Whether you are a fleet manager or someone looking to advance in their career, it’s important be on top of the latest safety and compliance standards in this industry to ensure success for your fleet and drivers.
The good news is that more and more of this type of continuing education and training is available online (sometimes for free) in the form of online courses and certification programs.
When it comes to DOT compliance and general best practices, staying informed and prepared is something obviously beneficial, and thanks to online courses and programs it’s also more convenient than ever.
Many of these programs also fall into the category of certification courses like those administered by NAFA (National Association of Fleet Administrators), which are critical for career advancement and landing job offers.
All in all, here are five trucking and fleet management online training courses to consider:
1. NAFA Online Learning and Certification Courses
NAFA, the leading and the largest non-profit organization for fleet managers, provides its members various online training and certification opportunities. NAFA offers two comprehensive certification programs: the Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM) and the Certified Automotive Fleet Specialist (CAFS) that includes both curriculum and exams. The entire journey to certification consists of the following resources for members:
- How to Get Started (including enrollment in NAFA)
- Study Materials
- Testing
- Online Learning
- Recertification
Each certification course has a unique curriculum designed for individuals who have different career goals, and the company also offers accreditations as well.
Certified Automotive Fleet Specialist (CAFS)
The CAFS is a starting point for individuals looking for basic certification in fleet management. The curriculum consists of eight separate modules essential for fleet management. For CAFS certification, an individual must complete four (4) of the following eight disciplines:
- Business Management
- Maintenance Management
- Risk Management
- Professional Development
- Asset Management
- Financial Management
- Information Management
- Vehicle Fuel Management
The CAFS certification is ideal for junior positions like Fleet Analyst or Shop Foreman, or for aspiring fleet managers who would like to understand the operational side of the business. You must complete all four modules to receive official certification. Both the CAFM and CAFS are highly respected fleet management certifications.
Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM)
A CAFM certification is recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor, and is the most comprehensive fleet management certification offered. This is obviously ideal for fleet managers or entrepreneurs needing a broad understanding of fleet management and individuals must complete all 8 of the disciplines listed above.
This organization also offers on-demand boot camp sessions for anyone enrolled in one of the certification programs.
Offers Certification Program: Yes
2. OSHA Online Fleet Safety Training
The OSHA Academy offers a fleet management certification course for fleet managers and supervisors alike. OSHA’s program is entirely focused on safety and security, so it’s a good supplemental training resource in addition to NAFA or other trainings.
A few key topics discussed in the program include: the costs of vehicle accidents, how to conduct proper vehicle inspections, driver qualification standards, the proper transportation of people and equipment, and more.
The program consists of seven modules, including:
- The Big Picture
- Duties and Responsibilities
- Operator Responsibilities
- Driver Selection Process
- Driver Training and Evaluation
- Accident Investigations
- Vehicle Selection and Maintenance
Fortunately, all the training material in the OSHA Online Fleet Safety Training program is absolutely free, including quizzes, exams, study guides, and other resource material. However, if you want to get officially certified for the course, you must pay a nominal fee for the final exam and certification.
The fee ranges from $20.99 to $32.99, depending on which certificate option you wish to pursue.
Offers Certification Program: Yes
3. Grainger DOT Online Training
Grainger and AdvancedOnline Solutions teamed up to provide online DOT safety programs. Grainger offers various courses on compliance and safety training, as well as HAZMAT transportation courses.
These courses are generally geared towards the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program administered by the FMCSA, the DOT agency responsible for preventing crashes and injuries related to commercial motor vehicles (CMVs).
AdvancedOnline’s learning systems manage all of these DOT training courses. Their four main courses include:
- CSA Drivers Courses
- CSA Manager Courses
- Transportation Courses
- DOT Hazmat Courses
Along with the four courses listed above, you can also find specialized courses in management systems training, specialized online training, compliance monitoring, and more. Everything from courses related to cargo securement to Hours of Service regulations can be found on the site as well.
OSHA Training Courses
You can also find a variety of OSHA Construction Safety online courses as well, so it really depends on what type of training you are looking for.
Grainger has a large range of payment options and pricing. Pricing can be as little as $45 and be as high as a few thousand dollars, depending on the number of people getting certified and the type of training you need.
There are a lot of training modules offered by Grainger, so there is likely one that pertains to your specific set of needs and certification aspirations. They do offer a free 14-day trial if you do not want to immediately purchase one of their training programs.
Offers Certification Program: No
4. DOT Compliance
DOT Compliance offers a wide variety of trainings both online and in-person including hours of service, auditing, annual inspections, and more. Likewise, they have a plethora of online webinar training available throughout the year that you can easily sign up to attend that are relatively inexpensive.
In addition to online training, DOT Compliance offers 4-day in person compliance certification conferences in cities throughout the United States. They also offer in-person training at your location if this option works better.
DOT training is a great idea trucking companies, fleet managers, and drivers alike especially for organizations that must adhere to transportation regulations. Anyone with a direct association with company transportation vehicles should understand the DOT’s safety standards to remain compliant.
While there is a nominal fee for both the online and on-site training programs, it’s well worth the cost to keep your team up to date. In addition, they also provide a plethora of free reference material on their website.
Offers Certification Program: Yes
5. Udemy
Although not entirely focused on fleet manager safety and compliance training, Udemy does offer several useful courses related to fleet management and trucking, like How to Start a Trucking Company. They have a bunch of other courses beneficial for fleet managers in relation to business, development, office productivity, personal development, and more.
These resources can undeniably be useful for fleet managers and entrepreneurs looking to better improve their overall operations and maintain a well-motivated workforce.
Likewise, these course options are relatively inexpensive for the amount of useful information they provide, making them a good option for most people and budgets.
Offers Certification Program: No
Applying This Knowledge in Today’s Workforce
For all fleet managers or aspiring fleet managers, continuing your education using online training tools is important now more than ever. From understanding safety compliance, DOT regulations you are bound by if necessary, and having a good grasp of this industry is essential in today’s economy.
As a manager, having knowledge you can apply to your business can also help attract new and qualified drivers and keep them.
Start With a Good Technology Foundation
All of the online training in the world is irrelevant if you don’t have the proper tools that will help your organization actually stay compliant and ahead of the curve.
One of the areas we help clients with here at Whip Around is leveraging software that’s easy to use. For many clients this means eliminating paper, outdated or complicated systems, and actually leveraging a simple mobile app for tasks like vehicle inspections and maintenance.
Apply Your Knowledge Using Whip Around
At Whip Around, we focus on helping thousands of fleet managers master vehicle inspections, stay complaint, and provide a software solution that both drivers and managers actually want to use on a daily basis.
If it’s time for your organization to spend less time dealing with paperwork or complex solutions drivers hate to use, start with a solution that will enable your to put your fleet management knowledge and certifications to work.
Schedule a demo today for a free walkthrough, or start your free trial to see how Whip Around can improve the way you inspect, maintain, and manage your fleet or assets.
