New Driver Here. Questions to ask potential companies

I have been looking around on the forums and websites and found numerous questions to ask recruiters. I have narrowed the list down to 3 pages worth. I feel this is a lot of questions but they all seem to be good ones to ask. So I thought I could get some thoughts on my list. Thanks JD Here it goes:

Please tell me a little bit about your company, future goals, and financial stability.


Driver Qualifications
· Which endorsements must new hires have to have, such as tanker, hazardous materials or other?
· What extra credentials must a driver have in order to work for your company, such as a certificate from a state's Department of Motor Vehicles to haul hazardous materials, a TWIC card or passport to drive between the USA and Canada?
· Must the driver have any other skills, such as knowing how to operate a forklift for loading and/or unloading of freight?

The Equipment
· If I hire on with your company as a professional driver and successfully complete orientation, will I be put in a truck immediately?
· If I will not be put in a truck immediately after successfully completing orientation, what is the company prepared to do (pay or otherwise)?
· What kinds of trailers does the company haul?
· What is the average age of the company's tractors and trailers?
· What is the maximum age of the company's tractors and trailers?
· Does the company use a computer program to track the location of all its tractors and trailers at any given time?
· What condition are the company's tractors and trailers kept in?
· Do the tractors have CB connections and antennas?
· What percentage of your trucks have APUs (auxiliary power units) in them?
· Are there specific items that the company forbids in its tractors?

Freight Lanes
· What kinds of freight does the company haul?
· What percentage of freight hauled is considered "truckload" and "less-than-truckload"?
· In what states do the company's drivers drive most?
· Does the company have any dedicated routes? If so, from and to where, and which drivers have the opportunity to get these routes?
· What is the average length of time between delivery of one load and dispatch/assignment of the next?
· Are drivers forced to take loads into Canada, New York City, or other high-risk areas?
· Policy about taking truck home when off. Will I be required to have a trailer when I come home?
· Is there anything your company charges drivers for: damages, being late, getting stuck, needing a jump start, etc. Are accidents and damaged freight charged to the driver? Are hotels and meals paid if broken down?

· Where are your terminals?
· Is all maintenance done at the yard? What about non-emergency maintenance?
· Do you pay for truck washes/ truck washing policy.
Operations
· What is the idling policy?
· Toll road policy: Pass? Do you reimburse for scales and tolls?
· Does the company have an ongoing training program?
· How long is the company's driver training and of what does it consist? Is it paid? How do I get there? Is in-truck training done with a trainer or by team driving?
· Do prospective drivers get transported, paid, fed and housed completely at company expense during orientation?
· What is your wait time policy and pay?

The Drivers
· On average, how many miles per week do drivers at this company get paid each week?
· For my level of trucking experience, how much will I get paid (by the mile or per hour)?
· On what basis are drivers paid? (air miles, hub miles, practical miles, etc.)
· How many drivers or trucks are assigned to a specific fleet/driver manager?
· Over what is a fleet/driver manager responsible? (fuel stops, routing, extra pay, scheduling time off.)
· What is the company's turnover rate of drivers?
· Does the company "slip seat" its drivers or assign drivers to trucks?
· After how much time off does a driver "lose" his/her assigned truck?

Dispatches
· Does the company have "forced dispatch"?
· Does the company dispatch drivers to pick-up or deliver to ports (which may or may not require a TWIC card)?
· Are any of the loads dispatched categorized as "driver unload" and if so, how much is unloading pay for the driver versus how much the company will pay a lumper?
· What happens if a driver refuses to take a dispatch for a legitimate reason?
The Benefits
· Will I have to pay for my own DOT physical or does the company pay for that?
o What employee benefits does the company provide for its drivers?
o Rider & pet policy?
· How long must a driver be employed by the company before benefits kick in?
· What bonus programs do you have?
· Regarding vacation policy:
o How far in advance must a driver request vacation?
o On what basis is vacation pay paid out (examples: flat rate or cents-per-mile average of last year or quarter)?
· Regarding "at-home" or "time off" policy:
o How many days off does a driver receive for every day on the road?
o How far in advance must a driver request to get home?
· How many of the company's terminals have any or all of the following amenities for drivers: physical fitness equipment rooms, sleeping rooms, regularly cleaned shower rooms with supplied towel and washcloth, ice machines/makers, free washers and dryers, café or grill for buying freshly prepared food, etc.?

 

I like that one! Thanks

 

I understand the change of lifestyle thing when it comes to trucking, so I think I am as good with that as much as I can be until I can actually do it and see first hand.

I don't have to have them, however they would be nice to have. Especially since change is always happening, why not take advantage of it if I can.

Another reason I like to ask some of these questions is because I can get a better feel for the company. If I meet and talk with other drivers from the same company then I can be a little more informed on how the company is. Weather they completely lie just to get drivers in the door, or if a lot of what they tell me is true and are a more straight up company. I can use the info to find out the best pay for me. The highest pay isn't good if the company isn't a good company, or meet my needs, etc... Also I don't take just few opinions about everything, I look at a large enough amount to help filter out the lazy, or a couple that had a real bad experience but over is good.

As with anything in life, I do believe that whatever it is (trucking or not) it will be how you make it.

I see all over the web and truck stops horror stories and disgruntled ex employees, so I am on the hunt for the positive things of trucking from drivers with at least 5 or more years.

Thanks for your help

There is one thing that gives me a little uncertainty and that is personal safety. I know my cousin was robbed at a truck stop a few years ago. I think that's the only issue he has had since being on the road for about 15 yrs.