The Importance of Hiring Good Drivers
Hiring drivers who utilize best driving practices can influence the profitability of your business in a number of ways, some more obvious than others.
For example, competent fleet drivers can have a direct effect on your operating expenses by minimizing both fuel and vehicle maintenance costs.
Indirectly, your drivers can either be a benefit or burden to your company based on how they represent you while they are on the road. Your reputation, good or bad, and the public's image of your business ride with them every mile they drive.
Consider the following tips on hiring quality fleet drivers to enhance your business and avoid the pitfalls of making bad hiring choices.
Establish a Hiring Policy
The first step to hiring reliable fleet drivers is to have a strict hiring policy and process in place. Familiarize yourself with all applicable state and federal regulations as they pertain to driver requirements, record keeping and fair hiring practices. Every state has its own set of standards and labor laws, so do your due diligence to ensure your hiring policy is compliant with all relevant regulations.
Your vetting process should be included as part of your written policy and should include at a minimum:
- A full background check
- A MVR background check covering at least three years
- Verification of any driving courses the prospect claims to have taken
Be Upfront About Your Standards
Once you have a hiring policy in place, be sure to make what is and isn't acceptable readily apparent when advertising for candidates. This will save you a lot of time culling out those who don't meet your standards and deter less-desirable candidates from applying.
In interviews, it is best to start out with covering the company's safety rules and expectations before you begin asking questions. This sets the tone for the interview and lets the interviewee know how seriously you take the position for which he or she is applying.
Once the tone is established, ask open-ended questions to discern more about the driver's attitude and personality beyond what you already know about his/her driving record.
For the small business owner, one employee making the wrong decision while driving on company business can have catastrophic consequences. One of the best ways to avoid these situations is to hire skilled, trustworthy drivers who have been properly vetted. Consider having a manager participate in a 90 day review and perform an on-the-job evaluation with newly hired drivers. This will allow your business to evaluate your new hires' skills as a driver, but also make sure your policies, procedures, and standards are being met.
Additionally, making sure your fleet is properly insured can help greatly, in the event of an issue. Contact a Selective agent to review your commercial auto coverage options and find out if you have the right coverage for your fleet.