Combatting Driver Turnover in the Trucking Industry

In the trucking industry, driver turnover can be a major issue for companies. High turnover rates can lead to increased costs for training and onboarding new drivers, as well as disruption in operations. It’s important for trucking companies to focus on retention in order to maintain a stable workforce and keep their business running smoothly.

In this blog post, we will explore five strategies for reducing driver turnover and improving retention in the trucking industry.

5 Strategies for Reducing Driver Turnover and Improving Retention in the Trucking Industry

By implementing these strategies, trucking companies can work to keep their drivers happy and reduce the rate of turnover within their organization.

Better Pay

Low wages are one of the biggest contributors to driver turnover. Drivers may not feel as though they’re being fairly compensated for their work, which can lead to dissatisfaction and higher rates of turnover.

To combat this problem, companies should ensure that they’re paying drivers a competitive wage that’s equivalent with their experience level and skillset.

More Home Time

Truckers often work long shifts—sometimes up to 12 hours per day—which can be tiring and stressful. Drivers may become overwhelmed with the demands of the job if they don’t have enough time off between shifts to rest and recuperate before returning back to work.

Companies should provide ample opportunities for drivers to take breaks during long trips or days off between shifts so that they feel supported by their employer.

Prioritize Safety

Drivers may feel uncomfortable or unsafe in their work environment, leading to a desire to leave the company. This is especially true if the company doesn’t prioritize the safety of its drivers. In order to reduce driver turnover and improve retention, trucking businesses should focus on creating a safe work environment for their drivers.

One way to improve safety on the job is to invest in safety training and education for drivers. This can include training on proper handling of hazardous materials, defensive driving techniques, and emergency response procedures. By educating drivers on how to stay safe on the job, companies can help reduce the risk of truck crashes and injuries.

Here are some tips for minimizing unsafe driving behaviors and night driving.

Conduct Exit Interviews

By conducting exit interviews with departing drivers, trucking businesses can gather valuable insights into the factors that may have contributed to their decision to leave the company. This information can be used to make changes to company policies, practices, or working conditions that may help to reduce turnover in the future.

Improve Onboarding Process

Onboarding is an important factor in retaining truck drivers. By providing a thorough and supportive onboarding experience, trucking businesses can improve retention and reduce the cost and disruption of employee turnover.

To improve driver retention, trucking businesses should focus on clearly communicating expectations and job responsibilities, providing new hires with necessary resources and tools, fostering a positive company culture, and promoting employee engagement.