You don’t have to look far for irritating or downright bad driving examples. This article will look at what makes people good drivers. There are purely technical things to look for, but also additional aspects, such as skills, features, and qualifications. The article will also explore some reasons to look at a person’s driving history before making a hiring decision.
Obvious Signs
The car doesn’t jerk when they start it or brake. A steady, smooth foot on the pedal is vital. A sudden launch will lead to the passenger’s head lurching forward into the headrest.
1. They use indicators the right way
Drivers use turn signals to indicate the direction in which they are going. Quite a few people misuse hazard lights, using them as permission to pull over wherever they choose. Having your blinkers on is not a good idea unless you really have an emergency. Otherwise, you’re just blocking traffic.
2. They give way when needed
An intelligent driver will switch their turn signal on if the car behind them to the right or left is leaving a lot of room between them. The driver is well-meant if the vehicle moves to occupy that space immediately.
3. They can park well
If you don’t park perfectly straight but still within the borders of your slot, it’s perfectly acceptable. However, bad drivers will park on top of the lines, too close to them, or in an otherwise inconvenient manner. You should always be considerate of other people and their needs in a public place, and parking lots are public places.
4. They leave sufficient space between vehicles
At worst, tailgating is dangerous. At best, it’s immature. A good driver always leaves a gap between their vehicle and the one in front while moving. Ideally, this gap is a few seconds. The higher the speed, the bigger the gap should be.
5. They change lanes early
Ah, the art of changing lanes on time. A good driver switches to another lane well before any turns or road dividers. They don’t cut in line. What’s more, they choose a lane and stay in it. They don’t drive between two lanes to eventually turn into the one that’s moving faster or try to overtake all the other vehicles on the road by zig-zagging around.
Other Considerations
If you’re hiring someone for a driving position, ask in-depth questions and take measures to learn more about their driving history. You can do this using a site to look up people online. The purpose of the interview is to see if they have the right skills, experience, and professional values to do a good job and leave a good impression on everyone with whom they have contact.
What to ask During the Interview
If the position involves driving clients around, ask them what they would do if they had to deal with a difficult passenger. How would they cope with an impatient, rude, or angry client? They need to know ways to de-escalate conflict and keep driving safely at the same time.
Ask the person what traits and skills make them a great driver. The responses will differ depending on the type of driver you’re looking for: taxi, delivery, personal, rideshare, bus driver, etc.
If they need to use apps to track job status, set routes, accept jobs, process payments, and send alerts to clients, they must be comfortable with this technology.
Inquiring about any problems they’ve had in the past is advisable. Did something ever go wrong in their work? How did they handle it?
If they have access to personal data, like clients’ payment details and addresses, ask them what they’ll do to safeguard that data.
Benefits of Hiring a Driver
The right driver will ensure company equipment is appropriately maintained, passengers are transported safely, and deliveries are made on time. They can work under pressure and handle deliveries and packages with the proper degree of caution.
Features of a Great Driver
- Follows instructions to complete routes and deliveries on time
- Drives safely in all types of weather
- Maintain tracking logs properly
- Finds ways to increase productivity
- Performs vehicle maintenance
- Complies with all safety rules and traffic regulations
- Aims for zero preventable accidents
- Safely operates carts, dollies, power lift gates
Skills and Qualifications
A good driver can drive your bottom line (pun not intended). They can boost client loyalty, grow revenue, and conserve resources by managing time, referencing prior training, and being flexible and adaptable. Ideally, they will have the following skills, traits, and qualifications:
- Good driving record
- Commercial Driver’s License
- Knowledge of defensive driving
- Can lift and move bulky items
- Navigation app, GPS, route map reading skills
- Dependable
- Vehicle troubleshooting
- Communication skills
- Customer service skills
- Resourceful
