Annualized driver turnover rate a large truckload fleets fell to 81 percent in the third quarter, according to an American Trucking Associations’ report, released Dec. 8. That’s the lowest annualized turnover rate since the second quarter of 2011, ATA notes.
Soft freight has been the main force putting downward pressure on turnover, says ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. However, Costello predicts freight and, subsequently, turnover rates will rebound.
“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,” he says.
The turnover rate at smaller truckload fleets, those with less than $30 million in annual revenue, rose one point to 80 percent. Turnover at less-than-truckload carriers fell three points to 9 percent.
“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,” Costello said.
