How to hire a coach driver

How to hire a coach driver, step by step

Here's a step-by-step coach driver hiring guide:

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

Post a coach driver job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   The coach 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

   A coach driver's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, coach 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.

   This list presents coach driver salaries for various positions.

   Type of Coach Driver	Description	Hourly rate
   Coach 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	$11-29
   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
   Truck Driver Class A	The responsibilities of a Truck Driver Class A mainly revolves around driving heavy vehicles and ensuring that all transported goods meet the expected delivery deadlines and quality. The Driver needs to have a Class A license and be emotionally and physically healthy to qualify... Show more	$20-44

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CDL
   • Transport Passengers
   • DOT
   • Customer Service
   • Passenger Safety
   • Air Brakes
   • Safety Regulations
   • Log Book
   • Post-Trip Inspections
   • Doctor Appointments
   • CPR
   • Safety Rules
   • OTR
   • Tour Guides

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Wheel chair lock down and GPS training are provided at time of hire.
   • Transport patients who are either require wheelchair/stretcher transport from facility/home etc to their request destination.
   • Deliver customers to their destination/homes/doorsteps with luggage/baggage groceries

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your coach driver job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A coach driver salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, coach drivers' average salary in indiana is 35% less than in new york.
   • Seniority. Entry-level coach drivers earn 61% less than senior-level coach drivers.
   • Certifications. A coach driver with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a coach driver's salary.

   Average coach driver salary

   $38,679yearly

   $18.60 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level coach driver salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

4. Writing a coach driver job description

   A good coach driver job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a coach driver job description:

   Coach driver job description example

   Division/Department CRST The Transportation Solution, Inc.-Safety
   
   # of openings 1
   
   CRST The Transportation Solution, Inc. is Delivering Promises and Driving Success to Ensure Everyone Has What's Needed to Live and Thrive. Today, more than ever, we are looking for talented individuals who will help us bring this vision to life.
   
   Driver Safety Support Coach
   
   CRST the Transportation Solutions, Inc. is looking to add a talented Driver Safety Support Coachto join our growing organization in Louisville, KY.
   
   Job Summary:CRST's Dedicated Solutions division is focused on service excellence to retailers and producers who need consistent, dependable, high-quality delivery services. We provide customers the flexibility of a private fleet, without the expense. Dedicated Solutions is divided into east and west divisions. TheDriver Safety Support Coachrole is responsible for providing safety support and coaching for CRST drivers, contractors, and driver support staff. This role uses safety technology and driver feedback to coach CRST drivers. This role will serve as the first point of contact for drivers needing safety assistance, including compliance questions, accident and injury intake, and current road conditions. This role is responsible for building positive professional relationships with CRST drivers, contractors, and driver support staff.
   
   Hybrid Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 4:30 pm. After 2 weeks of training, there is the option to work from home 2 days per week.
   
   Starting Salary:$18.00/hour
   
   What you will gain:Our internal practices support the development of career paths, and highly value promoting from within the organization. With a variety of divisions and locations all over the United States, the potential for growth is limitless. We also offer a competitive compensation package, including paid training, paid time off, and a complete benefits package. This includes medical, vision, dental, and life insurance which all begin after your first 60 days of employment.
   
   Job Responsibilities:
   
   + Coach and mentor drivers on behaviors that need to be corrected and encouraged while operating a commercial motor vehicle or performing other duties.
   
   + Develop relationships with drivers, contractors, and driver support staff to develop improved safety performance and encourage retention.
   
   + Review incoming video events from onboard safety technology to use with effective coaching.
   
   + Stay current on effective coaching techniques and understand the data used to measure results.
   
   + Provide guidance on compliance inquiries and ensure understanding and adherence by the requestor.
   
   + Provide first-level support and information gathering for all accidents and injuries. Accurately enter information into a database. Escalate to Supervisor according to protocol.
   
   + Communicate accidents and injuries to management.
   
   + Assign immediate corrective action based on written protocols.
   
   + Process inbound and outbound calls and messages.
   
   + Other duties as assigned by department management in accordance with company needs.
   
   Requirements:
   
   + A high school diploma or GED required
   
   + 2-3+ years of experience in the transportation industry required
   
   + AA or BA in relevant field preferred
   
   Did you know?
   
   + CRST is one of the largest privately owned trucking companies in the United States. That means you can count on our experience and ongoing commitment to providing the best service to our customers and the best work environment for our employees.
   
   + We are family-owned. We are dedicated to building on our founder's legacy to make CRST the transportation solution.
   
   + CRST is headquartered in Cedar Rapids, IA, but has nationwide locations. Our midwestern hometown is known for strong values, commitment to our community, and the success of manufacturers and producers here and throughout the country. When we thrive, America thrives!
   
   The CRST core values:Safety at the Core of All We Do - Integrity in Every Decision and Action - Commitment to the Success of Employees, Customers, Agents, Contractors and Communities.
   
   EEO Statement:All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right coach driver for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with coach drivers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit coach drivers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit coach drivers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   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 coach driver

   Once you've decided on a perfect coach driver candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new coach driver first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a coach driver?