Career Path for Your Employees & the FMCSA Crash Preventability Determination Program
The trucking industry continues to face a persistent challenge: finding enough qualified drivers and technicians to keep fleets running smoothly. Think about it—how often do you hear a young person say, “When I grow up, I want to be a truck driver or technician?” It’s rare, and nearly every week someone asks me how to attract new talent to this field. My first question is always, “What are you doing to retain the skilled drivers and technicians you already have?”
In today’s highly competitive job market, if you’re not actively working to keep your best employees, someone else is working to recruit them away. There’s no single solution for driver and technician retention, but several proven strategies can dramatically reduce turnover. One of the most effective is establishing a clear career path for every employee—sometimes called a driver or technician elevation program. If employees can’t see a future with your company, they’re likely to become disengaged and eventually leave.
Compensation is another critical factor. Many drivers and technicians will leave for even a small pay increase elsewhere. To address this, consider linking pay raises directly to training and professional development milestones. In our Atlanta facility, we’ve implemented a career path program that ties pay increases to completed training and exam performance. This approach has benefited both employers and employees: technicians have grown their skills, earned higher wages, and become more invested in their careers.
The results are clear—higher skill levels, reduced turnover, greater efficiency, and fewer repeat repairs. When employees are empowered to advance their education and compensation, everyone wins. Imagine the impact on your business if every team member operated at the highest possible level of skill and expertise.
The following are some additional tips for consideration to retain the good drivers you have:
- Regularly review your company’s policies and procedures to ensure they are transparent and fair to your drivers. Policies should be straightforward, realistic, and consistently applied. Remember, one of the most common reasons drivers leave a motor carrier is a perceived lack of honesty or transparency from the company.
- Recognize drivers as valuable assets and integral members of your company. Their contributions should be acknowledged and appreciated across all aspects of operations and performance.
- Actively involve drivers in key aspects of your company’s operations, such as equipment selection, accident review committees, policy development, and customer service initiatives. Take the time to build genuine relationships with your drivers—get to know them personally and demonstrate authentic concern for their well-being and long-term success. This commitment to engagement and support should be modeled by everyone, from top management to ownership.
- Regularly assess your pay and benefits packages to ensure they remain competitive within the industry. Offering attractive compensation and benefits is essential for retaining top talent and demonstrating your commitment to your drivers’ well-being.
- Implement a comprehensive maintenance and inspection program to keep your vehicles in top condition. Ensuring safe, reliable equipment not only protects your drivers but also demonstrates your commitment to their safety and well-being.
- Invest in continuous training and professional development for your drivers. Studies show that drivers who receive ongoing education and opportunities for advancement are more likely to stay with your company and perform at a higher level.
- Maintain high standards in your driver hiring and selection process. Skilled, experienced drivers are drawn to companies that prioritize quality and professionalism—and are less likely to stay with organizations that hire less qualified personnel.
- Establish a thorough and well-organized orientation and training program for new drivers. It's essential that drivers understand your company’s policies and procedures before they begin service. Introducing these expectations after a driver has already started can lead to confusion and dissatisfaction—often resulting in higher turnover. Setting clear guidelines from the outset fosters confidence and long-term commitment.
- Celebrate your drivers’ achievements and outstanding performance—whether it’s for safe driving, years of service, customer satisfaction, or other notable accomplishments. Make recognition unique and personal, such as awarding custom jackets with their name and achievement, personalized decals for their vehicles, or commemorative plaques. Whenever possible, present these awards publicly among their peers, creating a sense of pride and camaraderie that fosters loyalty and motivation.
- Whenever a driver leaves your company, conduct an exit interview to gain valuable feedback. This can be done in person or, if that’s not possible, by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope with a written questionnaire. Understanding the true reasons behind a driver’s departure can provide insights to improve retention strategies and address potential issues within your organization.
FMCSA Crash Preventability Program
In today’s fast-evolving trucking landscape, understanding and navigating new safety regulations is more important than ever. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has recently expanded its Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP), giving carriers and drivers greater control over their safety records. With new crash types now eligible for review and clearer standards for what constitutes a preventable incident, it’s crucial to know how these changes impact both compliance and your company’s reputation.
Have you had a Non-Preventable DOT recordable accident?
Don’t forget about the FMCSA Crash Preventability Program!
Motor carriers and drivers can challenge the preventability of certain crashes with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Crash Preventability Determination Program. Non-preventable DOT recordable crashes can be removed from your CSA scoring if approved by the FMCSA.
How the program works
The FMCSA’s Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP) evaluates 21 specific types of crashes and updates the Agency’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) to identify those deemed non-preventable. If you’re involved in an eligible crash, you can submit a Request for Data Review (RDR) through the Agency’s DataQs system. Be sure to include the required police accident report and any supporting documents, such as photos or videos.
When a crash is ruled not preventable through the CPDP, it is removed from the calculation of the Crash Indicator Behavior Analysis Safety Improvement Category (BASIC) in the FMCSA’s SMS, although the crash will still appear on the website. Additionally, non-preventable determinations are reflected in the FMCSA’s Pre-employment Screening Program.
For more information about the program, visit:
Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP) | FMCSA (dot.gov)
If a crash is deemed non-preventable, the FMCSA will:
- Remove the crash from the carrier’s “crash indicator” score in the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) system, reducing the chance the carrier will be targeted with enforcement action.
- Add a note to the Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) to indicate that the crash was not preventable, reducing the odds that the driver involved would not be hired due to their crash history.
Crash Eligibility — four additional crash types added December 1, 2024
FMCSA expanded the CPDP on December 1, 2024. Crashes on or after this date follow the eligibility list on this page, while those prior to December 1, 2024, will be reviewed under the previous standards. FMCSA cannot review crashes older than five years. For eligibility requirements for crashes occurring prior to December 1, 2024, click here.
- The CMV was struck in the rear by another motorist.
- The CMV was struck on the side at the rear by another motorist.
- The CMV was struck on the side by a motorist traveling in the same direction.
- The CMV was hit because another motorist was driving the wrong way.
- The CMV was involved in a crash caused by another motorist making a U-turn or illegal turn.
- The CMV was struck while legally stopped at a traffic control device or park (including unattended vehicles).
- The CMV was hit because another motorist failed to stop or slow down in traffic.
- The CMV was involved in a crash caused by another motorist not stopping at a traffic control device.
- The CMV was struck because another individual was under the influence (or a similar violation, such as operating while intoxicated), according to local laws.
- The CMV was struck because another motorist experienced a medical emergency that contributed to the crash.
- The CMV was struck because another motorist fell asleep at the wheel.
- The CMV was hit because another motorist was distracted (e.g., by a cellphone, GPS, passengers, etc.).
- The CMV was struck by cargo or equipment from another vehicle, or debris (including fallen rocks, trees, or unidentified objects in the road).
- The CMV was involved in a crash resulting from infrastructure failure.
- The CMV struck an animal.
- The CMV was involved in a crash related to a suicide death or suicide attempt.
- The CMV was struck by another motorist entering the roadway from a private driveway or parking lot.
- The CMV was struck because another motorist lost control of their vehicle.
- The CMV was involved in a crash with a non-motorist.
- The CMV was involved in a rare crash type not covered above (for example, being struck by an airplane or skydiver, or by a deceased driver in another vehicle).
- Any other crash involving a CMV where video evidence clearly demonstrates the sequence of events.
Why did FMCSA update SMS?
Drawing on feedback from a wide range of stakeholders—including all levels of government, industry leaders, nonprofit and advocacy organizations, researchers, and the public—the FMCSA has implemented a series of updates to the SMS. These enhancements are designed to build on the solid foundation of the system, making it fairer, more accurate, and easier to understand for everyone involved.
Where can I learn about the approved changes?
All forthcoming approved changes to SMS are explained in detail on the CSA Prioritization Preview website.
*The Idealease Safety Bulletin is provided for Idealease locations and their customers and is not to be construed as a complete or exhaustive source of compliance or safety information. The Idealease Safety Bulletin is advisory in nature and does not warrant, guarantee, or otherwise certify compliance with laws, regulations, requirements, or guidelines of any local, state, or Federal agency and/or governing body, or industry standards
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