Truck Driver (CDL) interview questions and scorecard
US context for truck driver (CDL) interview questions, federal rules as of 30 Oct 2026.
Use these 12 questions to interview a truck driver (cdl) the same way every time. Ask all candidates the same questions, score each answer from 1 to 4 against the notes below, and decide on the total, not on first impressions. Pick 8 to 10 questions per interview.
At a glance
- Match the questions to your truck driver (cdl) job description: one question per must-have.
- Score each criterion right after the interview, before you talk to other interviewers.
- Follow up with "What did you personally do?" to separate individual work from the team's.
Questions
| # | Question | A good answer shows | Red flags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walk me through your pre-trip inspection. | Systematic, names key components, reports defects | Skips steps |
| 2 | How do you manage your hours of service? | Knows limits, plans breaks, uses the ELD properly | Talks about workarounds |
| 3 | What would you do if you were too tired to drive? | Stops and rests, tells dispatch | Pushes on |
| 4 | Tell me about a time you had to deal with bad weather. | Slowed, rerouted, communicated | Drove beyond conditions |
| 5 | What type of equipment and routes have you driven? | Accurate; matches the job | Overstates |
| 6 | Tell me about any accidents or violations and what you learned. | Honest and consistent with the record | Evasive |
| 7 | How do you let dispatch know about a delay? | Early call with a new estimate | Silence until late |
| 8 | Describe a time you missed a delivery window. | Owned it, fixed it | Blames others |
| 9 | How do you secure a load and check it en route? | Method and re-checks at stops | Cannot describe |
| 10 | How do you handle a difficult shipper or receiver? | Calm, documents, calls dispatch | Argues |
| 11 | What do you do if the cargo is damaged on delivery? | Notes it, photos, calls dispatch, does not argue | Ignores it |
| 12 | Why do you want this route type? | Realistic about home time | Unrealistic expectations |
Scorecard (1 to 4)
| Score | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1 | Weak: no relevant example, or a red flag |
| 2 | Partial: general or hypothetical answer, little evidence |
| 3 | Good: a real, specific example that meets the standard |
| 4 | Strong: specific, repeated evidence and clear reasoning |
| Criterion | Questions | What a 4 looks like | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safety and compliance | 1, 2, 3, 4 | Describes inspections, hours rules and safe habits | |
| Driving record and experience | 5, 6 | Honest, verifiable history | |
| Reliability and communication | 7, 8, 9 | Calls ahead, handles delays, documents | |
| Customer and cargo care | 10, 11, 12 | Careful, professional at stops | |
| Total | / 16 |
Suggested rule: shortlist candidates whose average is 3 or higher with no criterion at 1. Change the rule before the first interview, not after.
Run it as a video interview on LiveRec
Open the candidate and choose Schedule interview, then choose Video and pick LiveRec video, which needs no link. After the call, open the interview and choose Submit feedback to give star ratings for Technical skills, Communication skills and Culture fit, a Decision and your comments; paste your scorecard result into the comments. Recorded LiveRec video interviews are deleted 90 days after the interview as standard, so tell candidates before you record. See Schedule an interview, private notes and feedback and recordings.
Fair interviewing
Ask only job-related questions, the same ones of every candidate. Keep questions about age, family plans, religion, disability or national origin out of the interview. See illegal interview questions.
Next step
Copy the scorecard into your interview scorecard template, then schedule the first interviews. For the method, read the structured interview guide.
Sources
- US OPM, Structured Interviews: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/assessment-and-selection/structured-interviews/
- EEOC, Prohibited Employment Policies/Practices: https://www.eeoc.gov/prohibited-employment-policies-practices
- Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures, 29 CFR Part 1607: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1607
This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.