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How to hire a driver trainer

Driver trainer hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring driver trainers in the United States:

  • There are a total of 624,944 driver trainers in the US, and there are currently 844,436 job openings in this field.
  • The median cost to hire a driver trainer is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per driver trainer on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Happy Valley, OR, has the highest demand for driver trainers, with 5 job openings.

How to hire a driver trainer, step by step

To hire a driver trainer, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a driver trainer:

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

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

What does a driver trainer do?

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. They teach their clients the basics of handling a car, the different actions one takes while driving, and the meaning of different street signs. They guide their clients during driving lessons and provide feedback so that their clients can improve. At times, driver trainers also handle driving tests and would rate the clients on their driving skills.

Learn more about the specifics of what a driver trainer does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The driver trainer 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?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a driver trainer to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a driver trainer that fits the bill.

    This list presents driver trainer salaries for various positions.

    Type of Driver TrainerDescriptionHourly rate
    Driver TrainerHeavy 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$14-33
    Commercial Truck DriverA commercial truck driver is primarily in charge of transporting and delivering cargo, ensuring efficiency and timeliness. Their responsibilities include driving for long durations, coordinating with logistics staff, handling documentation, and maintaining the safety of cargo... Show more$19-48
    Tractor-Trailer DriverA tractor-trailer driver is responsible for picking up and delivering goods and services from distribution centers and warehouses to different locations across the country as required. Tractor-trailer drivers manage the best route planning to prevent delays... Show more$19-40
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • CDL
    • Dexterity
    • Training Programs
    • Defensive Driving
    • Emergency Equipment
    • Customer Service
    • Post-Trip Inspections
    • Hazmat
    • Federal Regulations
    • GPS
    • Customer Orders
    • Good Communication
    • DOT Regulations
    • OTR
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage delivery locations and execute pickup and delivery routes.
    • Maintain trip logs in compliance with FMCSA regulations.
    • Follow FMCSA requirements for a commercial driver's license.
    • Use of electronic logging system (XATA) and GPS system.
    • Implement the company new hire training program for OTR dry freight drivers.
    • Train new CDL drivers in safety and delivery operations, logbook verification, and route scheduling.
    More driver trainer duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your driver trainer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A driver trainer salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, driver trainers' average salary in kansas is 35% less than in oregon.
    • Seniority. Entry-level driver trainers earn 57% less than senior-level driver trainers.
    • Certifications. A driver trainer 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 driver trainer's salary.

    Average driver trainer salary

    $46,074yearly

    $22.15 hourly rate

    Entry-level driver trainer salary
    $30,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 14, 2025

    Average driver trainer salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Oregon$58,686$28
    2New York$55,515$27
    3Oklahoma$51,984$25
    4District of Columbia$51,866$25
    5Texas$50,969$25
    6Georgia$50,122$24
    7Massachusetts$49,366$24
    8Kentucky$48,932$24
    9North Carolina$47,360$23
    10Connecticut$47,155$23
    11California$47,028$23
    12Maryland$46,079$22
    13Florida$45,355$22
    14Colorado$44,761$22
    15South Carolina$44,743$22
    16Rhode Island$44,711$22
    17West Virginia$43,476$21
    18Minnesota$42,211$20
    19Illinois$41,864$20
    20Wisconsin$41,238$20

    Average driver trainer salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1J. J. Keller & Associates$62,622$30.113
    2Total Transportation of Mississippi$62,158$29.884
    3Intertek$59,610$28.661
    4Air Products$58,290$28.02
    5Oak Grove Tech$57,749$27.766
    6United Road Services$52,725$25.35
    7Ryder System$51,459$24.74938
    8US Foods$51,375$24.70112
    9Landair Express$50,490$24.27111
    10TransForce$50,114$24.09478
    11Hirschbach$49,797$23.94221
    12Lynden$49,177$23.641
    13The SYGMA Network$48,836$23.48
    14Waste Management$48,511$23.3215
    15Holland$48,312$23.23
    16Amarillo College$47,788$22.98
    17Sysco$47,724$22.94266
    18Redwood Logistics$47,250$22.72
    19XPO Logistics$47,035$22.61
    20Performance Food Group$46,794$22.50425
  4. Writing a driver trainer job description

    A good driver trainer 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 driver trainer job description:

    Driver trainer job description example

    ***NOW WITH A $10,000 STAY ON BONUS!!***

    Why you need to join us!

    • CULTURE: It’s a Great place to work! We work in an environment where empowered, self-directed All-stars know what they do is important.
    • INTEGRITY: Our definition is “saying what you will do and then doing it!” We keep our promises to our customers and our employees.

    DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
    •Ability to safely operate a garbage truck on specified routes to collect solid waste. Waste experience preferred, but not required.
    •Ability to read route sheets and service each customer identified on the sheet or assigned by the dispatcher.
    •Perform routine inspection and maintenance on vehicles such as checking fluids, safety equipment, and tires.
    •Ability to perform a physically demanding job, loading and unloading, at times with no helpers.
    •Operate hydraulic hand controls to lift/load refuse and dispose of trash at designated facilities.
    •Courteous interaction with our customers and perform other miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

    WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL EFFORT:
    •Extensive physical activity. Requires strenuous physical work; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling required of objects over 50 pounds.
    •Work environment involves some exposure to physical risks such as moving mechanical parts. Which require following basic safety precautions.
    •The employee is exposed to outside weather, including frequent wet and/or humid conditions, as well as exposure to fumes and vibration. Noise level is usually moderate.

    MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:
    •Valid Class B CDL with air brakes endorsement or ability to obtain one.
    •Ability to read, write, comprehend and communicate in English.
    •Basic knowledge of truck components in order to complete pre- and post-trip inspections.

    To be considered for any of our current openings you must complete an application at careers.wasteconnections.com . Application information and additional instructions can be found once you select your position of interest.

    We offer excellent benefits including: medical, dental, vision, flexible spending account, long term & short term disability, life insurance, 401K retirement and unlimited opportunities to "Connect with Your Future".

    Waste Connections is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer (Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran)

  5. Post your job

    To find the right driver trainer 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 driver trainers they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit driver trainers 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 driver trainer job on Zippia to find and recruit driver trainer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit driver trainers, 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. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    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 driver trainer

    Once you've found the driver trainer candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

    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.

    To prepare for the new driver trainer 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.)
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How much does it cost to hire a driver trainer?

Hiring a driver trainer comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting driver trainers involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of driver trainer recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $46,074 per year for a driver trainer, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for driver trainers in the US typically range between $14 and $33 an hour.

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