WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Driver turnover among US truckload fleets pushed higher in the first quarter, according to the American Trucking Associations.
Small truckload fleets, with revenue of less than $30 million per year, saw their turnover rates surge 16% to 71% in the first quarter, reaching their highest level since the second quarter of 2008.
Large truckload fleets saw a small increase in driver turnover to 90%, its highest rate since the first quarter of 2008.
“We were surprised that the turnover rate dipped in the fourth quarter,” said ATA’s chief economist Bob Costello. “This report of a slight rise at large fleets and a significant increase at smaller fleets matches up with what we hear regarding the health of the industry, the tightening of the labour market for drivers and demand for good, quality, experienced drivers.”
Turnover among LTL fleets remained at a “remarkably low” 8%, the ATA reported.