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Retention

Best driver recruiting software for trucking fleets

By the Off Duty Not Driving Rewards teamOctober 20267 min read

In this article:
  1. Driver recruiting software compared
  2. 1. Tenstreet
  3. 2. Avatar DriverHub
  4. 3. Foley
  5. 4. J. J. Keller Encompass
  6. 5. TruckRight
  7. 6. Drive My Way
  8. 7. Fountain
  9. Test any vendor's DOT application against 49 CFR 391.21
  10. Questions to ask in every sales call

The best driver recruiting software for a trucking fleet is an applicant tracking system (ATS) built around the DOT driver application in 49 CFR 391.21, employment verifications and the driver qualification file. As of October 2026, seven options state those features on their own sites, from full platforms to a matching service.

  1. Tenstreet (including Tenstreet On Demand for small fleets)
  2. Avatar DriverHub
  3. Foley
  4. J. J. Keller Encompass
  5. TruckRight
  6. Drive My Way
  7. Fountain

One change to know first: Tenstreet announced on March 31, 2025 that it had acquired DriverReach, and in October 2026 driverreach.com redirects to tenstreet.com. We cover what that means in Tenstreet vs DriverReach.

Driver recruiting software compared

SoftwareBuilt forMobile DOT application statedEmployment verifications statedDQ file tools statedPricing on its site
TenstreetCarriers and private fleetsYes (IntelliApp)Yes (Xchange)Yes (Enhanced DQF)Tailored; no annual contract required
Avatar DriverHubMotor carriers, private fleets, bus companiesYes (mobile career site)Yes, as a pre-hire add-onYes (built during onboarding)Per-driver pricing calculator
FoleyTransportation and other DOT-regulated employersYes ("Apply by License")Yes (under background checks)YesThree packages listed, no prices shown
J. J. Keller EncompassFleets with 1 to 3,000 drivers"Online hiring and applications"Not stated on the page we openedYesNot on the page we opened
TruckRightFor-hire carriers, private, construction and waste fleetsYesNot stated on the page we openedCompliance tools statedNot on the pages we opened
Drive My WayEmployers hiring CDL driversNo: a matching service, not an ATSNoNoContact for pricing
FountainHigh-volume frontline hiring, incl. logisticsNot stated for DOTNot statedNot statedTailored pricing by request

As of October 2026, from each vendor's own pages linked below. No vendor is ranked above another. "Not stated" means we did not find it on the pages we opened, not that the product lacks it.

1. Tenstreet

Tenstreet calls its platform "a driver lifecycle management solution", covering hiring, safety and compliance. On its hiring center page it lists a job marketplace for 20 job boards, the IntelliApp application, Xchange for employment verifications, online onboarding and a training library of more than 290 courses. Tenstreet says more than three million drivers use its platform.

  • Application: the IntelliApp pre-fills saved driver data, collects "DOT-compliant e-signatures", and flags employment gaps.
  • Verifications: Xchange replaces faxed requests; any carrier can sign up for free and choose whether to charge for providing verifications.
  • DQ files: Enhanced DQF stores files digitally, tracks annual MVRs and sends expiration alerts.
  • Pricing: "not rigid", based on products, fleet size and other factors; "An annual contract does not have to be signed" (pricing).
  • Small fleets: Tenstreet On Demand bundles six services on a month-to-month subscription, and job openings stay visible even when the subscription is inactive.

Fits: fleets that want recruiting, verifications, onboarding and safety files on one platform with a large driver network.

2. Avatar DriverHub

Avatar describes DriverHub as "truck driver recruiting software and an applicant tracking system". It lists a custom mobile career site with no log-in for drivers, automated hiring checklists, marketing source reporting, automatic texting, e-signatures by "magic links", and DQ files built automatically during onboarding. Avatar also sells recruiting and DQ file services. Its pricing page shows per-driver pricing through a calculator, lists add-ons such as Clearinghouse queries, employment verifications, PSP and MVRs, and cites 70+ integrations.

Fits: fleets that want software plus hands-on help, and a published per-driver price to compare.

3. Foley

Foley says its "roots are planted in transportation" and that it has spent more than 30 years on FMCSA compliance and background checks. Its hiring platform covers job postings, a mobile-first application with an "Apply by License" feature, phased background screening and compliance records. Foley's candidate management page says more than 90% of driver applicants apply on a mobile device. The pricing page lists Essential, Professional and Power packages without dollar amounts; the Essential package includes DQ files, a DOT drug and alcohol program and pre-employment and annual Clearinghouse queries.

Fits: fleets that want hiring, screening, drug and alcohol testing and DQ files from one compliance vendor.

4. J. J. Keller Encompass

The J. J. Keller Encompass platform is a wider fleet compliance system "used by fleets with 1 to 3,000 drivers". Its driver features include "Online hiring and applications, applicant tracking, scoring & notification of priority candidates", MVR monitoring, driver qualification checklists, alcohol and drug program management, and hours of service auditing.

Fits: fleets that want recruiting inside a broader compliance and safety platform from one supplier.

5. TruckRight

TruckRight's recruiting page describes a configurable ATS with a mobile-friendly application, knockout questions and automated scorecards, bulk messaging, job board integrations and a built-in CRM for automated texts and emails. It states that driver data "is never sold or shared with other fleets", and that more than a million driver files are housed in TruckRight.

Fits: fleets that want an ATS set up around their existing process and a clear statement on driver data.

6. Drive My Way

Drive My Way is a matching service, not an applicant tracking system. Its pricing page says drivers pick from 23 preferences and get a match score from 1 to 10 for each job, and that the service is free to drivers. Employers get job promotion, access to its driver community and "Match Makers" who engage drivers. Pricing is by contact, with a choice of term length.

Fits: fleets that already have an ATS and want more qualified leads, matched on what drivers say they want.

7. Fountain

Fountain is a high-volume hiring platform for frontline roles. Its logistics page describes sourcing, an ATS, onboarding and AI recruiting agents. The pages we opened do not mention the DOT driver application, employment verifications or DQ files. Its pricing page offers pricing tailored to the products a customer chooses.

Fits: fleets hiring large numbers of warehouse, yard or non-CDL staff alongside drivers. Test the DOT pieces below before using it for CDL hiring.

Test any vendor's DOT application against 49 CFR 391.21

Under 49 CFR 391.21, a person may not drive a commercial motor vehicle until they have given the motor carrier a completed, signed employment application that meets the rule. This is a final rule in force as of October 2026. Use it as a checklist when a vendor walks you through its application.

391.21(b) requiresWhat to check in the software
(1) Motor carrier name and addressPre-filled on every application
(2) Applicant name, address, date of birth, Social Security numberSecure storage and access controls
(3) Addresses for the past 3 yearsAddress history, not just current address
(4) Date the application is submittedStamped automatically
(5) Each unexpired CMV license: authority, number, expirationRoom for more than one license
(6) Driving experience and equipment typesEquipment list (trucks, tractors, trailers)
(7) Accidents in the past 3 years, with date, nature, injuries or deathsRequired fields, not free text only
(8) Moving-violation convictions in the past 3 yearsParking-only violations excluded
(9) License denials, revocations, suspensions, or a statement of noneExplicit yes/no plus detail
(10) Employers for the past 3 years: dates, reason for leaving, FMCSR and drug-testing statusBoth FMCSR and DOT testing questions present
(11) CDL drivers: CMV employers for the 7 years before thatTen-year history for CDL applicants
(12) The exact certification and signature lineWording matches the rule word for word

Two more points to check:

  • The notice before applying. Under 391.21(d), the carrier must tell the applicant that the employer information may be used and previous employers contacted to investigate safety performance history, and must notify them in writing of their due process rights under 391.23(i).
  • Electronic signatures. 49 CFR 390.32 allows electronic documents and signatures, provided records can be retained and accurately reproduced, and include proof of consent where required.

After hire, 49 CFR 391.23 requires the MVR inquiry and the safety performance history investigation within 30 days of the start date. A good ATS tracks that clock. For the Clearinghouse step, see limited vs full Clearinghouse queries, and for what happens after hire, truck driver onboarding best practices.

Questions to ask in every sales call

  1. Does your application cover all twelve 391.21(b) items, including the 10-year CDL employer history?
  2. How do you handle the 391.21(d) notice and the due process notice?
  3. How do employment verifications work, and what share come back electronically?
  4. Who owns applicant data if we leave, and will it be shared with other carriers?
  5. Is there a contract term, and is pricing per driver, per user or per package?
  6. Which job boards, background screening, telematics and HR systems do you integrate with, by name?

Hiring well is half the job. Keeping drivers is the other half: see how to retain truck drivers, and if Tenstreet is on your list, compare Tenstreet alternatives.

Off Duty Not Driving Rewards is a rewards program for trucking fleets. Contact our team to learn more.