Platform Science unveils driver experience report to improve pay, technology, and retention in trucking
Key takeaways
- Over 1,100 drivers report broken pay promises and unclear pay structures as top reasons they might leave a fleet.
- Technology affects retention; 53% of drivers say it makes work harder, 47% say it makes work easier.
- Drivers emphasize reliable equipment, functioning technology, and clear safety workflows as critical for staying long-term.
Platform Science recently released its inaugural Driver Experience Report, surveying over 1,100 commercial drivers on factors that influence job satisfaction and retention. The company, which provides a connected vehicle platform, establishes benchmark metrics for tracking driver experience across pay, technology, safety, and communication.
Key findings:
- Competitive pay matters, but transparency and clear structures are essential to driver satisfaction.
- Technology impacts retention, with 53% of drivers saying it makes their job harder and 47% saying it helps.
- Reliable equipment, functioning technology, and safety workflows build confidence and loyalty.
- Honest communication and respect between drivers, dispatch, and leadership increase job satisfaction.
The report provides actionable recommendations for fleets, including building trust through transparency, keeping clear expectations for pay and schedules, involving drivers early in technology adoption, and using integrated tools that reduce daily friction. Experienced drivers, particularly those over age 50, emphasize safety, reliability, and consistency as top priorities for fleet operations.
“As an industry, we talk a lot about drivers, but far less often do we hear directly from them at scale. This report changes that,” said Michael Bray, CCO, Platform Science. “More than 1,100 drivers told us—clearly and candidly—what matters most. The message is consistent: pay matters, but so does trust, communication, and technology that actually works.”
