Top 10 Common Truck Driver Complaints (And Why They Matter)
Truck drivers are the backbone of our North American trucking industry.
They keep the freight moving across the country.
But in spite of their critical role, there are hardships and challenges that can make life on the road just down right frustrating.
After talking to truckers, reading emails and hosting surveys, we’ve come up with a TOP 10 LIST OF COMMON TRUCK DRIVER COMPLAINTS and why the heck these complaints deserve more attentions from the trucking associations and governments, than they are currently receiving.
The 10 Most Common Complaints of Truck Drivers
1. Unrealistic Delivery Schedules
This one personally bugs us the most.
Many truck drivers feel the pressure of tight delivery schedules that don’t leave much wiggle room for delays caused by traffic or bad weather.
These delays are common and cause unnecessary stress on the driver and they’re also dangerous.
Drivers often tell us they feel they’re treated like machines.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, “It only takes one ‘high speed dispatcher‘ to push a driver behind their limits”.
Most drivers are paid by the mile, so drivers are ‘incentivized’ to get to their delivery as fast as they can. The more miles a driver can clock in the course of a day, the more money they make.
You can clearly see how this creates a serious problem.
2. Low Pay
One of the most common frustrations for truck drivers is the pay system.
Many drivers believe they’re underpaid for the time and efforts.
After all, being a truck driver is NOT an easy job.
While they’re typically paid by how many miles they drive, they’re often not paid for other duties like loading, unloading, waiting at a loading dock, on the road resets or while equipment is being repaired when they’re on the road.
All those unpaid hours add up and can make their calculated hourly wage lower than minimum wage.
And that’s no exaggeration, it’s a fact.
3. Excessive Time Away from Home
Extended periods away from home base is a very common complaint in the trucking industry.
OTR drivers can be on the road for weeks at a time, missing out on important family events and lacking personal downtime away from the job.
The isolation and loneliness of a truck driving job can take a toll on mental health and also cause strain on personal relationships.
4. Poor Treatment at Shippers and Receivers
We hear from drivers that they are frequently treated badly by staff at warehouses and distribution centers.
Some say they are just ignored when they are waiting for hours to load or unload. It’s not unusual for drivers not being allowed to use company restrooms at loading docks.
There’s also a general lack of basic amenities and facilities for drivers at truck stops and loading docks, which adds to their frustration, making these stops a much hated part of the job.
5. Lack of Parking
Finding truck parking is a daily struggle for truck drivers in the U.S. and Canada.
Whether it’s at rest areas, truck stops, or at delivery destinations, space is severely limited, giving drivers poor options like to park illegally or in dangerous locations.
6. Inconsistent Maintenance Policies
Truck drivers rely on properly maintained equipment to keep them safe and allow them to do their job when on the road.
However, many drivers mention to us about inconsistent or neglected maintenance by their trucking company, leaving them to deal with breakdowns . When equipment fails, it’s the driver who’s stuck waiting for repairs, often without pay, as waiting time isn’t often paid.
7. Health Challenges from Long Hours on the Road
Sitting for long stretches of time, eating crappy take-out food, and messed up sleep patterns make it very hard for drivers to stay healthy.
Many truck drivers report developing chronic health issues like back pain, obesity, and fatigue from the on-the-go fast paced, stressful schedule. It’s so tough to find the time to eat and live to keep healthy when on the road. In fact, it’s often downright impossible.
8. Overregulation in Trucking
Yes, safety regulations are ideally designed to protect everyone on the road. But many truckers feel overwhelmed by the constant changes and strict enforcement of the mountains of regs in the trucking industry.
Electronic logging devices (ELDs), hours-of-service rules, and other regs demand drivers jump through hoops, just to stay compliant. Often, drivers say these rules and regulations work against them when trying to meet delivery schedules.
9. Lack of Respect for the Profession
Truck drivers often feel their efforts and contributions go unrecognized.
Despite playing a critical role in keeping shelves stocked and businesses running, they report being treated unfairly by the public, other drivers on the road, as well as their own employers.
This lack of respect makes what is already a tough job, seem enough tougher. The public and even trucking companies themselves, don’t seem to recognize the job of a truck driver is stressful, dangerous and takes a lot of skill to do it safely and do it well.
10. Stressful Traffic and Road Conditions
Spending hours navigating heavy traffic, construction zones, and reckless drivers is a constant headache. Despite their skill, truckers are often blamed for accidents or treated like a nuisance by other drivers.
So Now What?
Truck drivers sacrifice a lot to keep our economy going.
Just by taking a look at their complaints, it’s so easy to see where this trucking industry needs to improve and make changes.
- Better Pay.
- Respect.
- Better Quality of Life for Drivers
These things would create a stronger and certainly a more sustainable workforce.
Without truck drivers, life as we know it would grind to a halt.
It’s high time we listen.
