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What to Know About Take Your Truck Home Programs

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Truck Parking

Semi trucks parked together

For CDL drivers, “Take Your Truck Home Programs” can make a significant difference in their work-life balance. However, whether or not this is possible depends on various factors such as local laws, regulations, and whether the truck is carrying a loaded trailer. While some companies allow their drivers to take their trucks home, others require them to leave the vehicle at a terminal or drop yard. It’s important to note that the type of driver also plays a role. Generally, owner-operators have the ability to take their trucks home since they own them. Take Your Truck Home Programs can add a level of convenience and comfort to a driver’s routine, allowing them to spend more time with their family and better manage their personal lives.

 

By prioritizing the happiness of your truck drivers, you are investing in the overall success of your company. When drivers have a healthy work-life balance, they are less likely to experience burnout and more likely to work safely and efficiently. This, in turn, can lead to better physical and mental health, reducing the likelihood of accidents or injuries on the job. Additionally, when drivers feel valued and supported, they are more likely to form a stronger bond with your company, leading to increased loyalty and job satisfaction. Ultimately, Take Your Truck Home Programs are not just a convenience for drivers, but a strategic investment in the success of your business.

 

If they are taking the truck home, it’s important that the driver finds a safe and secure place to park it. Most companies prefer their drivers to park their trucks on their own property, or in a fenced-in yard that’s close by for easy access. Parking in public places like Walmart is not recommended as it could lead to vandalism.  Some drivers will prefer to detach the trailer and bring only the tractor home, commonly known as bobtailing. Also to note that leasing a truck shouldn’t prevent drivers from enjoying the benefits of taking their vehicles home.

 

While some companies may permit their drivers to take their trucks home, it’s not always a straightforward decision. The feasibility of this option depends on various factors, including legal regulations, whether the truck is carrying a loaded trailer, and the driver’s available space. Additionally, safety concerns in certain areas may make it unwise to park a truck at home. Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer, but companies should consider the benefits of providing a Take Your Truck Home Program to improve their drivers’ work-life balance and overall job satisfaction.

 

 

 

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7 Things CDL Truck Drivers Want

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CDL Drivers

Let’s face it, recruiters have their work cut out for them. With so many trucking companies and fleets to choose from, it’s a challenge to stand out and attract the attention of job prospects. At Drive My Way, we understand the importance of getting it right. Here are seven factors that many drivers consider when deciding where to work.

1. Pay

Well, well, well, no surprises here. Type and amount of pay is the number one reason why CDL truck drivers consider a job. And many drivers say this as their top priority. Truckers have a keen eye for a bad deal, so if your company is offering them less than the industry average, they’ll be understandably skeptical. Apart from salary, drivers also look for opportunities for raises, bonuses, and overtime rates. And if they’re driving specialty or unusual hauls which are more dangerous, they’ll expect those to pay better. So, if your company isn’t paying drivers competitively, they’ll have no qualms about hopping over to one that does.

2. Health Insurance

When it comes to choosing a CDL job, drivers don’t just consider the paycheck. A comprehensive benefits package, especially health insurance, is highly valued. Healthcare costs have risen dramatically in recent years, and drivers want coverage that meets their specific health needs. For those with families, ensuring that everyone is covered, especially for specific health concerns, is a top priority. Offering a range of insurance options with balanced factors like deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance costs can help drivers find the best fit for their needs..

3. Retirement Plans

Retirement plans are a crucial consideration for CDL truck drivers when deciding where to work. With the average age of truck drivers being 49, many are only two decades away from retirement. Even younger drivers are proactive and start planning for their retirement sooner rather than later. In fact, retirement plans are a top factor for drivers when applying for a new CDL job.

However, many employers fail to enroll their staff in a default retirement plan, leaving drivers and other staff overwhelmed with making those decisions. To make the process easier for drivers, have an automatic opt-in policy with the option to opt-out or choose a different plan. Drivers understand the importance of saving for retirement, and showing them that you care about their future will make your company stand out in their minds.

4. Type of Run/Range

Trucker jobs come in various shapes and sizes. One of the most significant factors that differentiate them is the type of run and range that they offer. Not all drivers are interested in coast-to-coast travel. Certain drivers might prefer over-the-road (OTR) work. However, since OTR drivers spend less time at home and live out of their truck, they expect better compensation. Other drivers might like local or regional runs. It’s essential to understand your driver candidate’s preferences regarding the types of runs and ranges they’re interested in covering.

5. Type of Schedule and Paid Time-Off

When it comes to finding the right CDL trucking job, home time is a top priority many drivers. After all, the average driver works a grueling 70 hours a week and can go up to 8 days without taking a break. This tough schedule is especially challenging for drivers with families and children. While truckers understand that the job requires some sacrifices, they hope that these sacrifices aren’t unbearable. If a job’s schedule and PTO package don’t meet their needs, they won’t hesitate to explore other options..

6. Training and Development

Truck drivers may have some experience behind the wheel, but they value actual training and development opportunities. Providing company training and orientation can make drivers feel comfortable and foster a sense of belonging with the company. Research shows that employees who feel trained and groomed by the company are more loyal to that company. Professional development opportunities are becoming increasingly important to drivers. Making training and development a core part of HR operations can help recruiters make a strong case for drivers to work and remain with the company for many years.

7. Type of Haul

When it comes to choosing a CDL job, drivers frequently consider the type of haul as an important factor. Don’t underestimate the value of taking into account driver preferences and specializations in hauls, as this can lead to under-utilization of their skills. Keep in mind that certain hauls require special CDL endorsements or permits, so make sure your drivers are equipped with these. If they already have the necessary certifications, placement becomes all the more straightforward. It can be a challenge to determine which hauls should be assigned to which drivers, but asking about their skills and interests can make the process easier.

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Top 5 Traits of the Best Trucking Jobs

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What do truck drivers look for in jobs? What are the most important traits to them? These are the questions that pester recruiters in the back of their minds. Recruiters know that there is a driver shortage, and that truck drivers are looking for the best jobs they can find. If drivers aren’t happy then, they will quickly move on to finding another job with another fleet. We’ve written previously about the top factors truck drivers want. Here are some of the top traits of the best trucking jobs as drivers see them.

1. Salary and Compensation

Have no doubt about it—drivers are looking to be compensated well. Truck drivers are in high demand, and they know it. The salary and benefits of different jobs depend on a number of factors which may sometimes be out of your control. That being said, make sure you do everything you can to ensure that drivers are being paid well for the type of job they are taking on.

Compensating drivers below the industry average will raise red flags and impact your company’s reputation.

In addition to salary, there are many financial incentives you can consider, such as sign-on bonuses and paid time off. Some companies give their drivers a bonus for every year that they stay with the fleet. Make sure that drivers are receiving a simple pay statement that is easy to understand and has the accurate amount. Drivers don’t want to waste time following up with the payroll department for company errors.

2. Home Time

This is one of the most important traits of the best trucking jobs. The ideal trucking job doesn’t take OTR drivers out on the road for more than a week. If the run is local or regional, even better. While drivers realize that OTR jobs are necessary, they will expect their work schedules to reflect the sacrifice in home time. Ideally, there is a considerable amount of home time of several days between jobs.

Don’t forget, the average driver works 8 days straight before taking a break. Anything the company can do to shorten that schedule, or to add more home time after that schedule, will be something drivers will appreciate.

Most drivers will have families hoping to see them every week. Even truck drivers currently without families will crave downtime after being on the road for that long.

3. Mileage

The number of miles offered on a given job is one of the traits of the best trucking jobs. Some drivers may feel that the shorter the run, the more desirable the job. But, that isn’t always the case. Other drivers enjoy OTR jobs, and would rather have a longer job which pays more. It is completely up to driver preferences.

Most importantly, drivers will be upset if the advertised mileage doesn’t match the real mileage.

Similarly, if the other traits of the job are not what they were advertised to be, drivers will not trust your company. Word about company reputation can spread like wildfire.

4. Equipment

Truck drivers are often frustrated when dealing with shoddy equipment. Drivers routinely warn other drivers to stay away from companies just because of the reputation they have over equipment. A big factor in determining what’s a good truck driving job is the state of their trucks and equipment. Are the truck models recent and well maintained? Or are they falling apart?

Truck drivers don’t want to be held liable for maintenance failures on the company’s end. Nor do they want to have to spend time repairing the truck while they should be on the road getting to the next destination.

While your fleet doesn’t need to have the latest and greatest truck models, you should make sure they are well-maintained. Invest in quality equipment and truck drivers will consider jobs from your company to be some of the best.

5. Respect and Communication

Perhaps the biggest sign of a good job for truck drivers is how well they are treated by the company. Drivers view themselves as working professionals just like in any other industry. They are looking to be treated with respect by the company and by their peers and supervisors. Having respect for drivers means valuing their time and effort they put into the work.

Put most simply, drivers just want the company’s representatives to treat them they way they would like to be treated.

A big component of respect is how well the company communicates with drivers. Having an open line of communication where both parties feel their concerns are heard and understood will go a long way toward earning drivers’ trust. Make sure dispatchers and others are not speaking to drivers rudely or taking them for granted.

In addition to some of the monetary factors, things like respect and strong communication from the company are what make for a good truck driving job. Keep these traits in mind that drivers look for, and soon your company will be known for offering some of the best trucking jobs.

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What Do CDL Truck Drivers Want? Here Are 7 Top Factors

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cdl truck drivers

Given the continual driver shortage, truck drivers have many options in deciding which companies and fleets to work for. Recruiters need to constantly differentiate themselves from other firms when interacting with job prospects. Recruiters are constantly guessing about how much drivers will care about different factors when weighing job options. Data from Drive My Way’s database revealed some interesting factors which CDL truck drivers care about when looking for a CDL trucking job.

Drive My Way’s unique service matches drivers with companies based on professional qualifications and lifestyle choices. We asked our drivers which factors are most important to them when they are deciding where to work. We were overwhelmed by the sheer number of responses and slightly surprised by the results. According to our Drive My Way drivers, here are the top seven factors CDL truck drivers consider when deciding where to work.

1. Pay

Okay, this one is not a big surprise, but it’s good to have some hard data behind recruiters’ instincts. Type and amount of pay is the number one reason drivers said they consider when looking for jobs. In fact, over 15,000 Drive My Way drivers cited this as the top reason.

Truckers know a shoddy deal when they see one, so they’ll be skeptical if your company is offering them pay less than the industry average.

In addition to salary, drivers also look for opportunities for raises, bonuses, and overtime rates. If they are driving specialty or unusual hauls which are more dangerous, they will expect those to pay better. Bottom line, if drivers aren’t paid competitively at your company, they’ll shop around for a company where they are.

2. Health Insurance

Salary isn’t the only important factor when it comes to compensation. Drivers care about a full benefits package, including health insurance. Over 12,000 Drive My Way drivers cited this as a factor they consider when applying for a new CDL job.

The costs of health insurance have risen over the last 10 years, and drivers look for the best packages that covers their health needs. Drivers with families especially look to cover as many family members as possible. Many families will need special coverage for very particular health needs, and if their employers only offer very basic packages they will look elsewhere for a better deal. Try to balance out factors like the deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance costs and have a portfolio of different insurance options for drivers to choose from.

3. Retirement Plans

When deciding where to work, CDL truck drivers consider retirement options. The average truck driver age is 49. Many drivers are only about two decades away from retirement, so if they haven’t started saving yet they will want to now. Even younger drivers are likely to be proactive and start thinking about retirement sooner rather than later. Overall, nearly 12,000 Drive My Way drivers cited retirement plans as a top factor they consider in a new CDL job.

Many employers offer retirement plans but don’t automatically enroll their staff into a default plan. The result is that drivers and other staff are overwhelmed with having to make those decisions and put it off indefinitely. Make the process easier for your drivers by having an automatic opt-in policy. Then, they have the choice to opt-out or choose a different plan. Saving for retirement is hard, but drivers know the importance. Let your job prospects know you can make the process easier for them, and they’ll remember your company as one that cares.

4. Type of Run/Range

Truck driving jobs have a great deal of variety. One of the most critical attributes that make them different is the type of run and range that exists. Not all drivers want jobs that take them coast-to-coast across the country. Over 11,000 drivers named the type of run as an essential factor when deciding where to work.

Some drivers will prefer over-the-road (OTR) work. However, since OTR drivers spend less time at home and live out of their truck, they expect to be compensated better. Other drivers prefer local runs or regional runs. Make sure you get to know your driver candidate’s preferences in what types of runs and range they’d like to cover.

5. Type of Schedule and Paid Time-Off

Home time is one of the most important factors drivers consider when looking for work. Over 11,000 Drive My Way drivers cited both of these—type of schedule and PTO —as top job factors they consider when applying to a new CDL trucking job.

The average driver works 70 hours a week and goes 8 days before taking a day off. That’s a rough schedule for anyone, but especially for drivers who may have families and children. Truck drivers know that the job entails sacrificing home time, but they hope the sacrifices aren’t unbearable. Drivers won’t hesitate to pursue another job if that schedule and PTO package suits their needs better.

6. Training and Development

Truck drivers may have some experience behind the wheel already, but it won’t compare to getting some actual training. Nearly 8,000 Drive My Way drivers cited training and development as a top factor they consider when looking for a new CDL job.

Any company training or orientation that your company provides will make them feel comfortable in the position and foster a sense of belonging with the company. Research shows that employees who feel they’ve been trained and groomed by the company will feel a greater sense of loyalty to that company. More and more drivers are now interested in professional development opportunities. Making training and development a core part of HR operations is something recruiters can do to make a strong case for drivers to work there and remain there for many years.

7. Type of Haul

Over 4,000 Drive My Way drivers expressed that the type of haul is an important factor for them in choosing a CDL jobs. If you aren’t taking into account driver preferences and specializations in hauls, you’re under-utilizing them! Some types of hauls will require special CDL endorsements or special permits, so make sure to equip your drivers with those. If they are already certified, it makes a placement choice all the more easier. Figuring out which hauls should be covered by which drivers can be a tricky business given other constraints, but make sure you ask your drivers about their skill and interest level in them.

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FREE RESOURCE

7 Reasons Drivers Decline Your Jobs

Unlock the top reasons why truck drivers decline your CDL jobs by downloading our free ebook. The book shares insight to what drivers really want.

Download the Ebook