How to Find Truck Drivers? Understanding How to Find, Attract, Maintain and Hire

Finding truck drivers is crucial in today’s logistics and transportation industry as companies face a driver shortage. This post breaks down the strategies for finding, attracting and retaining truck drivers. From job boards and driver focused communities to hiring specialized recruiters we cover the ways to connect with CDL holders looking for work. We’ll also cover how to make trucking jobs more appealing to reduce turnover.

What is a Truck Driver?

A truck driver is a skilled professional licensed to drive large commercial vehicles including semi-trucks, tankers and trailers to transport goods locally, regionally or over the road. They are part of the supply chain to get products to their destination safely and on time.

When we talk about how to find truck drivers we are talking about the process of recruiting CDL drivers for companies that need skilled labor for transportation. Finding truck drivers means tapping into resources like online job boards, trucking software and networking communities that connect companies with qualified drivers.

We at FreightGuarded are writing this post because as a community for truck dispatchers and logistics professionals we know how important driver availability is to operations. By covering the ways to find and hire qualified drivers we hope to help dispatchers build better relationships with drivers and improve overall freight operations.

Key Topics Covered in This Article

1. How to Find Truck Drivers
2. Attract Truck Drivers
3. Retain Driver Satisfaction
4. Why Truck Drivers Quit
5. Hiring Truck Drivers
6. Jobs Related to Finding Drivers

How to Find Truck Drivers: Methods

Here are the strategies and tools to help you find and hire qualified truck drivers in a competitive market.

1. Job Boards and Classifieds

Online job boards are the primary way to reach active job seeking CDL holders. Trucking specific job boards like CDLlife, Trucker Classifieds and other industry focused sites reach drivers who regularly browse these platforms for work. General job boards like Indeed, Monster and even Craigslist can also attract local drivers.

2. Recruiting Software

Recruiting software designed for the trucking industry like Driver Reach helps to streamline the hiring process by managing everything from applicant tracking to compliance documentation. These tools ensure trucking companies stay compliant with DOT (Department of Transportation) regulations while finding the right candidate.

3. Trucking Communities and Forums

Online communities and forums like FreightGuarded and trucking focused social media groups give companies direct access to active truck drivers. By posting job opportunities and engaging in discussions employers can target candidates who are actually interested in the industry and build credibility and trust within the driver community. This interaction helps the company’s reputation and helps them understand what drivers need making their recruitment efforts more effective.

4. Trucking Schools and Training Centers

Building relationships with CDL schools gives you a steady stream of new drivers entering the workforce. Many schools have job boards or partnerships with companies that help place students after graduation so you can tap into emerging talent.

5. Specialized Driver Recruitment Agencies

Driver recruitment agencies like DriverSource and TransForce can be a lifesaver for filling immediate positions or finding specialized drivers. They offer flexibility for hiring temp or permanent drivers and can speed up the process when time is of the essence.

6. Customer Reviews and Driver Feedback

Having a page on your website dedicated to driver reviews and testimonials can influence drivers considering a new employer. Positive reviews and testimonials can highlight company culture, pay and benefits. A “Jobs” section on your website that lists open positions and perks like flexibility and home time can really boost recruitment.

7. Hire a Driver Recruiter

If you don’t have the resources to do continuous recruitment consider hiring a specialized driver recruiter. Recruiters are experts at understanding market demand, driver expectations and how to make the position attractive in a competitive market. They can help find the best talent and often streamline the hiring process.

Here’s how recruiters can help:

• Targeted talent search: Recruiters use industry specific networks and resources to find experienced drivers that meet your requirements.
• Market expertise: They stay current on market trends, driver expectations and compensation standards so you can stay competitive.
• Screening and vetting: Recruiters do initial screenings, background checks and verify CDL credentials to ensure candidates are qualified and reliable.
• Time and cost efficiency: By doing the sourcing, screening and interviews recruiters save your team time and often fill positions faster than in-house hiring.
• Job appeal: They know how to showcase the benefits and perks that will attract top drivers to your company.
• Retention focus: Many recruiters not only help hire but also offer insights into driver satisfaction so you can retain drivers long term.

8. Use Recommendations

Use your existing network of drivers, employees and industry contacts to find qualified candidates through word of mouth referrals. Ask your current drivers to refer friends or colleagues and it can be a powerful recruitment strategy as they will refer people who fit your company culture and standards. Attending industry events and networking with fellow professionals can also lead to valuable connections and recommendations.

How to Attract Truck Drivers

Try these methods to attract truck drivers to your team:

• Build an employer brand: A company culture that respects drivers, prioritizes safety and offers flexibility attracts more applicants. Create a page on your website that showcases company values, driver success stories and perks.
• Transparent pay and benefits: Clear and competitive pay information is key to driver recruitment. Publish base pay rates, bonuses and benefits upfront to attract drivers who value transparency.
• Testimonials and driver referrals: Promote current driver testimonials on social media, job posts and your website. A driver referral program where current employees are rewarded for referring new hires can also grow your driver network.
• Hire drivers with little experience: Hiring drivers with little experience may be an option but since inexperienced drivers can lead to accidents and delivery delays it’s important to mitigate liability risks. A common solution in the industry is to pair inexperienced drivers with experienced trainers. This not only mitigates risks but also offers revenue benefits as team trucks can cover almost double the miles in a week compared to solo drivers.
• Flexible schedules and routes: Offering different routes or regional vs OTR driving gives drivers control of their schedule which appeals to those looking for better work life balance.
• Offer a good salary: Salary is key to attracting top talent. A pay structure that reflects the demands of the job and rewards drivers for their experience and skills will help your recruitment efforts.
• Target underutilized groups: Women, veterans and former offenders are often overlooked in trucking but can bring commitment and loyalty to the role.

How to Maintain Truck Drivers

Once you’ve found and hired drivers you need to maintain them. Here’s how:

• Open communication between drivers and management. Regular check-ins and feedback loops make drivers feel heard and valued.
• Provide the right equipment. Good vehicles, updated navigation systems and equipment for comfort on the road can make a big difference in driver satisfaction. A well equipped truck reduces stress and builds loyalty.
• Opportunities for advancement. Encouraging skill development, offering training reimbursements and creating paths for drivers to move into management roles helps retain drivers longer.
• Incentives like safety bonuses, performance awards and anniversary bonuses show drivers they are appreciated. This kind of recognition boosts morale and retention.
• Beyond salary drivers are attracted to benefits like health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off.

Why Do Truck Drivers Leave?

Here are a few reasons why:

• Long hours and poor work life balance. Many drivers find extended periods away from home unsustainable especially if they don’t have flexibility in routes and schedules.
• Health and safety issues. Driving can be physically demanding and limited access to healthy food and exercise on the road makes it hard for drivers to stay healthy.
• Uncompetitive pay and benefits. If companies don’t offer pay and benefits that match industry standards drivers will look elsewhere for better pay and perks.
• Lack of support from employers. Drivers who feel unsupported with equipment, maintenance and work culture will become disillusioned and move on to other opportunities.

How to Hire Truck Drivers?

When hiring truck drivers you need to screen for the right experience and certifications. Start by verifying each candidate’s Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and any necessary endorsements to make sure they meet the job requirements. Also ask about their relevant experience like handling hazardous materials to gauge their qualifications.

Then do behavioral interviews to see how they handle stress, prioritize safety and communicate with others. This will give you insight into how they react under pressure which is key for long haul trucking. Consider offering a trial or probation period so both the driver and company can see if it’s a good fit. Use technology like Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to streamline the process by tracking applicant progress and organizing information to make the recruitment process more efficient.

Who is Responsible for Recruiting, Hiring and Retaining Truck Drivers?

• Recruiters: Source and attract drivers through job boards, social media and CDL school partnerships.
• Human resources (HR): Manage the hiring process from recruitment to onboarding and develop retention strategies to improve driver satisfaction.
• Fleet/operations managers: Manage drivers directly, address daily issues and create a good work environment.
• Driver staffing agencies: A quick way to find and vet qualified drivers through specialized recruitment services.
• Safety and compliance officers: Ensure drivers meet regulatory requirements to create a safer workplace.
• Marketing team: Promote the company brand and job benefits to attract drivers.

FAQ

What qualifications do truck drivers need?

• Commercial driver’s license (CDL): Required to drive large commercial vehicles.
• Endorsements: Needed for specific cargo types like hazardous materials.
• Clean driving record: Many companies prefer drivers with a clean driving history.
• Minimum age: Most states require drivers to be at least 21 years old.
• Physical fitness: Drivers must pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical.
• Experience: Some companies prefer drivers with a certain amount of experience especially for long haul routes.

How can I make my company attractive to truck drivers?

Attract truck drivers by offering competitive pay that meets industry standards, performance bonuses and comprehensive benefits like health insurance and retirement plans.

Offer flexible scheduling to improve work life balance and an inclusive culture that values all employees. Provide training and development opportunities for career growth, modern trucks, well maintained and a strong company reputation by prioritizing safety and reliability.

Why is it hard to find truck drivers?

Finding truck drivers is getting harder. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) predicts the driver shortage could double by 2030 if current trends continue.

Several reasons for this:

• A lot of drivers are retiring.
• Women are only 7.8% of U.S. truck drivers and increasing that by 2.3% could eliminate the 80,000 driver shortage.
• The pandemic disrupted training programs and there are fewer new CDL holders available.

Solving this requires a strong recruitment commitment and a willingness to try new hiring methods.

In today’s trucking industry, finding truck drivers is more than just posting job ads. By using job boards, software, communities and recruiters companies can attract good candidates. But to really succeed companies must also focus on retaining drivers by creating an environment that values safety, health, work life balance and career growth. Combining these will help businesses find CDL drivers and keep them in a role that’s good for the driver and the company long term.