Hiring Bus or Truck Drivers

The hiring process is a key element in creating a successful fleet. Establishing hiring standards provides you with a baseline of what you find acceptable. Not having documented hiring standards implies to anyone reviewing your operation (insurance underwriters, investigators, auditors, attorneys, etc.) that you have no baseline; you will hire anyone.

Many carriers concentrate their hiring standards on the driving requirements. Typical standards include limits on the number of accidents, suspensions, and citations.

As well as the driving requirements, carriers also set hiring standards pertaining to previous employment. How many previous employers an applicant has had combined with the reasons for leaving the previous employers are employment issues typically considered when determining hiring standards.

View Driver Hiring Checklist and 10 Basic Rules of Driver Hiring for more information.

Documentation

You must also keep in mind that in addition to the usual employment procedures required by federal and state laws, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has its own set of hiring requirements.

Documentation required by DOT:

• Bus or truck driver-specific application for employment
• Motor vehicle (driving) records (MVRs)
• Road test form and certificate or photocopy of a CDL accepted in lieu of road test, or Road test form and certificate less than 3 years old accepted in lieu of road test
• Background investigation (Safety Performance History)
• Medical exam certificate (DOT Medical Card) and documentation of any variance from the medical standards, or MVR showing that CDL/CLP driver is currently certified
• Verification that medical examiner was listed on National Registry

Drug & Alcohol Documentation (if subject):

• Pre-employment drug screen result or documentation of pre-employment exception received from former employer(s)
• Educational materials and company policy issued to driver
• Inquiry to driver about positive DOT pre-employment tests over the past 2 years
• Pre-employment query of the CDL Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse

Other, Non-DOT Hiring Documentation:

• Medical exam form (required under DOT, but stored at the Medical Examiner's office)
• Form I-9
• Background Check