Hire Dry Van Drivers
Find experienced, pre-screened dry van drivers ready to haul enclosed freight across the nation. Placement from $500 in 2-3 business days.
Dry van is the largest segment in American trucking — and the most competitive for driver recruitment. With a 23,000-driver deficit and 90%+ annual turnover, carriers spend an average of $8,000-$12,000 and 30-45 days per hire. O Trucking cuts that to $500 and 2-3 business days with pre-screened, CDL-A verified drivers ready for your routes.
23,000
Dry Van Driver Shortage
Steady growth
Demand Trend
$0.45-$0.65 per mile
Typical Driver Pay
$500
O Trucking Cost
Why Dry Van Drivers Are Hard to Find
The dry van segment faces a 23,000 deficit nationwide. Here is why carriers struggle to fill seats.
Largest driver pool but also highest competition among carriers for experienced drivers
High turnover due to commoditized freight and slim margin pressure on pay
Long-haul routes make retention difficult — drivers want more home time
New entrants undercut rates, making it hard to offer competitive pay
What to Look For in a Dry Van Driver
Not every CDL holder is qualified for dry van work. These are the credentials and experience markers that separate a reliable dry van driver from a risky hire.
Required Credentials
Screening Requirements
- CDL-A verification with no more than 2 moving violations in 3 years
- DOT drug screen (5-panel) and alcohol test
- MVR pull — clean driving record for minimum 3 years
- Minimum 6 months verifiable OTR experience
- PSP (Pre-Employment Screening Program) report review
- Employment verification for past 10 years per FMCSA
O Trucking handles all of this for you. Every dry van driver we place has been through our full screening process before we send you a match. You get a verified, ready-to-drive professional — not a stack of unvetted resumes.
Dry Van Driver Pay Guide
Understanding market rates helps you set competitive pay that attracts qualified drivers without overpaying.
Per-Mile Rate
$0.45-$0.65
per mile
Annual Salary Range
$52K-$78K
based on experience and lanes
Demand Trend
Steady growth
2026 outlook
Seasonal Demand Peaks
Dry Van driver availability tightens during these periods. Start your hiring 60-90 days before peak to lock in qualified drivers before rates spike.
Common Dry Van Freight
Why Carriers Choose O Trucking
We built a better way to find drivers — faster, cheaper, and with less risk than traditional staffing agencies.
Pre-Screened Drivers
Every driver is verified: CDL, insurance, MVR, drug test, and experience confirmed before we send you a match.
$500 Per Placement
Industry staffing agencies charge $5,000–$12,000. We charge $500 per solo driver, $750 per team.
Free Replacement Guarantee
If a placed driver doesn’t work out within the first 30 days, we replace them at no additional cost.
Fast Turnaround
Most carriers receive matched driver profiles within 2–3 business days. No waiting weeks like traditional agencies.
All Equipment Types
Dry van, reefer, flatbed, tanker, dump truck, RGN, sprinter van — we source drivers for every equipment type.
Nationwide Coverage
We recruit and place drivers across all 50 states. Whether you need local, regional, or OTR — we’ve got you covered.
Simple, Transparent Pricing
No subscriptions. No upfront fees. You only pay when we successfully place a driver on your truck.
$500
per successful placement
One pre-screened, CDL-verified driver matched to your equipment and lanes.
$750
per successful placement
Two coordinated team drivers placed together for non-stop long-haul freight coverage.
Browse Dry Van Driver Hiring by State
We place dry van drivers across the country. Select a state to see local market data, hiring costs, and available driver pools.
Hire Other Equipment Types
Need drivers for different equipment? We place pre-screened drivers across all 12 equipment categories.
Hiring Dry Van Drivers FAQ
Common questions about hiring dry van drivers through O Trucking.
How much does it cost to hire a Dry Van driver through O Trucking?
Our Dry Van driver placement starts at $500 per driver. The industry average cost-per-hire is $8,000-$12,000, so you save 90%+ while getting pre-screened, verified drivers delivered in 2-3 business days instead of the typical 30-45 day hiring cycle.
What CDL and certifications do Dry Van drivers need?
Dry Van drivers need a valid CDL-A with a clean MVR (no more than 2 moving violations in 3 years), current DOT medical card, and minimum 6 months verifiable OTR experience. We verify all credentials before placement.
How long does it take to find a qualified Dry Van driver?
Through O Trucking, we place qualified Dry Van drivers in 2-3 business days. The national average is 30-45 days. We maintain a pre-screened driver pool specifically because dry van has the highest volume demand and carriers cannot afford empty trucks.
When is Dry Van driver demand highest?
Dry Van driver demand peaks during Back-to-school (July-August), Holiday retail (October-December), Spring home improvement (March-May). Holiday retail season (October-December) is the tightest period — start your hiring 60-90 days before peak to lock in experienced drivers before rates spike.
What is the current pay range for Dry Van drivers?
Dry Van drivers currently earn $0.45-$0.65 per mile, translating to $52K-$78K annually depending on miles, lanes, and experience. Top-performing drivers on premium lanes (Midwest corridors, coast-to-coast) can exceed the upper range.
What screening does O Trucking perform on Dry Van drivers?
Every Dry Van driver we place undergoes a 6-point screening: CDL-A verification, DOT 5-panel drug screen, MVR pull (3-year history), PSP report review, employment verification (10 years per FMCSA), and a driving proficiency assessment. If a placed driver does not work out, we provide a free replacement.
Post a Dry Van Driver Job — Free
Tell us what you need and we will start matching pre-screened dry van drivers immediately. No cost to post — you only pay $500 when we successfully place a driver on your truck.
Company Information
Tell us about your trucking operation.
Stop Losing Revenue to Empty Dry Van Trucks
Every day without a driver costs you $250+. Post a job for free and get matched with a pre-screened dry van driver in 2-3 business days.
No obligation. You only pay when we place a driver.
Are You a Dry Van Driver Looking for Work?
If you are a driver — not a carrier — head to our driver careers page to browse open positions and apply directly.
Browse Driver Jobs