Professional Drivers

The Test Solution “Professional Drivers” provides a test battery that can be used to assess a person's psychological suitability for the profession of professional drivers. Although the focus is on professional driving, the dimensions covered also include aspects that are relevant to driving aptitude in private traffic. This makes the test battery suitable for assessing a person's aptitude for private individual transport. The selection of dimensions is based on established models of driving safety and driving behavior (Groeger, 2000; Hatakka et al., 2002, 2003; Michon, 1979), empirical validation studies (e.g., Vetter et al., 2018; Risser et al., 2008) as well as current meta-analyses and reviews (Luo et al., 2023; Zhang et al., 2023; Pergantis et al., 2024) and national and EU-wide guidelines and legal requirements.

Classic theoretical models conceptualize driving a vehicle as a complex process with different cognitive requirements, some of which also take personality traits into account (Hatakka et al., 2002, 2003; Groeger, 2000; Michon, 1979). The GDE (Goals for Driver Education) matrix, which is particularly suitable in the context of professional driving, distinguishes between four hierarchical levels of driving behavior (Hatakka et al., 2002, 2003). For the two lower levels, execution and interaction, basic cognitive functions such as concentration, attention, responsiveness, overview, and resilience can be considered significant, while the decision-making level requires more complex cognitive abilities such as logical reasoning. In addition, personality traits are relevant at the prerequisite level.

In a validation study with professional bus drivers, the dimensions of overview, reactive stress tolerance, and logical reasoning proved to be significant predictors of driving performance with small to medium effect sizes (Vetter et al., 2018). Even though concentration and reaction ability did not show any significant effects in this study, their predictive validity for driving behavior is supported by further work (see, for example, Sommer et al., 2008; Risser et al., 2008; SCHUHFRIED, 2025a). In a recent review, Pergantis et al. (2024) emphasize the importance of executive functions, such as attention and working memory, for driving behavior; the latter is also underscored by Zhang et al. (2023). In the context of Professional Drivers (trucks and buses, as well as lighter vehicles), Scott et al. (2023) were able to show that driving performance in a driving test could be predicted by tests of reaction speed, memory, and sensorimotor control.

The importance of personality has also been empirically proven. A recent meta-analysis (Luo et al., 2023) shows that the Big Five dimensions of conscientiousness, agreeableness, openness, and emotional stability are associated with less risky and aggressive driving behavior. In addition, the personality dimensions specifically relevant to traffic, such as sense of responsibility, psychological stability, self-control, and risk avoidance, can predict driving behavior (Vetter et al., 2018; Sommer et al., 2004; Sommer et al., 2005; Vogelsinger, 2005; Schützhofer et al., 2008; Hergovich et al., 2008; Sommer et al., 2008; Sommer et al., 2010).

 In addition to empirical studies, both EU directives (2006/126/EC) and various national regulations, such as the Austrian FSG-GV §18, the German assessment guidelines on driving aptitude (BGL) of the BASt (Federal Highway Research Institute, 2022) or the French regulation NOR: INTS1621322A Requirements or psychological dimensions and abilities that must be met in order to be fit to drive. These regulations usually require sufficient (i.e., at least average) abilities in the areas of responsiveness, resilience, attention, intelligence, memory, and, in some cases, suitable personality traits (e.g., mental stability and self-control).

The Test Solution 'Professional Drivers' was compiled based on these findings and guidelines or legal regulations. The following dimensions are covered:

• Reactive stress tolerance (DT) & obtaining an overview (ATAVT-2)

• Logical reasoning (INT), working memory (SPAN), ability to react (RT), and concentration (TACO)

• Personality: Mental stability, sense of responsibility, self-control, risk avoidance (IVPE-R in the standard form) or conscientiousness, agreeableness, emotional stability, extraversion, and openness (FCB5 in the screening form)

The best available effect sizes in terms of criterion validity were identified for the weightings used to calculate the overall score, taking into account results from validation studies and meta-analyses in the field of road traffic. The dimensions of reactive stress tolerance and overview acquisition are given the highest weighting in the calculation of the overall score. The second most important dimensions are logical reasoning, working memory, and responsiveness. These are followed by the dimension of concentration and traffic-related personality traits (Vetter et al., 2018; Risser et al., 2008; Pergantis et al., 2024; Egeto et al., 2019; Luo et al., 2023). The table below provides a complete overview of the specific weightings of the individual tests used to calculate the overall score for the Test Solution for Professional Drivers. Further information on the calculation of the results and its interpretation can be found on the page: Notes on evaluation and interpretation.

For testing Professional Drivers, there is a standard form for both right-hand and left-hand traffic, as well as a more time-efficient screening form that does not require additional hardware and is open mode capable. The standard form covers a comprehensive range of cognitive and traffic-related personality traits, while the screening form focuses on a few key cognitive dimensions (logical reasoning and concentration) and basic personality traits. The standard form takes about 50 minutes to complete, while the screening form takes about 28 minutes.

References can be found here: Literature