Losing one driver costs fleets almost $13K

Plus: FMCSA drops 14 ELDs | Class 8 orders surge

When just one driver leaves a trucking company, it can cost the fleet upwards of $12,800. We look at how motor carriers can improve retention—some obvious ways and some more subtle.

Plus, the FMCSA scrapped 14 ELDs from its approved list. Is your device still compliant?

But first, a little humor about what it's like to attend freight conferences.

⬆️ $4.859

AVG. COST OF DIESEL PER GALLON IN U.S. AS OF 03/10, DOWN 0.962¢

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

ROADSIDE READS

Meet the fleet. The story of Bahr Trucking, a family-owned trucking business that's been in operation since 1994.

"Nowhere to park." This article digs into the truck parking crisis and how millions in allocated funds could improve the problem, making roads safer.

Tractor surge. Preliminary data are in from February, and Class 8 truck net orders skyrocketed. Numbers and analysis here.

Watch list 🎬 A new documentary looks at lawsuits and their impact on small-business trucking firms.

INDUSTRY VOICES

Small businesses shift their mindset from growth to survival

Across industries, small- and medium-sized businesses are contending with sustained financial pressures. As a result, even if they anticipate year-over-year revenue growth, they're not necessarily looking to expand operations, writes Erik Pham, founder of BizReport, a platform focused on small business services and insights.

Pham notes, however, that this shift isn't necessarily a bad thing. "Survival is not the opposite of growth—it is what makes sustainable business growth possible," he says.

Why this matters: Many motor carriers feel like they've been in survival mode since 2022—and some haven't made it through. Shifting the mindset around growth and survival can help fleet execs reframe success in their business. (Forbes)

FAST LANE

UNCERTAIN YEAR: Firms expect continued volatility for trucking

ELD PURGE: FMCSA revokes 14 logging devices from approved list

ON THE HILL: Bill aims to tackle cargo theft, carrier registration

NEW TRUCK: Kenworth debuts C580 extreme-duty vocational truck

TARIFF REFUND: Court directs Trump admin. to send refunds to biz that paid duties

FREIGHT COSTS: Hormel Foods reports unexpected increases in logistics costs

SEEN & HEARD

"When it's like it is right now, and there's more capacity in the marketplace than demand, oh, it's a tough business.”- Will Urban, Founder and Principal of Will Urban Consulting

It's no secret that trucking is a tough business, particularly given the market conditions over the last three-plus years. It's led some companies to add services and diversify their revenue streams. On a positive note, Urban says times are hopefully changing. (The Logistics of Logistics podcast)

ROAD REPORT

Losing one driver costs fleets nearly $13K

A new report unearths some pretty shocking numbers: losing a single driver can cost a trucking firm about $12,800 in recruitment and training costs and lost productivity. The vast majority leave for better pay opportunities, but drivers are also fleeing when fleets poorly implement technology, making their daily work frustrating.

Why this matters: While higher wages would no doubt raise upfront costs, they may result in long-term savings due to reduced turnover. Similarly, reducing friction for drivers in any way possible can help fleets improve retention and cut down on turnover that's so prevalent in the industry. (CCJ Digital)

AGENDA

SCOTUS considers freight broker liability in crashes

The Supreme Court has been hearing oral arguments in a trucking-related case. The key question: whether freight brokers should be held liable if an independent carrier they contract with gets into a crash or exhibits unsafe driving. The phrasing "with respect to motor vehicles" is being debated as to whether it applies to brokers.

Why this matters: The eventual outcome could set a precedent for how 3PLs and freight brokers are tried in future cases—and if trucking carriers share the burden. (