OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- The International Motor Coach Group, which has long sought to set industry standards, is at it again.

The marketing organization, which limits its membership to 60 carriers and requires 100 percent approval by members before accepting a new company, has developed an extensive new driver training program that could again set the bar for other operators.

The 14-module program recently became required training for all IMG companies and they have 18 months in which to get their drivers through it.

"For each of them to come together and mandate it for their members is certainly a step forward," said Steve Klika, president of the Overland Park-based group.

Most of the members are responding quickly, too, says Klika.

All but two have jumped right in and completed the train-the-trainer aspect, and many have started training their drivers.

Klika said the program, put together by a safety committee and a private consultant, was developed as part of the organization's continuing effort to help its members remain among the best in the industry. Plus, he said, it would help assure consistency among members and benefit them by reducing insurance costs and accidents and their costly aftermath.

Under the program, drivers will be trained from the basics as if they were new drivers. They'll get classroom and road training in 14 critical areas, including federal regulations, equipment, safety procedures, special driving conditions, off road handling, breakdowns, emergencies, customer service, security, driver health, and school bus, ADA and transit services.

Some drivers will be allowed to grandfather in some of their past training, but they will have to pass examinations before it will be accepted.

Although still in its infancy, the program already is being expanded to include a driver certification procedure.

Drivers who pass the new training with an 80 percent grade or better, and who meet strict performance and safety standards, will become IMG certified. "We're always looking for ways to promote our drivers and becoming certified is one way we can do that," said Klika.

If successful, the program could go beyond the IMG and be adopted by others in the industry.

"The IMG is always trying to set the bar for our industry and some of the things we do are eventually picked up by others, and this could be one of them," Klika noted.