Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are there any special qualifications necessary to drive a large truck?
A: Yes. A driver must possess Class BCE driver’s licence. A person must pass written tests and demonstrate skills in driving and maneuvering the vehicle to receive their license.

Q: Are their any physical requirements necessary to qualify for a BCE
A: A person must meet the physical qualification standards set by the Ministry of Transport in order to quality for a license.

Q: Are there any drug testing requirements for drivers of large trucks?
A: Yes. Drivers must submit to pre-employment, random and post accident drug testing.

Q: What is a “blind spot” around a large truck?
A: A “blind spot” is an area around any vehicle where there is limited visibility. There are larger blind spots around a large truck than a passenger auto. Although the large trucks usually have more mirrors than a car, a car can easily be totally hidden from a large truck driver’s view while in a “blind spot”. If you cannot see the truck driver’s face in the truck mirrors, generally the truck driver cannot see you, the automobile.

Q: What should a car driver do if considering passing a large truck?
A: The car driver should do things to ensure the truck driver sees them. These include using their turn signals well in advance and avoid driving in the truck’s “blind spots”. The car driver should move right to pass leaving as much room as possible, complete the pass timely, and ensure adequate space in front of the truck before pulling back into the left lane.

Q: If a car and a large truck are traveling at the same speed, which vehicle can stop in a shorter distance?
A: Typically, it takes a large truck many times the distance to stop from the same speed as a car. The actual stopping distance varies by the weight of the vehicle, conditions of the roadway, and variables associated with the driver. It is important for car drivers and truck drivers alike to understand these differences in order to share the highway safely.

Q: What kind of safety recognition programmes does Silverstone Company have for its drivers?
A: Silverstone recognizes all drivers for their tenure with the Company. Drivers are presented with various certificates, pins and patches for their service. The presentation of these awards is founded on safety. To receive the awards, drivers must be accident free for the previous twelve months. Silverstone currently has many active drivers who have received “Million Miles of Safety Driving” awards. This award recognizes the Driver has driven in excess of one million miles without a preventable accident.

Q: When are Silverstone vehicles given safety inspections?
A: Transport Licensing Board (TLB) regulations require that a safety inspection be performed on the vehicle once a year. Silverstone has established a “Safety Line” where the driver of the vehicle inspects it before each trip or period of operation.

Q: Are safety items taught as part of Silverstone driver training programmes?
A: Yes. Handling of hazardous materials, wellness, fatigue and other subjects are taught as part of Silverstone driver orientation training curriculum. New drivers are then paired in the same vehicle with a certified driver “mentor” for six weeks. During that time the mentor coaches the driver on aspects of company procedures and safety items. At the completion of the six week time frame, each driver attends a one-day safety refresher class that includes a Defensive Driving course for professional truck drivers.