The first step to keeping your commercial fleet protected is hiring safe drivers. Selecting safe, conscientious drivers will help prevent accidents, cut down on insurance and operations costs, and establish a positive reputation for your business. Finding and maintaining the best drivers available can be a daunting task, so we’ve come up with tips to make it easier.
Tips for Selecting Safe Drivers for Your Fleet
Develop a Hiring Policy
Before you can even begin selecting employees, you should become familiar with state and federal laws that involve the hiring and interview process. Laws vary state by state, but if your drivers cross state lines or your vehicles carry more than 10,001 pounds, Department of Transportation regulations are the same across the board. Creating a hiring policy that includes DOT rules regarding driving records, road test certifications, and medical examinations are not only good business, it is also the law.
Conduct Thorough Interviews
Many interviews focus on asking a potential employees questions, but when it comes to finding safe drivers, statements of requirements and expectations should also be included. Inform all interviewees that your company requires motor vehicle record and background checks and focus on the commitment your business has to fleet safety. Questions should revolve around finding out the candidate’s driving history, including any traffic violations, suspensions, and accidents over the past three years. The more you find out during the interview, the easier it will be to determine which applicants will move to the next state of the hiring process.
Utilize Background and Drug Checks
Comprehensive background checks, including MVR records, are vital to choosing which drivers to bring on. MVRs give you detailed information about an applicant’s driving history while personal background tests tell you what you need to know about his or her criminal and personal history. Both forms of checks will also help you find any discrepancies between what the candidate told you in the interview and what is on record. Requiring drug tests will also weed out any potential hires with drug usage that could threaten the safety of your fleet.
Take your Time Making a Final Decision
While the instinct might be to hire the first good candidate to come along, slowing down and taking the time to find the best applicant will save you money and time in the future. Focusing on finding employees that not only meet all state, federal, and company requirements, but also have a personality that fits your businesses values and culture might delay the final decision slightly, but will definitely be worth it in the long run. Another way to ensure you choose the right person is to require a small amount of behind the wheel training and testing before making your choice. Drivers rarely perform poorly at this state in the process, making it an excellent tool to use when making hiring decisions.
Need an upft? Adrian Steel is here to help!
Selecting safe drivers for your fleet is only one factor in establishing a positive reputation for your business. Maintaining a well-organized cargo vehicle not only increases efficiency, but also, helps your business stand out amongst the competition.
Adrian Steel offers the latest in cargo management solutions for your fleet vehicles with a large selection of vocational upfit packages. Give us a call at (800) 677-2726 or find a distributor near you!
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