uhaul professional drivers

Does U-Haul Provide Drivers – Answered! 

Moving day can be daunting, including packing, loading, and unloading. And then there is finding someone to drive your U-Haul truck to the new location. That bodes the question, does U-Haul provide drivers for you?

U-Haul does not provide drivers to drive their moving trucks. However, you can hire professional drivers through other companies to assist with your move. 

Please read below for more information on drivers and where to find them. You’ll also find tips if you decide to drive the U-Haul truck yourself. 

driving U-haul

Can You Hire a Driver For U-Haul Trucks?

Professional drivers can be a great asset when moving, even though U-Haul will not provide drivers for you. 

You can hire a driver for U-Haul trucks through a moving company. Hiring a professional moving driver can help alleviate the stress of trying to drive a large truck yourself, especially if you have no experience. Hired drivers also carry insurance in case of accidents or mishaps. 

Having their own insurance can relieve you of the responsibility of the truck and ensure that you don’t have to worry about anything after loading up the U-Haul. 

Professional drivers must also submit to drug screening and background checks before being hired to ensure your truck and belongings inside it are in the safest of hands. 

hiring a professional moving driver

The Best Places To Find Professional Drivers for Your Move

There are several options to find drivers to assist with your move. Some offer additional services beyond just driving the truck for you. Below is a list of some of the top places to find them. 

  • Upack is a company that meets you at the location you are moving from and drives your truck to the new site. You will have to secure your moving truck, and they do not assist with packing, loading, or unloading. They service the continental US. 
  • International Van Lines is a moving company that assists moves of any size, from a single piece of furniture to an entire house or even an automobile. They do domestic and international moves as well as sea and air deliveries. 
  • Mayflower Transit is an excellent company if you need packing, unpacking, and storage. They service anywhere in the continental US and have been in business for over 70 years. They have a fleet of trucks that they use for your moves. 
  • North American Moving Services offers a great deal of help with moving. They do practically anything, including domestic and international, full-service and fragile packing, and debris removal and storage options. 
  • Wheaton Worldwide Moving offers a “one-stop-shop” for anything you would need for your move. They make domestic and international moves, which include household and corporate. They also provide a variety of storage options should you need them. 
  • Bekins offers international or household moves, both local and long-distance. They have been in business for over 70 years and have a 4.5-star Yelp review. They can also accommodate some special requests. 

Tips for Driving Your U-Haul Truck Yourself

driving U-haul truck

There are a few things to remember when you are driving a moving truck. It can be tricky if you are not used to driving larger vehicles. Below are a few tips to ensure you arrive at your destination safely while driving your U-Haul.

  • Always drive the posted speed limits. It’s usually good to operate in the slow or truck lane. Be especially careful when driving in windy conditions. The slower you go, the more control you will have if the wind begins to push the truck. 
  • Be sure not to tailgate other drivers. The truck is larger than a standard vehicle and will be heavy from the items you have loaded. That means it will take longer to brake in an emergency or in wet or slick conditions. 
  • Make sure you can maneuver the truck without having a rearview mirror. You will have large side-view mirrors to assist you, but the rearview mirror is not an option as the truck is a box truck. 
  • Have your route fully mapped out (GPS is great for this) to avoid any confusion on exits or turns and, with the GPS, eliminate any delays or detours due to construction or accidents. 
  • If it is a long-distance move, you may want to go ahead and plan out any stops along the way to avoid hard-to-enter on-ramps or congested traffic.
  • It is always good to have your phone fully charged just in case you need to reach others traveling in your party or to call for assistance if something happens, such as getting a flat tire. 
  • Don’t drive distracted. This sounds simple, but you would be surprised how easy it is to get distracted by other drivers, trying to follow directions (because GPS is not perfect), or experience unsavory weather issues. 
  • Make sure you get a good night’s rest before heading out, especially on long-distance moves. Tired driving is known to be as, if not more, dangerous than intoxicated driving. Rolling down your windows or turning on the radio can help you stay alert until you can pull into an area to rest. 

You don’t need a special license to drive the truck yourself. However, it can be a challenge to drive one. The moving trucks are taller and longer than most regular vehicles and can take some finesse to get into parking spaces and a bit more skill when driving on the interstate. 

Remember, whoever signs the contract with U-Haul is responsible for any damage to the truck. So if you have a family member driving for you, ensure you thoroughly trust the person and that they have a proper legal license. 

Final Thoughts

Moving can be stressful, even more so if it is long-distance or internationally. The easiest way to remove some of that stress is to hire a reliable driver and, if possible, a moving company. 

While some top brand moving truck companies, such as U-Haul, do not offer driver services, many companies do. Some companies provide packing or storing services, while others offer a driver for the truck you have already secured and packed. 

Either service you choose can eliminate a lot of stress from your day and allow you to enjoy the prospect of starting somewhere new easily. 

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *