Before you give notice, ask the recruiter about pay structure, miles, home time, equipment, and the paperwork behind the offer. Get every answer in writing. The best questions for leaving your current carrier cover seven areas: how you are paid, how many miles you will really run, what your home time looks like, what truck you will get, what the sign-on bonus requires, what the safety record looks like, and what happens if it doesn't work out. Experienced CDL-A drivers have leverage in this market, so use it. This list is as of October 2026.
What questions should I ask about pay?
A pay-per-mile number alone tells you little. Ask:
- Is the rate per loaded mile, per practical mile, or per hub mile? Which miles does the carrier actually pay?
- Is there a different rate by lane, trailer type or truck? Dry van, reefer and flatbed are often paid differently.
- What is the pay for stops, drop-and-hook, tarping, and extra pickups?
- Do I get paid for detention, layovers, and breakdowns? How many hours before it starts, and at what rate? See our guide to what a fair CDL-A pay-per-mile rate looks like.
- How often is pay settled, and are there deductions for insurance, ELD fees, escrow, or fuel-card fees?
How many miles will I really run?
Ask for the average weekly miles of drivers in the same fleet, not the best week. Ask how freight is dispatched, whether the fleet has seasonal slow periods, and whether there is any guaranteed minimum pay. A high rate on 1,800 miles a week can pay less than a modest rate on 2,800.
Worked example (hypothetical)
Offer A pays $0.62 per mile and the fleet averages 2,600 miles a week: 0.62 × 2,600 = $1,612 a week before deductions. Offer B pays $0.68 per mile but the fleet averages 2,200 miles: 0.68 × 2,200 = $1,496. The higher rate pays less. These numbers are made up to show the math, not a prediction of any carrier's pay.
What should I ask about home time?
- How many days out, and how many days home, on a standard cycle?
- Is home time guaranteed, or only "requested"? Is it written into the offer?
- What happens if freight doesn't line up with my home date?
- Does home time count as paid time, and does the clock reset if I take extra days?
Home time promises made on the phone mean little unless you can point to a document. See current CDL-A openings and compare how they state it.
What do I need to know about the truck and equipment?
Ask the model year and make of the truck you will be assigned, whether it is yours alone or shared, whether it is governed (speed limited), and whether you get an APU, inverter, or fridge. Ask who pays for tolls, scales and lumper fees, and how maintenance downtime is handled. Ask what the policy is on parking, and whether the carrier supports truck stop programs and fuel discounts.
How does a sign-on bonus really work?
- How much is it, and when is each part paid (day one, 90 days, a year)?
- What are the exact conditions to earn it (miles, weeks worked, no preventable accidents)?
- If I leave or am terminated, do I have to pay it back? How much, and is it deducted from my last check?
- Is there a separate tuition or training clawback?
Ask to see the bonus agreement before you quit your job. If a recruiter won't send it, treat that as a signal.
What can I ask about the carrier's safety record?
Look the carrier up yourself on the FMCSA SAFER system: operating status, inspection counts, out-of-service rates and crash data. Then ask the recruiter how they handle inspections, and whether the carrier is currently under any FMCSA audit or compliance review. Pair this with how to protect your paycheck from a failing carrier.
What will the new carrier check on me?
Know what they will see before they do. Under 49 CFR 391.23, a carrier must investigate your DOT-regulated employment for the previous three years, including accident and drug and alcohol test history. Previous employers have 30 days to respond. If you have worked for a DOT-regulated employer, you may review what previous employers provided, and request corrections or attach a rebuttal; the request must be made in writing within 30 days of being notified of an employment decision, and the carrier must give you access within five business days.
- Clearinghouse: employers must use the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. Drivers can view their own record at no cost once registered, and must be registered to give the electronic consent employers need.
- PSP report: the Pre-Employment Screening Program shows up to five years of crash data and three years of inspection data. Drivers can order their own report, reported at about $10 (check the PSP site for current pricing).
- Bad inspection data: if something is wrong, see how to challenge it through DataQs.
Common mistakes when leaving a carrier
- Quitting before you have the offer in writing. Get the offer letter or pay sheet first.
- Taking the highest rate without checking miles. See the example above.
- Ignoring bonus clawbacks. A big bonus with a 12-month payback can be a trap.
- Not checking your own records. Surprises in your PSP or Clearinghouse record cost you offers.
- Burning bridges. Finish your load, return equipment and get your final settlement terms in writing.
For the step-by-step process, read the CDL-A driver checklist for switching companies, and use our job match quiz and driver resources to compare options.
Frequently asked questions
Should I ask a recruiter about pay before they ask about my record?
Yes. You can ask about pay structure on the first call. Just expect them to ask about your experience and record too.
Can a recruiter promise me a specific weekly pay?
Be careful with any guarantee. Ask for it in writing, including what conditions apply and how long it lasts.
Do I have to tell my current carrier I'm interviewing?
Not necessarily, but a new carrier will contact previous DOT-regulated employers within the rules above once you apply, so plan your timing.
How can I see what a new carrier will see?
Register for the Clearinghouse to view your record, and order your own PSP report.
What if a recruiter dodges my questions?
Ask for the answer by email. If you still can't get it in writing, move on to another carrier.
This is general information, not legal advice. Ask a qualified professional about your situation.
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