Guide to Truck Driver Retention

Sometimes, Things Like Roadside Assistance Matters

The trucking industry continues to struggle under the weight of too few drivers. One Statista report found that the industry needs 162,000 new drivers by 2030 to meet growing demand, noting that driver shortage is one of the largest problems in the industry. 

Considering this demand for qualified drivers, it’s more important than ever for companies to hold onto as many as they can. Take a closer look at this guide to driver retention. While providing roadside assistance is a key factor that will impact driver retention, there are a few other areas that require attention too.

What Can Companies Do to Best Support Their Current Drivers?

Opening up communication is a good place to start for any organization struggling to maintain valuable staff, including drivers. Often, these are the areas of concern truckers want their fleet owners/operators to address:

• Show appreciation: Drivers, like the rest of us, want respect. Create an appreciation program within the company that provides some type of incentive for drivers to meet or exceed set standards. Consider a mentorship program as a way to ensure new drivers gain core skills, and experienced drivers are treated with respect.
• Make expectations clear: When recruiting new drivers, be clear on what’s expected, such as the amount of time away from home or hours worked per day. Be open about routes, lifting requirements, and time spent alone on the job. 
• Pay well: That doesn’t always mean you must pay at the top of your industry but pay competitively for your region. Build in additional employee benefits and offer hiring bonuses – but do that for existing drivers, too. Offer security by providing guaranteed miles per week.
• Value their health: Driving a truck can be challenging for a person’s overall health, because of the long hours of concentration and having to remain seated in one position. Create and implement driver health incentives and wellness programs. 
• Provide employer support: Value the work that your employees do by providing the support they need. That could mean more time off to handle family needs or provide a way to plan for retirement. Incorporate truck and trailer driver training to deal with new regulations and compliance issues or build in programs to help drivers maintain their vehicles to alleviate some of the stress they face. Offer solutions like roadside assistance services so when they are stuck, they can quickly get help and maintain their on time delivery record.

Being progressive and consistent in providing supportive services to truck drivers helps them make the most out of their job while also ensuring they can consistently meet their life goals. Work towards a more balanced work-life balance with programs you implement, as doing so shows employees you value them.

STTC offers 24/7 emergency roadside assistance that can help your employees enjoy peace of mind and motivation to stay on the job. Let’s talk about how we can help you support your drivers. Call now at 610-954-8473 or contact us online.