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10 good truck driver interview questions
- Imagine you’re involved in an accident that isn’t your fault. What do you do?
- If a client was dissatisfied because you arrived late with their delivery, how would you handle it?
- Imagine you are running late for a delivery because you encountered problems on the road. What could you do to preserve customer service quality without compromising safety?
- If I asked you to do basic maintenance to a truck, what steps would you follow?
- How much experience do you have as a professional truck driver?
- What was your longest haul? How did you stay alert during this time?
- How do you ensure you always meet deadlines?
- What papers/logs should a truck driver keep? How do you ensure accuracy?
- How important is safety to you?
- Have you ever received incorrect information from a dispatcher or other colleague? What happened and how did you resolve the issues that occurred?
Here are 10 essential interview questions and sample answers to help identify the best candidates for this role.
1. Imagine you’re involved in an accident that isn’t your fault. What do you do?
Accidents can be unpredictable. It’s essential to understand how a driver would react in such situations, especially when they’re not at fault.
Sample answer:
“First, I’d ensure that everyone involved is safe. Then, I’d call the police to report the accident and gather evidence like photos and witness statements. I’d also inform my dispatcher about the situation.”
2. If a client was dissatisfied because you arrived late with their delivery, how would you handle it?
Timeliness is crucial in the trucking industry. This question assesses the driver’s customer service skills.
Sample answer:
“I’d apologize for the delay and explain the reason, ensuring the client that I did my best to be on time. I’d also discuss ways to prevent such issues in the future.”
3. Imagine you are running late for a delivery because you encountered problems on the road. What could you do to preserve customer service quality without compromising safety?
Balancing safety and service is vital for a truck driver.
Sample answer:
“Safety is my top priority. I’d inform my dispatcher about the delay and contact the client to give them an updated ETA. I’d never compromise safety to make up for lost time.”
4. If I asked you to do basic maintenance to a truck, what steps would you follow?
Understanding a driver’s knowledge about vehicle maintenance can be crucial.
Sample answer:
“I’d start by checking the oil levels, inspecting the brakes, tires, and lights, and ensuring all fluids are at the correct levels. Regular maintenance helps in preventing unexpected breakdowns.”
5. How much experience do you have as a professional truck driver?
Experience often equates to expertise in the trucking industry.
Sample answer:
“I’ve been a professional truck driver for over ten years, covering various routes across the country.”
6. What was your longest haul? How did you stay alert during this time?
Long hauls can be challenging, and staying alert is crucial for safety.
Sample answer:
“My longest haul was a cross-country trip that took five days. I stayed alert by taking regular breaks, maintaining a healthy sleep schedule, and listening to the radio or podcasts.”
7. How do you ensure you always meet deadlines?
Punctuality is a valued trait in the trucking industry.
Sample answer:
“I always plan my routes in advance, considering potential traffic or weather issues. I also ensure regular vehicle maintenance to prevent unexpected breakdowns.”
8. What papers/logs should a truck driver keep? How do you ensure accuracy?
Proper documentation is crucial for compliance and organization.
Sample answer:
“I maintain a daily logbook, recording hours of service, mileage, fuel receipts, and delivery details. I double-check my entries to ensure accuracy.”
9. How important is safety to you?
Safety should be a top priority for every truck driver.
Sample answer:
“Safety is paramount. I always follow traffic rules, avoid distractions, and ensure my vehicle is in top condition.”
10. Have you ever received incorrect information from a dispatcher or other colleague? What happened and how did you resolve the issues that occurred?
Problem-solving is an essential skill for truck drivers.
Sample answer:
“Once, I was given the wrong delivery address. I cross-verified with the client and informed my dispatcher about the error. We corrected it promptly, ensuring timely delivery.”
What does a good Truck Driver candidate look like?
A competent truck driver is not just skilled at driving but is also reliable, punctual, and prioritizes safety. They should be adept at handling unexpected situations, maintaining professionalism, and ensuring timely deliveries.
Red flags
Beware of candidates who show a disregard for safety, have a history of frequent accidents, or display poor communication skills. A lack of punctuality or an indifferent attitude towards maintenance can also be concerning.
Truck Driver Interview Questions
Truck drivers transport goods over short or long distances. Being out on the road means they have immense responsibility so make sure you check their commercial driver’s license (CDL) and driving record. Often, you’ll want to hire someone with their own truck so, in this case, check their insurance papers too.
They need to be experienced drivers, able to maneuver their vehicle and drive occasionally in difficult roads. A test drive with each candidate will demonstrate their skills. Apart from that, you’ll want someone with knowledge of large vehicle maintenance, traffic regulations and a good sense of orientation. You can ask them to use GPS or plan a route on a map to see how they prepare their trips. Look for signs that they’re committed to meeting deadlines and value safety.
Depending on your industry, you may want your drivers to be familiar with your products or processes (e.g. how to handle a certain cargo). Add your own questions to find out if they meet your specific job requirements. You can use the following questions for truck driver candidates as a guide to plan an effective interview process.
Let’s summarize some of the questions and add a few more divided into specific types.
Operational and Situational questions
- Imagine you’re involved in an accident that isn’t your fault. What do you do?
- If a client was dissatisfied because you arrived late with their delivery, how would you handle it?
- Imagine you are running late for a delivery because you encountered problems on the road. What could you do to preserve customer service quality without compromising safety?
- If I asked you to do basic maintenance to a truck, what steps would you follow?
Role-specific questions
- How much experience do you have as a professional delivery driver?
- What was your longest haul? How did you stay alert during this time?
- What states/counties have you been to as part of your job?
- How do you feel about a slip-seating setup?
- How do you ensure you always meet deadlines?
- What papers/logs should a truck driver keep? How do you ensure accuracy?
- How important is safety to you?
Behavioral questions
- Have you ever received incorrect information from a dispatcher or other colleague? What happened and how did you resolve the issues that occurred?
- Tell me about a time you almost lost your concentration on the road. What did you do to stay focused?
- Did you have good relationships with clients in your previous job? How did you do it?
Pro tip: Remember to request permission for a background check and drug test. Law also states that people with certain health conditions are prohibited from driving large or heavy vehicles.