Turnover Hits 5-Year Low at Large Truckload Fleets

Turnover at truckload fleets with more than $30 million in annual revenue dropped two points to 81% in the third quarter of 2016, according to American Trucking Associations.

Third-quarter turnover for large truckload fleets is at the lowest point since the second quarter of 2011.

“Ongoing softness in the freight economy has contributed to an easing of the market for drivers and a reduced turnover rate,” said Bob Costello, ATA chief economist. “Since the end of the third quarter, we have seen signs that we may be reaching the end of the poor inventory cycle that has driven a lot of the weakness in the freight economy, so we may see turnover rates rebound in the months to come.”

Turnover at smaller truckload fleets rose one point to 80%, and turnover at less-than-truckload carriers fell three points to 9%.

“Despite the falling turnover rate, carriers continue to report difficulty finding well-qualified drivers, a problem that will not only persist but which will get worse as the freight economy improves,” said Costello.