I get many questions about what to ask a potential new employer by drivers both experienced and new to the industry, so I’ve complied a list that might help you. Please feel free to print it or add to the list I’ve made. I’m sure I have forgotten some things.

What is the company Home-Time Policy?

If a company states that you have 3 days of off time coming then it should be three complete days. Can you save up days off and take them at one time or do you loose them?

What are the company travel lanes and where are the terminals

Find out what travel lanes, distances and regions your prospective employer wants you to travel. In most cases, you will be better off choosing an employer with a nearby terminal location for truck fueling and maintenance rather than going with a higher-paying company that doesn't have any terminals near home. This is especially true if you are not allowed to bring the truck home because you will spend a good portion of your time off traveling to and from the terminal. Some companies have dedicated runs. Ask about them; and how you can get one.

What Type of Equipment?

Ask if the company will assign you equipment and what that will include. Will you get an air-ride suspension? A sleeper on the truck? What size? Since you will be spending most of your time with this equipment, make sure you can live with it. Find out about the personal equipment add on policy for inverters, linear amplifiers, satellite radio, antennas anything that requires a permanent modification to the truck is most likely forbidden. Do not drill any holes in the equipment, or cut into the electrical harness, as most companies will charge you for it. Its best in most cases that you be able to move your gear out of the truck in 30 minutes or less in case you have an emergency, or some other issue that causes you to leave the truck in a hurry.

Does the company provide layover pay?

A Layover is the wait or delays a trucker experiences between scheduled loads. In general, a driver should expect to receive layover pay for wait times beyond his control. How long do you have to be available before you qualify for layover pay? Do they pay for hotels etc?

Does the company pay breakdown pay? 

How long do you have to be broke down to receive pay? How much is it? Does it cover hotel and transportation to and from the truck shop, motel, and restaurants?

Does the company pay dentention time?

Trucking is a hurry up and wait profession. Ask what the policy is on dentention time if you get held up. How is the pay determined? How long do do you wait before detention time starts? How is is documented?

Does the company force slip seating?

When a driver takes time off, he or she may have to surrender the truck so that it can keep working, or "slip-seat," his or her assigned truckload (and truck) to another driver, If you don't want to share your truck, look for an employer with a no slip-seat policy.

How much does the company REALLY pay?

Do you get  paid by the mile, percentage, or hour? Do I get paid for deadhead miles, breakdowns, detention time, inclement weather delays? Do you have an option to stay out of the per diem trap or not. Stay away from companies that want to handle the taxes with a 1099 form as that puts you in the situation of being responsible for all the taxes, Social Security etc. You won't have unemployment benefits either. Some companies like to lump in per diem and bonuses to make the pay per mile look better, and when you strip all those things away you aren't making the average going rate per mile. Ask f they have electronic deposit, if so when it’s transferred to your account, the cost and how long it takes to get it set up.

What are the company benefits?

Benefits are closely linked to pay, so do not consider one without the other. At a minimum, you should have full medical health insurance coverage, worker’s compensation, paid vacation,

If you are looking at employers, find out how many miles per month average you can expect to get, cents per mile and what are (your) costs for benefits and road expenses, Some companies offer full medical, dental, vision and short-term disability coverage. The less the coverage, the more cents per mile you'll want. How much is the medical coverage going to cost and things of that nature. I don't recommend any company that is self insured for medical benefits as that leaves you vulnerable as well as responsible for the bills if they don't pay the bills. Don’t let the promise of big bucks lure you in only to find out there are certain guidelines you have to meet to get it or that they have lumped per diem etc into it to make it look great.

Does the company Pay for Lumpers?

Lumpers are for-hire loaders at a warehouse. A carrier may pay you to load or unload the freight for your truck or let you pay a lumper to do it. Find out if your potential employer will pay or compensate for the lumper. If not I"d recommend finding another employer.

Does the company Offer Bonuses?

Some companies offer bonuses for a good driving record and fuel mileage, low idle time and driver performance, so it pays to ask. Ask if the company offers sign-on bonuses or referral bonuses. Ask when and how it’s paid so there aren’t any surprises.

Will you have a Dedicated Driver Manager (DDM)?

A driver manager is particularly important if you're just starting out as a driver. Having a direct manager to work with can foster a good company relationship, enhance your promotion chances, and help you resolve concerns and issues quickly. Find out who your driver manager's supervisor is and if they have an open door policy in the event that you and your DDM have problems.

What fuel stops will you have?

Will you be restricted to certain fuel stops and on how many gallons at certain ones you can purchase? What can and cannot be paid for on the fuel card? Do you need a PO for extras that cannot be put on the fuel card?

What is the company rider policy?

Can your family or friends go with you? 

Is there a cost involved? How long can they stay with you? Is there an age restriction?

What is the company pet policy?

Is a deposit required? Is it refundable when you leave or change trucks as long as the truck is not damaged? Do you have to pay a cleaning fee when you leave or change trucks? Is there a pet type, weight/size restriction?

What is the personal leave time in the event of an emergency, illness, or death?

Things happen you need to know this as well. Will you get your truck back when you return to work? How much time off will they give you?

Do they have a “burnout “program?

We all get tired and want to stay home, find out if the company has one and how is works. Will you keep your seniority and status with the company? If so for how long and what are the guidelines?

What is the policy about vacation pay?

Do you have the option to work instead of taking your vacation and still receive your vacation pay when you are eligible for a vacation? How do they determine how much you get paid for vacation?

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Here and Gone like the Wind

This is some excellent information! Thank you for writing this and letting me know what questions to ask when looking for that job!

(mater)

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About Me

This is good information but remember joining a trucking company is like joining the Army. What they tell is not always true.  If they say you will be out ten days look for two weeks, etc. ---" just an Old  trucker"

So So True.

Just wondering, do drivers have any rights as far as, if a company tells you something, say gives you an outline of the pay package, what they pay per mile, and days off, etc., but then after you start working, they pay you entirely differnt, and of course don't give you days off, or tell you 2 and your lucky if you get 1, even accumulated?

Can they just do what they want, or are there any kind of employee, employer rights? or do you just have to take it since as long as the hours driven divided into the pay equals more than minimum wage?

 Thanks?

Most states have what is called the "AT WILL" employment laws I think there are 34 that have state agencies as well that are to help protect you. Those laws mean that you can be terminated for any reason or no reason. However there are some restrictions on those laws. Such as being terminated for reporting a health or safety concern or violation, some one trying to force you to commit an illegal act or break a law or regulation, falsify documents, using pre-employment informational services such as USIS to enter outright erroneous or false information about your employment, discrimination against you because of a  disability, sexual preference, religion, age, sex, attempting to form a union or anything that's covered under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 under titles II, VII and a few others that I can't think of at this minute.

You are protected under the "Whistleblower Act" laws under the Department of Labor  for reporting a violation and suffering retaliatory action before, during and after your employment.

The best way to prove a case is to document everything, for example:

Recruiter/dispatcher statements in writing or recorded, Employee hand books, Log books, equipment inspections, any letters of disciplinary action, threatening you with disciplinary action that are from the company actual letters that have been issued to you, emails, voice mails, Qual Comm logs, Pictures are ways to prove certain things. Signed statements by others that have witnessed those acts, they do not have to be employed at the same company.

Now to the facts in trucking as in any other employment. The employer has the upper hand in most cases although in the past few years there have been excellent laws and precedents set in the past 5 yrs that do a much better job of helping employees and the monetary damages have increased  dramatically over the past 5 yrs as well. New Federal Laws are in place that do help as far as recovering damages. Keep in mind that you have to be proactive in protecting your self and be willing to pay the price that standing up for your rights might cost. The companies get away with things because the drivers know that there is another job waiting around the corner and don't take the time to protest unfair and illegal treatment. They just change jobs not understanding that doing that just makes it that much easier for the companies to do it to the next one that comes along.

Ydnic2007 wrote: So So True. Just wondering, do drivers have any rights as far as, if a company tells you something, say gives you an outline of the pay package, what they pay per mile, and days off, etc., but then after you start working, they pay you entirely differnt, and of course don't give you days off, or tell you 2 and your lucky if you get 1, even accumulated? Can they just do what they want, or are there any kind of employee, employer rights? or do you just have to take it since as long as the hours driven divided into the pay equals more than minimum wage?  Thanks?

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Here and Gone like the Wind

supersaber100 wrote: This is good information but remember joining a trucking company is like joining the Army. What they tell is not always true.  If they say you will be out ten days look for two weeks, etc. ---" just an Old  trucker"

 

Perfect!! Did the Army for 6 years so I should feel right at home!! Hurry up and wait, See the country, free room and board! Is that why trucking companys like us veterans, we are just used to suckin it up? Hey Ill be back in September 08 and want to drive for Maverick. Anyone in here work for them? I like to start my networking early! Also, I need a couple names for driving schools that are recommended. Thanks all!! Have a great day!

ModerDayDrifter wrote: supersaber100 wrote: This is good information but remember joining a trucking company is like joining the Army. What they tell is not always true.  If they say you will be out ten days look for two weeks, etc. ---" just an Old  trucker"   Perfect!! Did the Army for 6 years so I should feel right at home!! Hurry up and wait, See the country, free room and board! Is that why trucking companys like us veterans, we are just used to suckin it up? Hey Ill be back in September 08 and want to drive for Maverick. Anyone in here work for them? I like to start my networking early! Also, I need a couple names for driving schools that are recommended. Thanks all!! Have a great day!

Where are you going when you get out?  I went to Keystone Diesel Institute in Butler, PA while I was on leave a few months ago.  They worked GREAT with my screwy schedule, and they have some really good driving instructors. They're a small time outfit -- maybe 15 students at a time in the school. 3 students in a truck at a time. Do a lot of backing range (a good thing!), but in my opinion too much classroom time -- even though they cover logs really well. They have lodging available nearby too. GI Bill nor TA cover it, but they have financing too. You have to have a PA drivers license too, 'cause you'll test at the Butler BMV test site about 2 miles away. Just throwing that out there for you!