We all know how difficult it can be to find reliable commercial truck drivers. There are several reasons why this is such a big problem, but the good news is there are things that you can do to help alleviate this problem and secure reliable, long-term, and successful hires.
High turnover is not only a hassle, it’s incredibly expensive and causes low morale in the workplace. You want reliable drivers, of course, but you also want to make sure they stick around for the long term.
By conducting background checks, utilizing thorough drug testing, actually checking references, and developing good relationships with your drivers, you will be able to ensure that your CDL drivers are dependable and trustworthy.
Conducting Background Checks
When conducting a background check, you should start by looking into the individual’s education and employment history. You should then branch out from direct managers and then co-workers. If there were problems, this will give you some insight into what type of employee they are likely to be for your company—even if they otherwise have very impressive qualifications.
Another great way to check a commercial truck driver’s background is by looking at the DMV records. These records will show if the driver has a history of traffic violations, accidents, moving violations, and even DUIs from non-commercial driving.
Thorough Drug Testing
According to the Department of Transportation, “all drivers must undergo drug testing regularly.” However, not all drug tests are created equal.
A random test is performed without prior warning when it’s in your company’s best interest and at any time during employment.
One important point about both types of commercial driver drug testing is that it doesn’t just include a urine test; instead, there are collection methods using saliva samples or hair follicle samples which can detect further use history than urine tests alone.
Actually Check Their References
If you want to really vet a candidate, ask for references from not only past direct managers, but also past coworkers or clients. Then, check those references as well, thoroughly confirming there’s a solid network of reliability.
Another easy and affordable way to do this is through social media sites such as Facebook or LinkedIn. You can also use tools like Google Alerts to find out if there have been any negative reports about this person in the past.
Developing Good Relationships With Your Drivers
Having an idea of the types of drivers you’re looking for is only half the battle. You’ll need to be able to attract and develop good relationships with your workers if you want them to stay with the company for more than a few months. That means asking them what they need from their job and then ensuring that those needs are met.
Here are some strategies for developing a positive relationship with drivers:
- Check-in regularly about how things are going on their end. If there’s something wrong, address it immediately so that it doesn’t become a bigger problem later on down the line. This will help prevent misunderstandings or disagreements from escalating into something much larger, saving everyone time and energy in the long run.
- Keep an open dialogue between yourself and each employee as much as possible by allowing plenty of time beforehand so that everyone has ample opportunity to contribute their opinions or suggestions—this way no one feels left out when important decisions need to be made.
By utilizing background checks, drug testing, checking references, and developing good relationships with your drivers, you will be able to ensure that your CDL drivers are reliable and trustworthy.
While taking such a thorough approach to vetting your drivers might seem burdensome and lengthen the hiring process, it’s important to keep in mind the long-term costs associated with high turnover.