How Improve Commercial Driver Retention and Reduce Turnover in Your Fleet

Do you spend your days recruiting, retraining, and reshuffling schedules just to cover missing drivers? It’s natural for some employees to move on now and then. But if you’re seeing lots of drivers leave (and new hires not sticking around) there’s usually an underlying reason behind it.

High turnover isn’t just stressful or frustrating; it’s expensive, and it can damage your business reputation. That’s why it’s important to get to the root of the issues causing employees to leave in the first place. 

This guide can help. From improving work-life balance to offering better training and perks, we’ll lay out practical ways to keep your team happy and your drivers loyal long-term.

1. Offer competitive pay and benefits

Your drivers want to know they’re appreciated for the hard work they do. The best way to show this is by offering pay and benefits that match (or beat!) industry standards. Beyond a fair wage, consider offering bonuses, pension plans, and overtime pay if possible.

If your business is in a financially healthy position, you could take it a step further. Offering competitive compensation packages like healthcare, gym memberships, or fuel discounts for personal vehicles shows your team that you see (and truly value) their efforts.

2. Build a strong onboarding experience

For many truck drivers, the first few weeks are the hardest, and can make or break their decision to stick around. If they’re thrown into their new truck driving role with little direction, poor communication, or unclear expectations, they’ll be more likely to walk away, increasing your employee turnover rates.

Create an onboarding process that’s clear, friendly, and supportive. Pair new drivers with experienced mentors, give them proper route orientation, and check in early and often. A smooth start shows your professionalism, and helps drivers feel like part of the team from day one.

3. Improve work-life balance

Working in the transportation industry means being on the road for long hours and irregular schedules. This makes it tough for drivers to get proper downtime and spend quality time with their loved ones. 

To help your drivers stay happy and healthy, try offering more flexible scheduling options that give them some control over their time on the road. Limit overtime and never assign a long-haul trip without being sure the driver has time for sufficient rest breaks along the way for driver safety.

You can also support drivers with family-friendly policies like parental leave and time-off options, to show you understand they have a life outside of work.

4. Foster a positive work culture 

Open communication between you and your employees works wonders for making sure everyone feels seen and respected. If a driver comes to you with a concern or issue, do your best to handle it as promptly and fairly as possible.

And let your employees know you’re proud of them by regularly recognising their achievements. Whether it’s celebrating 5 years with the company or reaching a new goal, highlighting these small wins can mean a lot to your employees (and really improve driver retention).

You could also put a simple driver recognition program in place. Nothing too fancy; think monthly shout-outs, performance rewards, or even a wall of fame. At Driver Require we offer a Driver of the Month initiative which has received fantastic feedback, drivers feel recognised, appreciated and feel increased work satisfaction.

5. Use technology to make life easier 

Do you get the impression your employees are frustrated by outdated vehicles and confusing work schedules? Technology can help.

For example, you can use telematics and GPS to plan better routes, so your drivers can avoid traffic and get to their destinations with less hassle. If possible, keep your fleet updated with modern, driver-friendly features like safety technology and comfortable seats. Even the little things can make a big difference.

Using digital tools in the office can also simplify scheduling, communication, and tracking training or compliance, so there's confusion, less paperwork, and less for drivers to worry about.

6. Invest in training and career development

If you want drivers to stick around, show them there’s a future with your company. Offering training opportunities like CPC courses or ADR helps drivers build their skills and feel confident behind the wheel. 

And for those looking to grow their careers, why not outline clear paths into roles like fleet management, mentoring, or training?

It also helps to recognise long-term service and continuous improvement. Whether it’s a certificate, a bonus, or just a shoutout, showing appreciation can boost morale and encourage drivers to keep up the good work.

7. Gather driver feedback regularly

In your fleet management role, it's worth checking in with your drivers now and then to see how they’re getting on. Running occasional satisfaction surveys can help you spot issues early, and if you act on the feedback or suggestions, it shows you’re listening and that their input matters.

If you’ve got experienced truck drivers on your team, consider setting up informal mentoring or buddy systems to encourage drivers to connect and help each other. It can go a long way in helping both new and experienced drivers settle in and feel part of the team.

And with the pressures of life in the trucking industry, it might be helpful to offer access to mental health resources or support to your commercial driving employees, too.

Let us help you find the best drivers for your commercial vehicles

You know better than anyone how crucial it is for trucking companies to keep good drivers on board, especially during a driver shortage. The truth is, even with the best retention strategies and incentives in place, retaining drivers often comes down to finding the right fit from the start. When more drivers feel like they’re in the right role, they’re more likely to report high job satisfaction and stay loyal to your company.

Our team of driver recruitment specialists connect businesses with motivated, qualified drivers who have a commercial driving licence and are eager to start rewarding careers. We take the time to understand your needs and find prospective drivers who’ll thrive in your fleet, so you’re not back to square one in a few weeks.

Reach out to us today, and let’s find the right drivers for your business, improve your driver retention, and drive your business forward.