driver turnover

Driver turnover is on pace to hit the highest annual rate in five years, but experts point to several ways carriers can limit the churn, including better hiring interviews, bonuses, expanded benefits, use of mobile freight apps and empathy when drivers are confronting hardship.

More than 70% of driver turnover occurs in the first year of employment, and 36% of drivers leave a firm within their first three months on the job, according to an analysis from Stay Metrics, the South Bend, Ind.-based driver turnover and retention consultant to carriers.

Driver turnover at both large and small truckload carriers surged in the second quarter and could go higher in the months ahead, according to data released by American Trucking Associations.

Driver turnover fell 19 percentage points year-over-year to 81% in the third quarter for larger truckload fleets, dropping to the lowest level in five years due to the soft freight environment, American Trucking Associations reported last week.