If you run a business that depends on trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles for its logistics, you should understand how essential it is to hire the right drivers. The number of such operators has skyrocketed over the last decade, considering an increase in job opportunities in that sector. However, when looking to hire truck drivers, you need to ensure you pick the best from the market. You can achieve that by checking the things explained below.
A Valid Driver’s License
This is, by far, the most critical document you should check before including any truck driver in your company’s operations. The point to remember here is that you should focus on the validity of the license. This means ensuring that the holder has renewed it as required by the law. A valid and recently-renewed commercial driver’s license shows that the individual has been active in the driving industry. Moreover, it is against the law to drive around without a valid CDL.
Check the Referees
All applicants will probably have a resume, which includes a list of referees. Checking and contacting these referees plays a pivotal role in understanding the applicant’s resume and curating the interview information. Some drivers do not show the correct information on their CVs. That should be the first red flag to watch out for. Anyone who lies on their application cannot be trusted with prominent roles, such as transporting expensive products to your clients.
Education
One does not necessarily need a degree to become a truck driver. However, the least educational qualification you should consider is a high school diploma. Such a qualification is enough to equip the driver with basic skills, such as communication, time-consciousness, and decision-making. Besides the diploma, you should also ensure that the applicant has a certificate of completion from an accredited and certified truck driving school.
Physical Examination from the DOT
All applicants must present papers showing that they comply with the physical requirements laid down by the Department of Transport. The world has transformed drastically, and there has been an increase in the number of crook medics. As such, you must ensure that the examination was done by a licensed medical examiner that appears on the national registry of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The physical exams you should be keen on include:
- Hearing
- Vision
- Blood pressure
- Urinalysis – to check any underlying conditions, such as diabetes
Driving Records
The individual you are hiring will be handling your business, and you might not be around most of the time. Therefore, it is your responsibility to conduct detailed due diligence to ensure that the person has a clean driving record. Watch out for any major charges that prospective employees may face in their driving careers. The best place to get such information would be at the Department of Transport. Some of the essential details you can gather from the DOT include the applicant’s employment history and driving record.
Recruiting and hiring truck drivers to include in your company can be a daunting task, especially if you do not know what to check. Any mistake in the hiring phase can cost you a lot down the road.