Truck Driver Interview Test! Trivia Quiz

1.

Frederico Capponi...what nationality is that?

This is an ACCEPTABLE question to ask in an interview.

This is an UNACCEPTABLE question to ask in an interview.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits asking job candidates questions related to their nationality. Equally important is the fact that a person's nationality is not a job relevant question.

Explanation

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits asking job candidates questions related to their nationality. Equally important is the fact that a person's nationality is not a job relevant question.

2.

You mentioned that you were injured last month. Has your physician given you the okay to work again?

This is an ACCEPTABLE question to ask in an interview.

This is an UNACCEPTABLE question to ask in an interview.

Perfectly acceptable. You are not asking about the disability but rather the ability to work.

Explanation

Perfectly acceptable. You are not asking about the disability but rather the ability to work.

3.

Mr. Higgins, we appreciate you taking the time to come to our offices for the pre-employment test. I will need to see a government issued photo ID before we start; will that be a problem?

This is an ACCEPTABLE question to ask in an interview.

This is an UNACCEPTABLE question to ask in an interview.

This is an ACCEPTABLE question to ask in an interview because asking for a government issued photo ID is a common practice in many workplaces to verify the identity of the candidate and ensure they are legally eligible for employment. It is a reasonable request to establish trust and maintain the integrity of the hiring process.

Explanation

This is an ACCEPTABLE question to ask in an interview because asking for a government issued photo ID is a common practice in many workplaces to verify the identity of the candidate and ensure they are legally eligible for employment. It is a reasonable request to establish trust and maintain the integrity of the hiring process.

4.

Turnover in the trucking industry traditionally is just above 100%. The best and simplest way to determine if a driver is likely to leave your company is to...

Ask him if he has other jobs he does on the side.

Review with him his past work history on his application.

Gauge his reaction once you review the compensation package.

Though all of the above methodologies have some relationship to driver turnover, review an applicant's work history is the best place to start. This will show how much job jumping he has in his past. Remember that "past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior."

Explanation

Though all of the above methodologies have some relationship to driver turnover, review an applicant's work history is the best place to start. This will show how much job jumping he has in his past. Remember that "past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior."

5.

Steve, all our employee must take pre-employment drug tests. Have you ever been treated for drug or alcohol abuse?

This is an ACCEPTABLE question to ask in an interview.

This is an UNACCEPTABLE question to ask in an interview.

This question relates to a candidates past health history which is protected under the ADA and other Federal legislation including HIPPA. See www.hhs.gov. A better way to ask this question is to simply state that employees are required to participate in random drug test. Then ask, "Can you comply with this job requirement?"

Explanation

This question relates to a candidates past health history which is protected under the ADA and other Federal legislation including HIPPA. See www.hhs.gov. A better way to ask this question is to simply state that employees are required to participate in random drug test. Then ask, "Can you comply with this job requirement?"

6.

Most interviewers say they can tell a lot about job applicants just by looking at them. When interviewing job applicants, the most important physical aspect to look for is...

Their hygiene. If he smells and his clothes are dirty it speaks volumes about his work ethic.

None of the above.

Most interviewers subconsciously make their evaluation of an applicant based on his/her physical attributes. Though we all have our biases regarding hygiene, tattoos, piercings, scars, facial hair, etc., it is too easy to misinterpret their true meaning. Therefore, unless there is a company policy banning these, they are too unreliable to be used to determine an applicant’s fit for a job.

Explanation

Most interviewers subconsciously make their evaluation of an applicant based on his/her physical attributes. Though we all have our biases regarding hygiene, tattoos, piercings, scars, facial hair, etc., it is too easy to misinterpret their true meaning. Therefore, unless there is a company policy banning these, they are too unreliable to be used to determine an applicant’s fit for a job.

7.

Debbie, I noticed you are wearing an insulin pump. My husband is a diabetic and has one too. Are there any accommodations we might need to make to help you perform the duties of this job?

This is an ACCEPTABLE question to ask in an interview.

This is an UNACCEPTABLE question to ask in an interview.

It is unacceptable to ask questions related to a job candidates health status. The candidate has to be the one to volunteer this information. What is acceptable is stating the job requirements and asking if the applicant might need any assistance in performing these duties. The assumption is the assistance is needed due to a disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act. You may be surprised to see the breadth judges may allow the definition of a “disability” to cover (e.g., Obesity-HIV-Alcholoism-Drug Use…).

Explanation

It is unacceptable to ask questions related to a job candidates health status. The candidate has to be the one to volunteer this information. What is acceptable is stating the job requirements and asking if the applicant might need any assistance in performing these duties. The assumption is the assistance is needed due to a disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act. You may be surprised to see the breadth judges may allow the definition of a “disability” to cover (e.g., Obesity-HIV-Alcholoism-Drug Use…).

8.

Micheal, part of the time you will be required to load heavy carpet rolls on our trucks using a forklift. Are you taking any medications that may interfere with driving our forklifts?

This is an ACCEPTABLE question to ask in an interview.

This is an UNACCEPTABLE question to ask in an interview.

It is unacceptable to ask questions related to a job candidates health status, including current or past medications. What is acceptable is stating the job requirements and asking if the applicant might need any assistance in performing these duties. The assumption is if assistance is needed, this is due to a disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Explanation

It is unacceptable to ask questions related to a job candidates health status, including current or past medications. What is acceptable is stating the job requirements and asking if the applicant might need any assistance in performing these duties. The assumption is if assistance is needed, this is due to a disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

9.

This is a picture of Bruce Mendenhall, a long haul truck driver. Look at his picture and choose which statement is most likely correct.

Bruce in his spare time enjoys volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and helps build homes.

Bruce has been pulled over numerous time for DUI.

Bruce is an accused American serial killer.

Bruce has not missed a day of work in the last 9 years.

Though Bruce is an accused serial killer, there is no way to know this by simply looking at his face. Therefore if you got this correct, it was a good guess or you’ve heard about Bruce in the news. You should not simply use your intuition as the guide in evaluating driver applicants.

Explanation

Though Bruce is an accused serial killer, there is no way to know this by simply looking at his face. Therefore if you got this correct, it was a good guess or you’ve heard about Bruce in the news. You should not simply use your intuition as the guide in evaluating driver applicants.

10.

Recent studies on Trucking accidents confirm that 19% of the drivers are involved in 81% of the accidents. This reaffirms that certain drivers are much more likely to be involved in an accident than others. The best way to determine if a driver applicant is in the higher risk group is to...

Ask him to provide you details of the last accident he was involved in.

Simply ask him to discuss his DMV report relative to accidents.

Not bother asking about his accident history, but rather just run a DMV report on him.

Not all accidents will appear on a DMV report. A fender bender, dealt with by your vehicle insurance company, with no property or civil damage to another will often not be seen on the report. Therefore it is best to disarm the candidate by letting them know that accidents do eventually happen to just about everyone who drives for a living. By taking this approach the applicant will be relatively less defensive than the other more direct approaches listed and be more willing to open up and talk. Key is to not put the candidate on the defensive.

Explanation

Not all accidents will appear on a DMV report. A fender bender, dealt with by your vehicle insurance company, with no property or civil damage to another will often not be seen on the report. Therefore it is best to disarm the candidate by letting them know that accidents do eventually happen to just about everyone who drives for a living. By taking this approach the applicant will be relatively less defensive than the other more direct approaches listed and be more willing to open up and talk. Key is to not put the candidate on the defensive.