How to hire an oil transport driver

How to hire an oil transport driver, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The oil 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 oil transport driver's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, oil 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 oil transport driver salaries for various roles:

   Type of Oil Transport Driver	Description	Hourly rate
   Oil 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	$15-33
   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
   Driver/Mover	A driver/mover is responsible for preparing and arranging items for delivery from the distribution center to assigned destinations. Driver/movers assist with loading and unloading merchandise using various warehouse tools and equipment... Show more	$11-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CDL
   • Crude Oil
   • Post-Trip Inspections
   • Safety Rules
   • Hazardous Materials
   • Vehicle Inspections
   • LACT
   • Electronic Logs
   • Federal Regulations
   • H2S
   • Trip Reports
   • Safety Policies
   • Safety Procedures
   • Oil Samples

   Responsibilities:

   • Haul oil from various locations from LACT units.
   • Drive from given oil tank battery for load and drive to given oil lact or port facility for unload.
   • Maintain telephone contact with supervisor or dispatcher to receive delivery or pickup instructions.
   • Deliver customers to their destination/homes/doorsteps with luggage/baggage groceries

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, oil transport drivers' average salary in tennessee is 43% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level oil transport drivers 54% less than senior-level oil transport drivers.
   • Certifications. An oil 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 oil transport driver's salary.

   Average oil transport driver salary

   $47,751yearly

   $22.96 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level oil transport driver salary

   $32,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing an oil transport driver job description

   An oil 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 oil transport driver job description:

   Oil transport driver job description example

   Perdue Foods is part of Perdue Farms, a family-owned company heading into it's second century of growth and innovation. With a goal of becoming the most trusted name in premium proteins, we create products for consumers and for retail and foodservice customers around the globe, while changing the way animals are raised for food.
   **Summary**
   
   Operate Tractor -Trailer combination between Company/Customer facilities, in order to pick up and deliver freight in a legal, safe, timely, and efficient manner to include drop, hook, spot or otherwise interchange equipment for loading and unloading at various locations, as assigned. The expectation for this position, the driver will be away from home domicile for an extended period of time, unless otherwise directed by management. Driver is expected to perform above duties in a professional manner at all times as he/she is a representative of the Perdue Farms Brand.
   
   Local Sunday - Thursday schedule
   
   **Principal and Essential Duties & Responsibilities**
   
   1. Maneuver and deliver/backhaul truck loads of product and materials to plants, customers, and distributors as assigned.
   
   2. Observe and maintain all Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements regarding hours of service, log book, vehicle inspections, load inspections, and securing load. To include utilizing electronic logging device (paper logs when needed), on board vehicle tracking system in efficient manner.
   
   3. Operate a tractor and trailer in a legal/safe manner consistent with all Federal, State and Local laws, regulations, and Company policies. To include the utilization of all on board safety features.
   
   4. Complete and submit all Company paperwork to include but not limited to manifest, bill of lading, proof of delivery pay envelopes, overage, shortage, damaged claims, and trip reports.
   
   5. As assigned, the physical process of loading and unloading of product may be required.
   
   6. Responsible for seal integrity and the reporting of an accurate /verified case count and condition of product during deliveries
   
   **Minimum Education**
   
   Valid CDL License
   
   High School Graduate or GED
   
   **Experience Requirements**
   
   Minimum Two years over the road Tractor/Trailer driving experience with refrigerated trailers preferred.
   
   One Year over the road driving experience with degree from accredited driving school.
   
   **Experience Preferred**
   
   Strong communication skills.
   
   **Environmental Factors and Physical Requirements**
   
   1. Able to drive a tractor with a trailer.
   
   2. Able to remain seated for extended periods of time up to the limits established by DOT regulations.
   
   3. Able to withstand bouncing and vibration from truck and road conditions.
   
   4. Able to lift boxes up to 100 pounds to load/unload products.
   
   5. Exposed to fuel and oil spills.
   
   6. Exposed to extreme temperatures (0-100 Degrees Fahrenheit), humidity, (0-100%) and noise (50db to 100db)
   
   7. Required to travel to customers, distributors, plant facilities and other remote locations.
   
   _Perdue Farms, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status._

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right oil transport 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 oil transport drivers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit oil transport 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 oil transport driver job on Zippia to find and recruit oil 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 oil 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.

   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 oil transport driver

   Once you've found the oil transport driver 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.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new oil 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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