How to hire a line driver

How to hire a line driver, step by step

Here's a step-by-step line 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 line driver job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new line driver
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The line 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

   Hiring the perfect line driver also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents line driver salaries for various positions.

   Type of Line Driver	Description	Hourly rate
   Line 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	$16-33
   Truck Driver-Over-The-Road	A truck driver-over-the-road (OTR) is a professional driver who specializes in hauling items such as heavy freight, machinery, or construction materials from a home terminal to delivery points. OTR truck drivers usually spend more time on the road due to the long distances they are required to reach... Show more	$24-45
   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
   • DOT
   • OTR
   • LTL
   • Unload Trailers
   • Hazardous Materials
   • Safety Rules
   • Federal Regulations
   • Vehicle Maintenance
   • Assembly Line
   • Food Preparation
   • Log Book
   • Unload Freight
   • Production Lines

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Work in shipyard production carpenter shop building ladders stepstools cabinets and environmental enclosures for epa restrictions.
   • Teach students how to operate QUALCOMM and how to properly operate the refrigeration unit on the trailer.
   • Assist with container management and Qualcomm satellite communication systems training.
   • Answer commercials and general calls, also look for parts on AutoZone systems and place orders for customers.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, line drivers' average salary in florida is 43% less than in new york.
   • Seniority. Entry-level line drivers earn 51% less than senior-level line drivers.
   • Certifications. A line 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 line driver's salary.

   Average line driver salary

   $49,593yearly

   $23.84 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level line driver salary

   $34,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 24, 2025

4. Writing a line driver job description

   A good line 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 line driver job description:

   Line driver job description example

   $5,000 sign-on bonus

   Peninsula Truck Lines, Inc. is a Pacific Northwest regional LTL carrier operating in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Founded in 1951, our organization has established an outstanding reputation for quality services and credit for this goes to every one of our employees. We are a progressive company with the old-fashioned values of honesty, respect and appreciation. We believe the people who work at Peninsula are the reason for our success.

   Responsibilities

   Our Regional Line Drivers hook up and haul trailers between our terminals in the Pacific Northwest. Our drivers run 5 days per week with weekends off. All runs are from their home terminal to one or two other terminals and return to their home terminal daily.

   Benefits

   • Our Regional Line drivers earn an average of $70,000-$75,000 per year;
   • Routes are paid by the mile, $.6865 per mile.
   • 100% Employer paid medical insurance premiums for employee and dependents;
   • Health Savings Account;
   • Vacation, sick leave and holidays;
   • Flexible spending accounts;
   • 401k retirement & Pension Plan
   • Drivers work a swing/graveyard shift shuttling trailers between terminals. There can be occasions for a layover but it is seldom.
   • Home every weekend! We ensure this by running 7/60 hour logs;
   • Regional routes only. No long haul driving;
   • Leadership that respects and values you and the work you do.

   Requirements:

   • Minimum 21 years of age;
   • Class A CDL with hazmat, doubles/triples endorsements;
   • Two years recent line experience in a mountainous region or 5 years over the road experience.
   • Valid DOT medical certification;
   • No violation of the following during the 36-month period prior to date of hire:
     • Conviction of an "at-fault" accident;
     • License suspension or revocation for more than 30 days;
     • No violation of the following during the 60-month period prior to date of hire:
     • DUI or reckless driving in any motor vehicle;
   • No violations of DOT drug/alcohol requirements. Proof of SAP required for any violations.
   • Familiarity with area and good communication skills are an asset;
   • Must chain for inclement weather;
   • Willingness to run mountainous areas in all seasons.

   
   
   Job Posted by ApplicantPro
   

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5. Post your job

   To find line drivers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any line drivers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level line drivers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your line driver job on Zippia to find and recruit line 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 line 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.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 line driver

   Once you've selected the best line driver candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is 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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