Interview Questions to Ask Truck Driver Candidates

Updated October 2026

Key takeaways

• Confirm qualifications before the interview so the conversation can focus on safety and fit.
• Ask about specific past situations, not general opinions.
• Verify what the driver tells you through the MVR, PSP report, Clearinghouse query and previous employer checks.
• Ask every candidate the same core questions and record the answers.
• Follow federal, state and local rules on questions about criminal history and other protected topics.

Before the interview

Confirm the basics during screening so the interview is not spent on them:

• CDL class, endorsements and restrictions
• Current medical certificate
• Months of verifiable experience and equipment type
• Recent violations and preventable accidents, as reported by the driver

The formal checks come later in the hiring process: the motor vehicle record (MVR), the FMCSA Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) report, the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse pre-employment query and the previous employer safety performance history.

Experience and equipment

1. What types of trucks and trailers have you operated, and for how long?
2. What kind of freight have you hauled? Any hazmat, tanker, flatbed securement or reefer experience?
3. What routes have you run: local, regional, over the road or dedicated?
4. Tell me about the most difficult backing or docking situation you have handled.

Safety record

5. Walk me through any accidents or violations in the last three years. What happened and what did you learn?
6. Describe a time you refused a load or stopped driving because something was not safe. How did you handle it with dispatch?
7. What do you check during a pre-trip inspection, and what would make you put a truck out of service?
8. How do you handle bad weather or road closures when you are on a deadline?

Hours of service and electronic logs

9. How do you plan your day to stay within the 11-hour driving limit and the 14-hour window?
10. Describe a time you were running short on hours. What did you do?
11. Which ELD systems have you used?

Communication and reliability

12. How do you keep dispatch and customers informed when you are running late?
13. Tell me about a disagreement with a dispatcher or customer and how it was resolved.
14. What home time schedule do you need, and what schedule would make you look for another job?

Fit and expectations

15. Why are you leaving your current or last job?
16. What matters most to you in a carrier: pay, home time, equipment, the people you work with or something else?
17. What questions do you have about our pay structure, routes and equipment?

If the job requires travel for orientation or to pick up equipment, explain the plan and confirm the driver’s availability. State who pays for travel and lodging.

Questions to avoid

Do not ask about age, race, religion, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, disability or other protected characteristics. Ask only whether the candidate can perform the essential duties of the job.

Criminal history questions are regulated. Many states and cities have “ban the box” laws that limit when you can ask, and the EEOC recommends that employers consider only offenses related to the job and give candidates a chance to explain. Background checks from consumer reporting agencies must also follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Federal rules separately disqualify drivers for certain offenses (49 CFR 383.51 and 391.15), and those must be checked for every candidate. Ask an employment lawyer to review your process for your states.

English language proficiency

Federal rules (49 CFR 391.11(b)(2)) require drivers to read and speak English well enough to talk with the public, understand highway signs, respond to official questions and make entries on reports. Since June 2025, roadside inspectors can place drivers who do not meet this standard out of service. The interview is a reasonable place to confirm a candidate can meet the requirement.

After the interview

Score each candidate on the same criteria, record notes, and move quickly. DriverFly’s applicant tracking system keeps every applicant in one place, and AI recruiting agents can schedule interviews automatically.

Frequently asked questions

How many interview questions should I ask a CDL driver?

Ten to fifteen focused questions is usually enough. Confirm basic qualifications during screening so the interview can focus on safety, reliability and fit.

Can I ask a truck driver about criminal history?

It depends on your state and city. Some “ban the box” laws limit when you can ask. Federal disqualifying offenses for CDL drivers must still be checked. Get legal advice for your locations.

What should I verify after the interview?

Order the MVR, PSP report and Clearinghouse pre-employment query, and request safety performance history from previous DOT-regulated employers for the last three years.

Sources: 49 CFR 391.11, 391.15, 391.23, 383.51; EEOC enforcement guidance on arrest and conviction records; CVSA out-of-service criteria (June 25, 2025).