safety roadmap

driver selection

Drivers are at an increased risk of being involved in a vehicle crash or work-related injury, and that poses a real danger to your company’s success. For this reason, selecting the right drivers is one of the most important decisions you will make.

The Driver Selection section focuses on objectively screening and qualifying drivers. Collectively, the tasks and resources below can help you make a more-informed hiring decision.

1. Establish your company's driver selection standards

Create your company's written driver qualification guidelines and ensure they are reviewed and approved by your legal counsel before implementing. Adhere to driver qualification guidelines consistently whenever screening and qualifying drivers performing safety-sensitive functions.

Refer to the following resources to help you develop your company's driver selection standards:

  • 49 CFR Parts 391.11-15: Ensure your driver standards meet the driver qualification and disqualification requirements in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
  • Consult your Great West agent for a list of characteristics typically found in a Great West insured driver.
2. Road test all drivers

Road tests are a valuable tool for consistently and objectively evaluating an applicant's ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle. Roads tests also can be used to evaluate tenured drivers.

  • Road Test Evaluation Form: Download a sample road test form from the Insured Portal. Navigate to Safety Services > Downloads and you will find the link to download the form. Feel free to modify the form to best suit your operations.

3. Screen applicants using the FMCSA's Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse

The FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse is a required service with which all motor carriers must register with. The Clearinghouse allows employers to conduct limited or full queries on an applicant’s history of drug or alcohol violations, refusals to test, and completion of return to duty tests.

Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse Registration and Requirements For Employers

Download this four-page brochure explaining how to use the Clearinghouse.

4. Order PSP reports for all driver applicants

The FMCSA’s Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) is a service that lists an applicant’s five-year history of DOT crashes and three-year history of violations. During the screening and qualification process, the PSP report can be used in conjunction with the applicant’s resume, application, MVR, and other documentation to make an educated hiring decision.

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click to download the safety roadmap worksheet

This material is intended to be a broad overview of the subject matter and is provided for informational purposes only. Great West Casualty Company does not provide legal advice to its insureds, nor does it advise insureds on employment-related issues. Therefore, the subject matter is not intended to serve as legal or employment advice for any issue(s) that may arise in the operations of its insureds. Legal advice should always be sought from the insured’s legal counsel. Great West Casualty Company shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss, action, or inaction alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the information contained herein.