Turnover for a single driver in the trucking industry can cost a trucking company up to $15,000 for replacements and missed opportunity costs. But, for the whole industry, the numbers are shocking, as driver turnover costs are $2.8 billion each year. Additionally, when you take into account the costs of hiring, onboarding, and training for new drivers, as well as seeing your Also, because of these reasons driver turnover is a huge problem for over-the-road companies. Turnover is high among early-stage drivers, these are drivers who have worked with the company for less than a year. About 70% of drivers leave the carrier company in the first year itself. This is because many do not feel the supervisors fully understand their problems or they did not get proper training and walkthrough in the onboarding process which leads the driver to not feel like they are part of the team. Other problems include the present coronavirus pandemic which has caused many older drivers to retire due to their age.
Finally, besides all the problems mentioned earlier, the biggest challenge fleet managers face is driver retention. No matter if the company is a small business, a medium business with a local fleet, or a team of on-the-road drivers there are tips that can help all of them. For example, if you are a small business you must hire carefully and then create a relationship with your drivers because for small businesses drivers can be like a family, also keep communicating with them to see what is going on in their lives. Furthermore, for a medium-sized company with a local fleet, keep in mind that all your drivers will have various management and working styles. And keep checking in with your drivers and then prepare their routes, so they do not feel pressured, overworked, or interrupted. Finally, for your team of over-the-road drivers, treat them with professionalism and respect, by offering coaching classes, promotions, retirement plans, and health benefits. Allow them to balance their home and work-life and suggest healthy on the road habits.
