It is very important to ensure that everyone is on the same page with regards to compensation, carrier requirements, time off, pets, and who pays for what expenses.

How and where does the truck owner find drivers for his/her equipment?

Sometimes, that can be the million dollar question. The industry currently has more trucks than drivers, and that leads to increased competition for drivers.

The first question is, what kind or driver or drivers are you looking for? Are you looking for a solo driver or a team?

You should target the right contractors for your equipment.

Are you looking for a van, straight truck, or tractor driver? What type of operation do you have? Are you regional, over the road, or local?

Are you expecting special handling skills? This is a likely requirement if your truck is reefer or lift gate equipped.

The next thing we should address are your expectations and requirements. It’s a good idea to write these down as a way to help screen potential candidates. If you are unsure, seek out advice from experienced fleet owners and research the ExpeditersOnline.com forums.

Some of those requirements should include your personal ones, as well as those of the carrier that you intend to work with.

Some of the basic criteria are:

  • Age
  • Employment history
  • Criminal record
  • Driving record
  • Health and drug screen for DOT certification
  • Appropriate license to drive your vehicle
  • Location of residence

Sources

What are other owners doing? Talk to recruiters and other owners to gain helpful information on where they are finding drivers. The key is to network with as many sources as possible. Drivers can be found through a variety of resources.

The number one place is the Free Classifieds section at ExpeditersOnline.com. There is also a classified section in the back pages of this magazine. There are other sources as well, including placement of a classified in the local paper, state employment agencies, new and used truck dealers, current drivers, and truck driving schools.

Recently, some carriers have begun using their advertising dollars to search and locate teams for owners on other trucking-related websites. This can be of great benefit, so it would be wise to take full advantage of their efforts and stay in contact with the carrier’s recruiting department.

OK, you’ve found some prospects. Now what?

Personal Criteria

You want to research and investigate them as much as possible. Discuss your expectations to determine if both party’s (yours and the driver’s) requirements can be met.

It is very important to ensure that everyone is on the same page with regards to compensation, carrier requirements, time off, pets, and who pays for what expenses.

There are a lot of items to consider here, such as tolls, fuel, escrows, health insurance, small maintenance items, etc.

Once you are satisfied with these items, it’s time to check out where they live, the condition of their personal vehicle, their personal appearance, and possibly a credit check.

Why? This investigative information will provide a glimpse into how they will take care of your equipment and handle basic money management. These again are important issues if you are going to put someone in a $100,000 piece of equipment. Your equipment!

If a good prospect lives a considerable distance from you, consider hiring a realtor for a small fee to get you pictures. Most other information can be obtained from the Internet or through your leased carrier. You are seeking a driver(s) who can stay focused and engaged, who possesses some problem solving abilities, and isn’t just a warm body holding a steering wheel.

Your Presentation

One of the last, but very important items, is to be realistic with what you are offering. Just as you are shopping for a prospective driver or team, they are shopping for an owner. Competition is fierce for quality teams and drivers so take your own inventory.

Ask yourself these questions:

As an owner, what are you bringing to the table? Is your pay plan competitive? Do you offer any kind of bonus? Is your equipment aged? If so, you may consider replacing it, offer a higher percentage of pay, or offer a lease/purchase. If you choose the last option, make sure you research and fully understand the intricacies and legalities of lease/purchase as there is a large degree of risk involved. Is your truck what the typical driver wants? Is it an automatic? Is your truck well equipped with an adequate sleeper? Trying to squeeze a team for example into a 36 inch sleeper would be a tough sell. Does your equipment have an APU or generator? This is going to be a must have item if the contractor is paying for the fuel. (Some drivers may be attracted to a specialty vehicle with a reefer and lift gate in hopes of additional revenue.)

If one is still unsure, reading the EO forums and looking at new expedite truck dealer inventories will provide the necessary information. Dealers will be more than helpful to share this type of information.

Self-analysis

What kind of relationship do you have with your carrier? The savvy driver will likely be researching this. What kind of reputation do you have? What do your previous and current drivers say about you? What your current and past drivers say about you speaks volumes to a prospective subcontractor. Do you have any lawsuits or judgments against you? What is your management style? Do you micromanage, manage effectively, or just throw the driver the keys? Do you have the ability to locate and find loads for your drivers?

Above all else, be honest in your dealings. This is paramount as everything else forward is built on that foundation. Good luck in your searches, and remember to be patient. It takes time and effort to build a quality team.