17 Driver Supervisor Interview Questions and Answers

Driver supervisors are responsible for ensuring that goods are delivered on time and in good condition. This position is critical to the success of many businesses, and driver supervisors need to be able to handle difficult customer service inquiries and manage a team of drivers.

If you’re looking for a driver supervisor job, you’ll likely need to go through a job interview. In order to ace the interview and get the job, you’ll need to be prepared to answer driver supervisor interview questions. In this guide, we’ll provide you with a list of questions and answers that you can use to help you prepare for your interview.

Are you comfortable giving constructive criticism to your employees?

Driver supervisors often need to give constructive criticism to their employees. Employers ask this question to make sure you can do so in a way that is helpful and not hurtful. In your answer, explain how you would provide feedback to an employee who needs to improve on something. Explain what steps you would take to ensure the driver understands why they are receiving the feedback and how they can use it to improve.

Example: “I have had to give my drivers constructive criticism before. I always try to be as kind as possible when giving them feedback. However, if there is something they are doing that could put themselves or others at risk, I will speak up. For example, one of my drivers was speeding while driving. I pulled him over and explained that he needed to slow down because his speed was putting other drivers in danger. He apologized and promised to drive more carefully.”

What are some of the best practices you use to manage your time as a driver supervisor?

Driver supervisors often have to manage their time effectively in order to meet the needs of their drivers and ensure that they are meeting company standards. Employers ask this question to learn more about your time management skills and how you plan your day. In your answer, explain what strategies you use to stay organized and on schedule.

Example: “I always make sure to create a daily to-do list so I can prioritize my tasks for the day. This helps me stay focused on the most important things first thing in the morning. I also try to block out specific times each week to work on different projects or assignments. For example, I might spend one afternoon per week reviewing driver performance reports and another afternoon conducting quarterly training sessions with new drivers.”

How do you handle conflicts with your employees?

Driver supervisors often have to manage conflicts with their employees. Employers ask this question to make sure you can resolve workplace disputes effectively. In your answer, explain how you would approach a conflict with an employee and what steps you would take to solve the problem. Try to give examples of past experiences where you had to handle a conflict with another driver or team member.

Example: “I believe that every person has value and deserves respect. I try to listen carefully to other people’s opinions before responding. This helps me understand why they feel the way they do about something. When I disagree with someone, I try not to be defensive. Instead, I focus on finding solutions together. I find that when I am calm and respectful, others are more likely to respond in kind.”

What is your experience with using GPS systems and other navigation tools?

Driver supervisors need to be able to use GPS systems and other navigation tools to help their drivers get from one place to another. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience using these types of technology. In your answer, explain which navigation tools you’ve used in the past and how well you know how to use them.

Example: “I’ve been using GPS systems for over five years now. I started out as a driver myself, so I had to learn how to use it pretty quickly. Now that I’m a driver supervisor, I still use the system every day. It’s become second nature to me at this point. I also regularly train new drivers on how to use the system. I find that being familiar with the system helps me better understand what my drivers are going through when they’re learning.”

Provide an example of a time you provided excellent customer service as a driver supervisor.

Driver supervisors often interact with customers, so employers ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. Use examples from your previous job where you helped a driver or customer solve a problem or answer their questions.

Example: “At my last job, I was the driver supervisor for a delivery company that delivered food and supplies to businesses in the area. One day, one of our drivers called me because he had an issue with his truck. He needed help getting it fixed as soon as possible because he had deliveries to make later that day. I contacted the mechanic we used and asked if they could get the driver’s truck fixed by the end of the day. They said yes, but it would cost $500.

I told the driver that I would cover the cost of repairs since it was within 24 hours of when he made the call. The driver was very grateful, and he got back on the road by the end of the day.”

If an employee is not meeting your expectations, what strategies do you use to help them improve?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you handle conflict. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where an employee did not meet expectations and how you helped them improve their performance.

Example: “In my last role as a driver supervisor, I had an employee who was consistently late for work. At first, I tried talking with the employee about why they were late and what we could do to help them get to work on time. However, after several weeks of being late, I decided that I needed to take action. I spoke with the employee again and let them know that if they continued to be late, I would need to terminate their employment. The employee understood and promised to arrive to work on time every day. After a few months, the employee began arriving early.”

What would you do if you noticed one of your drivers was engaging in illegal activities while on the job?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have the integrity and moral compass to do what’s right, even if it means reporting a fellow employee. In your answer, explain that you would report any illegal activity immediately. You can also mention that you would encourage the driver to seek help for their actions.

Example: “I would first try to talk with them about why they shouldn’t be doing these things while on the job. If they refused to listen or continued engaging in illegal activities, I would report them to my supervisor. I would want to ensure the safety of everyone else on the road by making sure our drivers are following all laws.”

How well do you understand federal and state regulations regarding the transportation industry?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of regulations that apply to the transportation industry. This can include how you ensure compliance with these regulations and how you train drivers on them. In your answer, try to highlight any specific skills or experience you have in this area.

Example: “I understand federal and state regulations regarding the transportation industry very well because I’ve had to comply with them for my entire career as a driver supervisor. For example, I know that there are different rules for commercial vehicles depending on whether they’re traveling interstate or intrastate. I also know that certain types of cargo require additional training and certification from the Department of Transportation. As a result, I make sure all our drivers understand these regulations so we can operate safely.”

Do you have experience training new drivers? If so, describe the process you use to help them become familiar with company policies and procedures.

Driver supervisors often train new drivers on company policies and procedures. They also help new drivers learn how to operate their vehicles safely and efficiently. Your answer should show the interviewer that you have experience training others, especially in a professional setting.

Example: “I’ve had several opportunities to train new drivers during my career. I find it helpful to create an outline of all the information they need to know about operating a vehicle for our company. Then, I hold weekly meetings with each driver to go over the material. This helps me ensure they understand everything before they start driving solo.”

When selecting drivers for a team, what are some of the qualities you look for?

This question can help the interviewer understand your hiring process and how you select employees for a team. Your answer can also show the interviewer what qualities you value in others, which can be helpful if they may need to hire more people in the future. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to mention some of the skills or traits that helped you succeed as a driver supervisor.

Example: “When selecting drivers for a team, I look for individuals who are highly motivated and have strong communication skills. These two qualities can make them successful drivers because they can communicate with their teams effectively and motivate other drivers when needed. In my last role, I hired several new drivers and selected those who had these two qualities. The drivers were able to work well together and support each other.”

We want to improve our driver supervision process to ensure our drivers are following all safety regulations. Describe one strategy you would use to improve our current system.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you would apply them to their company. In your answer, describe a strategy that you think could improve the current driver supervision process at the company.

Example: “I would first meet with all of the drivers to discuss what they like and don’t like about our current system. I would then use this information to create a new driver supervision system that addresses any concerns while also improving on the current system. For example, I would implement a system where drivers can submit feedback online so we can address it quickly.”

Describe your experience with using dispatch software.

Driver supervisors often use dispatch software to monitor the locations of drivers and vehicles, as well as any issues that may arise. An interviewer asks this question to learn about your experience with using dispatch software and how you would apply it in their company. In your answer, describe a time when you used dispatch software and what challenges you faced while doing so. Explain how you overcame those challenges or what steps you took to improve your skills.

Example: “I have worked for two companies where we used dispatch software. At my first job, I had no prior experience with using dispatch software. However, I learned quickly by watching other driver supervisors use it. Eventually, I was able to use the software independently to track our fleet’s location and communicate with drivers.

At my current job, I am responsible for managing the dispatch software. I regularly check the system to ensure all drivers are on schedule and communicating with me if they encounter any problems. I also use the dispatch software to create new routes for drivers based on customer requests.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this driver supervisor position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications for the job. They want someone who is passionate, hardworking and eager to take on new challenges. When you answer this question, make sure to highlight your relevant skills and experience. You can also share a story that shows how you would be an ideal candidate for the position.

Example: “I am an ideal candidate for this driver supervisor position because I have extensive experience working as a driver supervisor. In my last role, I was promoted from a driver to a driver supervisor after only six months of employment. I took on this role with confidence and enthusiasm, and I learned many valuable lessons along the way. I feel like I am ready to take on this challenge again.”

Which industries have you worked in previously?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your experience and how it relates to the position you’re applying for. When answering, be sure to mention industries that are similar to the one you’re interviewing for. This shows that you have relevant work experience.

Example: “I’ve worked in both retail and transportation industries throughout my career. In retail, I was a cashier at a grocery store where I learned how to interact with customers and use customer service skills. In transportation, I drove buses for several years before becoming a bus driver trainer. During this time, I learned how to train new drivers and develop their skills.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of being a good leader?

This question can help the interviewer determine your leadership style and how you would approach being a driver supervisor. Your answer can also tell them about what qualities you think are important in a leader, which can be helpful if they’re looking to hire someone with those same qualities. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to mention an example of a time when you were a good leader or helped someone else become a better leader.

Example: “I believe that empathy is one of the most important aspects of being a good leader. I’ve seen leaders who don’t care about their employees’ well-being struggle to get their teams to work together effectively. In my last role as a driver supervisor, I noticed that some drivers seemed stressed out by the amount of deliveries they had to make each day. So, I talked to my manager about hiring more drivers so we could reduce the number of deliveries per person. She agreed, and we hired two new drivers, which made everyone happier.”

How often do you perform driver checks?

Driver checks are a vital part of the job, and employers want to know that you understand this. They also want to make sure that you perform them often enough to ensure drivers stay safe on the road. In your answer, explain how often you perform driver checks and why it’s important for safety.

Example: “I perform driver checks at least once per shift. I find that this is usually enough time to check in with each driver and see if they have any questions or concerns. If there are no issues, then I can move on to checking their driving skills. This helps me ensure that all drivers are staying within company guidelines and keeping themselves and others safe.”

There is a driver shortage in your department. How would you address the issue?

Driver shortages are a common problem in many industries. Employers ask this question to see how you would handle such an issue and if you have any ideas on how to solve it. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure the department has enough drivers to meet demand.

Example: “I think one of the best ways to address a driver shortage is by encouraging employees to drive more often. I would do this by offering incentives for those who drive more than they usually do. For example, I could offer a small bonus or gift card to anyone who drives twice as much as usual. This strategy can help encourage our current drivers to work harder while also attracting new drivers.”