processes.
Prepared for Every Turn
Safety incidents require swift, precise responses, which is why Morrows places significant emphasis on emergency preparedness. The Transport Emergency Response Plan (TERP) is thoroughly covered during onboarding and detailed in each driver's manual. But theory isn't enough – Mark explains that new drivers physically walk through emergency scenarios during the buddy period. "They enact that procedure," he says, ensuring drivers know how to respond to chemical spills, vehicle incidents, or cargo hazards. This hands-on practice, combined with detailed documentation, ensures every driver is confident and capable of managing emergencies.
Keeping Track of the Fleet
To maintain compliance, Morrows employs a sophisticated software tracking system. "Our in-house compliance management system, allows us to keep track and ensure certificates, licences, and accreditations remain current, " says Mark. The structured approach exemplifies Morrows' commitment to safety and professionalism in driver training.
With safety at its core and excellence as its goal, Morrows continues to raise the bar in professional driver training. Their comprehensive program not only creates skilled drivers but builds confident transport professionals who are ready to lead the industry forward.