Related: Driver Pay Analyst: No Silver Bullet to Solve Driver Shortage
Turnover Increases at Large Truckload Fleets
The annualized turnover rate for large truckload fleets measured 102% in the fourth quarter of 2015, increasing by two percentage points, according to the American Trucking Associations.

The annualized turnover rate for large truckload fleets measured 102% in the fourth quarter of 2015, increasing by two percentage points, according to American Trucking Associations.
It was the second straight quarter that turnover at large TL fleets was at least at 100%. The last time turnover maintained this percentage rate was in 2012.
“This elevated turnover rate shows that the driver market remains a challenge for truckload fleets,” said Bob Costello, ATA chief economist. “Obviously, attracting and retaining drivers remains a top concern for the industry.”
Small truckload carriers fared slightly better, with a turnover rate of 89% in the final quarter of 2015. The rate increased during this period but it is still six points lower than it was at the end of 2014 and averaged only 79% for the year.
The turnover rate at less-than-truckload carriers rose one point to 11% in the final quarter and averaged 11% for all of 2015.
“The rising turnover rate, coupled with anecdotal reports from carriers, shows what a premium there is on experienced, safe drivers,” said Costello. “And those drivers have and will continue to benefit from rising wages and benefits.”
More Drivers

Truck Drivers Need More Than Another Alert
Fleets have more visibility into truck health, safety events, and driver activity than ever. The next challenge is turning all that information into useful guidance for the person who has to decide what to do next.
Read More →
FMCSA Removes 110 Truck Driver Training Schools from Certified ELDT List
Federal regulators also are targeting more than 160 additional training providers and launching a nationwide audit of third-party CDL skills testers as part of a broader crackdown on trucking fraud.
Read More →
Hours of Service Pilot Programs: FMCSA Readies for 2027 Rollout
Two pilot programs could eventually reshape hours-of-service rules, giving truck drivers options to pause their 14-hour clock or use longer split sleeper rest periods.
Read More →
Medical Cards, English Proficiency Reshape Roadcheck Violations
Medical-card violations jumped to the top of the driver out-of-service list during CVSA’s 2026 International Roadcheck, while English-language proficiency violations appeared among the leading violations for the first time.
Read More →
Driver Trust Can Make or Break the Success of Fleet Safety Technology
New Teletrac Navman research suggests that onboarding, transparency about driver data, and positive feedback can play a significant role in how commercial drivers respond to safety and coaching technology.
Read More →
EEOC Sues KLLM Over Alleged Sex Discrimination in Driver Training
KLLM is facing a federal sex-discrimination lawsuit over policies the EEOC alleges put female truck driver trainees at a disadvantage.
Read More →
FMCSA Moves to Codify English Language Requirements for Commercial Drivers
By changing regulations on English-language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers, rather than relying on a guidance memo, the FMCSA said future administrations won't be able to walk back the Trump administration's stricter enforcement with just a memo.
Read More →Drivers Put Western Star Trucks to the Test at Star Nation Experience
Watch to get an inside look at the Western Star trucks, technology, and community behind the Star Nation Experience 2026!
Read More →
Trump Administration Looks to Put More Veterans Behind the Wheel
The Freedom Haulers program pulls together existing and expanded programs at several federal agencies to recruit veterans to drive commercial heavy-duty trucks and cut the red tape for them to get a CDL, training, and employment.
Read More →
Putting Mack’s Command Steer to the Test
A test drive of Mack’s Command Steer active steering system evaluates how it can make truck driving easier and less tiring.
Read More →
