The Driver’s Fundamentals guide is a free educational resource designed to help new CitizenShipper drivers learn how the platform works and get started building their transportation business.
The training includes step-by-step lessons and videos covering everything from setting up your account and creating a strong driver profile to finding shipments, placing bids, communicating with customers, completing your first transport, and planning more efficient routes.
The course covers the basics every driver needs to know, while also highlighting category-specific best practices for pets, boats, vehicles, and general freight. Dedicated resources are also available for specific shipment categories, including boats and motorcycles.
Sign up here to access the Driver’s Fundamentals guide and free training videos.
You can complete the lessons at your own pace and return to individual lessons whenever you need a refresher.
Who is the Driver's Guide for?
The Driver's Guide is designed primarily for new CitizenShipper drivers who want to understand how the platform works and learn the basics of getting started.
Experienced drivers may also find the training useful as a refresher or as a resource for improving their profiles, communication, pricing, shipment searches, route planning, and customer experience.
What does the Driver's Guide cover?
The training is organized into several lessons that take you from setting up your account through completing shipments and growing your business.
Lesson 1: Getting set up
The first section covers the foundations of becoming a CitizenShipper driver, including:
- Setting up and completing your driver profile
- Adding profile photos, vehicles, and trailers
- Completing required account verifications
- Understanding optional profile verifications, such as USDA, insurance, and USDOT verification
- Understanding your membership and how CitizenShipper works as a marketplace
The course also provides guidance on creating a profile that helps customers understand your experience, services, and approach to transportation.
Lesson 2: Finding shipments
Once your account is set up, the next step is learning how to find shipments that fit your preferences and routes. You'll learn how to:
- Navigate your CitizenShipper dashboard
- Understand your Recommended, Open, Active, Booked, Delivered, and Canceled shipments
- Set up shipment and notification preferences
- Use the shipment search tool
- Search by pickup and delivery locations, dates, weight, and category
- Evaluate shipment listings and identify opportunities that may be a good fit
The course also explains why responding promptly to relevant shipment opportunities can help you stand out to customers.
Lesson 3: Bidding, communication, and pricing
Finding a shipment is only the beginning. The course then focuses on how to present yourself effectively and submit competitive quotes. You'll learn about:
- Communicating with potential customers
- Creating effective introduction messages
- Placing, editing, and retracting bids
- Understanding what customers consider when choosing a driver
- Pricing shipments based on factors such as distance, fuel, shipment size, and other costs
- Building trust through clear, professional, and realistic communication
The course emphasizes that winning a shipment isn't simply about offering the lowest price. Your communication, experience, reliability, and the overall value of your offer can all influence a customer's decision.
Lesson 4: Completing your first shipment
After winning a shipment, the course walks you through the next steps, including preparing for the transport, communicating with the customer, and providing a positive experience.
For pet transportation, the training covers topics such as:
- Confirming documentation and payment arrangements
- Preparing a pet for the journey
- Understanding the pet's individual needs
- Providing appropriate care and regular breaks during transport
- Keeping customers updated throughout the trip
- Completing delivery and confirming the shipment
- Understanding how customer reviews work and building your reputation
The course places particular emphasis on communication, safety, and care as important parts of a successful transport experience.
Lesson 5: Growing your business
Once you've gained experience, the course introduces strategies for finding additional shipment opportunities and making your routes more efficient. You'll learn about:
- Advanced shipment searches
- Creating and using routes
- Finding shipments that can complement an existing trip
- Using shipment stacking to identify additional transports along your route
- Building your reputation through customer reviews
- USDA registration for pet transportation
- Transportation insurance
- Red Cross First Aid certification for dogs and cats
These lessons are intended to help drivers make better use of the platform while developing their transportation business over time.
Bonus: Scaling your business
The Driver's Guide also includes a bonus section on expanding your transportation business. This section covers:
- Adding additional drivers or helpers to your account
- The screening process for people who assist with shipments
- CitizenShipper's referral opportunities for drivers and customers
Start learning today!
The Driver’s Fundamentals guide is designed to give you a foundation for getting started on CitizenShipper and help you build your skills as you gain experience.
Sign up for the free Driver's Guide and training here.
What to read next
For more advice on getting your bearings, see the articles on Talking to customers (2-min read) and Tips, tricks, & perseverance (2-min read).
For advice on managing your CitizenShipper profile, see Setting up your account.
For advice on winning shipments, see Bidding and payments.