Four Factors of Truck Driver Shortages and How to Overcome that Challenge

The commercial truck driver shortage is an ongoing issue in the transportation industry, particularly in the United States. It's primarily driven by factors such as an aging workforce, high turnover rates, regulatory changes, and the demanding nature of the job. The shortage can lead to delayed deliveries, increased shipping costs, and challenges for industries reliant on trucking for their supply chain.

 

As reported by the American Trucking Associations, driver shortages are global in scope, with growing vacancies felt across the United States.

 

Factors Affecting the Truck Driver Shortage

We have found there are many factors tied to the truck driver shortage, which make it a multifaceted challenge for logistics companies. Some of these factors include:

 

1. Workforce Demographics: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, with the most common trucker age bracket of 55 – 64, large numbers of drivers continue to retire and exit the industry without adequate replacements to backfill the driver ranks.

2. High Demand: The high demand for drivers means that they often have numerous job opportunities, leading to increased turnover as drivers may switch companies for better pay and/or benefits.

3. Work-Life Balance: Long hours on the road and time away from home can impact drivers' work-life balance, causing these individuals to seek alternative careers or opportunities for greater stability.

4. Retention Challenges: Retaining skilled drivers requires competitive wages, benefits, and a positive work environment, which can be a challenge for some companies.

TQ Logistics strives to be a solution to the issue of truck driver shortages. We deploy targeted recruitment campaigns specific to each individual operation, offer hiring bonuses, safety & performance incentives, driver friendly on-board technology, efficient routing, increased home time, culminating in improved driver quality of life. This improves driver loyalty, reduces turnover, and improves overall customer service.

 

Our team of drivers are dedicated to their job and the customers we serve. We accomplish this through:

 

1. Consistency and Reliability: With dedicated drivers, TQ ensures consistent and reliable service delivery. Familiarity with routes, customers, and business procedures enhances driver efficiency, leading to greater customer satisfaction.

2. Stronger Relationships: Having dedicated drivers allows our company to build stronger relationships with clients. Drivers become familiar faces, developing trust, communication, and collaboration, which are essential for long-term partnerships. TQ Logistics’ drivers exclusively represent our customers’ brand.

3. Flexibility and Customization: We offer flexible and customized solutions to clients with the help of our dedicated driver model. This allows us to adapt to changing customer needs, industry trends, and market dynamics.

Despite challenges posed by driver shortages and turnover, TQ Logistics remains committed to excellence resulting in a turnover rate significantly lower than the industry average. By staying ahead of industry trends and maintaining a strong internal infrastructure, our company continues to thrive and deliver excellent service to our clients.

 

Contact us today to find out how we can help solve any driver shortage issues you may be experiencing. Email us at info@tqlogistics.com or call 770-792-0073.