Learning to drive with the best
At Fahrschule Klauck, prospective drivers prepare for their careers as truck drivers by practising in an MAN TGX 18.470. And it goes without saying that a truck of this class requires a great teacher – one who started out as a long-distance driver himself.
Even over the phone, Hans-Josef Mai radiates a sense of reliable calm. The students who get into his cab and follow his instructions until they are ready to take the test rely on this calmness. Hans-Josef takes his job of teaching young people and new learners to drive very seriously, and places great value on preparing them for their deployment behind the wheel. The content of what his students have to learn during his lessons has changed significantly over time.
“In the past, a truck had a seat, a steering wheel and a gear lever. Now I have to explain to the students how the truck works in much greater depth and explain how the technology works. Only once they understand how the integrated assistance systems can support them will they be able to operate the truck properly and drive more safely and calmly.”
Modern commercial vehicle technology is something that Hans-Josef has to communicate again and again to the professional drivers whom he meets as an MAN ProfiDrive® trainer. It doesn’t matter who it is when he is teaching something new. The important thing for him is to give them an in-depth understanding of what it is they are learning. “This means that, if a driver is allocated a new vehicle by his company, they will drive differently and more safely, because they will have already familiarised themselves with the technology so well. Making sure of that is one of my main responsibilities,” says Hans-Josef. His lessons usually take place in a laden vehicle, to give his students maximum exposure to real-life conditions. He enjoys being able to impart knowledge that will help his students in their careers, and guiding them successfully through the test. “Sometimes I see my old students again at continuous professional development sessions. They tell me what the last few years have been like for them, that they think they chose the right career path, and that they were happy with the training,” he says with delight.
“They all love the MAN TGX.”
His students are also more than pleased with driving school’s newest truck, the MAN TGX 18.470. “My students are very enthusiastic about the truck and get excited about the inbuilt technology, the vehicle interior, and how well it drives,” says Hans-Josef.
He thinks the new one is even better than its predecessor, the MAN TGX 26.440 Euro 6. “That was a really good truck, but the new one is even better. When you get in, you just feel at ease – it’s a fun vehicle to drive.” And of course, his students benefit from learning how to handle a completely new vehicle. “At any rate, no-one has complained about the truck yet,” laughs Hans-Josef. Quite the opposite, in fact: “They all love it.”
Since Hans-Josef took over the driving school in 2010, the school has acquired its very own company truck as part of the fleet. The first one was an MAN TGA, but the models that followed were an MAN TGX. At present, the school’s fleet boasts a 7.5-tonne MAN truck and the new MAN TGX. The latter has made quite an impression at the driving school thanks to its stylish and striking design. “When I’m on the road in places where I conduct training, I often encounter drivers who recognise me and my truck from a distance and acknowledge me by flashing their lights. That’s a nice thing. I must have been doing something right,” laughs Hans-Josef. All in all, great vehicle, great teacher, happy students – it sounds to us like all is well.
