The side load picket driver is loaded from the side instead of from the bottom. The side load star picket driver is closed at the top end and open at the bottom end and has a slot down the full-length on one side of the star picket driver so that the star picket can be loaded from the side instead of the open end. There are two handles, welded to each side of the star picket driver for the operator to grip the driver and pound the star picket into the ground.