How to Hire a CDL Truck Driver

Why Hire a CDL Truck Driver?

Truckers are the driving force behind much of America’s commerce industry, transporting more than 70% of all goods. However, the ongoing shortage of commercial driver’s license (CDL) truck drivers has made hiring a driver increasingly difficult. Difficult doesn’t mean impossible, though, and there are ways to increase your odds of recruiting a quality candidate. Keep reading to learn tips and tricks for how to hire a CDL truck driver.

You need to be strategic when trying to find truck drivers, and your first step should be to determine exactly what kind of CDL driver you need, which depends on what you’re trying to transport. There are different classes of commercial driver’s licenses, along with specific endorsements, that outline what kind of vehicle the driver is able to operate and what kind of materials they’re allowed to transport. You can scroll down to the Requirements section for an in-depth look at those classes, but to start, consider your cargo and how much you’ll be transporting. Then, decide what kind of driver suits your needs best. Here are some common types of drivers:

Car hauler: transports cars and other automobiles.
Dry van trucker: transports non-perishable and dry goods in a single trailer.
Flatbed trucker: transports cargo that doesn’t fit in a normal trailer and requires advanced knowledge.
Ice road trucker: specialized drivers who transport goods over icy roads.
Long-haul trucker: also known as OTR truckers, these drivers transport goods at least 250 miles away.
Oversized load trucker: transports cargo considered overweight or oversized (consult your state for guidelines).
Passenger/bus driver: transports passengers to and from their destination.
Refrigerated freight trucker: transports goods that require refrigeration or precise temperature control.
Tanker trucker: operates a tanker truck to transport liquids.

Once you know what kind of trucker you need, you can start looking for CDL truck drivers that match your specific requirements.

Highest Education Level

Truck drivers offer the following education background on iHire

High School or GED (38.1%)

Vocational Degree or Certification (23.0%)

Bachelor's Degree (15.6%)

Associate's Degree (13.2%)

Master's Degree (4.3%)

Some College (3.7%)

Some High School (1.4%)

Doctorate Degree (0.6%)

Licensing and Certification

Truck drivers report having the following licenses and certifications on iHire
Qualifications / Skills

The following top skills are often required or desired to land a CDL truck driver position.

Staff Supervision, Organization, Time Management, Leadership, Policy Development, Supply Chain, Distribution, Punctual, Military Background, Communication Skills, Prioritizing, Referrals, Inspections, Human Resources, Freight Management

CDL Truck Driver Requirements

The transportation industry is heavily regulated, which means that your candidate will need to meet certain CDL truck driver requirements to operate their vehicle legally. As mentioned above, the most important requirement to look for when hiring truckers is the driver’s CDL class and what endorsements they have.

The Different CDL Classes & Endorsements

Class A CDL: allows operation of any combination of vehicles weighing 26,001 or more pounds, including tractor-trailers, truck and trailer combinations, tank vehicles, livestock carriers, and flatbeds. Can cover Class B and C licenses, too.
Class B CDL: allows operation of a single vehicle weighing 26,001 or more pounds without a trailer, such as busses, dump trucks, box trucks, and more.
Class C CDL: allows operation of a vehicle weighing less than 26,000 pounds that can carry 16 or more occupants, or hazardous material. Vehicles include small HazMat trucks, passenger vans, and others.
H (Hazardous) Edorsement: required to transport all classes of hazardous materials.
N (Tank) Endorsement: required to operate a liquid bulk cargo or a tank vehicle and haul liquids.
P (Passenger) Endorsement: required to operate a vehicle that carries 16 or more people, including the driver.
S (School Bus) Endorsement: allows operation of school buses. A P endorsement is required first.
T (Tow or Trailer) Endorsement: required to tow a double or triple trailer.
X Endorsement: a combination endorsement for tanks and hazardous materials.

There are other things to look for in a CDL truck driver that can separate a good driver from a great one. Soft skills like time management and being able to stay focused for long periods of driving are essential. Take a look at the most common skills truck drivers on iHire have to get an idea of what you should look for.

CDL Truck Driver Salary Data

Offering a competitive CDL truck driver salary is one of the best ways to attract the best drivers. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and iHireTransportation puts the median salary for drivers in the U.S. at just under $60,000, but if you have the budget, offering wages closer to the high range will yield better results.

For a look at local salaries, check our free salary tool .

CDL Truck Driver Job Description Sample

Another way to get the best candidates is to create a great job ad. Be sure to include what makes your company a great place to work, as well as the benefits you offer drivers. Listing the salary (or salary range) will likely increase the number of qualified applicants you get, too.

When writing the ad, remember to keep the basics of a strong job ad in mind. It should be skimmable (use bullets, short sentences, and a simple job title), keep it between 600– 700 words, and communicate your fair hiring practices. Use the following CDL truck driver job description sample to get you started, and feel free to customize it to fit your needs.

Class A CDL Truck Driver

Join a leading logistics company as a full-time CDL truck driver. As part of our growing fleet, you’ll advance your trucking career while working a flexible schedule. Enjoy full benefits, paid time off, a competitive salary, and a $5,000 sign-on bonus.

Job Duties

Drivers are responsible for transporting goods in a timely manner, and they may have to work nights and weekends. Duties and responsibilities for drivers are:

Transporting goods to and from destinations
Arriving at destinations on time and planning for any traffic or weather delays
Utilizing navigation programs or hardware to travel the fastest route
Arranging for vehicle repairs as needed
Ensuring your vehicle is fueled and drivable
Updating mileage and repair records
Interacting with clients professionally

Requirements and Qualifications

A valid Class A commercial driver’s license
H and N endorsements
Excellent time management and planning skills
Exceptional navigation skills
Physical stamina and good concentration to remain on the road for hours

Benefits to Include in Your CDL Truck Driver Job Ad

Benefits are where you’ll really stand out to applicants, especially if you don’t have the budget to offer high salaries. For truck drivers, attractive benefits include:

Extra PTO and vacation days
The ability to have a say in their schedule
Bonuses based on their performance. Performance-based bonuses can be for consistent on-time deliveries, driving safely, or even saving fuel.

Other less common but still attractive benefits include:

Paid training opportunities
Reimbursement for their CDL
An employee referral program
And allowing pets on long drives

CDL Truck Driver Interview Questions

Interviewing is where you’re able to determine which candidates are the best fit for your company. You may be tempted to hire as quickly as possible right now, but it’s still important to thoroughly assess each applicant before making an offer. You don’t want to hire someone without making sure they’re able to perform the job. The following interview questions are a good place to start:

How familiar are you with the vehicles we use in our fleet?
Are you comfortable driving long distances, potentially overnight and on weekends?
Are you familiar with the routes and roads in [destination]?
Why is it important to stop at weigh stations during your shift?
How do you handle accidents while driving your truck?
Explain the current FMCSA regulations that apply to you.
Do you have the credentials needed to legally operate our vehicles?
If you’re caught in traffic or weather delays, would you speed to ensure you arrive at your destination on time?