Driver retention is the new recruitment. In this month’s Driving Success webinar, we explored how stronger retention reduces costs, improves safety, and stabilizes fleet operations. Read on for practical steps you can use today.
The Cost Reality: Turnover Still Hurts
Turnover rates dipped from 20.2% (2024) to 18.4%, but replacement costs rose to about $12,000 per driver. That figure includes:
- Direct costs: ads, listings, screenings, onboarding, and training.
- Indirect costs: downtime, late deliveries, customer disruption, and lower morale.
Why Retention Wins
Hiring now takes about 24 days on average, with roughly 11 days just to qualify DOT-regulated drivers. Every empty seat forces dispatch changes and missed opportunities. Keeping experienced drivers in place avoids that churn and preserves fleet stability.
What Drivers Want (and Will Stay For)
Drivers consistently value:
- Communication and respect for work-life balance
- Predictable schedules, fair dispatching, and home time
- Transparent pay, miles, and expectations
- Helpful—not harmful—technology
- Recognition and appreciation for their work
Tech Acceptance: From “Surveillance” to Safety
Only 42% of drivers freely accept new in-cab tech. Raise buy-in by:
- Involving drivers in product vetting and final decisions.
- Planning two rollouts: admin setup and driver onboarding (training, accounts, and support).
- Framing tech as safety-first, not surveillance: show data on collision prevention, fraud protection, and safer routing.
- Encouraging feedback loops to fix early pain points quickly.
Note: DQM Connect partners with trusted providers for safety hardware and telematics (e.g., ELDs, cameras, fuel solutions). DQM Connect itself focuses on driver file management and compliance workflows.
Driver Appreciation That Works
Build incentive programs around measurable safety because it’s trackable, controllable, and aligned with company goals:
- Bonuses for clean periods: no accidents, no citations, compliant DVIRs.
- Public recognition: weekly or monthly shout-outs at terminals or meetings.
- Milestone rewards: 6 months incident-free or 100,000 safe miles.
Fatigue: A Safety and Retention Risk
About 13% of CMV drivers involved in crashes were fatigued. Address root causes:
- Rest and recovery policies that drivers can actually use.
- Flexible scheduling where feasible.
- Fatigue monitoring technology (alerts for drowsiness, lane departure, etc.).
- Wellness support: nutrition, fitness, and sleep awareness.
- Know your drivers: check in when behavior or mood changes.
Hidden Retention Levers
- CSA performance: weaker scores invite more inspections and delays—drivers notice.
- Onboarding quality: even for non-DOT roles, set standards and screen well to cut early churn.
- Equipment readiness: poorly maintained or outdated trucks frustrate drivers and slow loads.
Key Takeaways
- Turnover costs are rising despite slightly better rates.
- Retention is the most cost-effective strategy.
- Focus on communication, fatigue management, tech acceptance, and safety incentives to build a culture where drivers stay, thrive, and trust the fleet.
How DQM Connect Helps
DQM Connect streamlines driver file management—licenses, medical cards, document tasks, and compliance workflows—so admins and drivers stay aligned and audit-ready. Pair DQM Connect with partner-provided safety tech to capture the data you need for fair, effective incentives and safer operations.
Ready to Improve Driver Retention?
Your drivers are your most valuable asset. Don’t let turnover, fatigue, or poor systems cost you more than they should.
Schedule a Demo with DQM Connect today and discover how simple, smart compliance tools can help you keep drivers longer and your fleet running stronger.