Our industry continues to struggle with finding enough drivers and technicians to service and drive trucks. When is the last time you heard a young boy or girl say, “When I grow up, I want to be a truck driver or truck technician?” There is not a week that goes by that someone is asking me what they can do to recruit new drivers and technicians. My first response to that question is, “What are you doing to keep the good drivers and technicians that you currently have?”
In today’s employment environment, if you are not actively working to retain your employees, someone else is actively recruiting them from you. There is no one clear answer to driver and technician retention, but there are several proven methods that you can implement to reduce turnover. One is to develop a career path for all your employees to follow. Another common term used for a career path is a driver or technician elevation program. If an employee does not have a clear vision of what they can achieve with your company, they are likely to become dormant and will eventually leave the company.
Both drivers and technicians will leave a company for a pay rate that is slightly higher than what they are currently receiving. I would recommend that you tie training and pay increases together. We have implemented a career path program in our Atlanta facility and have tied pay increases to the amount of training that a technician has completed. The technician can increase their pay by completing training and passing examinations. This has proven to be a benefit to both the employer and the employee.
We benefit by having technicians who are higher skilled and educated to repair and service our units, and technician turnover has been reduced. The technicians can repair and service the units more efficiently, with a lower occurrence of comeback repairs. Technicians can increase their pay and enhance their careers with education. Imagine the savings you could have with all employees at the highest level of education and pay!
The following are some additional tips for consideration to retain the good drivers you have:
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Review your company policies and procedures for honesty with your drivers. Make sure the policies are forthright and achievable by your drivers. The number one reason a driver leaves the employment of a motor carrier is that the driver feels the company has been dishonest with them.
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Drivers need to be recognized as an asset to the company and a valued part of the company in all aspects of their operations and performance.
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Involve drivers in the operations of your company on a regular basis (i.e., equipment selection, accident review committees, policy and procedure issues, customer service relationships, etc.). Develop a relationship with your drivers—know who they are and show a genuine concern for their welfare and longevity with the company. This relationship should be consistent from top management and ownership down.
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Review your pay and benefit programs to make sure they are competitive in the industry.
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Keep your vehicles maintained with a systematic maintenance and inspection program that ensures a safe operating unit for your drivers.
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Provide ongoing training. It has been proven that drivers who receive training and are elevated in position are less likely to leave your company.
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Strictly adhere to your driver hiring and selection standards. Qualified, experienced drivers do not want to be associated with a company that hires substandard drivers.
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Provide a structured and comprehensive new driver orientation and training program. Drivers need to know the policies and procedures of the company prior to being placed into service. If drivers are informed of policies and procedures after being placed into service, they will likely terminate employment, as they do not know what other policies and procedures they may be required to comply with later.
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Recognize drivers for their achievements and performance (safe driving awards, longevity awards, customer service, etc.). Provide drivers with recognition that they cannot get anywhere else. Recognition should be personalized to the driver—coats with their name and achievement, decals for the side of their units with their first name and achievement, plaques, etc. All driver recognition should take place with other drivers present as peers.
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When a driver terminates employment, conduct an exit interview. This can be done in person or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the driver with a written evaluation to be completed. Try to determine the actual reason for the driver leaving your employment.
Have you had a Non-Preventable DOT recordable accident?
Don’t forget about the FMCSA Crash Preventability Program!
Motor carriers and drivers can challenge the preventability of certain crashes
with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Crash Preventability Determination Program. Non-preventable DOT recordable crashes can be removed from your CSA scoring if approved by the FMCSA.
How the program works
FMCSA’s Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP) reviews 21 specific crash types and modifies information in the Agency’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) to distinguish non-preventable crashes. Under the CPDP, if you were involved in an eligible crash, you may submit a Request for Data Review (RDR) with the required police accident report and other supporting documents, photos, or videos through the Agency’s DataQs system.
Crashes determined to be not preventable through the CPDP are removed from the calculation of the Crash Indicator Behavior Analysis Safety Improvement Category (BASIC) in FMCSA’s SMS, but are still listed on the website. Not preventable determinations are also noted in FMCSA’s Pre-employment Screening Program.
To find more information about the program, go to:
Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP) | FMCSA (dot.gov)
If a crash is deemed non-preventable, the FMCSA will:
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Remove the crash from the carrier’s “crash indicator” score in the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) system, reducing the chance the carrier will be targeted with enforcement action.
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Add a note to the Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) to indicate that the crash was not preventable, reducing the odds that the driver involved would not be hired due to their crash history.
Crash Eligibility — four additional crash types added December 1, 2024
FMCSA expanded the CPDP on December 1, 2024. Crashes on or after this date follow the eligibility list on this page, while those prior to December 1, 2024, will be reviewed under the previous standards. FMCSA cannot review crashes older than five years. For eligibility requirements for crashes occurring prior to December 1, 2024, click here.
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CMV was struck in the rear by a motorist.
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CMV was struck on the side at the rear by a motorist.
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CMV was struck on the side by a motorist operating in the same direction as the CMV.
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CMV was struck because another motorist was driving in the wrong direction.
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CMV was struck because another motorist was making a U-turn or illegal turn.
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CMV was struck while legally stopped at a traffic control device or parked, including while the vehicle was unattended.
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CMV was struck because another motorist did not stop or slow in traffic.
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CMV was struck because another motorist failed to stop at a traffic control device.
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CMV was struck because another individual was under the influence (or related violation, such as operating while intoxicated), according to the legal standard of the jurisdiction where the crash occurred.
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CMV was struck because another motorist experienced a medical issue that contributed to the crash.
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CMV was struck because another motorist fell asleep.
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CMV was struck because another motorist was distracted (e.g., cellphone, GPS, passengers, other).
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CMV was struck by cargo or equipment from another vehicle, or debris (e.g., fallen rocks, fallen trees, unidentifiable items in the road).
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CMV crash was a result of an infrastructure failure.
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CMV struck an animal.
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CMV crash involved a suicide death or suicide attempt.
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CMV was struck because another motorist was entering the roadway from a private driveway or parking lot.
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CMV was struck because another motorist lost control of their vehicle.
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CMV was involved in a crash with a non-motorist.
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CMV was involved in a crash type that seldom occurs and does not meet another eligible crash type (e.g., being struck by an airplane or skydiver, or being struck by a deceased driver in another vehicle).
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Any other crash involving a CMV where video demonstrates the sequence of events of the crash.
Why did FMCSA update SMS?
With input from all stakeholders—including government at all levels, industry, non-profit and advocacy groups, researchers, and the public—FMCSA has identified a set of changes that build on the sound design of SMS and improve its fairness, accuracy, and clarity.
Where can I learn about the approved changes?
All forthcoming approved changes to SMS are explained in detail on the CSA Prioritization Preview website.
