Your Drivers Control more of your business than you know!
We mentioned in a previous article the impact truck maintenance has on your business. An impact that is more than just major downtimes in your business… it determines your insurance rates. Another major influence on your business is your drivers.
Why are drivers so important to your business?
Seems like a silly question, but the reality is, your business could thrive without certain drivers. In fact, drivers are probably holding your business back from growing and being profitable. You probably have recognized this, but felt like you couldn’t do anything about it.
Most people will say that there are characteristics of a good driver. In the job interviews, people will ask – are you reliable? Do you have good mechanical skills? How long have you had a CDL? Do you consider yourself a good driver?
These are all good questions, but do they really address the issues that will truly impact your business?
How do drivers really impact your business?
The simple answer is ‘how they drive’. Our goal is to show key characteristics that will help you capture those drivers that benefit your business. (We will show you in another article actions you can take that will improve those you currently have on your roster.)
So what kind of driver should you be looking for?
1. Driver Selection Criteria – be consistent in who you hire. If you know the type of driver you are looking for, you will always hire that driver. This baseline ensures that drivers you hire start the way you want them to, rather than moving them forward to the spot you want them.
2. Verify the history of the driver – Checking MVRs, or Motor Vehicle Records, will give you a lot of information. Most MVRs will show you three years, but grabbing 7 years of history will provide you with a broader view of their driving habits.
3. Background checks – MVRs are one thing, but make sure you check the rest of the history of potential applicants.
4. Conduct Written and Road Tests – Create a driving test that meets your company’s needs, and those needs should include: handling turns, braking, backing, pre and post-trip inspections, and in-cab behaviors.
5. Maintain a Driver Qualification File – clicking here will provide you with the FMCSA minimum requirements for drivers.
This becomes your baseline for any driver you hire. Why do you need a baseline? Because drivers have the most impact on your business. They determine the consistency of jobs being delivered. They impact the number of jobs you can pull in a week, month, or year. They impact your scores with the FMCSA, which in turn impacts your insurance rates, and so much more.
