Is Hiring Through a Truck Driver Placement Agency a Good Idea?

Is Hiring Through a Truck Driver Placement Agency a Good Idea?

It’s no secret that the American trucking industry faces a persistent challenge in filling open truck driver positions. While there are plenty of qualified truckers with CDL licenses, many choose to leave the industry after a few years, resulting in a shortage of skilled and reliable drivers.

To add to that, the U.S. government passed an order in April 2025 requiring all CDL license holders to pass an English Language Proficiency Test. Over 6,000 truckers were pulled off the roads after failing this test, which assessed basic English skills and the ability to read road signs.

Now, more than ever, companies with fleets need a hiring solution that helps them fill open trucking positions efficiently. This is where a truck driver placement agency comes in.

How to Hire Truck Drivers

There are several ways to hire CDL and non-CDL truck drivers. You can advertise your openings on trucking job boards and general recruitment sites, or you can partner with truck driver placement agencies to fill temporary positions and evaluate potential hires before offering them permanent roles.

Building relationships with local truck driving schools is another effective strategy. Many schools collaborate with carriers to help graduates find jobs. You can also expand your talent pool by reaching out to underrepresented groups such as women, veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals. Organizations like Women in Trucking and Visa Solutions can connect you with excellent candidates.

Finally, maintaining a strong online presence through social media platforms, your website, or newsletters can help your company stand out and attract qualified drivers.

Why Do So Many Companies Hire Through a Truck Driver Staffing Agency?

Many companies across industries—such as petroleum, food and agriculture, hazardous materials, construction, vehicle and goods transportation, ports, retail, food delivery, lumber, and municipal services like garbage collection or dump trucks—hire both CDL and non-CDL drivers through staffing agencies.

The reason they rely on recruitment agencies is because of the rigorous pre-screening these agencies conduct. Driver recruitment firms maintain extensive, regularly updated records, giving partner companies access to a reliable pool of available truckers.

Most staffing agencies perform thorough background checks and employment verifications, saving you time and effort. They also ensure that your hiring process remains DOT-compliant. Top-tier agencies maintain documentation in accordance with DOT requirements and may even manage Driver Qualification Files (DQFs) while monitoring the validity of drivers’ commercial licenses.

Hiring a reliable CDL driver internally can take more than a month. From creating ads, posting listings, and displaying signs on trucks and trailers to conducting interviews, background checks, and road tests—the process is time-consuming and resource-intensive. For smaller fleets, it can also be costly.

How Do Truck Driver Recruiting Agencies Get Paid?

Truck driver recruiting agencies either charge a flat fee per hired driver or take a percentage of the driver’s salary or hours worked. When reaching out to an agency, discuss their payment structure upfront before partnering with them for your hiring needs.

Why Choose OTR RECRUIT’s Truck Driver Placement Agency?

Partnering with a truck driver recruitment agency is especially beneficial for companies that experience high turnover or prefer working with experienced drivers.

What Sets Our Recruiting Process Apart:

Triple-Screening Process for Drivers
We uphold the highest standards through a comprehensive, DOT-compliant screening process that includes mandatory drug testing and a strict zero-tolerance policy for major driving violations within the past five years. Each candidate undergoes an in-person interview, MVR verification, background check, and reference review from previous employers. We also maintain detailed driver files to ensure a faster and more efficient selection and onboarding process.

Faster Hiring
Fleets that need CDL drivers quickly can rely on OTR RECRUIT’s vast network of qualified drivers. We provide multiple vetted options so you can fill open positions faster and with confidence.

Conclusion

So, is hiring through a truck driver placement agency a good idea?
Yes—especially when hiring for CDL positions and highly technical truck driving roles. Partnering with an agency helps you fill vacancies faster and ensures access to a high caliber of drivers.

Always review the agency’s payment process and fine print before committing. With stricter regulations and growing demand, hiring in the trucking industry is becoming more challenging.

Long-haul OTR routes, in particular, require drivers to be away from home for weeks at a time. Since finding qualified long-haul drivers can be difficult, partnering with an experienced agency like OTR RECRUIT is a smart and effective choice.