Let’s all be honest we have had that company we were talking to that promised you the moon and the stars. Only for you to find out that the recruiter was promising things they could not deliver. Whether you a re NEW driver just coming out of CDL Schhol or a seasoned driver looking to switch companies. It is always good to be prepared with a list of questions to ask.
Remember that not only is this a good time to ask your potential employer questions, but it is also a great time to talk to some of their drivers. Truck driver will tend to me a little more honest and up front with you than a recruiter from a company just looking to make a commission off your hiring.
We took to social media and asked our fellow truck drivers, what are some great questions truckers should ask a potential employer. Below is a list of the ones they suggested, also ones Larry and I came up with.
Best Questions To Ask A Potential Employer
- Do you offer any benefits with this position? A lot of trucking companies run truck drivers on a 1099 and not as a W-2 employee. Often because of this they will offer no benefits so this is a great question to include.
- Is this position over the road, regional, or local?
- What type of equipment do they offer new hires? Often times the new hires will get the older model trucks, until they have been there for a time period.
- Are you the only driver that will be using this truck, or is it a slip seat truck? If it is a slip seat truck that means when you are NOT using it another driver will. This is important because it let’s you know not to leave important or personal items in the truck after your shift.
- Find out if what you are hauling is no touch freight, or will you be required to unload and load your loads?
- Does the company have a pet policy? A lot of trucking companies will allow a pet. But along with that a lot of them have rules like no aggressive breeds, or a weight limit. They may also have a limit of how many animals you can have on your truck. Also a-lot of companies require a pet deposit per pet, to cover any damage done to the truck due to your pet.
- Do they have a rider policy? Some companies will allow you to bring a spouse or significant other out on the road with you. The companies that do allow this usually will change you a yearly insurance fee to cover passengers insurance policy.
- How do you get paid and is is weekly, bi-weekly etc? You need to find out if they offer paper checks, or direct deposit or via com data card. Also ask if they put a hold on your first couple of checks. So you’d an budget how long you will be without a paycheck while switching companies.
- What is the companies home time policy? Most companies require you to earn your time off. Meaning they you get one day per week earned so at the end of the month you will earn 4 days off. Find out what that companies policy is.
- Ask what’s time of freight and customers you will be dealing with?
- Find out if you will be driving solo or team?
- Find out if this company pays a Per Diem and if they pay Detention pay? Per Diem is a set amount set from the IRS that should cover a drivers meal allowance for the days he works. Detention pays is when you arrive at your shippers or receivers and your delayed for two hours due to no fault of yours.
- Will you be paid a set pay per day, by the mile or by the job?
- How do you pay for fuel and supplies for the truck over the road?
- Do they have a bonus program or a way to advance in the company? Some companies will offer monthly safety bonuses or bonuses for staying over the Road for longer period of times.
- What is your policy on coming across bad weather that you don’t feel safe driving in? And that might possibly effect the delivery or pick up time of your load?
