• The best driver candidates often come from the word-of-mouth so carriers should consider implementing a driver referral program to supplement their current recruiting efforts.
• Driver referral programs usually work by offering a cash incentive to the referring employee per successful hire.
• It is important to come up with a list of guidelines for implementing a driver referral program.

Most recruiting professionals would agree that the best driver candidates often come from the word-of-mouth advertising of the organization’s existing drivers. Because of this, most carriers have experimented with some form of driver referral program to supplement their current driver recruiting efforts.

A driver referral program is simply a method that carriers use to encourage their drivers and non-driving employees to refer other drivers for open positions.

In most cases a cash incentive is offered to the referring employee per successful hire. The amount of the cash award can vary greatly — ranging anywhere from a few hundred dollars to as high as $10,000 — for a team of two drivers, and even higher at some carriers.

Advantages for any carrier referral program:

• Referred drivers tend to have a much lower turnover rate. This is because the referring driver or non-driving employee will provide a realistic job preview and true picture of the carrier’s culture and work environment to the friend or fellow driver they are referring.
• The referring employee participates in the screening and hiring of the referred driver — increasing employee involvement and commitment in the process.
• The referring driver will tend to act as a coach to the new driver — taking a personal interest in performance and safety results and showing them the ropes. The referring employee will have a vested interest in the success of the new drivers they refer.

Guidelines for implementing a driver referral program:

• All referrals must be submitted on a completed referral card or company application.
• Referred drivers must be qualified and meet all company requirements.
• Employees presently with the company or former drivers of the company will not be considered as referred drivers.
• All referrals should complete specified period of satisfactory employment in order for the award to be paid.
• Both employees must be employed at the time the award is paid.
• In order for the driver referral program to be as successful as possible, it should:
  • Have the full, visible, and enthusiastic support of management;
  • Be actively promoted throughout the company with posters, payroll stuffers, brochures, and referral cards;
  • Have a variety of awards, including cash incentives — this will help create a larger degree of interest and add an element of fun to the program; and
  • Clearly specify who is and isn’t eligible to participate in the program.

Driver referral programs can be an effective way of enhancing the recruiting effort that can also increase overall employee participation in, and loyalty to, the company.