Licensing and Contract Requirements for U-Haul Drivers
U-Haul does not provide a driver as part of its standard rental service, but you can hire a third party to operate the truck for you. Any person operating the rented vehicle must meet U-Haul’s minimum requirements and be officially added to the rental contract. The primary driver must be at least 18 years old to rent a moving truck, and all authorized drivers must possess a valid, government-issued driver’s license.
The standard U-Haul trucks are engineered to have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) under the threshold that mandates a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in the United States. This means a regular driver’s license is sufficient for driving the largest 26-foot truck. When hiring an external driver, you must ensure their name and license information are registered with U-Haul before they take the wheel, a process that is typically free of charge and can be completed at the time of pickup or online. The renter, however, remains the primary party responsible for the truck and the fulfillment of the contract terms.
Strategies for Hiring Independent Drivers
Finding a qualified third party to drive your rental truck involves navigating several different marketplaces, each offering varying levels of experience and security. The choice between them often depends on the distance of your move and your budget for vetting and insurance. For local moves, a driver may be found through labor platforms, while long-distance moves generally require a specialized service.
Dedicated Moving Labor Platforms
U-Haul’s own referral service, Moving Help, is an online marketplace that connects customers with independent service providers, though these helpers primarily offer labor like loading and unloading. While these platforms are excellent for physical labor, they are not primarily designed for one-way driving services. Specialized companies have emerged that focus solely on providing professional drivers to operate rental trucks. These dedicated driving services often provide a higher degree of professional vetting and insurance coverage than general freelance options.
General Task and Freelance Marketplaces
For short, local moves, or to find a driver quickly, general task and freelance marketplaces like TaskRabbit offer a pool of individuals willing to provide driving assistance. You can vet potential drivers based on their profile, reviews, and stated experience with large vehicles. This option requires the customer to handle most of the due diligence, including verifying the driver’s license status and ensuring they are comfortable maneuvering a large truck. Hourly rates for drivers found on these platforms typically range from $50 to $100, not including expenses.
Professional Commercial Drivers
The most secure option for long-distance moves is to hire a professional commercial driver through a company that specializes in moving rental vehicles. These services provide experienced, often CDL-qualified, drivers who are accustomed to handling large trucks over long distances. The companies manage the logistics of the driver’s one-way travel and return, offering a flat-rate price that simplifies the budgeting process. They also typically provide a greater level of transparency regarding the driver’s background checks and insurance credentials.
Navigating Insurance and Liability When Hiring Help
Hiring a driver introduces a complex layer of liability, making a thorough review of insurance coverage mandatory. U-Haul offers optional protection plans like SafeMove and SafeMove Plus, which cover the rental equipment and provide supplemental liability coverage for authorized drivers. Most personal auto insurance policies do not extend coverage to large rental trucks, regardless of who is driving.
The rental contract holds the customer ultimately responsible for the equipment, meaning a hired driver’s negligence exposes the renter to significant financial risk. If using a freelance driver, you must confirm they have their own commercial or personal insurance covering them while operating the rental truck. Professional driver services are often preferred because they typically carry commercial insurance structured to cover damages and liability incurred by their employees. Listing the hired driver on the U-Haul contract is necessary to activate any coverage purchased from the rental company.
Understanding the Costs of Outsourced Driving
The cost of hiring a driver varies widely based on the distance, truck size, and hiring method. For local, short-distance moves, independent drivers charge an hourly rate generally between $50 and $100.
For long-distance, one-way moves, professional services use a flat-rate or per-mile pricing model. A flat rate may range from $400 to over $2,000, or a per-mile rate between $1.50 and $3.50. This fee covers the driver’s service, but the renter is responsible for all operational costs, including fuel, tolls, lodging, and the driver’s return airfare. For example, a 500-mile move might cost $750 for the driver’s service alone, with variable costs significantly increasing the total expense.
Full-Service Moving Alternatives
For those who find vetting an independent driver and managing complex liability too burdensome, established alternatives eliminate the need for the renter to drive.
Full-Service Movers
Full-service moving companies provide the truck, the driver, and all necessary labor, offering a completely hands-off experience. This option is the most expensive, but it transfers all logistical and insurance responsibilities to the moving company.
Portable Moving Container Services
A middle ground exists with portable moving container services like PODS or U-Pack. The company drops off a container, you load it, and the company handles the transportation to the destination. Since these services manage the freight logistics, they eliminate the need to drive a large truck. This containerized approach is often more flexible and cost-effective than a full-service move, with pricing typically covering mileage and fuel.