Trucking: how can i find good good drivers, st petersburg times, truck driving schools

Question
hello sir i hope that you can answer my question myself and my wife are opening a hot shot co. and i need to find good drivers i have been looking high and low but have had no luck we have finalized all of our req. and are ready to get going all we need are the drivers and i need them soon please help thank you in advance for your time and help sean

Answer
Hi Sean.

Your facing a problem that every trucking company faces.  Turnover rates are extremely high.  If your a small company, the internet is usually not the best way to go.  You want to find local drivers and you'll need to advertise locally.  That's what I use to do.  An ad in Sunday's St Petersburg Times worked for me.  I would focus on your local paper.  Also, you might try some local truck driving schools.  They may be able to help you recruit.  The way to really attract drivers, good drivers, is by giving them the best equipment and pay that you can afford.  Then you have drivers that stick around for a while.  Truth be told, most big trucking companies have 100% driver turnover every 7-12 months.  You'll go through drivers too.  So figure the advertising as a long term cost.

I would also have a sign shop make you some stickers that say "Hiring Drivers - Top Pay", or something to that effect and put it on the back of your trailers.  Then you can have a file of applications ready if, and when, a driver quits.

Don't be afraid to hit up all the truck stops around you and put up "Now Hiring" flyers up in the driver's room, or wherever you can.

Good luck!

Bob Stephens