The 5 Characteristics of Great Drivers for Hire

What does it take to become a great truck driver, you may ask? At MASA, we source only the best drivers to fill our clients’ trucking needs. Over time, we have come across many different drivers and have identified several characteristics and personal traits which make up a good truck driver. Driving trucks is not for everyone, and it takes a select few individuals to take on the responsibility of driving long distances spanning from one side of the country to the other.

A driver for hire is defined by Law Insider “as a person who has been requested, hired, or contracted to physically driver the customer in a customer’s private as agreed upon.” At the same time, a specialist driver is a driver who drives a specific type of vehicle linked to a particular driving code.

“I didn’t wait for Luck. I tore after it with a truck.” A.A Bell

When work needs to be done, trucking companies rely on their drivers to get to their destination safely and efficiently. One of the best ways to become a good truck driver is to have a passion for driving, working with clients, and overcoming daily challenges. Every trip is met with different obstacles, and specific qualities are needed to achieve the desired results.

Let’s look further into the characteristics of great drivers for hire. If you need a driver for hire or specialist driver, contact MASA to leverage our top driving division.

Great trucking is more than getting from point A to Point B – a whole lot more

Truck driving skills motivate you on the road and help you achieve excellent results. Workplace truck driving skills will help you become a good driver and employee, but above all, it will help individuals earn a decent living from driving.

However, the general assumption is that truck drivers aren’t living the healthiest lifestyles when it comes to health. Good truckers recognise that their physical and mental health is essential for reliability, alertness, and overall job performance.

Most people probably would be able to manage to drive a truck after practice runs, but the best drivers have excellent characteristics, such as these listed below:

Alertness

In South Africa, 62% of accidents involve a truck. Alertness is one of the drivers’ skills to remain safe while driving a commercial vehicle. Because truck driving can be dangerous, good truck drivers know that vigilance is essential to stay safe and avoid becoming fatigued. 

Arrive Alive approached Barloworld Transport to understand better fatigue among truck drivers and what is needed to avoid it. Alertness is a vital truck driver’s trait as it keeps one and their fellow drivers safe on the road and avoids reckless driving. Having the necessary mental discipline is key to remaining awake whilst driving long distances and staying focused on the street, thus avoiding unnecessary accidents.

Drivers should be able to switch on and off, which is a vital skill for completing a planned driving route. Keeping one’s mind busy while driving is critical, and taking regular breaks is essential.

Good Time Management

You must have excellent time management and be able to plan your day and sleep schedule so you can make deliveries safely and on time. They see he who masters their time effectively becomes better prepared to achieve one’s goal whilst avoiding a state of procrastination.

Drivers having the proper schedule allows them to dedicate enough time to each task to meet a client’s delivery deadline. Effective time management is the efficient use of a driver’s time, which allows them to plan a delivery that does not hold up other role players.

Reliable

As a reliable truck driver, not only will they improve your bottom line with on-time delivery and arrival, but recruiters and trucking companies are sure to notice a solid track record of reliability. Truly outstanding truck drivers promise the speed and quality of their work and deliver on those promises every time, and reliability is not a skill that any training provider can teach.

Responsible workers able to meet deadlines are a sought-after commodity in any industry, especially in the trucking industry, where critical parts of the value chain are so dependent on transportation and driving logistics. With the increasing petrol prices currently being experienced globally, the demand for reliable drivers, and fuel-conscious drivers is also increasing.

Self-Dependent

One of the top qualities required of a great truck driver is the ability to work independently without constantly relying on others. The ability in managing oneself is a highly valued characteristic in the industry. If truck drivers can work proactively without depending on instructions from managers, they can ultimately become more efficient and improve their delivery times.

Truck drivers need to be sufficient to handle their responsibilities and rely on their own decisions during challenging moments. Road Freight has seen an increase of 14,6 % in 2022 based on a report written by C-Track, thus indicating the demand for drivers is also increasing. The need for self-dependent drivers is growing as companies seek workers who can take the initiative and bring more value to their businesses.

Stress Management Skills

Stress management is a good quality every great truck driver should have. Working on a truck can be very stressful and often requires extensive hours spent on the road. When stressful situations as a driver often rear their heads, great truck drivers are confident in their ability to solve unexpected problems and overcome difficult situations.

Drivers should be able to assess critical situations quickly. Understanding different variables such as weather conditions, road construction anomalies, high traffic congestion areas and better planning of trips can help reduce a driver’s stress. Staying focused and calm are two tips that will help a good driver in stressful situations.

MASA in it for the Long Haul

With a shortage of truck drivers globally, a little effort and dedication, an average truck driver can become a great truck driver, and the best drivers are exactly what the trucking industry needs today.

MASA is a leading national and international employment/staffing agency capable of effectively managing the vital elements of your employment/staffing needs. We are ready to facilitate seamless hiring and onboarding of new truck drivers for your company to maximise your logistic solutions.

Our national footprint and expertise allow us to deliver the finest temporary and permanent drivers for any industry or sector. We have supplied numerous companies with world-class drivers for over 40 years. With such a widespread network of regional offices, we can operate efficiently when meeting our client’s needs. Having a more extensive network of great drivers who display ideal characteristics, we can help companies hire the best possible people.

Check out our article 5 Ways to Boost Your Operations Using Temporary Drivers to learn more about our drivers for hire staffing solutions.