
If you're looking for a trucking company that gives pre-hire letters, there are several options to consider.
Swift Transportation offers pre-hire letters as part of their hiring process.
Companies like Celadon, CRST International, and USA Truck also provide pre-hire letters to their applicants.
These letters can help you secure a loan or financing for a truck, which is a crucial step for many aspiring truckers.
What Is a Pre-Hire Letter?
A pre-hire letter is essentially an acceptance letter from a trucking company to a student or potential student, verifying that they meet the company's minimum hiring requirements.
You can get pre-hire letters by filling out an application over the phone, at job fairs, or online. The trucking company will then thoroughly check your driving record, criminal background, and work history.
Pre-hire letters are not just one letter, but rather multiple letters from different trucking companies. The more you receive, the wider your range of options to get a job after getting your CDL.
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Having multiple pre-hire letters means you can compare what trucking companies have in common and where they differ. This will help you research and find the trucking company that comes closest to your demands.
To get pre-hire letters, you'll want to get your driving record, criminal history, and recent work history in order. This will make it easier for trucking companies to verify that you meet their minimum hiring requirements.
Here are some benefits of getting pre-hire letters:
- They verify that you meet the trucking company's minimum hiring requirements.
- They can speed up the hiring process.
- They give you a wider range of options to get a job after getting your CDL.
Getting pre-hire letters before attending truck driving school can also help you determine if you'll be able to land a job after graduating.
Obtaining a Pre-Hire Letter
To obtain a pre-hire letter, you'll need to fill out an application with a trucking company, either over the phone, at a job fair, or online. This will trigger a thorough check of your driving record, criminal background, and work history.
The trucking company will then review your application and, if they like what they see, send you pre-hire letters in the mail. You'll want to receive multiple letters, as this will give you a wider range of options to choose from when looking for a job after getting your CDL.
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Having multiple pre-hire letters will also allow you to compare the different trucking companies and their offerings, helping you find the best fit for your needs. This might include things like salary, home time, and the types of loads you want to haul.
It's worth noting that getting pre-hire letters can speed up the hiring process and give you a better sense of your qualifications and what to expect from the companies you're interested in.
Here are some tips to keep in mind when obtaining pre-hire letters:
- Research the trucking companies and their requirements
- Think about what matters most to you in a job, such as salary and home time
- Be prepared to have your driving record, criminal background, and work history checked
- Don't be discouraged if you don't receive a pre-hire letter from every company you apply to - it's not uncommon for companies to have different requirements and standards.
Is a Pre-Hire Letter a Guarantee?
A pre-hire letter from a trucking company is not a guarantee - it's only an invitation to an orientation.
Even though you've filled out an application, the letter is not yet a contract for employment. It's a chance to see the business and potentially make an impression on the carrier.
You might be wondering why you need a pre-hire letter at all. Well, it's because trucking companies have a lot of restrictions on who they can hire.

Getting a pre-hire letter can actually speed up the hiring process a bit, and it's a good way to know that you're at least hireable by some companies before going to school.
But, as Guyjax pointed out, if you have a decent work history, no major issues with your driving record, and all your limbs, then you're likely to be a candidate in the eyes of a trucking company.
The truth is, there are few industries outside of trucking that have a pre-hire system set up to let you know if you qualify to work somewhere.
Example and Format
A pre-hire letter from a trucking company is a formal document that indicates their interest in moving forward with you as a candidate, pending successful completion of background checks, drug screening, and verification of your driving credentials.
The format of a pre-hire letter typically includes the hiring manager's contact information, as seen in the example from ABC Logistics, where the hiring manager's name, phone number, and email address are clearly stated.

A pre-hire letter does not constitute an employment contract or guarantee of employment, and your formal employment is contingent upon passing all pre-employment screenings and meeting the company's hiring standards.
The letter will outline the primary responsibilities of the truck driver position, which may include safe and timely delivery of goods, compliance with regulations, and proper vehicle maintenance, as mentioned in the ABC Logistics example.
The hiring company will also inform you of the next steps in the hiring process and provide a contact method for any questions or clarification needed, as seen in the ABC Logistics example where the hiring manager's contact information is provided.
Pre-Hire Process and Considerations
To get a pre-hire letter, you need to fill out an application over the phone, at job fairs, or online. The trucking company will then thoroughly check your driving record, criminal background, and work history.
You want to receive multiple pre-hire letters because it gives you a wider range of options to get a job after getting your CDL. Having multiple letters also allows you to compare what trucking companies have in common and where they differ.

The pre-hire process is not a guarantee of employment. It's an invitation to orientation, which is a prerequisite to employment. The trucking company wants to fill the room with solid truck drivers, not party poopers.
To be honest, getting pre-hire letters requires honesty. Fill out the application accurately and thoroughly, and make sure you meet the company's minimum requirements and qualifications.
Pre-Hire
A pre-hire letter is an acceptance letter from a trucking company to a student or potential student, verifying placement and confirming that they meet the company's minimum hiring requirements.
You can start applying to trucking companies even before you have your CDL in hand or are a student at a truck driving school. Many trucking companies will pre-hire students and potential students.
To get pre-hire letters, fill out an application over the phone, at job fairs, or online. The trucking company will then thoroughly check your driving record, criminal background, and work history.
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A pre-hire letter is not a guarantee of employment, but rather an invitation to an orientation, which is a prerequisite to employment.
Having multiple pre-hire letters can increase your options for getting a job after getting your CDL. It's like having multiple invitations to different parties - you can choose the one that best fits your needs.
Some trucking companies may have more stringent requirements than others, so it's essential to research and compare different companies' hiring practices.
Here are some things to consider when evaluating pre-hire letters:
- Company reputation and safety record
- Pay and benefits packages
- Home time and work-life balance
- Types of loads and routes
Limitations
The pre-hire process can be lengthy and time-consuming, taking anywhere from 30 to 60 days to complete.
It's essential to weigh the costs of a lengthy hiring process against the potential benefits of finding the right candidate.
A study found that 60% of employers consider the hiring process to be too long, while 45% of job seekers report feeling anxious about the length of time it takes to hear back from potential employers.
The pre-hire process can also be prone to biases, with research showing that unconscious biases can affect hiring decisions up to 80% of the time.
This is especially true when relying on unstructured interviews, which can be influenced by factors like appearance, education level, and personality.
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Sources
- https://www.classadrivers.com/become-a-truck-driver/what-is-a-pre-hire-letter-for-truck-drivers/
- https://letterpresss.org/pre-hire-letter-for-truck-drivers/
- https://www.truckingtruth.com/trucking_blogs/Article-3203/understanding-pre-hire-letters-the-what-why-and-how-of-this-important-step
- https://www.truckingtruth.com/truckers-forum/Topic-390/Page-1/waiting-on-my-pre-hire-letters
- https://dda.edu/blog/what-is-a-pre-hire-letter/
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