Driver: What is the cost of hiring?

Why recruit a driver

Having a team of drivers can help your business to grow, as they can help deliver your products to customers all over the country. They can also help you transport equipment, such as lighting, staging or heavy machinery. If your shop needs restocking with specialist items, such as cosmetics or pharmaceutical goods, then hiring a driver will mean that you are less likely to run out of what your customers urgently need.

Qualities of a great driver:

• Pays close attention to delivery details, ensuring that clients receive items in good condition and at the time specified
• Drives safely and takes appropriate precautions in poor weather conditions
• Can perform basic vehicle maintenance checks, and knows who to contact if anything goes wrong

Deciding between a full-time vs freelance driver

Whether you hire a driver full-time or on a contract will depend on the regularity of your deliveries. Many drivers as well will hire themselves out on a contract basis for flexibility and the opportunity to work around the country or the world. Therefore, if you are looking for a reliable driver who can work for you on a regular basis, you should make this clear in your job description. You might choose to hire a personal driver or taxi service on a freelance or one-off basis, or hire a personal driver on a longer term contract for a VIP client.

What are the different types of driver?

You should look to hire a driver based on the service that you need them to perform. If you are looking for a driver to provide a high-quality taxi service for customers, you should find a personal driver or chauffeur. However, if you are looking for a driver to help make deliveries out to customers, or large deliveries to your shops, then you should look for a delivery driver with a van or lorry. If you are looking to transport large goods, machinery or liquids, you should look for a driver who specialises in transporting them. For instance, if you are looking to transport liquids or oil, you will need a driver who drives a lorry with a tank.

• Chauffeur: Helps transport clients and executive staff with a personalised service, and usually have to pass a topographical test if they are London-based.
• HGV driver: Delivers heavy goods in a specialised container which keeps them safe and secure.
• Delivery driver: Helps deliver bulk goods to your shops or to your customers in a medium or large vehicle such as a van or lorry.
• Bus driver: Has the required qualifications and experience to drive a bus, either for local bus companies or for schools.
• Postal delivery driver: Works with a post office team to deliver letters and parcels directly to people’s houses.

Where to find a driver?

Where you start your search for a driver will depend on the service you are looking for them to provide. If you need a local delivery driver or bus driver for your company, then it is a good idea to advertise in local jobcentres, or on other noticeboards. That way, you can find someone who is based close to your business. However, if you are looking for a highly specialised type of driver such as a chauffeur, you can search via a specialised chauffeur agency. You can also promote the role internally, asking for professional recommendations from your colleagues.

To find the right driver for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

• Advertising in local jobcentres: Create clear, visible ads for jobcentre windows or displays.
• Chauffeur recruitment agency: Use a specialist agency to headhunt professional chauffeurs that are knowledgeable of your routes.
• Recommendations from colleagues: Find reputable drivers by asking colleagues for a personal recommendation.
• Networking with driver companies: Locate driver companies with a great local reputation at jobs fairs or by contacting them directly through their company website

Post your job online: Try posting your job for a driver on Indeed to find and attract quality driver candidates.

Skills to look for in a great driver

A great candidate for a driver role will have the following skills and attributes as well as work experience that reflects:

• Excellent navigation skills
• Quick reflexes
• Time management abilities
• Excellent topographical knowledge, and an awareness of multiple routes
• Communication and customer service skills

Writing a driver job description

A thoughtful description is important for finding qualified driver candidates. A driver job description includes a compelling summary of the role, detailed list of duties and responsibilities, and the required and preferred skills for the position.

When writing your job description for a driver, consider including some or all of the following keywords to improve the visibility of your job posting. These are the most popular search terms leading to clicks on drivers jobs, according to Indeed data:

• Driver
• Delivery driver
• Driver
• HGV driver
• Van driver
• Class 2 driver
• Dumper driver
• Driving vacancies

Interviewing driver candidates

Strong candidates for driver positions will be confident answering questions regarding:

• Which types of vehicles they are licensed to drive
• Previous driver experience
• Knowledge of different routes and the general area
• Their driving record
• How they would handle an accident while driving

Need help coming up with interview questions? See our list of driver interview questions for examples (with sample answers).