As of April of this year, there are 1.56 employees within the truck transportation industry. That’s 60,000 more than in 2021. And while that seems like quite a high number, there’s a persistent truck driver shortage that we can’t seem to shake. Unfortunately, this makes truck driver staffing a challenge for Dallas carriers.  

Between gas prices increasing, a demographic crisis, and global supply chain issues, it’s no surprise that it is becoming increasingly harder to find truck drivers. That, paired with low wages, difficult working conditions, and lack of physical activity, has led to a 90% turnover rate amongst drivers these days. That means that almost every driver you hire today will likely be gone within a year. 

Not loving those odds? We understand! That’s where a CDL temp agency in Dallas comes in. A staffing agency’s job is to help you find temporary drivers to fill the holes you may have in your workforce. It’s also their job to help you find solutions to the driver shortage you may be facing. So, if you’re struggling to hire truck drivers in Dallas, consider one of these five solutions.

A CDL Temp Agency Shares 5 Solutions to the Driver Shortage in Dallas

#1 Accelerate Onboarding for Dallas Drivers

Oftentimes when there is a truck driver shortage, it’s because of the fast turnover of drivers themselves. A driver is as quick to leave a job as they are to get started. Because of this, having a driver shortage is virtually impossible to avoid. This is typically caused because employees don’t feel valued or appreciated. When hiring truck drivers in Dallas, one of the best ways to combat this is to make the onboarding process as seamless and quick as possible.  

Because the truck driving industry tends to attract drivers of all ages, it’s important to find the fine line between being tech-savvy and easy to use for those who may not be super familiar with the technology. There are multiple ways you can do this. One of the most important ways to do so is to have your drivers teach one another. The more drivers out there who understand the technology, the easier it will be to find the help you need in a shorter period of time. You can also create onboarding materials (videos, documents, etc.) that they can use as they see fit.  

#2 Leverage CDL Temp Services in Dallas

Temporary workers make up 4% of employees here in the United States. And while that is a small percentage, there’s a reason that it is gradually increasing. Hiring temporary drivers when you’re in a pinch is an affordable, quick way to find the help that you need without having to onboard a part-time or full-time employee. On top of that, hiring a temporary driver (or a team of them when needed) allows you to rely less on one person and more on a group of drivers, so you’re not pressuring your employees to take on too much work, which can lead to burnout. The higher the morale, the less likely they are to leave. In fact, a temporary driver may love working with you enough because of this that they may want to stay with you longer.  

We understand that finding and hiring temporary truck drivers can seem like a difficult task. Especially if it’s something that you’ve never done before. Leveraging CDL temp services in Dallas makes it as easy as possible for you so that you can get more drivers on the road and more money in your pocket and spend less time and money trying to find the perfect fit for your business.  

#3 Target Dallas’ Next Generation of Drivers

As of right now, the current CDL age requirement is 21. If you were to lower it to 18, you would open up the job field to a broader audience. Though this may sound like a risky decision, the certification that is required to become a driver would not change. This means that they still have to obtain a commercial driver’s license after spending six months with a permit (which they have to pass a written exam to receive).  

#4 Offer Incentives to Improve Truck Driver Retention 

As we mentioned earlier, one of the most important ways to increase employee retention in any industry is to ensure that your workers feel appreciated. There’s nothing that we love more as people than to have our hard work recognized.  And while accelerating the onboarding is one way to make this happen, you can also offer incentives to boost drivers’ morale.  

We understand that this can be easier said than done, especially if you aren’t using some kind of equipment or app to track the trips. That’s why using navigation software to look at performance (such as distance traveled every day, dangerous driving hazards such as being on the phone while driving, and more) is so handy. If this seems too advanced for you, you can opt for simpler methods, such as customer feedback once a drive is completed. Think of it like Uber and their rating system, but for truck drivers.  

#5 Increase Truck Driver Wages in Dallas

Last but certainly not least is increasing the driver wages. If you were to ask almost anyone if they would like to make more money, they’re going to say yes. And while we know that this is not always possible, if it is something that your business can afford, consider raising the price. This will cause drivers to be more inclined to drive with you and make you a top competitor amongst other trucking companies. 

Need to Hire Truck Drivers in Dallas? Partner with a CDL Temp Agency!

Companies struggling to overcome the driver shortage in Dallas should consider utilizing CDL temp services from a leading provider. Premium Transport Staffing is a top CDL temp agency in Dallas that offers a range of services including temporary driver staffing, temp-to-hire, and part-time driving placements. Of course, we can’t recommend hiring a temp driver enough.

To learn more about our CDL temp services in Dallas, contact the recruiting experts at Premium Transport Staffing or request a driver today!