Driver Retention Trucking Industry: 3 Causes of High Turnover Rates

 The trucking industry has been plagued by the perennial problem of having one of the highest turnover rates in the country. Ironically, this industry powers the United States and keeps it moving.

In March 2021, the average turnover rate averaged an estimated 89%, according to a press release by the American Trucking Association (ATA). 

If fleet owners and carriers do not look at the driver retention trucking industry, they'll face more turnovers yearly.

The ATA stated the worsening driver shortage in 2019 was 61,000 truck drivers. This figure has grown to 30% or about 80,000 truck driver shortages since the pandemic.

And if no measures could resolve this issue, this figure could rise to a one million (1,000,000) shortage of drivers within the next ten years. 

Driver Retention Trucking Industry: The Potential Trucker Issues

Here are the issues that have been making truckers leave their jobs (and switch to other carriers).

They have to keep up with poor working conditions.

Truck leasing, equipment cost, and truck repairs are only some of the expenses coming out of a truck driver's pocket, and companies deduct all these expenses from their paycheck. 

As a result, truck drivers are forced to work longer hours with fewer breaks to compensate for all this.

They use poor fleet technology.

Many companies still use outdated communication forms, such as pen and paper, and the others use separate applications that cause driver frustration – as all are losing precious and unpaid time.

Poor, outdated technology is another truck driver issue that causes dissatisfaction. Text messages and phone calls are still the primary communication methods among carriers and shippers. At the same time, processes like load information, pre-trip inspections, and hours of service are done in standalone apps.

Drivers are treated as contractors.

For the longest time, truckers have been quitting because of their poor job classification. They’re classified as independent contractors instead of CDL Driver Recruiting Companies hiring them as full-time employees.

This practice saves them from worker's compensation insurance. It also allows companies to pay per mile, not per hour, so drivers aren't paid for lost time waiting at the shipment ports.

What issue do you think affects the driver retention trucking industry the most? Tell us in the comments. Finally, spread the word and share this post on social media today!


Driver Retention Trucking Industry: 3 Causes of High Turnover Rates







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