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As professionals who transport important goods from one place to another, Truck drivers need to inspect their vehicles for mechanical issues, be aware of safety protocol, and perform routine maintenance. Being a truck driver also requires a clear understanding of road rules, vehicle knowledge, and the ability to stay focused during routes that can be over 1,000 miles long, which is why taking interviews seriously is so important. Below are the 35 common Truck Driver interview questions that are asked during an interview to evaluate these abilities.
Key Takeaways:As a candidate, your interviewer will be interested in seeing a clean driving record, as well as evidence that you will be able to perform and focus in demanding conditions.
As an interviewer, look for candidates who have a clean record and are willing to take a drug test, as well as someone who provides examples of their ability to meet the physical demands of the job.
All of the possible Interview questions for truck drivers might seem overwhelming at first, but there are some effective steps you can take to prepare:
As a Candidate:Come with examples of your professional driving experience (i.e. jobs you've worked, special licenses, etc.).
Be prepared to explain how you would handle a potentially dangerous situation on the road (i.e. vehicle breakdown).
Find ways to express how you're adept at handling high-pressure situations, especially in a timely manner.
Review the job description and use it to construct your ideal candidate.
Ensure your candidates are aware of the types of vehicles they'll be driving, and the cargo they'll be hauling.
Provide your prospective truck drivers with an accurate hiring process timeline.
How much experience do you have as a commercial truck driver? The beginning of a truck driver interview is usually about establishing how much experience a candidate has in the industry. While many companies are willing to take on individuals who recently received their CDL, some positions require more years of experience.
Example Answer:
“I’ve been a commercial truck driver for the past five years. I started working on a 600-mile route in the northeast for up to 11 hours per day. After three years, I transferred to a distribution center where I was driving a standard 900-mile route.”
What made you decide to pursue a career as a truck driver? A hiring manager’s goal is to understand a candidate’s career leading up to the interview. That includes discussing your motivations for going into the commercial driving field. Describe your professional highlights and what initially drew you to the career briefly.
It’s an introduction to work your way into the interview.
Example Answer:
“I decided to pursue a career as a truck driver for two main reasons. First of all, I wanted a job that would allow me to travel around the country a lot. I also loved driving and have a knack for working with vehicles.
With these two desires in mind, it led me to be a truck driver, so I enrolled in truck driving school before getting my CDL in 2016.”
Is your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) up to date? Being a truck driver requires a few formal qualifications, such as having a Commercial Driver License (CDL) that permits someone to professionally drive large vehicles. This license needs to be renewed every five to eight years, depending on the driver’s state of residence.
An interviewer wants to verify that a candidate has all of these necessary qualifications before continuing further.
Example Answer:
“Yes, my Commercial Driver’s License is up to date. I just renewed it in March for another five years.”
Do you have a clean driving record? Lots of jobs require that candidates pass a background check. When going for a job that revolves around being on the road, candidates must have a clean driving record to be eligible for the position.
Example Answer:
“Yes, I have a completely clean driving record.”
How do you plan and organize your route? In addition to physically driving the truck and performing maintenance on it, a commercial driver must also effectively organize their route. Since long-haul drives can span days, good planning skills are crucial to maintain focus and staying safe.
Example Answer:
“Before heading off on a route, I take a look at a detailed map, even if I’ve done it a hundred times. I think having one last look keeps the information fresh in my mind before spending hours on the road.
Additionally, I pick out stop points every four hours along the journey to stretch, get a drink of water, and use the bathroom. This saves time looking for somewhere at the last minute.”
Why is it important to stop at weigh stations that are open during your shift? Being a truck driver requires knowledge of industry-related information. To decipher whether a candidate knows these details of the job, they’ll ask qualifying questions like this one. Their answer shows how experienced they are with the typical tasks on the job.
Example Answer:
“It is important to stop at open weigh stations along the shift because it is crucial that the load continues to be balanced and at a safe weight. It’s the law for commercial truck drivers to regularly stop at weigh stations.”
How do you react to other drivers being careless on the road? Safety is a big part of a truck driver’s job. When working as a truck driver, you share the road every day with people who don’t drive professionally. Occasionally, this means that you’ll come across other drivers being careless on the road.
The interviewer asks this question to figure out how you would behave in typical situations of the job like this one if they hired you as a truck driver.
Example Answer:
“When I’m on the road, safety is my biggest priority. Even though it can be stressful to witness other drivers being careless on the road, I stay calm and focused on being safe myself.
I avoid careless motorists as much as possible to lessen the chances of an accident happening. I always try to look out for other professional drivers to make sure they’re safe too.”
How do you stay alert on long hauls? Truck drivers can drive a maximum of 11 hours per day and often reach this limit on long hauls. During an interview, a hiring manager wants to figure out how you’ll handle those tough working conditions.
Example Answer:
“I believe that the best way to stay alert during long hauls is to map out stops every few hours along the route. Making it to each of these points gives me a goal to drive towards a little closer than the whole haul.
Additionally, when I get to these points, I take time to do some activities that liven me back up. Often, I do some form of exercise like jump roping to wake up my body. I also try to pack myself healthy foods with natural sugars and vitamins to give me a boost if I need it.”
What are your strengths as a truck driver? An interviewer asks this question to understand a candidate’s perspective on their performance as a truck driver. The areas of confidence that an interviewee discusses should be things that are highlighted by the job description.
Example Answer:
“I believe my biggest strengths as a truck driver are my extensive knowledge of commercial driving and my customer service skills. While a lot of my job is spent alone on the road, a good portion of it also involves dealing with different types of clients who are waiting for deliveries.
Over the years, I’ve developed my customer service skills to accommodate this part of the job, and I think it makes me stand out as a truck driver.”
If a client was angry because you arrived late with their delivery, what would you do? This is another example of a situational interview question that examines how a candidate might react to a common situation when working as a truck driver.
In this case, it asks the interviewee to detail how they’d handle a negative situation with a client while maintaining professionalism.
Example Answer:
“In a situation with an angry customer, I think the best approach is leading with open communication. I would explain to the client that I completely understand why they’re unhappy and include an updated time estimation for when I would arrive with their delivery.
Along the way, I’d continue to be very communicative about where I was along the journey and how much longer it would take. Throughout the conversation, I’d try to be positive and solution-oriented.”
Have you ever had an accident or problems on the road? Since a truck driver spends their career driving on the open road, they may experience an accident or issue at some point in their professional life. When answering this question, be sure to include information about how you handled this situation when it occurred.
Example Answer:
“While I’ve never been in an accident on the road, I’ve had mechanical issues with my vehicle while on a long haul drive once before. Once I noticed that the truck was driving strangely, I pulled off at the nearest rest stop, which was thankfully very close.
I did a full inspection of the vehicle and found that one of the front right tires was deflating. I replaced the tire at the rest stop, did one final sweep for safety, and continued on my route as normal.”
Are you okay with being away from home for over a week at a time? Being a truck driver isn’t the ideal career for certain lifestyles because being away from home for long periods is a necessity. An interviewer needs to be clear about a candidate’s availability to go on long hauls for over a week at a time.
Example Answer:
“Yes, I am okay with being away from home for over a week at a time. I live with my girlfriend who takes care of our apartment and dog while I’m away for work.”
Tell me about a time you had a setback on a delivery and how you handled it. An interviewer is curious to find out how you’ll deal with the stressful parts of being a truck driver.
They’ll ask about setbacks you’ve faced on a past delivery to receive details about how you’ll tackle problems on the job in the future. This is another example of a behavioral interview question.
Example Answer:
“I had a setback on a long haul delivery that I was driving during my first year in the field. The delivery had a hard deadline that I was determined to meet, but there was a major accident on the highway, and traffic was at a standstill. After six hours of being stuck in place, it was clear that I wasn’t going to make the strict deadline.
I ended up calling the client to communicate the situation blatantly. They understood and gave me an extra 24 hours to make the delivery. I made it in this window of time.”
What does your current availability look like? When hiring for a position that demands a lot of your time, like being a truck driver, an interviewer wants to be straightforward about a candidate’s current availability. It allows them to be realistic about how much and when they can work.
Example Answer:
“I am currently available to take on long haul drives that demand up to 70 hours over eight days. I would require at least three days off between long-haul shifts to spend at home. I will be available to start as soon as next week.”
Tell me about your truck maintenance routine. Vehicle maintenance is a crucial part of ensuring road safety and taking care of company property. For those reasons, employers want to ensure that you know what you're doing.
Example Answer:
“I take great care to ensure that my truck is always in top condition. Before and after every delivery trip I inspect the tire inflation, lights and mirrors, hazard flashers, and brakes. I believe that it is essential to routinely do these maintenance checks and repairs to guarantee a safe and secure driving experience. Any time I notice something more complex that needs to be fixed, I add it to my list of essential tasks and ensure a mechanic takes care of them.”
What is your strategy for regularly meeting important deadlines? Staying on schedule is crucial for any company looking to transport goods. The interviewer is looking for someone who has time management and accurate route-planning skills. Therefore, you should give examples of how you consistently meet deadlines during your hauls.
Example Answer:
“As a truck driver, I understand the importance of meeting deadlines and do my best to ensure that goods are delivered within the timeframe that customers expect. To help make this happen, I have a plan in place before I start my work day. I typically get a head start before my scheduled start time, to give myself some extra time in case something unexpected happens and I experience a delay. I also make sure to take limited and reasonable breaks throughout the day to ensure that I don't fall behind on my goals. By having a plan and taking the necessary steps to make sure I stay on track, I'm able to deliver goods on time and meet the expectations of my customers.”
What are some of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) protocols that you use as a truck driver? It is essential for applicants to have a full understanding of the FMCSA regulations. If the company is not compliant with these regulations, it could face severe penalties. Furthermore, noncompliance increases the chances of exhausted drivers, which may lead to a fatal accident. As such, it is important to ensure that the applicant is aware of the regulations, and also understands the risks that come with a lack of compliance.
Example Answer:
“I take FMCSA protocols very seriously. For example, I always ensure that I take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving so I can check in on myself. I also follow driving limits, because I know proper scheduling and route planning will be more effective in meeting deadlines than risking a dangerous situation.”
Do you think communication skills are vital as a truck driver? Truck drivers regularly communicate with customers, dispatchers, and others in their company. As a candidate, it's important for you to show how you're capable of communicating effectively with a wide range of people.
Example Answer:
“Communication skills are vital as a truck driver. Good communication helps drivers stay informed, follow instructions, and build relationships with others in the industry. Without strong communication skills, it can be difficult for a driver to safely and successfully do their job.”
What is the most prolonged haul you have ever completed in your career? This question allows an interviewer to assess your capabilities, as well as understand how to handle demanding stations. Pull from your previous experience and show how you performed your job well.
Example Answer:
“The most prolonged one I’ve ever done was a 2,400-mile drive from Florida to California. It took me five days to make the drive, and I had to take numerous breaks along the way. The route was pretty straightforward, so I was able to keep a steady pace and avoid getting too tired. It was certainly a challenge, but I was determined to get the job done. I'm proud to say that I managed the entire journey without any difficulties and I'm thankful that I was given the opportunity to do it.”
How would you handle a situation where your patience is being tested? There is a myriad of reasons why truck drivers might have their patience tested. From road construction to dealing with unruly drivers, talk about how you keep your emotions under control in order to get through or resolve the situation.
Example Answer:
“Whenever my patience is being tested through exhausting traffic or road construction, I always make a concentrated effort to regulate my emotions. I make sure to take regular breaks, listen to music, and keep my focus on the task at hand. This helps me to stay level-headed and enables me to complete my delivery on time.”
Tell me about yourself. In the context of being a truck driver, you should focus on your professional background on the road, as well as any major skills you have and accomplishments you've made.
Example Answer:
“I have five years of experience driving commercial trucks and have a valid CDL license. I take pride in my safety record; I have never had an accident or received a citation.
In this business, my problem-solving skills make me stand out. They enable me to find creative solutions to the challenges that arise while on the road, and effectively navigate various types of technology and equipment, such as GPS navigation and satellite communications.
I am also very dependable and dedicated to my work. This has helped me maintain my clean record and handle potentially stressful situations with poise and confidence.
Overall, I’m committed to being a safe and efficient truck driver and have the track record to prove it. I think these qualities make me an ideal truck driver for your company.”
Why should we hire you? The person who has the most comprehensive perspective on their performance as a truck driver is the candidate themselves. That’s why an interviewer usually asks them, “Why should we hire you?”.
When answering, a candidate should outline the aspects of their personality and experience that make them an ideal fit for the role. The hiring manager wants the applicant to sell themselves succinctly when posing this blunt question.
Example Answer:
“Your company should hire me because I have five years of dedicated experience as a commercial truck driver. In that time, my communication skills and knowledge of how to have a safe drive have matured greatly.
I’m committed to being a safe and efficient truck driver and have the track record to prove it. I think these qualities make me an ideal truck driver for your company.”
Why do you want to work here? A good answer to this question will be specific to the company you're applying for. This is why it's important to research the company before the interview, so you can use that knowledge to explain why you want to work there.
Example Answer:
“I want to work at Finest Hauls because I have a deep respect for your company's track record of meeting deadlines while also maintaining road safety. I've researched some of your most common routes, with the Miami to Houston route being an example, and I believe my extensive experience driving similar Southern routes gives me the edge I need to succeed."
Where do you see yourself in five years? Truck driving companies want to know that you will be loyal and dedicated to keeping up with the industry. Talk about how you plan to advance your truck driving career, and how you intend to keep up with new technologies."
Example Answer:
“In five years, I see myself as a successful truck driver with a record of safe and reliable driving. I hope to have expanded my experience to include different types of routes and have built a reputation of being a reliable and knowledgeable driver who can be trusted with difficult deliveries. I hope to have developed a better understanding of the industry and all its requirements and regulations, as well as a better understanding of the needs of my employers.
Additionally, I seek to develop stronger relationships with my coworkers and other drivers, as well as with my employers. My ultimate goal for the next five years is to become a successful, professional truck driver with an exemplary driving record."
What are your strengths and weaknesses? This question is all about balance and positivity. Start off by talking about your biggest strength. Then, even after you honestly transition to your biggest weakness, ensure that you discuss how you manage and improve that weakness.
Example Answer:
“My greatest strength lies in my ability to stay focused and organized while on the road. Through my adept understanding of road rules and regulations, as well as my knowledge of knowledge US geography, I am able to create accurate, organized route plans that I can follow with ease.
My greatest weakness as a truck driver is my lack of experience with new technologies. However, by taking additional courses and thoroughly following company training programs I intend to increase my knowledge. Ultimately, my goal is to keep up with the new technological changes each year brings."
Was there a time when you previously learned how to handle a new piece of equipment?
How do effectively organize, plan and prioritize your routes?
What kind of experience do you have with new trucking technologies?
How will you effectively communicate with families?
How do you balance teamwork and independent thinking?
Have you ever been late for a delivery?
Was there ever a time you received incorrect information from a dispatcher?
What methods would you use to stay motivated during long drives?
If you got into an accident with another vehicle, how would you handle the situation?
What is one of your greatest successes on the job?