Keeping Drivers Engaged: Four Ways to Reduce “Ghosting” in Transportation 

Andrew Williams, Director of Client Solutions, Transportation 

You’re likely all too familiar with this scenario: as a Talent Acquisition (TA) or Human Resources (HR) manager at a transportation company, you’ve just found the perfect candidate. Interviews went well, the background screening is underway, and the Driver Qualification file is in progress.

Then suddenly, the candidate disappears. No responses to emails, unanswered calls…silence. You’re left to wonder, “What happened?” 

Unfortunately, you’ve just been “ghosted.” This scenario is becoming all too common in transportation hiring. A 2025 survey by Conversion Interactive Agency and PDA found that over 54% of carriers are seeing a rise in “uncommitted” driver applicants. These are candidates who apply but never follow through.

In transportation hiring, ghosting isn’t just frustrating, but also often results in delayed onboarding, unfilled seats, and lost revenue.

The good news? Many of the causes of “ghosting” are preventable, especially during the background screening and onboarding process. Let’s explore why candidates ghost, and what HR and TA leaders can do to keep them engaged and cross the finish line.

Top Reasons Candidates Ghost in Transportation Hiring  

A Competitive, Fast-Moving Labor Market

Drivers and other transportation professionals are often juggling multiple job offers. A delay of even one day, or a minor hiccup in communication, can cause them to accept a competitor’s role instead. In a market where a few cents can sway a decision, speed and clarity are critical.

Lack of Communication and Transparency

Candidates may often feel left in the dark during the background screening and onboarding process. If they aren’t being updated on their screening status, or if they don’t understand what’s happening, they may assume the process has stalled and then just move on. This is especially true if they’ve been ghosted by employers in the past and feel justified in doing the same.

Cumbersome or Disconnected Processes

Drivers require more rigorous compliance steps, including DOT background screening, DQ file creation, and drug screening. But when these steps are poorly explained or feel redundant, candidates get frustrated. Further, if your ATS doesn’t integrate with your background screening or onboarding systems, it can lead to delays, duplicate data entry, and candidate drop-off.

4 Ways to Reduce Candidate ‘Ghosting’ in Transportation Hiring

Start Engagement Early

Build rapport from the first touchpoint and engage with your candidates early and often. Use your ATS to automate personalized messages and set expectations early. When candidates feel connected to your brand, they’re more likely to stay engaged.

Streamline Your Screening and Onboarding Workflow

Audit your hiring process carefully with a view to streamline it. Ask yourself:

• Is every step essential?
• Can we move non-critical steps later in the process?
• Are we collecting information we never use? 

Focus on what drives safety, compliance, and speed while making sure to avoid burying your candidates with unnecessary forms. For example, if you’re collecting Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) data, make sure it’s integrated seamlessly — not posing a barrier to progress.

Leverage Integrated Technology

If your systems aren’t integrated, you’re not just slowing down hiring — you may be increasing the risk of ghosting.

Instead, your ATS, background screening, and DQ file management systems should all work together, not exist in silos. Candidates should never have to enter the same information twice. Automate handoffs between systems to reduce delays and eliminate manual errors.

We’ve done a full breakdown of how to integrate your systems together in this blog.

Communicate Clearly and Often

Transparency is your best defense against ghosting. Let candidates know:

• What steps are coming  next
• Why each step matters (e.g., safety, compliance)
• How long each step will take 

Use automated updates from your background screening and DQ file systems to keep candidates informed in real time. This reduces their anxiety and builds their trust with you.

“Ghosting” Happens, But You Can Minimize It

“Ghosting” may be a frustrating reality of today’s job market, but it doesn’t have to derail your hiring goals. By focusing on early engagement, streamlined processes, integrated technology, and clear communication, your transportation company can significantly reduce candidate fallout.

Need help optimizing your hiring process? Let’s work together to build a faster, safer, and more candidate-friendly experience, from application to onboarding. Explore our transportation background screening solutions.