Annual turnover rate for drivers at large trucking companies remains extraordinarily high. It’s not uncommon for entire teams to be replaced each year as drivers pursue better compensation packages, more desirable routes, or choose to leave the industry altogether. And with an average driver age of 48 years old, losing qualified drivers to retirement is a challenge we will all face.
What happens when we have a massive shortage in truck drivers? In addition to supply chain disruption, possible manufacturing slowdowns, increased costs for transportation and inflationary pressures, we would see struggles across retail and e-commerce. Higher prices, slower delivery, and less satisfaction for everyone.
So what’s next? We have to invest now to build the next generation of truck drivers.
Finding qualified CDL drivers with the appropriate endorsements is vital to the success of any mobile fuel delivery company like Booster. Our drivers are the face of our business, engaging with their communities and customers, and smiling behind the wheel of our vehicles as they fill tanks across their territory. We’ve found that investing directly in them is what helps us combat the high turnover rate that other trucking companies face.
It’s not that there aren’t people interested in driving for large trucking companies. Regulatory requirements have increased in just the last few years. Since 2022, Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) rules require new drivers to have training from registered providers before testing that includes both theory and behind-the-wheel practical training. There is a standardized curriculum on vehicle systems, cargo handling, and minimum service hours, and trainers must maintain minimum established skill levels. While there are thousands of trainers across the US, many are in similar areas, leading to training deserts that do not help us overcome the national shortage of drivers we continue to face.
In addition to these newer requirements and the possibility that you might live in one of these training deserts, getting a CDL licence can be expensive. On average, these programs can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $7,000. Many new drivers look for financial assistance through company-sponsored training or through grants, scholarships, and payment plans. And it’s unfortunately these financing options that can push newly licensed drivers towards turnover: some companies may sponsor training but not pay salary during that period or may make pay models that are unfriendly towards debt repayment and better future compensation.
So how can your company combat the likelihood that you too may experience high driver turnover?
At Booster, we are being proactive with a registered CDL AcademyCDL Academy and licensed trainers who can mentor the next generation of Booster’s service professionals. We offer competitive compensation packages that acknowledge the current industry and economic challenges, paying our recruits to work and train simultaneously so that they can focus on learning and delivering to our customers without worrying about paying the bills that can pile up when training time is unpaid.
Drivers are at the center of everything we do to deliver affordable, accessible mobile fueling to our customers. We invest in our drivers so that they can see a future with Booster.