Driver retention

Scope

Motor carriers need to be concerned with driver retention and should take steps to reduce driver turnover.

Regulatory citations

• None

Key definitions

• None

Summary of requirements

Some experts say that throwing more money at drivers can eliminate driver turnover, and to some extent that may be true. However, pay is the second most common reason for a driver leaving an employer. The most common is quality-of-life issues (caused by dissatisfaction with either the industry or the employer).

Carriers with high retention rates tend to:

• Operate a driver-centered dispatch system.
• Use a single “point of contact” driver-management system.
• Employ driver managers rather than dispatchers.
• Schedule “face time” with drivers.
• Maintain an open door policy.
• Utilize transitional dispatchers.
• Deal with waiting time issues.
• Provide on-time home time.
• Allow driver involvement in policy implementation and enforcement.
• Eliminate the “it’s not our fault” mentality.
• Operate award and incentive programs for drivers and supervisors that reward driver retention.
• Keep wages in line with inflation.
• Give drivers respect.