How to hire an auto transport driver

How to hire an auto transport driver, step by step

Here's a step-by-step auto transport driver hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an auto transport driver job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new auto transport driver
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The auto transport driver hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An auto transport driver's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, auto transport drivers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of auto transport driver salaries for various roles:

   Type of Auto Transport Driver	Description	Hourly rate
   Auto Transport Driver	Heavy and tractor–trailer truck drivers transport goods from one location to another. Most tractor–trailer drivers are long-haul drivers and operate trucks with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) capacity—that is, the combined weight of the vehicle, passengers, and cargo—exceeds 26,000 pounds... Show more	$16-35
   Driver/Owner Operator	Driver/owner-operators are self-employed commercial truck drivers who operate trucks to transport goods for their customers. Most of these operators started working as drivers for trucking companies to gain experience and decide if it's the right career path for them... Show more	$33-200
   Driver Trainer	Driver trainers are instructors who teach their clients how to drive. They are often considered experts in driving, and they are credible enough to impart their driving knowledge to clients... Show more	$14-33

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Transport Vehicles
   • CDL
   • Customer Service
   • Load Vehicles
   • TWIC
   • Delivery Schedules
   • Federal Regulations
   • Driver Logs
   • Log Book
   • Emergency Equipment
   • Traffic Violations
   • State Regulations
   • Vehicle Service
   • Car Dealerships

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
   • Drive tractor-trailer combination applying knowledge of commercial driving regulations, to transport and deliver general commodities.
   • Drive flatb with sand sacs from train depot to load site.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your auto transport driver job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An auto transport driver can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, auto transport drivers' average salary in indiana is 39% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level auto transport drivers 52% less than senior-level auto transport drivers.
   • Certifications. An auto transport driver with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an auto transport driver's salary.

   Average auto transport driver salary

   $51,450yearly

   $24.74 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level auto transport driver salary

   $35,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

4. Writing an auto transport driver job description

   An auto transport driver job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an auto transport driver job description:

   Auto transport driver job description example

   Job DescriptionOTR Luxury Auto Transport Driver - Car Hauler - CDL A.
   
   Does touring the United States transporting some of the worlds most exclusive vehicles excite you? Are you driven to succeed and motivated by unlimited earnings potential? If so, come join our winning team at Reliable Carriers!
   
   We're currently seeking more of the industries best luxury car haulers to join our team. Reliable Carriers is North America’s largest exotic, luxury & collector car transport company. Proudly serving the worlds top auto brands, private collectors, and events since 1960.
   
   Positions Available for:

   • Company, Lease Operators, & Owner Operator Drivers.
   • Solo & Team Drivers.
   • Over-the-Road (OTR - United States), Regional, and Local positions available (MI, NJ/NY, CA, AZ local).

   
   Company Driver Benefits:

   • Industry-leading pay for Company Drivers! :
     • $100,000+ per year average for Solo Company Drivers.
     • $200,000+ per year average for Team Company Drivers.
   • Work with the top auto brands in the industry.
   • State-of-the-Art Equipment.
   • Paid Holidays, Personal Days / Vacation pay.
   • Flexible home time.
   • Assigned dispatch manager & team dedicated to your success professionally & personally.
   • Annual Profit-sharing.
   • Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance.
   • Paid Orientation.
   • Sign-on bonus $2,500 solo and $5,000 teams.

   
   Lease & Owner-Operator Driver Benefits:

   • Industry-leading pay for Lease / Owner-Operators! :
     • $350,000+ per year average for Solo Lease & Owner Operator Drivers.
     • $500,000+ per year average for Team Lease & Owner-Operator Drivers .
   • Work with the top auto brands in the industry.
   • State-of-the-Art Equipment.
   • Flexible home time.
   • Assigned dispatch manager & team dedicated to your success professionally & personally.
   • Paid Orientation.
   • Sign on bonus $2,500 Solo and $5,000 Teams.

   
   
   About Reliable Carriers:
   
   

   Reliable Carriers is North America’s largest exotic, luxury & collector car transport company. Proudly serving the worlds top auto brands, private collectors, and events since 1960. Official Company Pages:ReliableCarriers.com Instagram.com/ReliableCarriers

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right auto transport driver for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your auto transport driver job on Zippia to find and recruit auto transport driver candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit auto transport drivers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new auto transport driver

   Once you have selected a candidate for the auto transport driver position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new auto transport driver. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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