FleetMatics : How to Vet Safe, Efficient Drivers

Ever since 'American Idol' premiered in 2002, television talent shows like 'America's Got Talent,' 'Dancing with the Stars' and 'The X Factor' have remained consistently popular with viewers - and it's not just because the contestants are accomplished singers and dancers.

Let's be real: Half the fun in these types of shows is watching the ones who absolutely have not got talent. There's a certain pleasure involved in seeing people make a fool of themselves on national television … and that's basically why we all tune in to reality television, isn't it?

As weirdly enjoyable as it is to watch untalented reality show participants crash and burn, those contestants obviously aren't the ones who become the stars - because that's not who you really want to hear singing on the radio: It's the talented ones who are the keepers.

While we can't give tips on how to separate the songbirds from the tuneless (if you've ever heard us singing in the shower, you already know why), we can help you vet talented drivers for your business.

We already broke down how to hire safe drivers - so now here are some target questions you can ask during the interview to gauge an applicant's strengths, personality and commitment to safety:

• What is your experience as a driver? What have your main duties been?
• What types of vehicles are you comfortable driving and/or possess licenses for (if applicable)?
• Do you have any mechanical skills?
• What do you think is the hardest thing about being a driver?
• What do you enjoy most about being a driver?
• What are your views on driver safety?
• How would you describe your driving record?
• Have you ever had a complaint filed against you? If yes, what happened?
• Have you ever been in a situation where your role as a driver was tested? If so, what was it?
• Is there a time when you've demonstrated initiative in your previous role as a driver? If so, describe.
• What would you do if you were involved in an accident (both minor and major)?
• What would you do if a customer asked for a special favor outside the job order (e.g., deliver their personal package on your way to another job)?
• What would you do if a customer asked for an additional job order-related service, but you had another place to be?
• How would you incorporate technology into your job as a driver, and what benefits do you see to using it?

You can mix and match as many of these questions as you want (and remember not to grill your applicants too hard - after all, you want them to want to work for you) - but don't forget that while these help gauge someone's personality and history, many of the questions can become non-issues with GPS fleet tracking.

GPS vehicle tracking gives visibility into every driver's every behavior - and while you always want to vet every driver you hire, you can rest assured that GPS vehicle tracking means your drivers will be safe, honest and efficient, giving you more peace of mind during the hiring process.

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