COVID-19 & Driver Recruiting: Updates for 5/14/2020
We understand you and your team are battling the challenge of recruiting and retaining drivers during this unexpected pandemic situation. Conversion Interactive Agency is committed to regularly sharing with you the trends, information and data we are collecting that impacts you and your carrier.
While this is an ever-changing situation, below is a rundown of what we know today:
- FMCSA Extends Relaxed HOS for The Second Time – The FMCSA extended it emergency declaration regarding the relaxing of hours-of-service rules for carriers providing direct assistance in support of COVID-19 relief efforts. The agency announced on Wednesday this declaration will remain in effect through June 14. Click here to read the official declaration from FMCSA.
- DMV Closures & Fewer Testing Sites Leading to Concerns for Carriers Hiring Students – States are only licensing a fraction of the commercial drivers they previously did before COVID-19. According to CVTA, the industry will only produce 60% of the commercial drivers compared to a normal year. The main reasons are due to DMV closures, as some states remain completely closed, and limited appointment availability for CDL tests with new policies in place.
- For the First Time in Weeks Carriers & Brokers are Reporting Positive Momentum – This week, the industry saw signs of positive momentum from shippers with truckload volumes growing in the majority of the freight market, according to industry insiders and freight analysts. Experts agree the biggest unknown is how consumers will be behaving throughout the remainder of this quarter.
The following includes information on driver recruitment media and marketing updates from Conversion Interactive Agency and our valued partners:
- Trucking & Logistics is the only industry that has NOT seen a decrease in job searches during COVID-19.
- Glassdoor cited “Delivery, Logistics and Warehouse” jobs as the set that is “actively hiring” during COVID-19 with 7 out of 12 of the jobs featured being truck drivers.
- Video interviewing has increased 524% during COVID-19, and some carriers are using it for drivers as a means to connect better now that it’s more common.
Reminder: We are also sending out updates for your drivers so you can provide them with valuable information that will help them on the road. You can find the latest driver update here on our blog.
If you have specific information you would like to know or would like us to research, please email ppeters@conversionia.com.
