Hiring truck drivers can be a difficult task for companies. However, there are ways to find and recruit reliable drivers.
Using various recruitment techniques is one of the most significant ways to achieve this. It includes posting job ads on social media, attending college job fairs, and working with local trade groups with trucking industry job boards.
Recruiting
One of the best ways to hire truck drivers is through social media. It is inexpensive to spread the word about your open positions and attract potential candidates.
It also helps you reach a broad audience and target specific demographics. 3.6 billion individuals use social media, making getting your job placed before them simple.
Another strategy that works well is a referral program. Reward your current drivers and employees who can refer new truckers. It will ensure you don’t miss out on the next great hire.
Drivers need support navigating regulations, financial planning, and wellness programs. Creating a culture that prioritizes these needs will improve your retention rates.
Many truck drivers seek a good working environment and respect from their employers. The best way to achieve that is to focus on their needs, especially if they have young families or a hectic schedule.
Hiring truck drivers is a big challenge for many trucking companies. Due to the growing demand for truckers, competition is extreme.
A considerable challenge facing recruiters is long-haul routes, often involving being away from home for weeks or months. It can be frustrating for drivers and companies, so making long-haul routes as appealing as possible when hiring is essential.
Retaining Drivers
Truck drivers frequently leave their jobs because they believe they are not being treated with the respect and appreciation they merit. Setting up a company culture that values communication and collaboration is essential, starting at your team’s top.
Drivers also expect to be treated fairly, especially regarding changes in equipment and regulations. It means letting them have a voice in decision-making and listening to their concerns.
Keeping them happy and satisfied will help keep them in your fleet for a long time. So here are some ways that you can improve your company’s driver retention rate:
A robust benefits package will encourage drivers to stay with you instead of seeking work elsewhere. Benefits such as home time, paid vacation, bonuses, retirement funds, and more can make a big difference in a driver’s decision to remain with you over a competing company.
Create a graduate incentive program so that the benefits increase each year that drivers remain with your fleet. It will discourage driver turnover as they see that staying at your company offers them more pay and other benefits.
Aside from offering competitive benefits, you can also use social media to attract new drivers. Use these platforms to showcase your culture and share the joys of working for your fleet.
Training
If you’re a trucking company, you can’t afford to hire new drivers without ensuring they receive proper training. It can be accomplished through on-the-job training and experience, as well as through traditional classroom learning methods.
A good training program should cover various topics, including professionalism, safety, and regulatory requirements. In addition, these lessons should be ongoing and evolve with the driver’s career arc.
Many types of trucking training programs are available, and you’ll want to choose one that best suits your company’s needs. The most common styles include video-based training, live exercises, and simulations.
You can also use case studies to teach truck drivers how to solve practical workplace issues. These courses help develop analytical and problem-solving skills and build strong teamwork as drivers work together to make sense of the case.
In addition, you can give new drivers a crash course on the basics of defensive driving. These lessons will keep them on top of the latest safety guidelines, which are proven to reduce commercial truck accidents.
You can also provide a refresher course once a year to ensure your drivers are always up-to-date on the most current rules and regulations. It will also help maintain their DOT score, which can affect their insurance premiums.
Insurance
When you hire truck drivers, you must ensure they are covered by proper insurance. There are several ways to do this.
One way is to insure them under your company policy. It will allow you to deduct the costs on your taxes as business expenses.
Another way to cover them is through a separate insurance policy called occupational accident insurance (Occ/Acc). It is explicitly designed for owner-operators and leased drivers, offering similar benefits to workers’ compensation policies.
The most important factor when choosing a policy is your need for coverage. It will vary depending on the type of work you do and your location.
It is also essential to consider your driver’s driving history. Drivers with poor records will cost you more money on your insurance premiums.
A good rule of thumb is only to hire experienced and well-trained drivers who have a clean MVR. It will minimize the likelihood of any accidents or citations.
You should also consider the routes your trucks travel on. Routes that are less densely populated or those with fewer inclement weather conditions will decrease your insurance costs.
Lastly, you should ensure that your new drivers have an extensive training program. It will reduce the chances of any accidents or citations that occur during the hiring process.
