Related: In Search of Drivers
Choppy Freight Reduces Driver Turnover Rate
The American Trucking Associations has reported that the churn rate at large and small fleets dropped by double digits in the fourth quarter of 2016, thanks only to the choppiness of the freight market.

Photo: Nussbaum

The American Trucking Associations has reported that the churn rate at large and small fleets dropped by double digits in the fourth quarter of 2016, thanks only to the choppiness of the freight market.
The driver turnover rate at large truckload fleets sunk 10 percentage points to an annualized rate of 71%, the lowest point in six years. At smaller fleets, driver turnover also fell to five-year lows, dropping by 16 points to 64%.
The turnover rate at large carriers with more than $30 million in revenue has seen a decline for four straight months. The turnover rate at less-than-truckload fleets dipped one point to 8%, marking its lowest level since the first quarter of 2016.
“Continued declines in turnover rate reflects the overall choppiness of the freight market,” said Bob Costello, ATA chief economist. “As inventory levels throughout the supply chain are drawn down to more normal levels, and freight volumes recover, we should see turnover rise along with concerns about the driver shortage.”
More Drivers

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 →
Competition Heating Up for Truck Drivers
New report reveals rising driver hiring costs, the return of sign-on bonuses, growing AI advantages, and the operational factors shaping driver retention.
Read More →
How Fraley & Schilling Improved Logbook Compliance by Over 50%
Fraley & Schilling needed a way to close a compliance workflow gap in its ELD system without adding more work from driver training, reminders, and back-office follow-ups. It found the answer in a custom driver app.
Read More →
Volvo Goes Gaming
Volvo has roared into American Truck Simulator with two new flagship trucks.
Read More →
What the Best Fleets to Drive For Teach About Driver Retention
Survey fatigue, AI-powered routing, owner-operator expectations, and the decline of social media all emerged as themes from this year's Best Fleets to Drive For program.
Read More →
Driver Retention Lessons From the Best Fleets to Drive For
What separates trucking's best workplaces from the rest? Jane Jazrawy shares the biggest lessons from this year's Best Fleets to Drive For program on driver retention, communication, AI, and workforce trends on the HDT Talks Trucking podcast.
Read More →
Farewell, CDL: Why I'm Giving Up My Commercial Driver's License
After more than 20 years as a CDL holder, HDT Executive Editor Jack Roberts is letting his commercial license expire. Not because he wants to — but because trucking's nuclear verdict crisis has made the risks of public-road test drives too great for editors, manufacturers, and everyone involved.
Read More →How Top Trucking Fleets Improve Driver Retention [Video]
What do healthy snacks, optimized routing, and just picking up the phone have in common? They're all strategies the Best Fleets to Drive For are using to retain truck drivers.
Read More →
Trucker Path Adds Verisk CargoNet Theft Data to Navigation Platform
Trucker Path’s new cargo theft risk overlays give drivers and fleets visibility into high-risk areas, stolen commodity trends, and theft hotspots.
Read More →
