In this blog, we will be sharing some of our advice on the subject of hiring drivers that are right for the job. In the current climate, there appears to be a driver shortage. With companies struggling to find consistent and reliable drivers, your recruitment process has to be more on point than ever before. Hopefully, by applying some of our top tips from years of experience, you can become more proficient at hiring high-quality HGV drivers.

Bide Your Time

Rushing into hiring truck drivers who are not a perfect fit or raise some red flags can lead to serious issues. You run the risk of no-shows, poor customer service or a range of other less-than-ideal situations, many of which can be avoided by taking your time with the hiring process. We understand that sometimes you may have little choice, with vehicles without drivers and jobs that need completing. Relying on trusted subcontractors or using ad-hoc drivers can, however, provide a steadier interim solution. From here, you can really focus on identifying the right qualities you desire in a driver and not settling for less. Long term, your business will benefit, while you will need to use your resources to steady the ship in the meantime.

Have a Well-Structured Interview and Grading Process

Ask each interviewee the same questions without going off topic. Allow them to answer in full and don’t feel the need to fill awkward silences. Have a simple grading process in place and score each interviewee’s answers consistently. This can be done with a 1-5 marking scheme per question, reviewed at the end. Those with the highest scores should be the first to be considered for the role. Allow some room for gut instinct but don’t rely on it entirely, as people’s mannerisms and personalities can appeal to some but not to others. This process aims to reduce human bias. While a grading process can never be perfect, it helps to get a more accurate reading.

Accurately Outline the Job Description to Candidates

If you’re hiring HGV drivers, make sure your job posting clearly states the qualifications, experience level, and working conditions. This will immediately help to weed out those who are not suitable for the job. While some candidates may still apply despite not being a good fit for the role, you can eliminate a large number of unsuitable applicants. In our own driver job descriptions, we describe a fast-paced, quickly changing and hard-working environment that demands long hours. This doesn’t appeal to a large number of drivers but that’s fine. We’d rather have five suited applicants than a hundred unsuitable ones.

Encourage Referrals

One of the best ways to find reliable HGV drivers is through referrals from your existing team. Not only will they know and trust the driver, but they are also placing trust in this person. This significantly reduces the chances of them recommending someone they don’t truly believe can do the job to the required level. However, don’t blindly hire based on a recommendation—it is important to still complete the appropriate process. You can think of it as a ‘leg up’ rather than a sure thing.

Experience Isn’t Everything

While having an experienced driver is great, don’t view it as the ultimate deciding factor. If you have the facilities to train, teach and improve a less experienced driver, you can focus more on getting the right traits and attitudes through the door. This not only helps foster a young and energetic workforce but can also build strong loyalty to your company among your drivers.

Final Thoughts

Finding and hiring HGV drivers in 2025 isn’t easy, but with the right approach, you can build a strong and reliable team. By taking your time, refining your process and focusing on the right qualities, you can establish a dependable workforce. Avoid rushing into hires, structure your interviews effectively and be clear about job expectations. Lean on referrals where possible and don’t overlook less experienced candidates who have the right attitude and potential. A well-thought-out hiring approach will pay off in the long run, leading to fewer headaches and a more dependable workforce.

Share this guide with other transport professionals if you found it useful!

Extras:

SNAP have discussed the implications of the driver shortage and what can be done about it: https://snapacc.com/newsroom/addressing-the-hgv-driver-shortage-in-the-uk-in-20242025/

Are you yourself a reliable HGV driver? Work with us today: https://www.chadkirktransport.co.uk/work-with-us/