Can You Hire a Driver for a Moving Truck?

Hiring a driver for a moving truck

Moving truck drivers are an alternative to full-service moving companies. Instead of hiring a company to handle every part of your move, you can rent a moving truck, load it and unload it yourself, and hire a professional to drive the truck while you travel separately.

When it makes sense to hire someone to drive a moving truck

A moving truck driver is cheaper than full-service movers, but there are other reasons why you might want to consider using one. It may make sense to hire a professional driver if:

• You need more than one truck and don’t have another driver
• You’re moving long-distance and don’t want to drive
• You don’t have time to drive the moving truck yourself
• You can’t drive or don’t feel comfortable driving large trucks

Hiring a moving truck driver for local vs. long-distance moves

Driving a moving truck for local, in-town moves and driving one for long-distance moves are two different services. Here are a few key differences between the two:

• Logistics: Truck-driving services for long-distance moves require more logistical coordination since companies need to arrange return travel, accommodations for multi-day routes and more. The main consideration for local moves is driver availability.
• Pricing model: Local moving truck drivers tend to be priced hourly, while long-distance driving services typically charge by the mile or issue a flat rate fee.
• Legal considerations: Commercial drivers for interstate moves may need to comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, depending on the truck size and its contents. In-town moving truck drivers only need to consider local laws.
• Lead time: Due to the additional planning required, you may need to hire a long-distance moving truck driver further ahead of your move than for a local job.

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Options for hiring a moving truck driver

You have multiple options when it comes to hiring someone to drive a moving truck for you, and each comes with distinct advantages and disadvantages. The best option for your move depends on your needs, budget, preferences and other factors. We explore four options below.

Moving company driver services

If you decide to move yourself instead of hiring movers, many full-service providers also offer truck drivers as a separate, individual service. While this is likely to be the highest-cost option, it also comes with the structure and accountability of an established company.

Moving services vet drivers based on their records and qualifications. These companies also provide liability insurance or require drivers to carry policies that meet company requirements.

Independent moving truck drivers

You can also find independent contractors on platforms like Taskrabbit or CitizenShipper to drive a moving truck for you. Similar to other on-demand services like Uber and Rover, these platforms allow you to look at profiles and ratings and choose a driver that best fits your needs.

Independent drivers tend to be cheaper than going through a full-service moving company, but they don’t come with the same assurances. So it’s a good idea to independently verify a driver’s insurance coverage and their driving and service records.

Also, locally-based independent drivers may not be willing to drive trucks for long-distance moves since they are responsible for additional costs such as return travel and accommodation.

Friend or family member

There is always the option to get a friend or family member to drive a truck for you. Even if you compensate the person for their time, this is likely to be significantly cheaper than hiring a professional. You also get to work with someone you already know and trust who may also be more accommodating if you’re running behind schedule or need to make last-minute changes.

On the other hand, you or your friend may need to buy additional insurance to cover the cargo inside the moving truck. And working with loved ones can become a difficult situation if anything goes wrong, such as your belongings getting damaged in transit.

Moving truck driver options at a glance

The table below provides a head-to-head comparison of costs and the pros and cons of the truck driver service options listed above.

Truck driver costs and pricing factors

The cost of hiring a moving truck driver varies significantly. Hiring a driver for a small, simple move across town could cost as little as $200, while using a professional service for a cross-country move could cost thousands of dollars.

Moving truck driver cost factors

There are several factors that influence the cost of a professional moving truck driver service. The only way to get an accurate rate is to request quotes from providers, but understanding these factors and how they influence pricing can help you estimate costs beforehand.

Distance

How far a provider needs to travel is one of the biggest factors in the cost of hiring a moving truck driver. Shipping distance first determines whether you need local service or a long-distance driver, with a substantial difference in price between the two.

Get multiple quotes to compare rates and find the best price for your move.

Rates for long-distance moves are often calculated by the mile, whether they’re presented as per-mile or flat-rate pricing, so costs go up as distance increases. Long routes that take multiple days to complete come with additional costs like overnight lodging for drivers that are usually baked into the final price.

Type of service

The type of service you hire also has a significant impact on the price you pay. Drivers that work for moving companies tend to be the most expensive option, followed by specialty service drivers. While they may be cheaper in some cases, rates for independent contractor drivers vary more than prices at moving or truck rental companies — and costs could also be higher.

Based on our research:

• The average cost for company-employed moving truck drivers ranges from $0.85 per mile to $1.53 per mile.
• The average rate for an independent driver is around $40 per hour and runs from around $17 to $80 per hour.

Truck size

Companies base rental fees on the size of moving trucks, charging more for larger trucks. Since you’re providing the moving truck, you’ll need to factor the rental fee into your overall moving costs.

The size of the truck you rent may also affect the type of driver you can hire. Keep these considerations in mind:

• Smaller trucks: Vans and smaller box trucks typically don't require special driver certifications.
• Larger trucks: Trucks weighing 26,001 pounds or more require for-hire drivers to have a commercial driver license (CDL).
• CDL drivers: Hiring a driver with a CDL will likely cost more.

One-way vs. return trip

Some companies charge an additional fee if you return your rental truck to a different location than where you rented it. Others, like U-Haul, only charge this fee if you drop off your vehicle at a location other than the one you agreed to in your rental contract. You’ll also find providers that don’t charge anything for a one-way truck rental drop-off.

If your rental company charges a one-way fee, compare it with the cost of returning the truck to the original location. Consider:

• One-way fee: The rental company’s charge for returning the truck elsewhere
• Mileage: Per-mile charges for driving the truck back
• Fuel: The cost of gas or diesel for the additional trip
• Time: The extra time you’ll spend returning the truck

Fuel costs

The price of gasoline or diesel fuel also affects the cost of hiring someone to drive your moving truck. Moving companies and rental truck companies typically build fuel costs into their quotes, while you’ll pay those costs directly if you hire an independent contractor or ask a friend to drive. Even a small increase in fuel prices can add up quickly, especially for long-distance moves.

Tolls

If your route uses highways that charge tolls, you’ll be responsible for paying them. Professional services often account for these costs in advance and factor them into quotes. You may not face these charges until after the fact when you hire an independent driver or a friend.

Many truck rental companies offer the option to enable a transponder such as E-ZPass in your vehicle, which automatically charges tolls to an account and may qualify you for discounted toll rates.

Your travel expenses

You’ll also want to include the cost for you to travel separately to the destination in your estimate. This is a cost you avoid if you drive the moving truck yourself, so consider it as part of the total cost of hiring a driver. Add in costs for things like food and accommodation along the way in addition to the price of an airline ticket or gas for your car.

» RELATED: Can you hire a single-item mover?

Rental truck insurance and driver requirements

When you hire someone to drive a truck you rented, it’s important to comply with all insurance regulations and rules listed in the rental agreement. Violating these requirements could result in additional fees and, in some cases, legal issues.

Moving truck driver insurance requirements

Technically speaking, you don’t need to buy additional insurance when you hire someone to drive a moving truck for you. Truck rental providers cover company vehicles with standard auto liability insurance policies that meet or exceed state minimums. But while you’re not required by law to get more insurance, it’s usually a good idea to do so.

Liability insurance policies only cover damages to other vehicles involved in a collision and don’t protect the one you or someone you hired is driving or anything inside it. That means you’d be responsible for any damages to the truck you rented and its cargo.

Rental truck insurance options

Rental truck companies typically offer additional coverage to help you avoid these risks. The table below provides explanations of common coverage items that you can purchase.

Some rental companies sell insurance packages that combine multiple types of coverage to provide more comprehensive protection. For example, U-Haul offers the following options:

• Safemove: Covers the moving truck rental and your cargo while providing medical/life coverage.
• Safemove Plus: Includes all protection featured in the Safemove plan and increases liability coverage limit to $1,000,000. Only available for moving trucks.
• SafeTrip: Provides supplemental roadside assistance coverage.

Adding a driver to a rental truck agreement

Most rental truck agreements allow you to let someone else drive a moving truck you rent, but only if they are officially authorized through the company. Authorizing another operator is usually a simple and inexpensive process, but it’s necessary if you hire a third-party driver.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Add them early: You must authorize any additional drivers at the point of pickup. You cannot add an authorized driver after the fact.
• Have ID ready: Additional drivers must present a valid driver’s license and, in some cases, one additional form of identification.
• Bring everyone along: Most companies require the additional driver to be physically present when renting the vehicle.
• Check your coverage: Any supplemental insurance you purchase automatically extends to authorized drivers.
• Budget for a fee: You may have to pay a fee to add a driver to your rental agreement. The amount varies between providers.

Unauthorized driver liability risks

Allowing an unauthorized driver to operate your rental truck puts you at serious risk. If that driver crashes or damages the truck, the rental company may void any insurance you purchased. Even if you paid for a damage waiver or cargo insurance, you could be left fully responsible for the resulting costs.

You may have to pay for vehicle damage and other losses out of pocket. Other drivers involved in a collision could also sue you personally for property or medical damages. Authorizing anyone you hire to drive your rental truck is well worth the time and any associated fees.

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