682b37ac8a3421ed27087be4 Dreamstime L 3164695

Vaughn: The challenge of hiring new truck drivers

May 22, 2025

Fleet managers face challenges in hiring and retaining truck drivers amid changing regulations. Discover key strategies for success.

Steve Vaughn

Key takeaways:

The trucking industry faces a debate over a driver shortage versus high turnover, requiring fleet managers to adapt their recruitment strategies.
It’s essential for fleet managers to ensure drivers meet language proficiency and documentation requirements, particularly in light of recent regulatory changes.
A thorough hiring process is vital, including checking Motor Vehicle Records, reviewing crash history, and conducting driving tests to align new drivers with team standards.

Some trucking industry experts say there is a shortage of truck drivers. Others contend that there is no shortage, just a “churn” as drivers seek a decent living. Regardless, fleet managers face challenges in finding and retaining new drivers, whether as employees or as owner-operators.

Recent events underscore that challenge.

Once again, truck drivers are required to have English language proficiency.
Law enforcement will also be looking to see whether foreign truck drivers are operating point-to-point in the U.S., in violation of cabotage rules.
As of June 23 this year, truck drivers no longer need to hand-carry their medical exam results to their state driver licensing office; over 15,000 drivers had their exams tossed out after the examiners were kicked out of the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.
Truck drivers with drug or alcohol violations had their CDLs downgraded if they did not successfully complete the return-to-duty process. Several thousand drivers did not, and some may still seek employment.
And if federal events aren’t enough, court decisions in Illinois say an owner-operator entering that state is an employee, and the state’s burdensome Wage Payment and Collection Act applies.

What should a fleet manager do? Return to the basics.

Check the driver’s Motor Vehicle Record for the legal status of the CDL.
Ensure that the driver is registered with the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and that the RTD process has been completed, if necessary.
Look at FMCSA’s Pre-Employment Screening Program for crash and violation history, and ask about past employment and specialized training.
Verify that the medical examiner the driver used is still on the National Registry.

Even with the most experienced truck driver, due diligence warrants a quick driving test in your yard and some conversation with your senior truck drivers. The new driver should not only qualify to drive but also fit with your team.

The job you and your drivers do is important to us all. Good luck!

About the Author

Steve Vaughn | Senior Vice President of Field Operations

Steve Vaughn is senior vice president of field operations at PrePass Safety Alliance, the provider of PrePass weigh station bypass and electronic toll-payment and management services. Vaughn served nearly three decades with the California Highway Patrol and is a past president of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.